Alpe d'Huez: who's done it and what sort of rider are you?
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You've just given me a new thing for my bucket list!
All the best Ands 8)0 -
The lower finish is where you first arrive in the old part of town (Ave d'Huez), where the cafes are. There is usually a banner hanging over the road for the finish line, with a podium on the left. On the right hand side is an open carpark. Just 50yards after the lower finish line, the road bends round to the left and under the tunnel.
The TdF finish is on Avenue du Rif Nel.0 -
well I never even knew there was a lower finish line! I wondered why a lot of people slow up at the tunnel!0
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Possibly to the lower finish line down in the town. There is a "third" finish line being where the Marmotte finishes, on the slight downhill before the left up Avenue du Rif Nel. So comparing times can be difficult.redddraggon wrote:andybott wrote:My racing snake mate who is a little over half my weight did it in 45 minutes, so pound for pound I tell him I was faster;-)
Good enough to be in the top 20 of all time fastest times...you're mate is not called Greg Lemond or something like that is he?
@OP- just pace yourself and don't go too hard early on and you will do fine. I had only done shorter climbs than even yourself when I first hit the Pyrenees and with pacing found them surprisingly manageable.0 -
Go do it and enjoy it - the memories will last forever. I did it twice in the one week 3 years ago. The first time was at the end of a 5.5 hour ride, following a 6 hour sportive ride the day before, which took me 1hr 40mins. Second time was on the day before we came home from our holiday and took me 1hr 7mins. I still fall asleep many nights thinking back to that week.0
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I haven't climbed Alpe d'Huez yet, but last year I did the Col des Aravis (18.9k 4.6%av), which is far less steep but longer (and I grant you not one of the monster alps).
But the point of me bringing it up is once we got to the top we got chatting to a lady from the States that had followed us up and she claimed it was harder than Alpe d'Huez; I was shocked to hear that having been to the Alpe to watch the Tour so knowing how tough it looks and even though the Aravis is a long climb we found it steady and straight forward (bar a couple of steep sections and the switchbacks at the end).
Still the point I guess is it's subjective on preperation and mind set, but I'm sure as others have noted here it'll be tough but more then do-able.
I myself will be havng a pop at Morzine-Avoriaz and the Joux Plane amongst others this summer, can't wait.
Enjoy and as David555's post above says, the fantastice memories will last for ever.0 -
Sonny73 wrote:I haven't climbed Alpe d'Huez yet, but last year I did the Col des Aravis (18.9k 4.6%av), which is far less steep but longer (and I grant you not one of the monster alps).
But the point of me bringing it up is once we got to the top we got chatting to a lady from the States that had followed us up and she claimed it was harder than Alpe d'Huez; I was shocked to hear that having been to the Alpe to watch the Tour so knowing how tough it looks and even though the Aravis is a long climb we found it steady and straight forward (bar a couple of steep sections and the switchbacks at the end).
Still the point I guess is it's subjective on preperation and mind set, but I'm sure as others have noted here it'll be tough but more then do-able.
I myself will be havng a pop at Morzine-Avoriaz and the Joux Plane amongst others this summer, can't wait.
Enjoy and as David555's post above says, the fantastice memories will last for ever.
I did the Joux Plane last year, from both sides, and the Morzine-Avoriaz one. You'll love it, and to be honest I think I found the climb from Morzine up into Avoriaz harder than the JP, although it might have something to do with the fact that we had already raced up the JP beforehand..;-)
The last time i did it, we started at the foot of the Joux Plane in Samoens, did the climb and over the other side into Morzine, then straight after climbed up to avoriaz. It was pretty much 2 hours of climbing, followed by 3 hours flat and back to Samoens. I absolutely loved it.
2 days later we rode to the foot of the Colombiere from Samoens, climbed that and waited for the Tour riders to come up. watched that, rode back down and home to Samoens.
