Our nice paceline leading right to the base of the mountain. We had a nice, leisurely 20km descent before reaching the base. Then the fun began. The first 3km are by far the steepest, with sections as high as 14% gradient, but then it mellows out as the climb progresses.
So close....I've heard that around 1 hour is good for amateur racers, so I was hoping for a sub-hour time, but 1:02:32 wasn't too bad. I definitely didn't go all out (we still had more riding to do after the climb...and the legs were feeling a bit heavy with all the miles this week), so I think I could have done around a 56-57min. I can rest assured knowing that the last few pros this year in the Tour did it in around 54min. ;) Heather beat Sheryl Crow by over 3min, posting a time of 1:27:00. :)
Holy cow, there's a hockey rink on the top of Alpe d'Huez! They were actually playing hockey there when we first got to the summit, but by the time we had changed and eaten (there are many fine diners up there), they were having some sort of pleasure skate.
The whole gang (minus our two guides, Stephanie and Shannon, and our Trek Travel photographer, John). From left to right...Tom from DC, Tim from Spain, Jake from CA, Craig from NC, myself and Heather, and Becca and Peter from PA.
There are 21 switchbacks an Alpe d'Huez, and they are all numbered with the rider that won the stage up Alpe d'Huez during the Tour. Here's switchback 5, with none other than Andy Hampsten. Cool.
The view on the way back down the mountain. What a fun descent as well.
As you keep going down, you can look out and see all the switchbacks below. The climb starts in the town in the background, so this view shows the first 5 or 6 switchbacks.
As usual, here is a link to the rest of the pics from today's awesome ride: Get your pics!And that concludes the riding portion of our Trek Travel trip, unfortunately. Tomorrow morning we are taking the cable car up to the glacier across from our chalet to play in the ice caves and stuff. Should be a blast. Then it is off to the train station to head to Lyon for our last night in France. The week went by much too quickly....
4 comments:
Great pictures again Brian! Thanks for sharing them. Thanks for the ones of the map case as well. How does it stay sticking straight out? I like the "three way" shirt. Is there one with three guys on it? :) You me and Trent, Huh? :)
Anyway, I hope the rest of your trip goes well. You don't have to fly through Heathrow Airport in London, do you?
Later,
Vino :)
What's up Vino? The paper itself is what usually keeps it straight out like that. On downhills it tends to fly back over your handlebar, so I would always just fold it under the bar.
That 3-way shirt was sitting by itself in an Alpe d'Huez t-shirt rack. The French are perverts. They draw penises all over the roads of the climbs. ALL over. Crazy.
Fortunately, we don't have to fly through Heathrow. Hopefully things aren't too backed up...we need to get back to feed our little puppy. :)
So you want comments eh? :-)~
Looks like you had a great trip. So are you ready to come home, or wishing for more French roadwork?
We will miss the nice pictures and your commentary, Brian. We've enjoyed it all. What a fantastic honeymoon you two have had! Have a safe trip home - hopefully, the lines at the airport(s) won't be too long.
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