Tracey Trek...#1

Day One: Alpe D'Huez

Climb: 1,860 metres

Distance: 9 miles up
Average climb: 8%
Averge speed: 5mph

(N.B: Marco Pantani holds the record for the quickest ascent: 38 minutes)

Well we arrived here at about 9:00 in the morning after a fairly straight forward journey down.  A slight deviation, through, Lyon as both Andy and I weren't really concentrating on the map but nevertheless we arrived in tact, about 14 hours after leaving the Cotswolds.

Bleary eyed hellos exchanged, we retired to grab a couple of hours rest bite, and didn't take any rocking!

Woke up with the shakes.  Desperately in need of some in take.  Some breakfast and strong coffee and we are ready (?) for our first Col.

Off we set. The day started with a nice easy, but rapid, descent. Firstly around a multitude of sharp hairpins (lost count how many) and then out of the village.  This bit didn't seem to last long though and, just when I was getting the hang of the loops, we start to climb. And climb. And climb. And climb. There is no preparation for this.

My God! It's 30 odd degrees, no cloud cover. I have two hydration bottles. I think they will only last me another half an hour but there's a long way to go.

The names of Tour cyclists are still emblazoned on the road surface, no mention of me though? Don't they know I'm going to be the next Yellow Jersey winner? Yeah, right, in my dreams!

 

The scenery is absolutely awesome.  Just breathtaking (literally, when you are cycling!). I cannot describe how imposing these mountains are, with their sheer drops. Imposing like huge monsters watching your every move.The Malvern's, or even Snowdonia, just do not cut it with this lot.

We are doing a steady 5 mph. I think this is pretty good but the Tour guys average 15 mph up here! My heart is pulling through my rib cage, I'm struggling to control my breathing. Its like training in a sauna. The grip on the bars is tightening. I've ran out of gears.

The sweat is stinging my eyes like CS gas.  I want to rip my helmet off, to get some air to my head. My legs are burning, really burning.  How many more hairpins? I daren't look upwards. I'm in need of a flat section.  Some respite. There is none. I hit the  proverbial wall!

 

 

I stand and watch some speed freaks going past. One mile to go. one mile to bloody go!  With gels banged back, air to the head and re hydrated I set off again, this time all the way to the top.  The finish banner is so welcome.  I love that banner! I feel like a Tour winner only there seems to be plenty more riders that have done just the same thing. Everyone, today, is a King of the Mountains.

A cafe au lait later and we set off for the descent.  Not the full, neck breaking, brake pad burning descent but just a third of the way down and then to traverse the mountain back to the chalet.  This route is a kin to a traditional single track mountain pass. Sharp bends, sheer drops and limited passing points, anticipating going headlong into a mountain goat.  Eventually we drop down into the village and then back to the chalet for a cold bath; a vain attempt to refresh the legs for tomorrow.

Tomorrow will, indeed, bring its own delights!!