Not long now …
So, Al and I are heading to the Northern Alps for a week of riding some of the great climbs, including; Courchevel (21.7km 2000m alt), Col de la Madeleine (26km, 1993m alt), Cormet de Roseland (22.5km, 2012m alt), Col des Aravis (18.9km, 1486m alt), Col des Saisies (15km, 1657m alt), Telegraph (12km, 1566m alt), Alpe d’Huez (14.5km, 1850m alt) and my personal favourite at a lung busting altitiude of 2646m, Col du Galibier (18km).
I think we’re both beginning to get just a little bit worried about our preparation training. Last year when Al suggested doing a weeks holiday training in the Alps I thought we should aim a bit lower for our first cycling trip and maybe somewhere a bit flatter … like Holland perhaps.
Anyway, we decided to go with a company, AlpCycles, as they look like they know what they’re doing. I think it’s going to be a great experience. Besides, what could possibly go wrong with a couple of 40-somethings biking up and down some of the big climbs of the Alps??
This is the itinerary for the week, now where’s that chamois cream! …
Day 1: Sunday
Around 90km, this first day is a loop of local climbs to see how the group is.
Then we head into the Vanoise National park and to Pralognan, Champany-en-Haute and Montagny and return to the chalet at the end of the day via the bottom half of the Courchevel climb.
Day 2: Monday
We will drive to Albertville then ride the first 10km of an unnamed climb, leading us to Col de Aravis and Col de la Croix Fry. From here we have a great descent down in to Annecy and hop the bike path around the lake. If everyone is feeling good, we can hook up and over the Col de Tamie, then back to Albertville. Around a 100km – 120km, depending on if you do the last climb.
Day 3: Tuesday
Today we head around and climb the Cormet de Roseland from the Beaufort side, leaving from Moutiers and looping right back round. This is a big 120km day and will end with riding back up to the chalet on the Meribel climb, if all feeling good. Minibus to the rescue if needed!
Day 4: Wednesday
A more chilled/rest day to give your legs a rest before the final couple of big riding days. Option in the afternoon for rafting or something equally adventurous (?)
Day 5: Thursday
This is the day we head to Alpe d’Huez, with an early start to pack it all in. Ideally, we will drive to St Jean de Maurienne and climb the Col de Telegraph, Galibier, descend the Col de Lauteret into Bourg d’Oisans, and then hit Alpe d’Huez. This really is a fantastic day.
Day 6: Friday
We always finish the week with the Col de la Madeleine, recently climbed by the TDF.
Final thought for the day:- given Al’s previous record of breaking both wrists(snowboarding) and his collarbone (MTB-ing), I’m feeling quite optimistic on this one … touch wood.
Great site bro. Have a great time and take care. Will have a look at site each day xxx
Shaun and Al’s excellent two wheeled adventure!!!!!
Have a great time, I wish I was there. Only if it was to slow you down even more on the climbs.
I don’t suppose they’d been to impressed with stopping for a tab half way up alpe d’ Huez!!
…………………………………..”Allez Eggy” “Allez Chalks”…………………………….
P.s.
Stay well clear of any dodgy looking blokes with semi automatic weapons around lake Annecy!!
Cheers Paul, if I do get taken out gangsta style then I’d just like to take this opportunity to say that I’m leaving my bikes to Gabriel – one day he’ll grow up to appreciate the lightness of carbon and the smoothness of Campag. Ditto if I do a Tommy Simpson …
Sounds totally GAY!
Naaa sounds awesome….if you can use a motorbike 🙂 have a nice time.
Good luck you two. You must be mad. Have a great ‘holiday’!!!!!
Oh, and Shaun….with Al’s history…I’m not that optimistic. Something is bound to get broken!!
Al would just like to repeat that’s it’s not a holiday, it’s training. Quote from Al “I’m going to ride myself fit” …
Perhaps it would have been a holiday if he had actually done any training!!
Good luck on the first big day. Keep some in reserve for the next five! Hope you didn’t have too many beers last night, you 40 somethings can’t handle it any more!
Cheeky lady! No beers last night as we’d had a couple on the Friday night near the hotel. You know the hotel, the one that was meant to be an airport hotel but is actually in a different country to the airport … Don’t think I’ll book through Hawkes holiday again.
What’s this about leaving your bikes to some newbie sprog? – you’re already “supporting adult” to the 2 most beautiful girls in the world and their dad is already taking great care of your previous ride (the elite that is – not my wife – well at least I hope not! Nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more).