Alpe d'Huez and Photo Bimble Over the Col de Sarenne

Today's main objective was to set a time up Alpe d'Huez. Whilst we're here it would have been rude not to. We rode to the foot of the climb, using the valley as a warm up.

The Activity for the warm up is available on Strava.

We started from the km 0 marker, which is the start of the official time trial course, and rode to the Tour de France finish above the village. We didn't try to ride together, each preferring to try and set our own time. I paced the entire ride on power, while trying to maintain an average speed of over 9 kmh. On the initial slopes, which are the most focused, it's hard to keep the speed up. I tried to maintain my power output at about 200 watts on each ramp. On this climb, technique is important. You have to take whatever the mountain will give you. Whenever the gradient eased, and especially in the hairpins, I changed up 2 or 3 gears, and kept pushing. Whenever my back started to complain, or my pace was dropping, I got out of the saddle and pushed to gain some recovery. I even managed to pass a couple of people on the way up to Huez village.

Above Huez, the gradients are a little easier as the valley opens up. Unfortunately, this was also the point where the headwind appeared, so overall there was little respite. I managed to smarten up and get out of the saddle for both of the professional photographers on the climb, and then powered into the village and past the finish for the local time trial. At this point, there is still 2 km to go to the Tour de France finish. I was in the big ring and pushing hard as I went past a group of cyclists, who had just finished their climb, and through the tunnel heading further up the village. The last couple of ramps are at quite modest gradients, and it's possible to push hard, before sweeping down to the final roundabout and sprinting up to the finish line. I was spent when I got there and gasping for air while hanging over the bars. 

The Activity for the timed ascent is available on Strava.

Once recovered, I chatted with a Dutch rider who had also just finished. I figured I had a little time before Andrew made it to the top. As  it turned out, it was less than I thought. He managed to slice a whopping 2 hours and 10 minutes from the time for his first attempt, and finished in 1 hour 40 minutes, only 15 minutes behind me! Not bad for only his second attempt.

Neither of us came close to matching the two young British riders who, on their first attempt, made it in around 54 minutes.

The boy done even better!

After a few photos, we ambled back into the village for an extended lunch stop, which included chatting with other folks who had ridden up. The majority seemed to be from the low countries, or the UK.

After appropriate recovery time, we decided to return via the Col de Sarenne. There is a short climb out of Alpe d'Huez past the airport, known as Altiport.

The Altiport at Alpe d'Huez. That is the runway, and it
does go over the edge!

The descent that follows is another slow route. There are breathtaking views around each bend, demanding to be photographed.

The final climb to the col itself is quite focused, but only becomes steep near the summit.

The bike at the top

Andrew nearing the col

He looks pleased!

Andrew held his bike aloft to try and get an extra metre of altitude at the summit!

The descent from the Sarenne is narrow and technical. The road surface is better than I remember from 2014, but still not great. The recent rain has also washed rocks into the road. It's a descent to take carefully. Which is fine, because more breathtaking scenery awaits. 

Further down, once the upper villages are reached, the surface improves and progress is faster.

Lac du Chambon from Mizoen

Guess where?

From Mizoen, a short descent brought us out on the main road up the Lautaret. This is the road currently closed by a tunnel collapse. It reopens in December. We crossed the barrage, and headed back down the gorge and via Le Freney, as usual.

What a nice way to spend an afternoon.

The Activity for the ride down is available on Strava.