Day 20 stage 18. Matt put in a burst of speed.

Day 20  stage 18. 11 July 2013 Gap to Alpe d’Huez 168 kilometers 6 mountains, 1xcat3, 3xcat2,  2xHC

Last night Nick and Matt were very keen to post the details of recent events but  the hotel internet was hopeless so at about 5pm they decided to go to MacDonalds where they have free wifi. On the way they met Andy, one of the TdF doctors and he joined them. They logged on, uploaded and all had a “Big Mac meal” This is not Nicks usual preference but it was right up Matt’s street, Andy seemed to be enjoying his too.

Cyclists at work

Then two strange things happened, firstly the internet was working and secondly they we still hungry so they all ordered the same again. It just goes to show the extreme lengths these riders will go to ensure the blog gets through! When all was eaten and the blog uploaded they set of back to the hotel but still had a reasonable appetite to polish off  their evening meal.


Phil Deeker's briefing

Phil gave his usual nightly briefing, he warned riders not to go off too fast too soon on the early climbs before Alpe D’Huez and to be careful on the descents from both the Alp the Sarenne. There is minimal protection against leaving the road and there is s steep valley recently four Dutch riders went off the edge descending from La Sarenne and all perished. The latter sets off fast but has a dangerous sections of up to 14% at the bottom just before the main road.

The winding descent from la Sarenne

The day did not start well. Nick left the camera memory card in the laptop computer and this was already on its way to the next hotel when he realized. So instead of using the camera he was trying to use his mobile phone. It was a shame not to have the camera as the views were simply unbelievable (this has become a rather tired daily statement) and it would be nice to have some proof! The pictures from the phone may become available later but don’t hold your breath!

 

The approach to the Alpe was beautiful, the ride started almost immediately with the Col de Manse to freshen the legs then and took in some lovely alpine valleys with some of the less challenging mountain passes including Col d’Ornon before reaching Bourg d’Oissans at the base of  the Alpe for the first ascent.  

 

Somewhat unbelievably Bruce Irving was at the side of the road halfway up Alpe D’Huez taking photos – what a shock! Bruce had really helped with the ride preparation and both Nick and Matt were very pleased to see him, though Nick was particularly relieved to see he was not wearing his Union flag onesie.

Bruce's snap of Nick ascending Alpe D'Huez

 

Bruce led the rest of the way up the Alpe ahead of the 2 Woodalls and did the descent from the Sarenne. The first of the 2 ascents of the world famous Alpe was roasting hot under the mid-day heat and the flies found  the cyclists most attractive. The climb of Alpe D’Huez is a real cycling classic and riders who win this stage commonly go on to glory and win the Tour. The 14 kilometre long climb of 1,112 vertical metres from the bottom of the valley consist of a series of hairpin bends, each is numbered starting in the valley at 21. Each hairpin is named after a previous Alpe D’Huez stage winner who has gone on to win the Tour. The Tour de Force riders hauled themselves up from the valley bottom, around each of the 21 numbered hairpins bends, mentally ticking each of them off in their head as they pass the signs. Imagine the exasperation as the riders pass bend 1 expecting to find the summit but instead they find instead there is actually a hairpin zero!

The hairpin bends of Alpe D'Huez seen from above

Lovely light rain on the 2^nd ascent cooled the riders but somewhat bizarrely, Matt put in a massive burst of speed and hurtled uphill at a desperate pace, Nick thought the boy had finally gone mad due to his persistent knee pains! Then equally quickly he almost collapsed into a breathless heap. It transpired that one of the more colorful insects was trying to bore into his leg.

The trip had gone largely unimpaired by any mechanical problems until Bruce asked Nick if there had been any mechanical problems. Nick declined to answer the question as this would tempt fate, nevertheless about 35 minutes later his front derailleur cracked and he could no longer change gear smoothly and the chain came off repeatedly.

To reach the top of Alpe D’Huez for the second and final time was a great relief but there was little time for any celebration. Matt went off to ice his knees and Nick went in search of a bike shop (not as unlikely as it sounds) as it will be an even bigger day tomorrow and to be able to change gear would be most helpful.

Summiteers