So today being Thursday we decided to tackle Alpe d'Huez wearing our Bristol Thursday Old Timers cycle shirts. The climb including 21 hairpins has a sort of mythical status for many cyclists, but in reality is just long and not particularly steep (relative to many others round here). As we aren't planning a repeat trip we stopped to take pictures and enjoy the spectacular views every 6 bends or so (depending where is was safe to do so). We had been warned that the apparent summit, complete with finish line and mock podium, is not in fact where the TdF finishes, so we carried on for a further 2k or so to a rather deserted street with a few other cyclists milling about. I'll be very interested to watch the next time they do the Alpe on the tour having seen the route myself - the finish being rather busier on the day!! The village of AdH (or the small part that is actually open in summer) was packed with sweaty blokes, with the odd equally sweaty woman scattered through the crowd, all discussing bikes, gearing ratios, power outputs and the quality of the beer. We headed upwards to Lac Besson (which is at around 6,900ft) and then returned to AdH for lunch and to buy a couple of bike shirts to mark the occasion (end of season discounted of course). We didn't go back down the hairpins but cut across a fabulous balcony road with stunning views over the Oisan valley. It got progressively hotter as the day went on and by the time we dropped into the valley it was stifling, which necessitated a stop for cold drinks and coffee eclairs in Bourg before heading back to our place.
Pictures today are of the climb and the scenery. The Mechanic is now officially on strike so no plans for tomorrow - yet!!!!
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