Alpe d'huez

[MartinGT]

Hi Guys

I am riding Alpe d'huez with some friends on the day of the Tour.

I havent ridden in the area. What is around the Alpe in terms of food / drink and does anyone have any experience of it on the day of the Tour?

Also, anyone know if we can leave bike boxes at Lyon Airport?

 

[SammyLarns]

I can only answer the food and drink question as I've ridden l'alpe but never on TDF day. There's plenty of lovely cafes and restaurants down in Bourg d'Oisan and some nice stuff in the resort, but it's mostly burger and chip type stuff. If you're planning on doing a bit more riding then you could head up to La Grave on the Lauteret and there's a couple of nice places up there. If you're going the whole way then there's 3 (I believe) places on the summit of varying price.

 

[frenchfry]

Re: Alpe d'Uhez

Hi Guys

I am riding Alpe d'Uhez with some friends on the day of the Tour.

I havent ridden in the area. What is around the Alpe in terms of food / drink and does anyone have any experience of it on the day of the Tour?

Also, anyone know if we can leave bike boxes at Lyon Airport?

You should have the place pretty much to yourself, everyone else will be at the Alpe d'Huez

 

[DFA123]

Re: Alpe d'Uhez

Hi Guys

I am riding Alpe d'Uhez with some friends on the day of the Tour.

I havent ridden in the area. What is around the Alpe in terms of food / drink and does anyone have any experience of it on the day of the Tour?

Also, anyone know if we can leave bike boxes at Lyon Airport?

As already said, Bourg d'Oisans is the best bet for food and drink if you want something fairly authentic. Alpe d'Huez is OK but is very, very commercial (it is to ski resorts, what Benidorm is to package holidays).

You have to be a bit careful in working out how to get there, because the main road to the east is closed (the road which leads to the Lautaret and Galibier) because a tunnel is broken beyond repair. If you're coming from Lyon it won't be a problem, but just don't plan on heading anywhere towards La Grave and Briancon.
On the day of the tour it's predictably chaotic - and probably even more so than most years because it's such a short stage and (probably) at such an important time in the race. The first 3km are the steepest so you'll see the riders go past most slowly, but it's also busy.

If you are staying in Alpe D'Huez itself then the best thing is probably to either leave early and head down the mountain until after the barriers (maybe 3-4km to go) and then you have a decent chance of seeing some attacks/action. Or you could stay near the finish line and then you can watch the big screen and get more of a perspective on the stage - but the finish is pretty flat and so isn't really an authentic Alpe d'Huez experience.

 

[MartinGT]

Re: Alpe d'Uhez

Hi Guys

I am riding Alpe d'Uhez with some friends on the day of the Tour.

I havent ridden in the area. What is around the Alpe in terms of food / drink and does anyone have any experience of it on the day of the Tour?

Also, anyone know if we can leave bike boxes at Lyon Airport?

As already said, Bourg d'Oisans is the best bet for food and drink if you want something fairly authentic. Alpe d'Huez is OK but is very, very commercial (it is to ski resorts, what Benidorm is to package holidays).

You have to be a bit careful in working out how to get there, because the main road to the east is closed (the road which leads to the Lautaret and Galibier) because a tunnel is broken beyond repair. If you're coming from Lyon it won't be a problem, but just don't plan on heading anywhere towards La Grave and Briancon.
On the day of the tour it's predictably chaotic - and probably even more so than most years because it's such a short stage and (probably) at such an important time in the race. The first 3km are the steepest so you'll see the riders go past most slowly, but it's also busy.

If you are staying in Alpe D'Huez itself then the best thing is probably to either leave early and head down the mountain until after the barriers (maybe 3-4km to go) and then you have a decent chance of seeing some attacks/action. Or you could stay near the finish line and then you can watch the big screen and get more of a perspective on the stage - but the finish is pretty flat and so isn't really an authentic Alpe d'Huez experience.

Thanks for this and t'other replies

We are staying in Grenoble (well just outside it)

We were planning on riding up the Alpe, then dropping back down slightly to watch it. The plan then was to ride over the top then after the race and off the other side and then back around via the D25. Does this sound do-able?

 

[vladimir]

Re: Alpe d'Uhez

Hi Guys

I am riding Alpe d'Uhez with some friends on the day of the Tour.

I havent ridden in the area. What is around the Alpe in terms of food / drink and does anyone have any experience of it on the day of the Tour?

Also, anyone know if we can leave bike boxes at Lyon Airport?

