About 10 years ago I was up late watching the TDF on SBS TV. I remember this particular stage late in the race where the leaders were racing up this last monster hill. All the big guns were there dueling it out after already being on the saddle for over 5 hours. History tells us that Lance Armstrong won the stage that day, and then 2 days later his 3rd TDF title out of 7 he was to win. That day a little seed was planted in this author's mind........"I have to go there one day and cycle up that hill".

Well today my friends (only 1 decade on) got to live out my cycling fantasy. The Alpe D'Huez summit is the most famous in the TDF. There has been so much written about this little 13.8 KM climb into cycling folklore over the years. Only recently in 2008 our Aussie Cadel Evans lost the Tour that year when a rampant Spaniard called Carlos Sastre took the bull by the horns and got enough of a lead to win the title 2 days later by a mere 22 seconds.

So here are a few facts about this climb. Although only a short distance of 13.8 KM it rises a staggering 1100 meters over a road that has 21 switch backs. Each bend has a plaque erected for all the previous Stage winners going back to the 1950's.

The ride requires one to dose (as opposed to dope) ones efforts so that you do not blow up in the first 2 KM's. I just sat on an easy gear and tried to keep my heart beat no higher than 160. After getting through the hard stuff I settled into a rhythm and in an almost hypnotic state started peeling the bends off 1 by 1. Some 80 minutes later I hit the top. The time is approximately double what the Pros get up the hill, but I played it safe and achieved my goal of not stopping. In a few days I will have a crack at going a little quicker. The descent is a beauty which hopefully the photos do justice in showing the pitch of the road.

I celebrated the ride with a well needed massage (thanks to the magical hands of a local masseuse) who only spoke 3 words of English "50 Euros Please".

After that I hit the food shops for my daily pastry (twirly snail thing), Brie Cheese, Jamon (ham) and a crusty baguette.

With daylight till 9 30 PM, I snuck in a little 44 KM ride to a quaint little village called St Christophe up another majestic valley. Although only a small ride it had a bit of everything. The road snaked along the customary blue river for a few KMs, and then it rose up through a canopy of trees while the afternoon sun played an interesting game of "Peek-a-Boo" with me.

Before long I was confronted with some very steep sections where the road slope was hitting 14% (ouch!!). Eventually I arrived in St Christophe and had a well earned Coke at the local Bar. The owner tried very hard to get me to buy her Strawberry pie..........maybe a other day love as I told here I would blow my PPD (pasty per day) allowance. That's diet imposed, not budgetary I should add.

I then scooted down the hill and now I am back about to jump into a hot bath.

Tomorrow or Sunday I will be tackling the "Big Kahuna" known as Le Galibier.

A final note to thank you all for your wonderful support and comments to date. It is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Cycling Foodie

Posted from

Le Bourg D'Oisans, France