I've put some pics up from that trip already but here's one more. The views were spectacular. And apologies for the quality but they were taken with a phone.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9840520@N06/4295728202/0 -
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I'm an untalented slogger at all physical pursuits and I've done it (check the blog in my sig for details)
I have to admit that when I got to the initial ramp, I was crapping myself, but I forced myself to do it and about half way up set myself the additional objective of getting to the top without putting a foot down. I felt absolutely brilliant when I got to the last ramp and sailed up it.
I had a triple and pretty much grannied my way up, so the time was nothing to boast about, but the achievement was all.
the following year, I did Ventoux on a compact. Now THAT is a hard climb.0 -
redddraggon wrote:andybott wrote:My racing snake mate who is a little over half my weight did it in 45 minutes, so pound for pound I tell him I was faster;-)
Good enough to be in the top 20 of all time fastest times...you're mate is not called Greg Lemond or something like that is he?
I stand corrected, he was 54 minutes. Looks even better for me as his oversized mate0 -
I've ridden Alpe D'huez twice. First time was when I was 14, was easier than I expected it to be, hadn't done much training either0
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My wife and I will be in Alpe D'Huez in less than two weeks and as part of my "research" I found this thread. It's a great read, helping me get psyched for my Alpe attempt (under one hour is the goal).0
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As everyone says the 2km stretch where the climb is at its maximum of 10.6% (for a short time) is near the bottom. After the first three turns it eases.There is also another steep hairpin near the top. You can get a bit of a recovery in the turns themselves as the gradient eases. The sun can be a massive problem if you dont go well in the heat so head out early. I always cycle out and back on the road out of Bourg d'Oisans for 10-20 mins to warm up. If you start cold the first 500m will murder your legs. Take minimum two bottles and make sure one is water because if its boiling you will want to pour half of it over yourself. The climb in midday heat is scorching. And make sure you do the proper finish!! Through the town and around the roundabout! It levels off a bit through town so you will prob find you can speed up a bit! Its tough but not a monster. You are better off with a compact. I did it last year with 39-23 and it hurt. I wont be doing that again, far better to spin up it than to lurch all over the road. Most important is to remember where you are and enjoy it!0
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I did it last year on the mountain bike at the end of a long day. Wasn't in very good shape so took a rest half way up for coffee and cakes, did it in c. 2 hours. For me the disappointment is that you then just turn around and come back down the same way (13 mins).
One of the group had complete brake failure on the way down, thankfully at one of the few hairpins with a run off - very very lucky!!0 -
Butterd2 wrote:For me the disappointment is that you then just turn around and come back down the same way (13 mins).
There's another (great & quiet) route down, going over the Col de Sarenne then descending to the Barrage du Chambon. The road quality is (at least was) pretty ropey in a few places.0 -
My trip up Alpe d'Huez. Note the MASSIVE warm up. (Major fail!) being dressed in summer clothes and there being blizzard conditions at the top didn't help either...
Next time will be sub 1hr.
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I hope it's warmed up by the end of July NapD! Saw your pics from the Galibier and it looks pretty cold (been a couple of times in early/mid June before and never seen snow like that up the Galibier).
A couple of years ago Mr Ands went up the Alpe (mid June) and it was 3 degrees at the top. It was really misty and raining and he had to descend in the wet with very bad visibility. He said it was the coldest he has ever been on a bike (he had arm/knee warmers and gilet but that was it).
Anyway, your time looks pretty respectable. Good to have something to aim for for next time tho
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Next time will be sub 1hr. It was -5 at the top and blowing a gale!0
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I rode Alpe D'huez last weekend on a mountain bike with slicks, the steep section at the start is fairly tough but knowing it gets easier as you climb makes it easier to cope with
When we reached the finish line I was gutted - I literally didn't want it to end
Did it in 1:19 which seems respectable, it was a lot easier than Ventoux, which we did the previous day in 30-40mph winds :?0 -
There's another (great & quiet) route down, going over the Col de Sarenne then descending to the Barrage du Chambon. The road quality is (at least was) pretty ropey in a few places.[/quote]
+1
I was in the Alps about 5yrs ago and stayed in a gite in Allemont so went up Alpe d'Huez one day and the Sarenne on another which I really enjoyed. Narrow road with a dodgy metal 'fence' to stop you!0 -
I did it and absolutely loved it - so much so I did it 3 times! First ascent was 1.29.41 (to the Tour finish line). I was really pleased with the time. I then did a 1.28.27 & 1.26.40. I did it on a compact 12-27 and the first two ramps really weren't as bad as I had feared.