As already said, Bourg d'Oisans is the best bet for food and drink if you want something fairly authentic. Alpe d'Huez is OK but is very, very commercial (it is to ski resorts, what Benidorm is to package holidays).

You have to be a bit careful in working out how to get there, because the main road to the east is closed (the road which leads to the Lautaret and Galibier) because a tunnel is broken beyond repair. If you're coming from Lyon it won't be a problem, but just don't plan on heading anywhere towards La Grave and Briancon.
On the day of the tour it's predictably chaotic - and probably even more so than most years because it's such a short stage and (probably) at such an important time in the race. The first 3km are the steepest so you'll see the riders go past most slowly, but it's also busy.

If you are staying in Alpe D'Huez itself then the best thing is probably to either leave early and head down the mountain until after the barriers (maybe 3-4km to go) and then you have a decent chance of seeing some attacks/action. Or you could stay near the finish line and then you can watch the big screen and get more of a perspective on the stage - but the finish is pretty flat and so isn't really an authentic Alpe d'Huez experience.

Thanks for this and t'other replies

We are staying in Grenoble (well just outside it)

We were planning on riding up the Alpe, then dropping back down slightly to watch it. The plan then was to ride over the top then after the race and off the other side and then back around via the D25. Does this sound do-able?

It's doable, but after the race it's very hectic and probably wise to watch close to the top. And remember to be early. The police tend to close the road at least one hour before the caravan, so you should plan to reach the summit at least three hours before the race finishes. Many decent lunch places in Alpe D'Huez, but it will be very crowded on the race day

 

[MartinGT]

Re: Alpe d'Uhez

It's doable, but after the race it's very hectic and probably wise to watch close to the top. And remember to be early. The police tend to close the road at least one hour before the caravan, so you should plan to reach the summit at least three hours before the race finishes. Many decent lunch places in Alpe D'Huez, but it will be very crowded on the race day

Cool.

We were planning on getting to the base of the climb a couple of hours prior to the caravan, so thats cool.

I am thinking of taking a small rucksack with a couple of items in just incase!

 

[StinkFist]

I rode / followed the 2008 Tour including all the major climbs of that years tour, plus a few extras that weren't in that edition (Ventoux)
We rode up the Alpe the day before the stage came through, stayed in the ski village at the top and then watched the Tour come through the next day.....amazing experience and you are in for a real treat!

As above Bourg d'Oisans, is the town / village at the base of the climb. It will be heaving there in the days leading up to that stage, but you can pick up last minute things if necessary....no problem with food and drink there if need be..... I would encourage you to have everything you need prior to this day, but please do ride through the town, maybe take a coffee to a roadside cafe and soak up the incredible atmosphere!
A small BackPack with everything you need (check the weather out for the day) is a good idea. Once you have a spot to watch the tour from, you won't want to leave for fear of losing it

The climb itself is very special. Have a camera handy and take your time. We rode up the day before the stage and it was a non-stop party from the bottom to the top!! Lots of music, drinking, party people going crazy....expect to get lots of pushes on your way up and be prepared to deal with some supporters who have had perhaps too much to drink and are very excited.
For me, it was a tough climb at the end of a very long day - the atmosphere / experience was enough for me to just switch off and cruise on up.

Plenty of food / drink options at the top also. I know it sounds a bit lame, but taking a packed lunch and plenty of snacks from your Hotel is a good idea. It will be a long day

I would ride to the top, lock your bikes somewhere safe, then walk down the Alpe and find a suitable spot to watch the race come through.
We had a bag full of beers and food, plus a guy beside us had a radio going with full race coverage.....in French.....we offered him beer and from then on he was giving updates every few minutes - it was a very memorable day.

It will be chaos on race day and the ride down after the race has come through may take a long time!

I wouldn't plan on putting in a Race Day effort on the Alpe the day of the Tour.....some of our guys had a predetermined time in mind and that was chucked out the window after 5 mins when they realised how busy the road was (with loads of other riders, spectators and vehicles).
Just sit back, take it all in, take plenty of photos and be part of the show - I'm very envious.

Enjoy -

 

[DFA123]

Re: Alpe d'Uhez

Hi Guys

I am riding Alpe d'Uhez with some friends on the day of the Tour.

I havent ridden in the area. What is around the Alpe in terms of food / drink and does anyone have any experience of it on the day of the Tour?

Also, anyone know if we can leave bike boxes at Lyon Airport?

As already said, Bourg d'Oisans is the best bet for food and drink if you want something fairly authentic. Alpe d'Huez is OK but is very, very commercial (it is to ski resorts, what Benidorm is to package holidays).

