The Alps - Les Deux Alpes.

Friday 26th June 2009

Statistics

Distance - 24km

Altitude - 5360ft

Height gain - 3022ft

Max gradient - 7.8%

Avg gradient - 10%

Having cycled up 15000ft of height gain over the first three days, it was time for an easier day! So we plumped for the other side of the valley and climbed the less daunting Les Deux Alpes which has a mere 10% maximum gradient but still a stiff average at almost 8%.

The Fit One's hero and copycat cycling style, Jan Ulricht won the Tour de France in 1997 when he was only 23 and was expected to dominate for years. In 1998 he led the race before the stage from Grenoble to Les Deux Alpes. It was a stage full of mountains. Marco Pantani attacked on the Col du Galibrier and won alone on Les Deux Alpes. Ullrich lost 9 minutes on this stage and lost the tour.

In 2002 the stage was won by Santiago. Not our Santiago but Santiago Botero, a columbian.

The bends only number 10 and count you down to the summit ski village similar to the Alpe d'Huez. For most of the bends views across the Romanche valley are blocked by vegetation.

However shorlty before you arrive in the village you are rewarded with phenominal views across Lac du Chambon below and over towards Col du Galibrier.

The gradient is fairly steady and the village was arrived at within the hour. As Alpine ski villages go, this is fairly unimpressive. It is clearly trying to build seasonal business through downhill mpountain biking trails and with several 'bikers' wearing mega knee pads and full helmets it is clearly buildingacustomer base. It seemed strange to cycle past people wearing ski suits who had just returned from ski-ing on the glacier whilst we cycled in shorts and short sleeved shirts.

The return to the car was fairly uneventful although the ascent and descent were rewarded with re-hydration at a well positioned hotel over looking the barrage du Chambon acquainted by several other 'roadies' in blazing sunshine.