Day 12 Alpe d’Huez

A good night’s sleep makes all the difference and I felt so much perkier this morning. This hotel is very comfortable and piece de resistance had boiled eggs for breakfast, a perfect start to a bike climb.
Alpe d’Huez was the target for today and we had been briefed to expect a challenging start to the 21 hairpin, 14km slog up the mountain. The first 6 bends average 11% and I needed to have a ‘photograph’ stop to prevent the body having a complete strop before plodding on.

Bends 15-6 are still 8-9% but at least there is a brief respite to catch the breath on each corner, so not as brutal as Mont Ventoux. 
I had to take a photo of this one as I am a huge fan of Geraint Thomas (I’m guessing he doesn’t stop for photos).

The next few bends again really stung the legs but it seemed to ease off towards the top.
 Confusingly there are two finishes and we had been instructed to keep going to the TdF finish to do it properly - unfortunately next to an ugly ski apartment building!

We then went back down to the ‘tourist’ finish and did the podium photo.

Coffee and apple tart was obviously then needed before heading back down the hill and more photo opportunities to give the hands and neck a break from the braking.





Neil was comfortably relaxing in the sun for some time before I finally made it to the bottom!

We decided that was enough cycling for today as we have two huge days to come.

Time then for a meander around the touristy but currently very quiet little town, with a particularly good Poire Belle Helene and a present for my soon to arrive grandson.












Comments

  1. BikewallahSeptember 12, 2020 at 5:07 PM

    Especially love the last two photos. You’re definitely your mother’s daughter! And that’s the coolest romper ever!

    ReplyDelete

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