Thursday 22nd June 2023: Optional early arrival day
Please make your way to Alpe d'Huez today or make use of our optional airport transfer from Geneva airport where our team will meet you. The transfer takes 3 hours from Geneva. Please arrive today if you would like to do the Alpe d'Huez Time Trial tomorrow (Grimpee de L'Alpe).
Optional Airport Transfers
Fly into Geneva where our team will meet you. The transfer takes just over 3 hours from Geneva. Our transfer times will be :
Geneva Airport
- Transfer 1 : Depart Geneva Airport at 11.00 (for flights arriving by 10.00)
This evening we will meet in Smithy's tavern for our group meal night which is bookable as an extra at £25 per night.
Friday 23rd June 2023: Arrival day
Please make your way to Alpe d'Huez today or make use of our optional airport transfer from Geneva airport where our team will meet you
Optional Airport Transfers
Fly into Geneva where our team will meet you. The transfer takes just over 3 hours from Geneva. Our transfer times will be :
Geneva Airport
- Transfer 1 : Depart Geneva Airport at 11.00 (for flights arriving by 10.00)
- Transfer 2 : Depart Geneva Airport at 16.00 (for flights arriving by 15.00)
Our hotel
We are staying at your choice of our hotels in Alpe d’Huez. Your stay will be for 3 or 4 nights and will be on a bed and breakfast basis so with breakfasts included. You will have an early breakfast on Marmotte day. You have the option to come and join us at our meal night at Smithy’s tavern. For £25 per person per night, you will get a basic but copious two course meal plus the opportunity to socialise with your fellow Marmotters.
Guided ride
If you are on the earlier arrival, we will run a short (but punchy) guided ride down Alpe d'Huez, over the Balcons and back up the Sarenne departing Alpe d'Huez at 14.30.
This afternoon you have the opportunity to go to the expo to collect your race bib for tomorrow. This afternoon and early evening, our tour leaders and bike mechanics are available for you. The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at our meal night in Smithy’s Tavern.
Saturday 24th June 2023 : Preparation day
After breakfast and preparing the bikes, we will take you on a supported, guided ride that takes in the Vilard Reculas climb which is the easiest way to get back up to Alpe d’Huez. We will descend down to Bourg d’Oisans, ride along the valley floor and climb back up to Alpe d’Huez.
We’ll be back at the hotel in the afternoon for you to rest and get prepared for tomorrow. This evening our bike guides will do a race briefing to run through Marmotte day logistics and of course the route.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at Smithy’s for the meal night where there will be plenty of carbs on offer.
Sunday 25th June 2023 : The Marmotte
We have an early start this morning. Early breakfast is arranged in the hotel restaurant.
2023 Gran Fondo La Marmotte
The Marmotte start is done in waves. You will be allocated a start pen with a time that you have to enter the pen plus a start time. Previous editions have started between 07:00 and 08:30. The Marmotte is a race with one cut off point. You need to have passed the start of the Alpe d’Huez climb in Bourg d’Oisans before 18.00 otherwise you will be eliminated from the race. If you’re eliminated your bike will go on a bike trailer and you will be transported to the finish in Alpe d’Huez.
Once you finish in Alpe d’Huez, there’s no need to worry as you are staying near the finish.
This afternoon and early evening we’ll assist you with re-packing your bikes ahead of travel.
The evening is free for you to eat out in one of Alpe d’Huez’s many restaurants or you can join us at Smithy’s for the meal night. After the meal we’ll have a celebratory get together at Smithy’s bar to celebrate your achievement.
Monday 26th June 2023 : Departure
After breakfast we offer our optional transfer back to Lyon or Geneva airport. If you book on to one of our transfers, they will operate as follows :
Geneva Airport
- Transfer 1 : Depart Alpe d’Huez at 07.00 (for flights departing after 12.00)
- Transfer 2 : Depart Alpe d’Huez at 10.00 (for flights departing after 15.00)