Alpe d'Huez - Tour de France (2011, stage 19)

On my way to see the Tour de France in person for the first time.  The stage - of course the Alpe d'Huez.  I woke up to be picked up by my shuttle at 7.00a.  It was cloudy still this early in the morning with Mont-Blanc peeking through the top of the clouds. 

 We took more of a scenic route to the stage.  Rather than the autoroute passing through Grenoble we opted  for more mountain passes.  Stopped at a cafe at the top of the pass for Col de Madeleine.  This was actually one of the most beautiful areas I've been in.  Definitely plenty to put on the list to ride next time.

When we arrived at the bottom the roads were closed for cars.  We parked just over a mile away, which was considered close as a family member of our group got in the day before and saved the spot for us.  Not sure when they closed the road, but it was open to bikes and pedestrians until 12:30p.  I made the cutoff by about 15 min. and started my ascent. 

The names on the road are usually ineligible.  The fans show up and paint names, but so many cars are driving by that the paint gets smeared long before it dries.  This however was one of the best paint jobs I've seen. Big, colorful, and who doesn't love Thomas Voeckler?  I know everyone has their favorites, and his is not likely one that anyone was watching before the start, but if you look back on the Tour, he was the one that made this Tour exciting.  Way to go Tommy!  Glad to see you shake it up.

The road was packed on the way up.  Someone asked me later how bad I thought the climb was.  I told them I didn't notice.  Not trying to downplay the climb, but it really was tough to pay attention to it with so many other distractions.  I could only go about 6-8 mph, and sometimes even 4-5 mph.  Constantly looking at all the people, signs, etc., but worse, just trying to dodge cars, bikes, and people going up and down the little road.  Certainly not a complaint, just an observation.  The photo below is one of the less crowded areas, hence the ability to take a photo.

In case there was any question, the Dutch-contingent was certainly there and in force.  They covered a full switchback before and after the 7th.  Felt like I needed my passport just to be there.

Speaking of Dutch, Hoogerland was incredible to watch.  Keep in mind he got the stitches after he finished the stage for the day. 

Back to Alpe d'Huez...plenty of tents in addition to the campers on the side of the road.  Gotta love the dedication.

Stopped for a quick photo. The start of the climb is well below, with another little village on the way up in the picture.

Towards the top I met a gentleman by the name of Tim Faust.  Not only an American, but from Scottsdale Arizona.  Hadn't heard of the Brumbys before, but he sure did by the time we finished.  Tim and his wife came over with a group and followed several stage, riding some of the good parts of the courses along the way.  Great climbing Tim!  Hope to see you on a ride back in the valley.

Tim and his wife happy together at the top the Alpe d'Huez.  Congrats to both on the climb!

A quick photo with Tim, then I'm off to find a place to settle in.

OK, so finding a place close enough up was easier said than done.  In the background you could hear some lively music (although not the GnR "Welcome to the Jungle" provided by the Dutch) with the crowd singing along.  I opted to find my way back up the road, most of it on a downhill ski trail, turn mountainbike trail, turn Matt's cyclocross trail.  (Should've taken photos of that.)

Prior to every stage there is a parade that rolls through for the crowds. 

Found a good place to watch right before the 500m banner.  Well positioned and ready for some photos, then BAM, a fan opens his big Netherlands flag and blocks my photo op.

Contador making his way by. 

While waiting for the race I started chatting with a gentleman next to me wearing a NY jersey.  Robert Mahon (Bob) is a Captain for one of the PDs up in NY.  He had a great opportunity to slip away from NY and come see several stages of the race.  A friend of his, Jennifer Benepe is in the press and covering the Tour.  Great company while waiting for the Tour.  Thanks Bob!

Check it out the blog at http://benepesbikeblog.blogspot.com/ 

By now the leaders had come by and the crowd began redistributing.  I was able to position myself on top of a building for a better view.

As things got quiet the peleton came through, and before you knew it the stage was over.  I hear they extended the cutoff time, but hadn't heard the details.

On the way back down the hill we had a bit of traffic.  Here the party was just beginning.  This group was happy to have Andy in yellow.

   

Alpe d'Huez (1 850 m) - 13.8 km climb to 7.9 % - Category HC