Official Ride 6: Alp Duez (the Big Daddy)

Alp Duez is the most famous Tour de France climb. Generally the Penultimate stage before the Paris Procession. A mid distance, but steep unrelenting climb, it's first 3km is pretty much all above 10% gradient up to 13 &14's at times and often burns many before they've hardly began. The remaining 10kms is only marginally less steep averaging 10% through 22 hairpins to the summit.

By the way if you don't quite get the % gradient thing .. Think of it this way, next time you're near a treadmill, arc up the incline to 14% (hang on) then set the speed at around 7-9km/h, you'll get the idea. Just for giggles then imagine you're on a bike and need occasionally to go from a standing start and get up enough speed to click your shoes into the peddles.. Almost harder, and adrenalin producing than the climbs!

We woke to the most amazing Alpine vista (see pics) and discussed the days ride over breakfast. Somehow it had evolved overnight from a short but tough enough day of simply plummeting down to a lazy few kms in the foothills and then giving the Duez our best crack, to a somewhat longer ride to include Duez's sister peak Les 2 Alp. Bizarrely the day evolved even further mid ride when we meet a fellow rider who suggested a scenic detour with "perhaps some undulations" credit where credits due, the detour was spectacular, one road in particular (see pic titled simply WOW). Weird how the in trepidation of the drive up yesterday afternoon seemed to have all but dissolved.

Is it possible that each major ride day could be more challenging, more spectacular, more indescribable than the last? Apparently so.

The amazing views and micro chapters within today's epic ride are too many and varied to show and tell.. thank goodness also for digital pics and mobile phones.. no 36 exposure film would have done today justice.

Some of the highlights
The view atop and as you descend Alp Duez / The TDF supporters writing still boldly scribbled all over the road and hairpins / the mutual nods of acknowledgment from or to fellow riders as we pass, recognising the effort / the amazing roads edged into the steepest of cliff faces / the covered roads and tunnels to avoid avalanches and the heavier snow falls, the water colour and views of a hydro dam we stumbled across in the valley of the two climbs / A cliffs edge helicopter landing site / Chatting with a Swiss rider at a fork in the road, who suggested the aforementioned detour and more incredible views (and climbing!!) / the skinniest of roads with ridiculous drop offs and minimal railings on said detour, see Wow pic / the postcard Apline Villages / The oldest of travellers drink fountains in these villages, flowing with fresh, chilled, clear mountain water. Built specifically for the town folk and travellers use, they have a habit of appearing just as you need them most in the heat of the day. One in particular with an additional flow on deep basin and purpose built ledges allowing one to sit and soak your feet from the knees down.. 18th century recovery ice baths.. ahead of their time!! AND of course actually riding the Famous Alp Duez TDF climb. An incredible, tough, amazing, hot day.

For those who want to know (and I'm happy to tell as many who'll listen) line honours and associated bragging rights up Alp Duez went the way of yours truly, Tony taking Silver and Phil the Bronze. Btw way if you're into the finer, over analytical details of these rides they're all being logged to Strava by Tony and Myself.

PW: Determination exemplified, despite admitting that somewhere between the original plan and today's actual outcome may have been a better decision, he does not die. Like a punch drunk Rocky in the 10th round, he continues to taunt the relentless inclines fearless of the potential knockout punch.

TL: Also putting his hand up for perhaps adding one climb too many to the original plan. Today Tony took his turn at a day in the hurt locker. In his own words 'Alp Duez is a BEAST'.

CB: The Polka Dot Mojo returns. After a day 'back in the Peleton' the Rejuvenated Victorian, was back to his nudging double digit climbing best. Perhaps it was the saved 4.3km from Italy, perhaps it was just good to be back in the French Alps rarified air. Either way something clicked and on a day that 'toasted' the peleton, Brownie was eating toast for breakfast!