Alpe d'Huez

[Mr Haematocrit]

The climb of l'Alpe d’Huez has a total elevation gain of 1071 meters or 3513 feet. The total length of the climb is 13.2 kilometers or 8.25 miles with an average gradient of 8.1% and a max of 10.6%; a challenge for any level of cyclist.
The climb’s initial impression is one of a very steep grade on a wide, straight road. Cyclists attempting the climb for the first time will do well to remind themselves that the later slopes are far less steep.
Tour de France racers, both super stars and lesser known names, have their names painted on the road. Some names are still quite clear while other names have faded over the years.
There are 21 switchbacks in total on the mountain. Each switchback has a sign counting down from 21 on the first switchback, to 1 on the last turn before the summit. Past stage winners like Hampsten, Bugno, and Pantani have their names displayed with each switchback number, sparking memories of past tour battles and race emotion.

Imho you would be advised to get some big miles under your belt at a sustained high effort, you should also consider the weight of the bike/equipment your taking. I would not want to drag anything unnecessary up the l'Alpe d’Huez. Im doing it during 2013 as well.

 

[Rob3rt]

Ride over to Holmfirth and tackle Home moss, then freewheel down and do it again, and again. when you can summit Holme moss in 15 ~20 minutes on each occasion then you can aim to tackle the alpe in under an hour.

15 mins up the Holmfirth side would be blazing fast I hope you know (not sure if that is your point or not) Tejvan Pettinger holds the KOM on Strava with a time of 15:24 and he is a HC machine!

 

[oldfatfool]

15 mins up the Holmfirth side would be blazing fast I hope you know (not sure if that is your point or not) Tejvan Pettinger holds the KOM on Strava with a time of 15:24 and he is a HC machine!

More pointing out the magnitude of climbing the Alpe in under a hour, Holme moss is 4k at 6.9% or from Holmfirth 7k at 5.9%, the Alpe is 13.2k at 8.1% So 15mins a rep from the Glossop side is a fair estimate, maybe 20 from Holmfirth is a bit harsh~ have 25

 

[black'n'yellow]

the guy is riding up it with his father-in-law - he's not riding the TdF.

 

[jdtate101]

.....or just spin up on a triple and enjoy the stunning views. Just make sure you take enough water. The alpe can get awfully hot in the afternoon, but a quick shower under one of the many waterfalls does wonders.

 

[oldfatfool]

the guy is riding up it with his father-in-law - he's not riding the TdF.

Your the one that brought up the hour (or so ) mark,

You will need to be able to endure a sustained high effort for about an hour or so

imo/e unless the guy is a regular cyclist, which he isn't,

Hi guys i'm really new to cycling

then he needs to get in some serious training, and not to be given a false sense of security reading that he could piss it now so long as he is on a compact with a wide rear cassette.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

For a new cyclist, quoting the Sufferfest motto in his signature sets alarm bells off for me.

 

[bainy16]

For a new cyclist, quoting the Sufferfest motto in his signature sets alarm bells off for me.

could i just ask what in meant by this?

 

[black'n'yellow]

Your the one that brought up the hour (or so ) mark,

indeed - as an estimate of the amount of time it may take him to ride up it.

imo/e unless the guy is a regular cyclist, which he isn't,

see above

then he needs to get in some serious training, and not to be given a false sense of security reading that he could **** it now so long as he is on a compact with a wide rear cassette.

Nobody said he could pi55 it. If you are targeting a time-limited event like the etape, then 'serious' training might be necessary to get up it within a particular time-window. But disregarding that (because it is not relevant in this case),anyone competent on a bicycle could ride up it given the appropriate gearing and an appropriate amount of time. It only gets harder when you try to go faster.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

could i just ask what in meant by this?

The line in your signature stems from www.thesufferfest.com training videos. Although shortened to IWBMATTKYT.

Not something I'd expect someone "really new to cycling" to reference.

 

[zizou]

Alpe d'Huez will be tough at the end of a long hard ride like the Marmotte but on its own its not too bad with fresh legs.

For now concentrate on getting some miles in, getting fitter and losing a bit of weight if you are overweight. Do not bother doing high intensity intervals without the base - you wont get the full benefit of the intervals and you are also risking injury by pushing too hard too soon.

 

[oldfatfool]

If you are targeting a time-limited event like the etape, then 'serious' training might be necessary to get up it within a particular time-window. But disregarding that (because it is not relevant in this case),anyone competent on a bicycle could ride up it given the appropriate gearing and an appropriate amount of time. It only gets harder when you try to go faster.

IMO Cobblers.

 

[bainy16]

The line in your signature stems from www.thesufferfest.com training videos. Although shortened to IWBMATTKYT.

Not something I'd expect someone "really new to cycling" to reference.

just liked the moto .......i was adviced to use there vids to aid my training which i have yet to use

 

[black'n'yellow]

IMO Cobblers.

which bit are you disagreeing with..?

 

[oldfatfool]

which bit are you disagreeing with..?

Most of it tbh,

The assertion that serious training MIGHT be required to post a quick time.
What do you call appropriate gearing and an appropriate amount of time, I am guessing the op hasn't got 24X36 mtb gearing and would like to reach the summit the same day he sets off. Regardless even to ascend using 24x36 would require serious training if for no other reason than the length of time he would be sat in the saddle spinning the pedals. There is a reason you see so many folk pushing bikes up the various cols and climbs in the Alps and Pyrenees and it isn't because they where trying to go too fast!