ALPE D'HUEZ THREE MOUNTAINS CHALLENGE
DAY 1 OF 3
After flying to Geneva Switzerland and then driving South into France and down to Grenoble to stay the evening,the following morning I drive to the town of Borg Oisans near the Italian border.Once again I set off from the Casino (supermarket) car park just after 8am and this year thankfully the temperature is around mid 60s.
As expected its a tough start with the first 6 bends of 21 to 16 the steepest on the mountain. Objective was to hit La Garde which is bend 16 in 19 minutes which would be one minute faster than last year.
Soon after the start I am breathing quite heavily and decide to gear down to the lowest 30 - 30. La Garde at bend 16 is reached and I'm pleasantly surprised that its only 17.28 on the clock. Have I gone to quickly immediately flashes through my mind coupled with collapsing on bend 12 last year. This is the first of 3 tough days so I decide to consolidate and keep turning the low gear without going too crazy.
Sitting all the way is working well except that it sends the entire groin area numb and an attempt to try and rectify this fails and almost results in a fall (no need for detailed description).
Next objective is to hit bend 12 in 45 minutes which was my time my last year, but still be in possession of my lungs on this occasion. Amazingly I miss checking at bend 12 as I'm pedalling well and reach bend 11 at only 37.30 and still feeling OK.
As expected there are many riders who find it too tough and have to stop, but I know that I am going well as I'm only being passed by good riders (last year I think the pantomime horse passed me).
With the Tour De France time trial the following day, as expected traffic is really starting to increase and on more than a couple of occasions I have to slow down or swerve to avoid vehicles or people. It is nice however and certainly a boost to to receive applause and encouragement.
Despite the numbness I've got my second wind now and feeling confident, sitting still and continuing to spin a low gear at reasonable cadence.
Round bend 6 only 5 to go and its time for breakfast - Cola gel which is very sweet so I quickly wash it down with more sports drink.
No ladies have passed me this year and then whoosh a striking blonde comes by at what seems like Beryl Burton pace - " hey baby wait for me " I think to myself - but to no avail, this young lady is the real deal a very good rider who is waiting for no one.
Some how again I seem to have lost track of bend numbers as it is now so busy, but I encounter the barriered section and know the end is not far away and that I am now unstoppable barring a fall.
Round the last bend and up the last steep bit and as I pass the Alpe d'Huez sign my watch says 1 hour 22 minutes and 2 seconds. Just in sight of the shops the road is blocked by vehicles with just 100 yards to the centre. Spectators offer me a drink then enquire how long did you take ? and say well done. No option but to wait for traffic to clear and then finish off the last few seconds and smile.
My unfinished business from last year with this unique piece of landscape is settled with a very respectable time and no problem with legs or lungs. Thoughts then turn to thinking well I could have done 1.19 if I had gambled a little more perhaps by gearing up on the flatter bends and standing on the pedals. My trusty old Raleigh did me proud again but if I had forked out a few grand for one of those light weight one piece carbon jobs - who knows !. Sensible reason then returns as I contemplate the fact that this is only the first of 3 consecutive days which will get progressively harder.
As I soak in the atmosphere at the top it starts to rain - great, just what I need for the descent to make the new tarmac somewhat suicidal. Last year I was slower than your granny at descending - I have improved - but not that much.
Beginning the decent it becomes obvious that it is now just absolute chaos with vehicles almost totally jamming up the road. But still they ascend in their 100s cycling to try and reach the promised land. Police sirens are wailing, juggernauts are blocked, nutters in cars on the way up attempt impromptu U turns and it is total French farce.
Rain stops and eventually I make it to the bottom, dismount and feel a real sense of achievement.
However glory could be short lived as tomorrow is the mighty Col Du Galibier.
DAY 1 - Alpe d'Heuz: a true time 'Trial'
DAY 2 - The Col du Galibier: a frightening experience
DAY 3 - Mont Ventoux: crazy Englishman cycling in 90° heat
Copyright Wayne Kennedy 2004.
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