I was determined to ride Alpe d' Huez one more time and the only opportunity to do so was this morning before the organisers closed the road for todays race which finishes at the top of Huez after 2 other Cols and 200 odd kms.
By the time I got going it was just before 9am. The road was already busy with lots of people riding or walking up the 21 switchbacks. It seemed like a pilgrimage to Mecca. It only took 20 to descend but I had to warm up at the bottom in the sunshine as the cold mountain air chills the bones. My ride up whilst not exactly easy was not as hard as it was 2 days ago. It only took 1hr 17mins and 20 secs to climb the beast (15 mins faster this time) but unlike 2 days ago when we had ridden 100+kms before ascending I was rather fresh in the legs today.
The rest of the day was spent enjoying the carnival atmosphere, the procession of cars and finally the race itself. There were a few of us watching the race on TV and as the riders ascended Huez we were on the balcony watching the riders fly by.
Dinner out and plenty of beer and wine ensured a great day was had. Here's some pics of the day.
The rest of the day was spent enjoying the carnival atmosphere, the procession of cars and finally the race itself. There were a few of us watching the race on TV and as the riders ascended Huez we were on the balcony watching the riders fly by.
Dinner out and plenty of beer and wine ensured a great day was had. Here's some pics of the day.
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