Friday 24 July 2015

TdF Stage 20 Modane to Alpe D'Huez

The final Alpine stage, and a short one too - "only" 110kms, but with 2 HC climbs. Our old favourite the Col de la Croix de Fer, and then the final push up to the top of the classic Alpe D'Huez.

We were treated to a later start, an extra half an hour in bed - we are being spoilt aren't we?!

The 1st 25kms were on a quick valley road, and I set off at quite a pace accompanied by a few other idiots. The pace was getting quicker and quicker before I came to my senses and backed off, what was I thinking - its the penultimate day and no-one wants to have an off at this stage of the event. Fortunately everyone stayed upright as we reached the 1st water stop in record time, then we started the long drag up to the top of the Croix de Fer using some of the same roads we had descended down during the previous day.
I never get tired of these views, I hope you don't either?!

A panoramic view from the top of the Croix de Fer

The lake on the descent of the Col du Glandon into Allemont
 
I was ahead of Simon as we descended the Glandon due to various picture stops, we met up again about halfway down, in a small village after a short climb and headed off to finish the descent. We weren't hanging around, when 2 Dutch lads in their teens came flying past us like we were standing still - when I tell you that I managed to get 52mph on this descent it shows you the speed they must have been going, I get the feeling it wasn't the 1st time they had been down the Glandon! Not to be outdone, Simon and I caught them in Allemont.
 
We then went along the valley catching up with Chris and Annabel before stopping for a well deserved ice cream in Bourg D'Oisans and then heading up the Alpe.

Only 14kms to the top - that's the good news, the bad news was that it was now 40+c again. just the 21 hairpins to go then.
 
Me struggling up the lower hairpins, being coached by Chris - "Keep pedalling" apparently...No sh*t Sherlock?!
 
Not too many Dutch at #7 just yet, im guessing next Saturday will be as mental as always #lovedutchcorner
 
Eventually we reached the top, 4 of us crossing the line together, arms linked up like Team Sky when they won the tour, just a bit wobblier.
 
....And then the celebrations began!
 
We took over a bar back in town just a couple of turns from the finish line, and cheered the other riders as they went past, many veered across the road towards us thinking they had finished, only to be re-directed by us to finish it off properly.
 
 Anyway to cut a long story short, 800euro were dropped in this bar in about 3 hours, it was a v.wobbly ride for us back to the hotel for dinner.

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