The Alpe d'Huez is another do not miss road in the French Alps, particularly if you are a bicycle racing fan at all, then it's practically hallowed ground. A lovely ride if you can avoid traffic. The best ride I had there was in June. Alpinebiker mentioned two adjacent roads of note; The road to Villard Reclusas (sp?), and the Col de la Sarenne. I'll post video of both. Sarenne is a personal favorite as it is high, wild, and does not have much traffic. The surface is poor, but the rock lined culverts add to the fun!
I run classic bike tours out of ADH in the summer so this is a ride Ive done many times but its never become routine. The scenery, particularly as you come down, is spectacular and as long as you avoid the usual rush hour periods (lots of people work in ADH but live in the valley) itll mostly just be you and the cyclists. Once youve ridden up to ADH try one of the two other ways down. At Huez (about 2 miles before Alpe DHuez) take the road to Villard Reculas. Until you get to VR its sheer drop edge of the mountain stuff and after a great virtually traffic free drop down through the forest to Lac du Verney. Alternatively, once in ADH go past the airport and head for the Col de Sarenne. Its tarmac all the way but watch out for the frequent snow drainage gullies across the road for the first mile or so. Once at the Col the road winds down through some spectacular scenery back to the valley at the lac du Chambon. A must do detour if youre on a trailie.
great vid - difficult to ride well, but you made it look easy!
Film attached
Stunning. Never done it on a motor bike but many times on the mountain bike and many times by car - it's one of the areas in the winter frequented by skiers and ice climbers, when the road conditions are less than perfect. Just do it!
From Le Bourg-D'Oisans take the D211 to L'Alpe D'Huez, this road is 14kms long, has 21 hairpin bends and rises 1100 metres up the side of a mountain. As it's a special section of the Tour de France the road surface is kept in tip top condition. If you can take your eyes off the road for long enough the views are pretty spectacular.
between Huez and Villard Reculas
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