Alpe D'Huez

The Alpe D'Huez is the most famous and most ridden bicycling climb in Europe. It is used in the tour frequently but not this year. It is moderately steep and long by Alps standards. It is very steep and long by my standards. But it is the one I really came here to do. Our hotel was located near the top of the Alpe D'Huez so as we drove up last night I got to preview. Mike, one of the riders sitting next to me in the van, said he didn't want to look but could tell how steep it was by how the van motor was straining to go up it. Part of the excitement of it is the 21 switchbacks on each of which there is a sign stating the number of the turn as well as the name of a previous winner of the climb in the tour. The pictures show only a few of the switchbacks. I was on a switchback about 4 from the top to take them. To start the day we had to get to the bottom before we could turn around and start the climb. The ride to the bottom 8.4miles (14km) down took almost a half hour. I took my time as it was fast and cold. At the bottom, I rode around the traffic circle and began the climb. I rode initially with Ed (ENT doc) and David (san diego engineer) but we soon became separated as the initial 2km is about 11-12%. As each of us trudged up the mountain, the gaps between stayed the same with Ed in front of me and David behind as I assume we reached a rhythm. There is lots of info on-line about the climb including you tube videos of people doing it and their times. I had seen times around 2 hours on there. So I hoped i could do it in less. But actually just finishing would be plenty. But as the male ego works, I did time myself and I did make it to the top without stopping. I checked my watch, 1:29:45. Wow I thought, not bad. So as I stood there I saw a podium where you could take a picture as if you really won it. I asked a young (20ish y.o.) Dutch guy standing if he would use my camera and take a picture. After he took the picture, he asked how long it took me since he remembered passing me on the way up. Then came the ego flattening comment. He said, "Great, anything around 1:30 is considered really good for OLD guys". I laughed and thought, wait a minute, old? That's okay with me, just glad to have finished in my goal.

The early afternoon allowed us to shop and eat as the vans would not leave until 2PM. We then drove to the new hotel about 2 hours away. Very twisty drive thru the mountain pass with huge drop-offs. Picture shows the tight squeeze of the vans in one of these old European towns. Even though nothing was damaged, we were glad our bikes were not on that van.
Today is Bastille Day so most things are closed and right now fireworks and bands in the town square of St. Jean. Had a nice carb and protein dinner of chicken and pasta, in preparation for the Telegraph and Galibier on our last day of riding. It is a big day but since it's the last day I'm gonna give it a big effort. The mountain is 30miles long with 7200 feet of climbing. Survival is the only goal.