Refreshed from a day off the bikes we set off on a 110km ride from Guillestre to Alpe d' Huez. We travelled along the beautiful valley of the river Durance past many farming villages and winter ski resorts.
The first major climb was after we went through the town of Briancon which was the start of the le Tour stage into Italy. The climb known as the Col du Lauteret was certainly long and steady rising from the valley floor over 36.5kms and into a 30km/hr head wind. A welcomed lunch of Steak Frites with a hot chocolate and we were off in rapidly cooling conditions.
The first downhill sections were really fast with speeds up to 60+ and lots of long/dark tunnels which were really scary coming from bright sunlight and with the sunnies on the tunnels were really narrow. Not much room for error with an on-coming truck! The descent continued 40kms into the village of Bourg d'Oisans at the foot of the imposing Alpe d' Huez.
After such a taxing 100+kms only 5 of us (Fitzy, Ray, Jason, Steve and I) decided to climb the monolith. Alpe d' Huez is famous for its 21 switchbacks (tirages) over over 14kms with an ascent of 1130mtrs at an average gradient of over 8%. Slowly but surely we climbed up and up and up.... With the le Tour stage up this mountain in 2 days time it was amazing the number of people riding up and down, the caravans parked bumper to bumper on the roadside, the people sitting on their deckchairs on the roadsides cheering the riders up. The carnival atmosphere with the loud music was really building up the higher up we got.
Each of the 21 switchbacks were signposted with the corner number and a famous rider from the past and as you climbed you mentally counted down the number of switchbacks to go until finally tirage 1 at 1713mtrs and then another 300 odd meters to the top.
At the end of such a long day the climb was massive both physically and mentally but such a satisfaction of achievement. It took me 1hr 19mins to conquer the beast, delicate derierre and all.
With a small mess up with accomodation we were treated to a lovely authentic French mountain meal thanks to Lawrie and Bikestyletours.
Au Revoir & Bon Appetit
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2 comments:
Delicate Derriere, I can't believe you actually climbed those mountains! I did too last night, on the couch, coffee in hand, breathless with tension and mentally urging on Cadel. It quite exhausted me...Brilliantly done James, and I wish you a safe return with lots of stories and pikkies.
Marlene (and David)
Well done Jim that is a fantastic effort. I hope you are making lots of travel notes so you can organise a trip so the rest of us to join you. Very envious!! Buy the way your shares are in meltdown this morning 3% market drop. I suggest you consule yourself with climbing another Col and drinking more of the local produce. Michael Gabrielle James and Stefan
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