King (and queen) of the mountains

DAY 13
We have a day off in Vizille before heading off for the Tour de France tomorrow. Got a bus into Grenoble and took a look around, ended up walking up a mountain to see the castle so it wasn't such a resting day. Got the bus back to Vizille and massive storm cane just as we were passing the bar...it was safer to head in for a drink than risk the storm

DAY 14
Croissants, coffee then off on the road to Bourg d'Oisans. Go along the slightly busy N91, generally up most of the way but not too bad. Cyclists everywhere as we get closer to the mountain and campervans have set up home in all sorts of strange places. We have a place booked at a campsite in Le Garde en Oisans which is about 3kms up the Alpe. This first section is the steepest, we join the stream of nutters attempting to cycle up, i have to say it is pretty hard going and i feel like a nob with all my luggage and the trailer attached. We get to the campsite and the people there tell me we have no place because i didn't confirm by email, i say that i did so she goes in and prints out the actual email i sent her that says "I would like to confirm for these dates..." and tries to argue that i didn't confirm then pretend she doesn't speak English...damn arrogant French. We end up with a spot anyway, under a bush on the edge of the cliff, nice view.

Walk back down mountain to get some food, quite a few people painting on the road. Get bus back but it doesn't stop for us but continues another 5kms up. Last bus so i take the 1 hour walk back with an angry Meinir. Not bad actually, we walk past "Dutch" corner where they have a full sound system in operation and a guy doing bingo in 4 languages with about 20 people playing by the roadside, quite funny. Also some impressive road painting operations with a team of 2 Dutch painting with rollers and a woman attempting to stop the traffic.

40 kms.

DAY 15
Our big day arrives, we attempt the climb of l'Alpe d'Huez. About 14kms straight up with average gradient of about 8% and gets over 10% in a couple of places. Race is coming through tomorrow so heaps of people cycling up already as we start at about 9:30. I decide to ride to the bottom to do the whole thing, Mei thinks she did the bottom bit yesterday so she goes straight from the camp.



The 21 hairpins are numbered from bottom to top. Hard start but eventually get a rhythm and it's nice to not be carrying the trailer for once. I catch Mei at about hairpin 6 but she is cruising along pretty well, the mountain opens up towards the top where the ski resort is, i make it all the way but a bit confusing where the ending is, eventually find it and total time is 1 hour 17 mins, respectable. Record is 37 mins. As soon as i get off the bike i collapse in agony, i think being sat in the same position for so long has done some damage around my bum area, i manage to greet Mei as she arrives about 15 mins after me. I eventually manage to stand and after about 2 hours i'm capable of riding back down. Scary descent but get back safely and get ready for race day. Notice now that there are heaps more vans and cars and tents placed all over the mountain, no ones seems to care.

About 30 kms total.

DAY 16
Wake up early and walk to town to get some food and beer for the day, also get a bag of frozen beans to keep the beers cold. Stupid numbers of people cycling up today, thousands. Saw the guy dessed as the devil at the bottom of the mountain, had some pizza and walked back up. Stacks of people setting up chairs on the side of the road early. Got backt to our spot on hairpin 16 and ate and drank beer in the heat. Earlt afternoon and the police start clearing the road of cars and after that cyclists have to stop. The the caravan comes through, this is about 1 hour of sponsors and promotional cars driving up throwing stuff out to people. Bit like Notting Hill carnival. Finally that finishes and the helicopters appear in the sky which means the race is approaching, then the riders come through and everyone goes mental, especially the Dutch. Awesome, the riders all look like they're in pain, it's hard to make out everyone but i can defintely say they were going faster than i was. Afterwards we meet some people in the bar and drink far more than we should. Great day of sporting action, i recommend it.



DAY 17
An English guy we met in the campsite is driving to the Col du Glandon to catch the stage today, we go with him. Before this i decide to tackle the mountain again, i head to the bottom and then start the ascent, after about 10 mins i lose all motivation and head back to the tent.

We drive along a really hairy mountain road in the wrong direction and then turn around and go along an equally hairy road towards the race. Again there are lots of cyclists and cars heading to the race. We manage to park on a verge and start the long walk to the Col, running late so we have to get a move on but eventually make it. Get a great sport just as the riders begin the descent of the Glandon before getting to the Col de la Croix de fer. Lots of people but not as crowded as the Alpe, lots more room. Riders start coming through in bits, one of the Quickstep team throws his drink bottle away and it land s next to Mei, i manage to grab it before someone else. Awesome, this is one of the best souvenirs you can get from the race. There was even some bright green drink still left, no way i was touching that though.



Get back and pack up the tent and ride back to Vizille, another great day.

45 kms.