Day 19 – Ascent of Alpe d’Huez

The climb from Bourg d’Oisans to the ski resort of l’Alpe d’Huez has been a signature stage of the Tour de France since it hosted the first TDF mountain top finish in 1952. Although not part of the Tour this year, it has hosted some classic battles that have confirmed the winner of the Tour’s yellow jersey. Over the length of 13 klms it rises approx 1,100 metres at an average gradient of 8.2% with the earlier couple of klms more between 10 and 11%. There are 21 hairpin switchbacks along its length. each named after a famous cyclist. The record time is under 40 minutes but I took closer to an hour more than this. Nevertheless it was all about the finishing for me and I was proud to hold my bike aloft at the finish, even though I was the last of our group home. Congratulations to the rest of the group who all finished the climb. (2 on electric bikes).

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