Alpe d’Huez
Originally included in the Le Tour in 1952, Alpe d’Huez has appeared in a stage more than 30 times. Situated in the French Alps and known as the Dutch mountain, due to multiple Dutch riders climbing to victory here. Each year, whether the Tour de France is coming to town, thousands of Dutch men and women flock to the mountain. With each passage on the Tour de France, a Dutch legion is waiting for the riders in the famous bend 7, also known as the Dutch corner.
It is certainly iconic within the cycling world. There are obviously harder climbs, but the Alpe is….. well …. the Alpe!
We commence this climb from the town of Bourg d’Oisans, situated in the Oisan’s Valley of the Rhone Alpes. This town is just 75mins by road from Grenoble, and is a regular for cyclists, with its close proximity to many of the great Alpine cycling climbs.
21 Hairpins
The Alpe d’Huez resort town at the summit owes its popularity to the Tour de France, through the owners of all the hotels approaching the Tour organisers to do a deal to finish the race at the summit in 1953. Since that first stage, each winner on Alpe d’Huez has had their name added to one of the 21 hairpins that define this climb. From the very first stage won by Fausto Coppi on the very first bend (Bend 21) to Italian climber Giuseppe Guerini on the last bend (Bend 1). No Aussie has stood at top the podium so here is your chance.
The climb itself is much more than 21 hairpins. It commences with its steepest gradients as the first 1.5kms averages 10.4% and reaches 13% at its maximum, Do not worry as from here on expect it to drop for extended periods of time at approx. 8%. Much more pleasant we think.
Count down the hairpins.
We start at the base and head for Bend 21. It was here that Fausto Coppi launched his attack on the first stage finish atop the legendary climb. His name is on the sign on this bend, but if you look closely you will notice that the sign of another was here, only to be removed when admitting to being a cheat. We continue through Bend 20, where you will find both Lucien Van Impe and Iban Mayo on the signs.
Looking forward we move through Bends 19 down to Bend 16 where our first respite in gradient arrives. Keep an eye out for the water fountain here at Le Garde. Find your rhythm and keep on counting down and keep on pedaling. Don’t forget you need to keep looking for some great photo opportunities ie. Bends 11 & 9
Where did all the orange come from?
We approach Bend 7 and during the period before and after the Tour de France stage, this corner becomes the Dutch epicentre of the cycling community. It’s a week or so long party with disco tunes and flowing beer… oh and a bike race thrown in. It’s a sight to see on race day.
We now pass through the town of Huez, signifying just 4kms to the summit. I know you thought you were done but not quite yet. This is where you start to raise your tempo just a little. We only have 4 Bends to go. You can see the resort. Don’t forget to smile on the corners now as professional photographers will take your photo here and pass you a card, for you to purchase later. Now that’s going straight to the pool room. Finally we passthrough the tunnel that brings us to Bend 1 and the final kilometre to the finish of legends. How will you go?
