Alpe D'Huez - Double Ascent

durhamwasp

The date is picked - April 1st, 6 of us heading to The Alpe.

We did the Cingles in Sept, and while we want this to be a more relaxed trip, we dont wonna drive 1000 miles there to only cycle a 28km round ride, so we are looking at doing it from 2 sides in the day.

I know http://www.cycling-challenge.com/alpe-d ... ent-rides/ describes 5 different routes, and was wondering if anybody has cycled up any of the other routes apart from the obvious one from Bourg, and what you would recommend?

As mentioned, it will be April 1st, so i dont know if this will affect any of the other roads and how clear they are.

Merci!

rc856

Apart from the 'normal' route, I've done the one from Rochetaillee, going through Villard-Reculas and joining the Alpe at Huez village.
Really enjoyed it. IIRC, it's wooded at the bottom and it narrows a lot when you're getting close to Huez. Only a very flimsy barrier stopping you dropping over the edge or was when I did it.

Didn't think it was as hard as the normal route.

PieterM

The road via Col de Sarennes is a beautiful and remote climb. Highly recommended. However, the road surface on the short (mainly downhill) stretch from the top to A d' H is in very poor condition so be be careful there.

pdstsp

Is April 1st not a trifle early - still the ski season so while the main road up will be open for tourist traffic the other routes may well be snow blocked or at least treacherous.

PieterM

Good point. I overlooked that in the OP's message. Good chance that Col de Sarennes is still closed that early in the year.

dodgy

I'd say early April is very ambituous for the Alpe, probably for more or less every climb of that height in the region, too.
You'll need luck on your side.

durhamwasp

Ive done a bit of research and the Tour route road up The Alpe should be perfectly clear at the beginning of April, been looking at other peoples pictures and reports from around this time and it looks fine.

As you say, its a ski resort and the road is kept clear of snow, will be pretty beautiful scenery too. Shame its unlikely other routes will be open but...

I totally agree its early, but i have little choice due to work commitments next year, and the group we go as, its either April 1st or never. 6 or 7 of us go over in a motorhome and ride a tour climb, so its good crack regardless and not bad on the pocket. Weekend in Bourg, climb the Alpe once or twice and a few beers at the top then back down to the van and a night on it.

pdstsp

Sounds a good trip - long way for a relatively small amount of riding but the duathlon element in the evening explains it. Enjoy.

But be careful on the descent - there can be a lot of snow melt on the alpine roads so can be very slippy - be a shame to hurt the drinking shoulder in a fall.

dodgy

durhamwasp wrote:

Ive done a bit of research and the Tour route road up The Alpe should be perfectly clear at the beginning of April, been looking at other peoples pictures and reports from around this time and it looks fine.

As you say, its a ski resort and the road is kept clear of snow, will be pretty beautiful scenery too. Shame its unlikely other routes will be open but...

I totally agree its early, but i have little choice due to work commitments next year, and the group we go as, its either April 1st or never. 6 or 7 of us go over in a motorhome and ride a tour climb, so its good crack regardless and not bad on the pocket. Weekend in Bourg, climb the Alpe once or twice and a few beers at the top then back down to the van and a night on it.

Fair enough, the views will be breathtaking, snow all around etc. I've only ever ridden in the alps in July and it's beautiful then with the only real snow around on Mont Blanc.

I bet you'll have a fantastic time, make sure you get some pictures!

durhamwasp

Thanks and i sure will!

Had a look around Flickr at cycling photos taken on the Alpe in April, stunning all around. Though im sure its just as stunning in the summer - im sure i will find out one day!

We are planning to stay in one of the camping Aires at the bottom, really cant wait to visit the mecca of cycling!

rc856

Lucky you. Would love to go back.
Make sure you finish at the TdF finish!

durhamwasp

cheers guys, yeah i admit it is a long way to go for less than 50 miles of cycling, but after putting all the effort in for the Cingles in Sept, we had such a great time that as a group of friends we decided to make it an annual thing. This time it will be a lot more relaxed, with a bit more drinking involved (not the night before the cycling!).

Im thinking now that we will cycle it twice, once in the morning, drop back down and have lunch, then up again in the afternoon, couple of drinks and back down. And yep, we'll defo be taking it steady on the descents.

I take it the TdF finish is a little further into the centre? Past the podium on the right?