Day 11 Les Dix Alpes Stage 7 Bourg d'Oisans - Briancon (Huez/Sarenne/Lautaret)

Bourg d'Oisans from halfway up Alpe d'Huez

nearing the final switchbacks (there are 21..)

cloudy and light rain at the top of the climb to Alpe d'Huez

Notre-Dame des Neiges approx halfway up the Alpe

wildflowers

town of Huez

TDF finish line

Col de Sarenne

heading to Col de Sarenne (dog walking on the side of road)

view of Gorge de Sarenne looking back towards the village of Alpe D'Huez

Gorge de Sarenne

"Allez! Allez!"

National Park sign at entrance to Vallee de Ferrand near top of Col de Sarenne

road leading down the valley (very rough!)

Vallee de Ferrand

old stone house constructed against rock

following another cyclist from a touring group through Clavans le Bas

lunch stop at La Grave

view from lunch stop

Phil Kalafatis - "King of Beach Road!"

mountains above La Grave

cattle in meadows heading towards Col du Lautaret (their bells can be heard as you ride through the valleys)

nice colour scheme - but not my size...

Alpe d'Huez and Col de Sarenne profile

John MacDonnell and Alan Bristow lend a welcome hand to mend my flat on Lautaret descent

Weather overcast and raining lightly, but I decided to head up Alpe D'Huez anyway en route to Briancon, one of the highest towns in the alps. A scenic feast including high alpine passes and dramatic gorges. Three others in the LDA riders took this route. There was more climbing than the alternatice route chosen by the others due to the poor weather outlook. Their route involved descending to La Garde and following the Vierge de la Garde along the side of the valley above Bourg d'Oisans - also a breathtaking view.The Sarenne Pass is quite remote. The scenery is like Isengard and you expect to see the Orcs jump out from behind the rocks. I descended through the Vallee du Ferrand, a National Park, through Clavans. Lunch at La Grave and a speedy descent from Col du Lautaret to the campground at Briancon included a pinch flat at 60khp! Garmin connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/188384800

YouTube link here

Day 10 Les Dix Alpes - rest day Bourg d'Oisans

After early rises and solid climbing over the previous four days it was a welcome relief to sleep in. After a walk into Bourg d'Oisans for breakfast and to check out the excellent bike shop, I met up with Harry outside his hotel (he decided on two nights of luxury at Hotel Des Alpes in preference to the tent). After I suggested a ride out to Col de la Croix de Fer, it was decided to take advantage of the excellent conditions today and do the climb of Alpe D'Huez. Tomorrows stage includes Alpe D'Huez, however could be shortened if neccessary. So with Big John and a few others we rode out to the start of the climb. The first 1-2 kms are quite steep at 11%. The Alpe was a popular spot with many cyclists out for a spin. Harry insisted on cold beers and a meal of steak and chips, so we chose Cafe des Negociants in Bourg d'Oisans. A very enjoyable day, although the 2km trudge back to camp from town in the rain wasn't too flash?! Garmin Connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/188060036

looking up at Alpe D'Huez in the morning 

from the camping ground

road into Bourg d'Oisans

Harry's Hotel des Alpes

french freestyle portable convenience..

Harrys (a hardened camper..) hotel

Cafe des Negociants Bourg d'Oisans

Alpe d'Huez profile (10-11% near start)

hire bikes Bourg d'Oisans

John and Haydn at start of the Alpe Chrono course

entrance to camping grounds

finish line of Tour de France

Photobreton pic

photobreton pic

Harry at Alpe d'Huez finish line

Harrys favourite corner on Alpe d'Huez

view from TDF finish line of Alpe D'Huez towards Col De Sarenne

Harry, John and Jim celebrate climbing Alpe D'Huez

Haydn, me and Harry relaxing at Cafe Bar Indiana

Bourg d'Oisans

Bourg D'Oisans square

YouTube link here

Day 9 Les Dix Alpes Stage 6 Lanslevillard - Bourg d'Oisans (Galibier!)

This is my best day on the bike for sure! The scenes in the valley below the Telegraphe and Galibier were spectacular. On each side massive rock buttresses and high peaks take your attention off the road. The Galibier climb is a massive one with plenty of 11-12% sections near the top, and a 500m trudge through the snow to complete the climb to the col. It was a reasonably clear day so this allowed us a view of the surrounding peaks and the switchback roads that snake upward on either side of the pass. Some rain and a few flakes of snow began to fall as we descended to Lautaret and this can be seen on the video. I felt a real sense of achievement on this climb as the Galibier has so much history in cycling terms, and in particular, the Tour De France. The Henri Desgrange monument is here along with a TFD museum and souvenir shop. Many famous cycling duels have played out on these roads and to see it for myself was a great privilege.  Garmin connect link http://connect.garmin.com/activity/187872881 

Glyn has a stretch at the coffee stop St-Michel-de-Maurienne

the towering ramparts of Fort du Replaton in the Park Nationale de la Vanoise 

view from Col du Telegraphe back towards Mt Thabor

lunch stop Col du Telegraphe

the switchbacks we descend on the other side of Galibier

snow covered road to the Col du Galibier

the little red bike that could...

Harry and co rest their legs and reflect on the climb to Galibier 

Lea on her way through Saint-Michel-de-Maurienne

bridge view at Valloire

early sections of climb to Galibier

plenty of snow up here today!

switchbacks on theTelegraphe side of Galibier

road snowed in over the last 500m to Galibier

no problem keeping the drinks cold!

Galibier!

welcome hot choco at Lautaret

YouTube link for descent off Galibier (Harry follows me) here

YouTube link for full stage