Cycling in the French Alps

6 - 14 August 2005

Altitude profiles of all my cycling stages This is close to my first camp site, near the village of La Bathie. Not far from Albertville After driving more than 1200 km I deserve a cup of coffee Col de la Madeleine, was part of the last Tour de France. This is my first challenge, climbing from 400 to 2000 meter altitude. Up in the clouds at 1900 meter, after a few hours I'm almost there. It is amazing to actually cycle here. At the summit the temperature is only 5 degrees, so I'm not staying long. There are a handfull of other cyclers, mainly from Dutch origin. The next day Glacier peeking over the edge above me. I'm having a rest day and drive over the Col de L'Iseran to find a next camp site. The dam wall of Lac du Chevril The first proper snow capped mountain Val d'Isère in the valley below, a ski resort. The valley of the Isère, climbing higher and higher to Col de L'Iseran One cycler going up, one going down More views Church at the summit of the Col de L'Iseran. There's not much growing here These people just made it to the summit. Respect for the guy who cycled up with full gear and panniers. Breath taking views The valley on the other side View from my tent near the village Orelle, at over 900 meter altitude Just me Flower baskets Monday morning. Looking up to the Col du Télégraphe from de village called St Michel de Maurienne On the summit of the Télégraphe Looking back down to the valley below Climbing the Télégraphe is tough, but it's just a warm-up for the Col du Galibier at 2645 meter altitude Having a rest in one of the hairpins, at an altitude of 2005 meter. From here the road is 8-10 % all the way to the top Awesome views again Every cyclist is on it's own This guy is a few hundred meters from the top. The poles next to the road are for the snow ploughs in winter! The last meters Smile! The Snow capped mountain in the background is Mont Blanc, with it's 4810 meters the highest mountain in Europe It's actually very pleasant because the sun is shining bright Looking back at the winding road coming up the mountain View to the other side. These mountains are between 3500 and 4100 meter high Back down hill again Another view from the Col du Télégraphe La Mije seen from the Col du Galibier The day I'm going to do l'Alpe-d'Huez, a world famous climb. Photo I bought from a guy who was taking photos of anyone going up the mountain The ski resort l'Alpe-d'Huez. After 21 hairpins, 12 kilometers, 1100 vertical meters at 9% average. It took me 1 hour and 9 minutes. 37 minutes is the record is by Marco Pantani During the descend it is very foggy now and then Amazing views The road to l'Alpe-d'Huez seen from above The next day is sunny again, now l'Alpe-d'Huez is easy to see from the valley below and doesn't look very far My third and last camp site, near the village Allemont View from the tent River next to camp site At night On Friday a beautiful climb to the Col de la Croix de Fer. This is the iron cross There's me again, on another summit. Col de la Croix de Fer A tiny detour takes me to the Col du Glandon Amazing views from the road near Villard Reculas, an alternative route to l'Alpe-d'Huez Amazing views from the road near Villard Reculas, an alternative route to l'Alpe-d'Huez Amazing views from the road near Villard Reculas, an alternative route to l'Alpe-d'Huez Amazing views from the road near Villard Reculas, an alternative route to l'Alpe-d'Huez