Length: 13.9km
Altitude Gain: 1,073m
Average Gradient: 8.19%
Max Gradient:12%
Hairpin Bends: 21
Open: April to December
The Alpe was first seen on the Tour in 1952 and only came about after a local painter who knew the Tour's chief commissaire, Jean Barbaglia, had got together with the owner of a hotel on the Alpe, Georges Rajon, and managed to raise £2,000 to host the race. Until then the only sport on the mountain was skiing which still happens today. The first time it was used on the Tour was not a success and the Tour only made a return in 1976 and it is now an extremely popular climb.
Whilst on holiday in France this year we went to the Alps and Joe had a go at climbing Alpe D'Huez. We decided to rent a bike from the top of the mountain after driving up to see what the climb was like. We started off in the valley floor and drove up. Twenty one hairpin bends each bend is marked with a number counting down to the top. Under each number is the name of the rider who won the stage where Alpe D'Huez was the finish, together with the date. The turns are very tight as you drive up and the car was for ever going into 1st gear because of the steepness and the first 2km (apparently are the worst) with a nasty kick towards the end of the ride. Although from my perspective it all looked horrendous.
Driving up has to be done slowly as there are a constant stream of cyclists of all shapes and sizes and on all machines attempting the ascent in their own time. Many stopping to take some great photo's as a reminder of what they were doing.
We arrived at the top and Joe rented from Cycle D'Huez a Riddley carbon compact bike. The day was great from a scenery point of view but not so good if you were riding. It was a bright sunny day with very high temperatures (in excess of 30 degrees) and really it would have been better if the sky was overcast with the possibility of drizzle.
Joe flew down the mountain to the bottom at break neck speed and then started his ascent. He relished the climb and thoroughly enjoyed the experience and managed to complete the entire climb nonstop in 64 mins a lot faster than the hire shop owner thought he would make of 90 mins. Fastest of the day was 54 mins but this time was set early in the morning when it was cooler. Needless to say Joe has now got the mountain climbing bug and would love to have a go at ascending the other mountain climbs of which the Galibier and the Telegraph are not too far away. But also wants to go back to Alpe D'Huez on his own bike to beat this years time (typical Time Trialist attitude).
Anyway whilst we were on the mountain we were told by both the bar owner and the hire shop owner that next year there will be an actual stage of the Tour on the mountain with two ascents on the same day. Then followed by a Time Trial.
Needless to say that Joe is now the proud owner of a black & white Alpe D'Huez cycle top which he wear constantly.
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