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Alpe d’Huez

By • Jul 29th, 2006 • Category: Climbs, Cycling, Favorites
   

The last day of vacation.  Climbing Alpe d’Huez is a great way to end a great trip.  I woke up early and descended to the bottom of mountain.  I tried to ride a few flat kilometres to warm up before the ride but it is the biggest travel day of the year and so I soon lost patience.  

alpe dHuez

The first two kilometres of this legendary climb are the hardest and it is a real jolt to the system.  I was almost hyper ventilating.   But I soon settled down and was grateful that I had given my legs a rest yesterday.  This climb is hard!  Once I found my rhythm I made good progress.  But as a sign of how scared I was, I planted a spare water bottle about half was up behind a rock, so I didn’t have to carry the extra pound and a half up the first part of the climb. 

While I rode from the bottom, Doreen up above  rode to the remote Col de la Sarenne and also up to the Alpine Lake Besson … so we both had big mornings.  THen on the highway home – passing a huge traffic jams in the other direction.Phew.

The map below shows the various ways up Alpe d’Huez.

  • The Dark Blue Line is the Classic Route
  • The Green Line includes the beautiful remote Col de la Sarenne
  • The Purple line is an alternate way up starting in Rochetaille and joining the classic
  • The Red line show a great extension up to Col de Poutran and Lac Besson

Clicking the link at the bottom will give a bigger zoomable map with an index


View Larger Map

The satellite photo below highlights the 21 hairpins – each signposted and named for a rider that has one a stage in the Tour de France here.

  The 21 Turns of Alpe d'Huez

 

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is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2013 Challenge is to cycle a 150 Cols (mountain passes), slowly -- and to just enjoy.
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8 Responses »

  1. Cycling Collet d’Allevard and Super collet-- My Cycling ChallengeCycling Collet d’Allevard and Super collet-- My Cycling Challenge on November 15th, 2007 at 11:16 am:

    [...] Cycle describes it as a little Alpe d’Huez, in part due to its steep slopes from the very beginning. It’s a well shaded route winding up [...]

  2. stevesteve on January 9th, 2008 at 1:51 am:

    What a wonderful life! Any ideas on where to stay?

  3. WillWill on January 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am:

    Steve – there aren’t that many hotels in Bourg d’Oisans or the area – especially above 2 stars – here’s a link to hotels in area

    http://www.tourism-oisans.com/accomodations-oisans.html

    But personally, I have always stayed up top in the ski resort. More scenic and interesting than down low.

  4. Alpe d’Huez : Cycling ChallengeAlpe d’Huez : Cycling Challenge on January 28th, 2008 at 11:01 pm:

    [...] here for five ways to cycle Alpe d’Huez Tagged as: alps, classic, [...]

  5. Reise til Frankrike — Fredrik’s BlogReise til Frankrike — Fredrik’s Blog on June 24th, 2008 at 2:23 pm:

    [...] Alpe d’Huez – Col de Galibier – Col de la Croix de [...]

  6. JohnJohn on March 15th, 2011 at 4:21 pm:

    Hi Will

    Just a quick one.

    Does Alpe D’Huez have a sign at the top with it’s elevation?

    Last year I went I couldn’t find it.

  7. WillWill on March 15th, 2011 at 7:34 pm:

    Hi John,

    Last I looked there is this at the official finish. As we as a “podium” off to the right. But I think there is no altitude sign.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/willj/2932248960/

    I may be wrong …. and all 21 hairpins do have altitude signs.

  8. JohnJohn on March 16th, 2011 at 9:26 am:

    Hi Will

    Nice picture!! Im guessing that was taken straight away to capture the moment of just how difficult a climb it is.

    I remember two years ago when I ascended and I couldn’t find the finishing line, so I assumed it was where the big square was. And just stopped?!

    But now I know from your picture it is that sign, I will most definitely look out for it.

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