Summer is in full swing in Europe. From a lay-mans point of view, this is a direct result of longer days, more sunshine, which invariably leads to hotter weather, fewer clothes and more time on the beach. To a cyclist, however, its the appreciation of all the hard winter kilometres (we’re in Europe now) to bring you to the peak of form mid-season.
It’s nearly July, which means only one thing – the Tour de France is just around the corner. Before that is quite possibly, la doyenne of the European sportive calendar.
In Italy, the La Fuga team are at the Maratona dles Dolomites, a Grand Fondo of 138km taking in the most special Sella Ronda of Passo Campolongo, Pordoi, Sella and Gardena, followed by the infamous Giau and Valparola.
The French aren’t a nation to let the Italians get one over them. Be it on the football pitch or cyclo-sportives. Hence, this weekend is also La Marmotte. Held in the French Alpes, an area teeming with cycling history in much the same way as the Dolomites, this sportive will take you 174km from Bourg D’Oisans to the summit of Alpe D’Huez, via Croix de Fer, Telegraphe, Galibier and Lautaret. thats over 5000m of climbing for you grimpeurs. Of course, La Fuga is also at La Marmotte.
Which did you choose?