You have to be a bit careful in working out how to get there, because the main road to the east is closed (the road which leads to the Lautaret and Galibier) because a tunnel is broken beyond repair. If you're coming from Lyon it won't be a problem, but just don't plan on heading anywhere towards La Grave and Briancon.
On the day of the tour it's predictably chaotic - and probably even more so than most years because it's such a short stage and (probably) at such an important time in the race. The first 3km are the steepest so you'll see the riders go past most slowly, but it's also busy.

If you are staying in Alpe D'Huez itself then the best thing is probably to either leave early and head down the mountain until after the barriers (maybe 3-4km to go) and then you have a decent chance of seeing some attacks/action. Or you could stay near the finish line and then you can watch the big screen and get more of a perspective on the stage - but the finish is pretty flat and so isn't really an authentic Alpe d'Huez experience.

Thanks for this and t'other replies

We are staying in Grenoble (well just outside it)

We were planning on riding up the Alpe, then dropping back down slightly to watch it. The plan then was to ride over the top then after the race and off the other side and then back around via the D25. Does this sound do-able?

Sounds like a good plan to go back over the Col de Sarenne and the D25. It's a beautiful climb and descent to the Sarenne - much more picturesque than Alpe D'Huez, but obviously without all the cycling history! Hopefully not many cars will be trying to do the same, because it's quite a narrow and technical road which could become blocked quite easily - but I guess you will be able to get away from the finish a lot quicker than most drivers. It wouldn't even be so bad to descent the Alpe though if you leave soon after the finish, before the cars are allowed on the road. After a few minutes, a line of cyclists normally develops in the middle - with walkers staying out of the way, and it's not a long climb (also it's a very wide road).

One thing I would be cautious of is planning to cycle to the top of the climb and then drop back down. If it is really busy (and it will be) the police and organisers can get a bit funny about people descending the climb and they might order you to get off your bike (you may well have to anyway because it would so busy), then you would have a lot of walking to do downhill in your cleats. They might not even let you ride on after the barriers begin (1km or so from the finish), so if climbing the whole of Alpe d'Huez is something you want to do then it's probably best to reserve another day to do it.

Also, be aware that it could take 1.5 -2hr to climb towards the top of the Alpe, even if you could normally do it in an hour on a clear day. I would consider starting the climb 4 or 5 hours before the caravan, rather than just 2 hours. If you plan to stop 20-30 minutes before the caravan comes through, you'll struggle to find anywhere to put your bikes because the crowds will be several people deep by then.

 

[MartinGT]

Superb, thanks for the information, thats made my mind up on a few things!

Thanks

 

[MartinGT]

Just thought I would update this thread just in case somebody goes as a newbie like me and has the same sort of questions.

Lyon airport was fine, however it did take almost 2h for our bike boxes to come off the flight and then we had to build them up. It cost us 18euro each to leave the bike boxes at left luggage. They had to be scanned and all in all, after rebuilding the bikes it took about an hour.
Getting out of Lyon airport and the surrounding service roads was simple if a little chaotic because of the stress people have after travelling!

We were approx 80km from the base of the Alpe and we got there in good time about 4h before the carvan. We climbed the Alpe and it was mental. Big crowds, but a great atmosphere. The police stopped us and made us walk every now and then for no reason at all. Walk 3m get back on the back and repeat every now and then. At the top they made you go off the main route with 2km to go, but you could easily find your way round. We stopped off at a little restaurant at the top and had some lunch. Then we dropped down to 4km to go via another road. Waiting for the caravan was good and thew weather was mint.

After the race had passed through we werent allowed up the road and over the back, so we dropped down which as you can imagine was v busy. It took about an hour to get down but no major dramas. It took so long due to the caravan also coming down at the same time.

Tips:
I took a rucksack, my mates didnt. I had my flip flops, a sun hat, extra water, some food and sun cream etc. There wasnt a lot in the bag, but I was glad of it for sure. We were blessed with great weather for the day so no need for a rain jacket. I would highly recommend not being a hero and not taking a small rucksack. Youre not going to break any records on the alpe due to the amount of people on it.

There is plenty of places to eat at the top and we had no problems getting somewhere, the same with at the bottom of the Alpe.

Lyon airport, the staff were very helpful, if not a little laid back, so if you're doing this, add some contingency onto your schedule, we did, we added an hour on, but really could have done with a couple to be a little more comfortable.

All in all an amazing trip.