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Cyclists Pilgrimage to Alpe d'Huez
Cyclists Pilgrimage to Alpe d'Huez
A weekend with friends to Alpe d'Huez home of THE MYTHICAL ASCENT... Alpe d'Huez and the 21 hairpin turns remain the most challenging and well known stage of the Tour de France. Each of the 21 turns are marked to help cyclists count-down the 9 miles, and 3,670ft of elevation difference, with an average slope of 7.9 %. Each day during the summer, an average of 1000 recreational and expert riders climb this mythical ascent together. Alpe d'Huez really is the Mecca of cycling, and the ascent to Alpe d'Huez is truely a once in a lifetime experience! The route After a warm-up on the straight roads of the Oisans valley, you reach the foot of the famous ascent of Alpe d'Huez. 10 minutes afterer crossing the starting line, you'll get to the heart of the matter... no more flat stretches. Starting from 737m, the first severe slope takes you to turn 21 (806 m) and continues with a fearful climb up to turn 17 at 965m. Once you've passed this bend, you can recover on the 200m gentle slope crossing the village of La Garde. At this point, the serious cyclist get a boost and pick up speed, while others huff and puff untill turn 15 (1025m) where the slope gets steeper again. Turn 14 is marked with a monument dedicated to Joachim Agostino which gives you the confidence and strength to continue. A gentle slope will take you to "Ribot d'en Bas" (Below) after of which you'll understand why next hamlet is called "Ribot d'en Haut" (on top). Turn 12 welcomes you at 1161 m and string of bends 11/10/9 is the consecration of your condition whatever it may be. The last moment of lower difficulty, your arrival at Sainte-Ferréol (1390 m -- cemetary of Huez) where those in distress can quench their thirst. Next, the ascent to of the village of Huez.  From bends 5 to 2, you get to the heart of the matter again untill the crossing known as the "Patte d'oie" crossing, where the 3 last bends are linked on a slope similar to the first part of the ascent to La Garde. The climb to the resort ends with turn 1 (1713 m) which is very wide, before you come to "Vieil Alpe" (the old village section of Alpe d'Huez), and pass through the tunnel. Up by chalet "Le Camigane" you are cheered up by the red flame marking the last kilometer until the final segment, gently flater between the two roundabouts. 300 meters left and you'll have conquered the 21 mythical bends of Alpe d'Huez. Period April-December Even in winter, in cold and dry weather, it's not unusual to be able to ride your bike at Alpe d'Huez Starting Line The starting line is situated in front of the EDF building, 984ft after the Grenoble-Briançon roundabout right out of Bourg d'Oisans. Finish Line After the last roundabout, on your left, the last 984ft of the Avenue du Rif-Nel stretches out in front of you. The finish is at the end of the avenue. Alpe d'Huez Winners... 1952 Fausto Coppi (Italie) 1976 Joop Zoetemelk (Pays-Bas) 1977 Hennie Kuiper (Pays-Bas) 1978 Hennie Kuiper (Pays-Bas) 1979-1st passage Joachim Agostinho (Portugal) 1979-2nd passage Joop Zoetemelk (Pays Bas) 1981 Peter Winnen (Pays-Bas) 1982 Beat Breu (Suisse) 1983 Peter Winnen (Pays-Bas) 1984 Luis Herrera (Colombie) 1987 Federico Echave (Espagne) 1988 Steven Rooks (Pays-Bas) 1989 Gert-Jan Theunisse (Pays-Bas) 1990 Gianni Bugno (Italie) 1991 Gianni Bugno (Italie) 1992 Andrew Hampsten (USA) 1994 Roberto Conti (Italie) 1995 Marco Pantani (Italie) 1997 Marco Pantani (Italie) 1999 Giuseppe Guerini (Italie) 2001 Lance Armstrong (USA) 2003 Iban Mayo (Espagne) 2004 Lance Armstrong (USA) 2006 Frank Schleck (Lux) Alpe d'Huez Climb in figures Bends : 21 Departure : 2,351 feet Arrival : 6,100 feet Difference in elevation : 3,749 feet Length : 8,89 miles Average slope : 7,9 % Highest slope : 14 % Climb record : 37'35'' Average speed of 14,34 miles/h (Marco Pantani in 1997). Number of crossings of the Grande Boucle : 25 Arrival of the Cyclerace La Marmotte (174km)
YouTube | June 22, 2008
