When a plan comes together .... the ride on the cable cars from Oi on Oisons resort to Alpe d’Huez was fabulous. So spectacular, with the snow capped peaks all around glistening in the sun. We arrived at the top of the village at about 9.30am, leaving us 8 hours to entertain ourselves on the mountain, until the race finished at about 5.30pm. We wandered down to the lower reaches of the village amongst the elaborate wooden finished chalets, and stopped for morning tea at a cafe, before joining others of our party for crepe lunch at the 500m mark, under an umbrella right on the course. A pub behind us provided some members of us with access to a video screen to watch proceedings. The race was late and the finish apparently exciting. I saw a flash of riders, but that was all. The people on the fence apparently felt a need to stand despite their prime position. By the time it was over we had 10 minutes to get to the cable car before our designated departure. More crowded going back, but a keen day of racing complemented the beautiful setting and the excitement up and down the mountain, although the heat was a little oppressive - not quite what I was expecting.