I also did the Croix de Fer which was stunning/ The scenery was spectacular. It was a pretty lonely experience but the solitude added to the magic of it all. At one point, I didn't see another cyclist for over an hour - just me and the whistling marmottes! The bit I loved most was in the middle section, after having descended back into the valley. It was steep and seemed endless but sound of the marmottes was just beautiful, and the valley walls were fearsome. Descending was fun down the top section - fast sweeping curves, but then it got a bit technical in the middle so I had to take it really easy.0 -
Nice one Ands!!0
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Oh no! I thought I had retired from extreme climbs, but now you've made me urgently wish to find myself alone on the Croix de Fer, pedalling to the song of the elusive marmotte!.
Oh dear! out with the training schedule
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i did it last summer in a three day blitz of a few climbs.
if you ride within yourself and eat/drink accordingly you'll be able to do it. alpine climbs by their nature are testing, long, but generally not steep. gear down, as everyone else has suggested. i used a 39:25, did it in 57 minutes. could possibly have gone quicker - but then i might have blown a gasket.
the climbs around bourg d'oisans are mind-blowing; places of pilgrimage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8A6cxN27I80 -
Whale music was popular in the 90s....surely there's a place for a marmotte CD (I'm sure it would help me on the turbopneumatic wrote:Oh no! I thought I had retired from extreme climbs, but now you've made me urgently wish to find myself alone on the Croix de Fer, pedalling to the song of the elusive marmotte!.
Oh dear! out with the training schedule
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NapD, weather was glorious when I went up - none of this -5 stuff 8) (although there was a dumping of 25cm of snow at Pic Blanc while we there there). Training in July was a disaster (last UK ride was a very wet and very cold 75km tour of Wincle and surrounds which culminated in me crying like a baby at the top of one climb as I just wanted to go home :oops: ) so was just pleased I found my legs again in France, and could actually get myself up a hill!0 -
wow, i would love to do this climb!! i love going up hills on my bike and i think this would easily be the hardest thing il do in a while on my bike! if not ever!best bike: raleigh avanti U6 carbon comp
10m tt pb:23:42.
25m tt pb: 1h 2min( only done 2)0 -
i will be there on Saturday for a whole week and cannot wait. Leaving for the ferry at 5am tomorrow morning and reading this is going to make me not sleep!!!There is never redemption, any fool can regret yesterday...
Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave!0 -
Oooohh, lucky you. Wish I was still there. Finding it hard to motivate myself now I'm back home. What climbs are you planning to do? Hope you have a great time.drewfromrisca wrote:i will be there on Saturday for a whole week and cannot wait. Leaving for the ferry at 5am tomorrow morning and reading this is going to make me not sleep!!! And post some updates when you get back!! 0 -
Did the Alpe on July 12 (I think), 59:00 exactly to the Tour finish line, although I would have been probably 30 seconds or more quicker if there hadn't been a street market in front of the tourist office.
otoh, perhaps coasting through there at walking speed and then dismounting to get around the barriers helped stave off the cramps just long enough to be able to pedal the only flat section with one leg while the other was seizing up!
Excellent advice about Col de Sarenne. We stayed at the top, so we descended that the day before and did Les Deux Alpes, and then my wife and I climbed Sarenne, while the rest of the group went into Bourg D'Oisans to look around and took the support van back to the top.
We also did Croix de Fer (the next day), but there were LOTS of other cyclists out there that day (it was a Saturday), and even a professional photographer just after the lake on the last stretch to Glandon.0
