Alpe d’Huez
By Will • 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.
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.
Clicking the link at the bottom will give a bigger zoomable map with an index
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.
Related Posts
Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2009 Challenge is to cycle a 100 Cols (mountain passes) and lose a couple of pounds.
Email this author | All posts by Will
[...] 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 [...]
What a wonderful life! Any ideas on where to stay?
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.
[...] here for five ways to cycle Alpe d’Huez Tagged as: alps, classic, [...]
[...] Alpe d’Huez - Col de Galibier - Col de la Croix de [...]