Alpe d'Huez

[Rusty]

Help and advice needed please.

Next year, as part of marking my half century birthday (early September), I'd like to have a go at riding up Alpe d'Huez along with my wife. We will, of course, take our time, no attempt at all to break the 60 minute barrier

If anyone on here has done this ride, what are the gradients like (i.e. anything steeper than, say, a 1 in 6 or 1 in 5 slope?). I understand that the first 3km are the worst. Is it feasible for two reasonably fit folk who are recreational/moderate tour cyclists who itend finding a low gear, high cadence, and toughing it out with odd stops along the 14km route to take photos, catch our breath and take on board water!

We would also like, if we can, to ride one or two other climbs, such as the Col du Galibier?

[fausto copy]

Hi Rusty, me and Mrs.Copy did the Routes des Grandes Alpes for our 50th celelbrations a few (ahem) years ago.
I'm sure you and your good lady will manage perfectly well.
Remember that the Alps have an average gradient of only 6%, (1 in 15'ish), so nothing like as steep as the big hills in this country. They just go on a lot longer.
Haven't done Alp d'Huez but looking at the specs, the average is 7.7% (1 in 12) with a maximum 12% (1 in .
With nice low gearing you will be fine to pootle up, enjoy the scenery for photo stops, sips of fluid and breathers.
One thing you probably find is that you will not be cycling at a high cadence, even with low gears.
We averaged around 4 mph up most of the biggies, twiddling but not spinning, although we were fully loaded for a 12 day tour.
The Galibier and Izoard are simply mind-blowing if you get the chance for any extras.

By the way, Uncle Fausto was the first rider over Huez when it was introduced into Le Tour back in '52, when I were just a mere twinkle

[fausto copy]

The maximum gradient is 1 in 8, don't know how Mr. Cool came into the equation!

[Rusty]

Love the username Mr. Copy!

Thanks for that really useful information, I feel a bit more assured now - just need to make sure that we keep reasonably fit and..*cough*...keep the weight down and we should be okay. It seems that the ones who suffer on d'Huez are those who try to break the 60 minute barrier - or those who try to rival Coppi's or Pantani's feats!

By the way, have you ever gone up Mont Ventoux? (22 km climb as I understand it)

thanks also for the other suggestions, may well try them...

Rusty

[simonhill]

Click on this http://www.grenoblecycling.com/Col-AlpedHuez.htm

It gives the info on the climb and there is a button on the page which gives you the profile.

[jevans]

Remember there is more than just one way up, some of the alternatives to the famous 21-hairpin TdF route look interesting:

http://www.cycling-challenge.com/alpe-d ... ent-rides/

[fausto copy]

Love the username Mr. Copy

Well he's my real hero and here's how I got my username:

Me copying the great man going up the Galibier (although he was somewhat slimmer thann me and didn't have to carry quite so much gear).

[jawaka]

yes i' did it last year ; i was 54 and a leisure cyclist. low gears (26") and getting into a rhythm were the key. it would also be easy to be psychologically beaten at the bottom (lordy i can't do this for 9 miles) but once you get into a rhythm it will feel a lot easier. problem with these climbs is doing them day after day: after 4 days i was exhausted and the day after croix de fer i really struggled. finished off climbing galibier from north side; fabulous experience and the view of the meije glacier stunning (alp d'huez has been described as a tesco car park, and that's pretty fair). doing galibier from north meant i was descending from col de lauteret through the tunnels (between lauteret and grenoble). the tunnels are not pleasant at all: narrow not well lit and noisy so better to be going more quickly throught them. if there are tunnels on my routes i take some mini lights. be well prepared for unprdictable weather.