Having just signed up to compete in the 17th stage of the Tour de France next year - the Etape du Tour - I was wondering;

a) is anyone else here crazy enough to do the same?
b) anyone know any road cycling clubs in Zurich

Thanks and here is the link to the event.

http://www.letapedutour.com/2010/ETD...r/parcours.htm

How did you sign up for the event? I assume that you used one of the official travel agencies. I believe there used to be one based in Switzerland, but there are none currently listed on the Etape webpage.

For cycling clubs near Zurich, check out this thread. However, the information there is not too extensive, so hopefully someone will be able to add to it here.

You can just use one of the English ones.

Thanks I'll take a look.

Have fun, I did the 2007 and 2008 versions, should be fun thi year ending on the Tourmalet..

I found good training partners on the EF though they were usually just out for leisurely rides in the mountains and hills. My only advice is do alot of long rides in the mountains . You have a perfect training area. By event day, it will feel just like doing a normal weekend ride except for the 8000 other people. I didn't really have a training plan, other than climb as many hills and mountains as possible. I became good friends with the Pfannensteil.

If you need somewhere to stay, I have a great recommendation.

Yeah I also did the etape this year 2009 in Mont Ventoux. It was an awesome experience but I was living and training in a different country then so it would be nice to know some local clubs to ride with here in Zurich and the alps. Well I'll keep looking and post anything I find.

Hi, I've just moved to Switzerland and living about 40 mins from Zurich in Sarmanstorf and I also did the E'Tape this year and doing the 2010 race. It would be great to get some training partners if you are interested in meeting up for some rides. I haven't done any rides recently as it has been too cold but need to get out there and shake off the Christmas Turkey.

Hello,
I am new to the Zurich area. I am interested in doing as much riding as I can before summer. I have an 8 day hut to hut Mt bike trip in Colorado in July. So I need to get in some quality saddle time. I live in Wallisellen. If anyone is interested in weekend or weekday rides let me know, Please

Will be doing a 3-3.5 hour road ride from Thalwil early tomorrow morning that will cover 1 or 2 samller climbs. The overall distance will be 85-100km with about 1000m climbing. If you are interested in joining, send me a PM.
Mike

any similar upcoming rides planned?

I have been in Zurich since January and have not really succeeded at finding my way around on a bike other than riding around the Greifensee. Can anybody offer recommendations on 2-4 h ride routes originating in Zurich that get in some climbing, or any group rides, or anybody looking for company? I'm aiming for a ride sometime tomorrow and whenever the weather is clear on the weekend. road or mountain.

perhaps also some advice on which of the routes posted on this forum are clear enough to ride this time of year?

thanks!

Yesterday I got my bike back from service, formally did my season's inaugural ride along with my neighbor, we started from Ruti, did a loop around Greifensee and back for about 70 clicks, 300 m ht gain, avg speed of 25kph.

There will be many rides happening shortly thru the forum, keep monitoring the calendar. But you need to indicate your broad range of performance. For example the ride mblume is describing above is brutal, I would take 6 hrs hours for that, optimistically Just saying this, so that if you are a newbie you don't embarrass yourself

I'm totally out of shape and haven't trained in about 8 months unless eating large quantities of chocolate and cheese counts for anything. Prior to that, I was a Cat 1 racer in the US. Not looking for intensity-just want to start by exploring this beautiful place.