Anyone have a list cyclosportives within four hours of travel from Zurich? I am trying to get in a few this year. Last year did the Lac Leman (mountain version), Maraton Dolomites and Etape. But this year trying to find ones closer to home. I am aware of the Alpen Challenge in Lenz and the Alpen Classic in Andermatt. And will consider one of them this year. But any suggestions/recommendations of others are welcome.

Plus welcome any training rides, I admit I am a bit slow side, still have too much excess weight. So anything above 35kmph on the flat (plus been riding only about 2 years after a 10 year hiatus) is above me. I am willing to climb anything at a reasonable pace.

I started a thread on this a while back, this post contains most of the info that I found. I did the Gruyère Cycling Tour last year. It was possibly the most fun I ever had riding a bike. I think there were 1500 people all together, although most did the middle distance, and only 200 or so did the full distance that I did (165km with about 3000m of climbing over four passes). It starts and finished in the town of Bulle, which is 2 hours by train from Zurich.

When you say the "Alpen classic in Andermatt" do you mean the Alpenbrevet? I'm hoping to do that this year, though probably the "Classic" version, and not the insane "Challenge" version.

I did the Lac Leman tour last year ('06), but missed it this year ('07) because of a friends' wedding. This was the first year for the mountain version, so I've not done that yet, although I've done virtually all of the course in sections on various solo rides. Where there many people doing the mountain version?

Thanks much, yes I do mean the Alpenbrevet. I will have to look into the other race you mentioned.

Definitely, less than 100 did the mountain Lac Leman. And even less finished because it was about 1 degree and sleeting on the top of the first mountainand most people weren't very well prepared for that weather. I hope they offer it again this year. As I prefer mountain courses rather than just cycling around Lac Leman (though I am sure that is fun too).

Riding around the lake is certainly fun, we posted some pics when we did the Cyclotour of Lac Léman / Lake Geneva in 2006 on our photo blog.

dakman, you mentioned that you did the Etape du Tour last year, I've been thinking about doing it this year. How did you get into it? Did you do it through the French magazine 'Velo' or was it through one of the non-French agencies?

According to the official site, the Velo magazine with the entry form should be available on the last Wednesday in January, which I assume means January 30th this year. The English-language version of the site (here) implies that you only need to get the application form back to them before applications close to get a place. However, the French version seems to mention that preference will be given to residents of France, so now I'm not sure. I'd certainly be interested to hear about your experience, either way you achieved it.

Hey Chris, I went through the Swiss agency listed on the Etape site but I can send you the gentlemen's email if you wish. He sells entry only so you don't need to buy a package as per some of the Uk dealers. Price is expensive (about 200 francs I believe) but more reasonable than what most people elsewhere, when they have to buy the full package from a travel agency.


Regarding applying through Velo, it is virtually impossible to get an entry this way if you don't live in France. As I understand, they fill up the slots within the first day or so and I believe (but can't confirm) they don't accept non French addresses. I spoke to a few people last year which had a subscription to Velo and were able to get an entry online with there Velo subscription and don't live in France(there is however a very limited number of entries given online as well).

I have a one or two other suggestions on how to get entry and none of these options work out for you. Let me know in that case.

I did sign up for it again this year but having doubts on whether I want to make the rather long trip down to the Pyrenes, though it is great fun. In fairness, I did enjoy the Maraton Dolomites more as it begins and ends in the same location so don't have worry about transfers plus the overall atmosphere felt much more festive. Unfortunately, I didn't get in this year.

I'd also like to try out as many of these events this summer that are reasonably close to home. I just posted on the other thread that ChrisW mentioned about some Radmarathons I am planning to do. And also about LaMarmotte -- It was much easier to get in than it sounds like L'Etape is, so may be worth considering if the other doesn't work out.