descending alpe d'huez

inaperfectworld

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=HJoqtnizklA&NR=1 (there's a part 2 as well)
you'll have to copy and paste as i don't know how to insert link; this fella is crazy or awesome or both. i don't think it's speeded up and 9 miles in 10 mins = 54 mph[/url]

cougie

Without having seen it - i think the speed calc must be wrong - there are so many hair pins that i dont think you can average that kind of speed ?

inaperfectworld

that's funny ,it's turned up as a link. more accurate calculation is 9 miles in 11 mins = 49 mph. agree it seems very fast still in view of hairpins, but he flies past cars descending.

attica

Awesome, brings back really good memories of my first ever proper mountain descent.

pneumatic

Ah happy memories!

The speed calculations are probably out, though.. For a start, he doesn't get the bottom of the hill in the film. At the point where he gets stuck behind the dust-truck, he is probably only halfway down.

I used my descent to stop regularly and take pictures as I hadn't wanted to stop on the way up. That's my excuse, anyway!

inaperfectworld

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=O3GfxShAjWU&feature=user
ah but this link does the second half so don't miss that,
i stopped on the way down for photos too but also to let the brakes cool as fade was noticeable. i was on 22" wheels and imagine they gett hotter than bigger wheels

cougie

I blew my front tyre descending the day after the Alpe stage. There was loooads of traffic so I kept getting caught in it all. My rims evidently got verrrry hot. Lovely descent tho.

Or try the one off the back of the alpe - much quieter - but rougher.

fossyant

My club mate had to stop coming down many years back, his tub glue started melting !!!!!

Mark Alexander

Fantastic post
My first roll on any alpine pass. of any kind and first 'hill' with more than 1 hairpin!
the 2nd most fun descent i've ridden.
Great memories thanks

jonty1977

I blew my front tyre after having to slam the brakes on and over heating the rim while coming down D'huez.

Changed the tube and then changed my shorts

Gussio

jonty1977 and cougie

Did you both manage to remain upright after the blowout? How scary was it? The thought of my front tire exploding at speed is the stuff of sweaty palms and sleepless nights!

jonty1977

stayed up right, wobbled for quite a bit but managed to hold it and pull over to the side.

think my heart rate at that point was higher than at any time going up.

Mark Alexander

jonty1977 wrote:

I blew my front tyre after having to slam the brakes on and over heating the rim while coming down D'huez.

Changed the tube and then changed my shorts

synchronicity

What's the average gradient of this hill :?:

Mark Alexander

http://www.steephill.tv/2006/alpe-d-huez/

Mark Alexander

http://www.steephill.tv/2006/alpe-d-huez/