Taming L'Alpe d' Huez

One of the 21 hairpins. Check out that gradient !
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There are known climbs, famous climbs and then there is Alpe d'Huez. It is the most famous and notorious cycling climb and has long been a landmark on the Tour de France. It is rated HC on the category scale of 1 - 4. The HC stands for Hors Categorie or 'beyond category'. In the midst of the Alps, this famed stretch of 21 hairpin bends climbs more than a vertical kilometre in the space of 13.5km. And today, we rode up it. Alpe d'Huez was not on the tour last year but we felt that it would be simply wrong not to attempt to climb it seeing we were in the area. We were doubly motivated given that our big day from Val d'Isere to Briancon had to be cancelled due to closed mountain passes. And so there we were, standing at the bottom of a truly vertiginous cliff which was so steep that the town is not visible until 4km to go. In persistent rain (which seems to be dogging us through the Alps) and falling temperatures, off we rode.

The road we've just climbed.
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The climb is 13.5km long and a very steady gradient of 8.1% with portions exceeding 10%. Thats first or second gear if you are in a car by the way. The climb has 21 hairpin bends on it and each is numbered showing the elevation and noting a famous winner of a stage to Alpe D'Huez in the Tour de France. We were riding on the roads made famous deeds by the likes of Mercx, Hinault, Pantani and Armstrong.

The climb is 13.5km long and a very steady gradient of 8.1% with portions exceeding 10%. Thats first or second gear if you are in a car by the way.

Two tired but happy lads at top of Alpe d'Huez.
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And Im very proud to say that we both made it up without stopping. Our first HC climb. Nev stopped the clock at 1 hr 9 min and Andy followed at 1 hr 19 min. This slightly lags the record of Marco Pantani at 38min but he might have had some 'nutritional assistance' and few more people cheering him on! We did see a couple of Go Kiwi signs on the road so that helped.

Also saw a pro team riding the climb in training and the good mountain guys were again making it look very comfortable pedalling at twice our speed. Some of the group though were more like us and they were undoubtedly the sprinters. Also saw another pro who was doing laps up it. Nuts. But like Andy said, they arent playing in the same ballpark, or even the same sport!

One of the hairpin markers on Alpe d'Huez.
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Thats it for the Alps. We now head south and across the bottom of France before a date with the Pyrenees in a week's time. Thanks very much for all the comments. Really enjoy reading them. Havent answered all the questions, but heres a couple. The pros average about 35kph on mountain stages compared to our 20kph. Kate is currently driving the van and doing a great job (especially the sandwiches waiting at the end). The wine here is fantastic and very cheap. Ok reds for 1 Euro at the supermarket and the good stuff goes for 3.50E ! And for those missing the Nevstar Music Guide, here are the Top Ten songs to climb up mountains to:

Andy's brakes after L'Alpe d'Huez!
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10. Gonna Fly Now : Bill Conti - Rocky theme, enough said.

9. Run To The Hills : Iron Maiden - brilliant

8. God Is My DJ : Faithless - especially the lyric, 'this is my church' which seems appropriate when you are in your element cycling up mountains.

7. Ready To Go : Republica - great beat to set rhythm on pedals

6. November Rain : G n R - mainly because its nine minutes long so by the end you are two more km up the road!

5. Highway To Hell : AC/DC - explanation not required.

4. Up In The Sky : Oasis - lyrics seeming appropriate

3. I Wanna Be Your Dog : Iggy Pop - arresting rhythm

2. River Deep Mountain High : Tina Turner - ha, sick joke.

1. Ultimate Warrior Theme Song - honestly, you have to try it.