July 11th L'Etape du Tour

A few months after planning our trip to France which had to be done far in advance in order to use air miles the 2011 route for the Tour de France was announced. A friend of a friend had done L'etape in 2010 and when the 2011 route was announced I started to think about the possibility of doing L'etape. Rumors were swirling that there would be 2 put on in 2011 and that one of them would include the legendary Alpe d'Huez mountain stage. When the route and date was announced it turned out to be favorable with our travel dates. I registered and started to worry what climbing real mountains would be like. Cycling at home includes lots of short & steep pitches but really nothing that will take more than 5 minutes to climb. What would it be like climbing one of these hills not for 5 minutes but for an hour or longer with no respite???






We start with the Category 1 Col du Telegraphe.
Stats : 12.3kms at 6.9% topping out at 1580m
I know to take it easy. Its early. Real early. This comes after the first 15 or so kms out of Modane that were generally downhill and exhilarating. Just my type of descent - not too steep, just a 2-4% or so gradual descent with some swooping turns. There was a span of 10kms that took only about 12 and a half minutes!



A shot of the guys behind me
Navigating a switchback

Now onto the Galibier! 18km @ 6.6% topping out at 2645m
Leaving the ski village there is a long straight that is the deadliest false flat I have ever ridden. Somehow it looks flat but is about a 4+% grade!! I was working hard & going slow like everyone else but no matter what angle I looked at it from it appeared flat.


I was in this race for the experience, the chance to climb some of the epic mountains of the Tour de France and wasn't concrened about how long it was going to take. I was going to go easy, enjoy the views and wait until the bottom of Alpe d'Huez and hammer from there. Lots of chances for photo ops.


Its magical looking back at the road you have covered that is snaking down the mountain with cyclists in an infinite line









Now we are making some progress - that's a long way down where we came from

Another break just before the summit. The road is steep here.

Incredible views.




I had to stop for this shot. A spectacular day with great weather. About two days later it would get as low as 3 degrees and snow would fall putting Stage 18 of the Tour in doubt.




A terrifying descent for me. My home territory is totally flat with small hills that are generally straight line and you never have to worry about navigating any downhill turns. But here? Oh man. Riding the brakes down the mountain pretty much the whole time is tiring. I had to stop and give my forearms and neck a break as they are straining all the way down.
Leaving the Galibier and onto Alpe D'Huez. Time to take things serious - no more photo stops. I finally go into the red as I am all alone and a big group is ahead on the run-in to Bourg D'Oisans. I bridge after about 5mins in the red zone but am rewarded with a spot in a big pack to take me to the base of the last mountain. This stretch is great but the tunnels scare me to death. My first experience with them and its not pleasant. Flying down the road at 40+kph and all of the sudden you are thrown into darkness where you cannot see the road and can only barely see the cyclists beside and in front of you. After a couple of these I remove my sunglasses for the rest of the tunnels as that at least allows me to make out some of the road in front of me. Glad when they are done!


No pictures on the way up Alpe d'Huez.
13.2km @8.3% topping out at 1834m
I make the climb in 66+minutes, pretty happy with my time
Overall my time was in the top 31% but for the ascent up Alpe d'Huez I made the top 4%

After resting up and some chow at the top its time to come down as others are still making their way up. Some walking, some sitting, just barley moving forward. I come across a big group waiting to get water and even sprayed down with hoses. Its carnage out on the slopes of the mountain. Soon after I meet up with the broom wagon making its way up!







The scene post race at the top. A little cool and quite windy. I was eager to make my way down


A view to the valley below as I start my descent.
L'etape was an incredible experience. Physically it is challenging but enjoyable. The things I will remember most are the spectacular views and the hard ride up Alpe d'Huez passing people left & right and the silence during the climb. Everyone in their own pain cave, no energy to be wasted talking, hearing only the heavy breathing going up the mountain. I was fortunate to have good weather, no mechanicals or crashes and make it safely to the finish. Most importantly a supportive family that got dragged around France spending close to 20hours in a car over 3 days with no complaining!!!!


Stats:
Col du Telegraphe - Category 1 - 12km @6.2% topping out at 1566m
Col du Galibier - Hors catégorie - 18km @6.9% topping out at 2645m
Alpe d'Huez - Hors catégorie - 13.2km @8.1% topping out at 1815m