Cycling with Tom, 3 days in the alps

Tom op de Alpe d'Huez, bocht 16, juni 2007

Alpe d'Huez
juni 2007

At the 13th of june 2007 a touringcar filled with men and their bikes drove inb the direction of the french alps. They ment to be cycling in the mountains for three days. Ofcourse the, in Holland most famous climb, Alpe d'Huez was on the program.

After a long trip and a sleepless night we got a late breakfast, or early lunch in the chalets in Oz Tom en Rob op de 'Col de Oz'

with Merel and Wouter.

After everybody was assigned a room there was time for a short introduction to cycling in the mountains. An 'easy' route was plotted out, ending with the heavy climb back to the chalets in Oz.

A cold beer made everything worth while though. And soon things were planned for the next day. After a lasagna dinner everyone was so tired they all went to bed early. Dreaming about a glorious climbijng day tomorrow.

dan maar kaarten

After the success of this climb everybody is happy again. bocht 16 Alpe d'Huez That night the height differences of the climbs for tomorrow go from hand to hand. Tomorrow we have a dinner appointment in La Bathie. After that the touringcar will leave for our flat low country. Some say the route to la Bathie is easy, only two real climbs to do. But others think it is a bit too much and decide to take the touringcar from Oz.

But the next day is a dissappointment, it is raining. And it is raining hard. The mood is getting darker, the plans to ride the Marmot, a route with some famous climbs are chattered. Johan is als eerste terug During breakfast the weather gets worse. And some plan a run up the 'Col de Oz' as an alternative. A minivan brings the runners to the bottom of the climb. Only five men accept the challenge. They are absolutely soaked when they come back, but they are satisified to have done something. The others try to kill time by playing a game of cards or do some reading. Then the unexpected happens, the sun is coming through the clowds. After a good pasta lunch the cyclists go to prepare the bicycles and get on their suits. There is just enough time to cycle to the top of the Alpe d'Huez. While the sun is getting briter the group leaves Oz. Willem takes the minivan and together with Gonnie he follows the cyclists. The goal is to make some pictures along the route.

bocht 16 Alpe d'Huez

Just over 50% of the cyclists take the last challenge and they eave for a tour over the Croix de Fer, Col du Glandon and the Col de la Madeleine. The others ride a short tour around Oz, or go for a walk. And then we have to leave for home.

More pictures at our Multiply page.

More about the climbs: here.

Willem did some promotion with as result a few newspapers published about the trip.
At this page you can see the articles (all in dutch)