At the end of three grueling days in the Alps, the 2008 Tour de France will reach its boiling point on the 21 switchbacks of cycling's most iconic climb: L'Alpe d'Huez. This year the Tour arrives at L'Alpe at the climax of the race, in stark contrast to 2006 when the route came here the beginning of three mountain stages. After climbing Galibier and Croix de Fer, the yellow jersey contenders will go toe-to-toe over 8+ miles that gain almost 3,600 feet of elevation. By the time the dust clears, the Tour may be won or lost.
As high drama unfolds on the road, an 8-mile long party will unfold on the roadside. Alpe d'Huez is cycling's most fan-friendly mountain road--though many in the peloton consider it to be a bit too fan-friendly. On race day, the road's 21 switchbacks will be teeming with mobs of shirtless, sun-burnt cycling fans as wire-thin climbers hollowed out by 17 days of racing will battle tunnel vision as they trade attacks up the mountain. Most spring and summer weekends see L'Alpe swarmed by cyclotourists--everyone from hardcore racers to amateurs on rental, dual-suspension mountain bikes--riding up for "the fun of it." Indeed, for many, riding Alpe d'Huez is akin to taking batting practice at Yankee Stadium or playing doubles at Wimbledon. It's cycling's most hallowed road because of the legends who have laid their claim to Tour fame here, but the true beauty of the climb is that anyone and everyone can hop on a bike and take stab at climbing it.
-Mapped by Mark Harrison
VIDEO PREVIEW
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Google Earth Flyover: 2008 Tour de France
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Tour de France 2008: L'Alpe d'Huez
| Dist: 8.65 mi |
Points: 234 |
Calories: none |
| Time: none |
Speed: 0.0 mph |
Pace: 0:00 / mi |
The first switchback
Location: 45.071642°, 6.038704°
Each of Alpe d'Huez's 21 switchbacks are marked by a sign listing their elevation and a previous Tour stage winner (or two). © Mark Harrison
The fifth switchback
Location: 45.068414°, 6.042491°
James Startt climbs the fifth switchback of Alpe d'Huez
The second switchback
Location: 45.066413°, 6.041772°
James Startt rides around the second switchback on Alpe d'Huez.
The "Dutch Corner"
Location: 45.077036°, 6.053338°
James Startt climbs past the Dutch corner
Cycling fans from Holland descend upon this corner of Alpe d'Huez and set up camp for an orange-clad party when the Tour comes. Dutch riders receive the lion's share of their encouragement.
The base of <a href="http://www.bicycling.com/tourdefrance/30moments/13.html" target="blank">Alpe d'Huez</a>
Location: 45.062730°, 6.037459°
The base of Alpe d'Huez
The "Dutch Corner"
Location: 45.077036°, 6.053338°
The "Dutch Corner"
Cycling fans from Holland descend upon this corner of Alpe d'Huez and set up camp for an orange-clad party when the Tour comes. Dutch riders receive the lion's share of their encouragement.
The town of Alpe d'Huez
Location: 45.092490°, 6.062822°
James Startt rides through the ski resort of Alpe d'Huez
The grades ease off significantly as the road arrives at the ski resort town atop Alpe d'Huez.
Location: 45.090005°, 6.058831°
Just because you see the town sign, doesn't mean you're at the top
Cow pasture
Location: 45.088793°, 6.060162°
James Startt passes grazing cows and green pastures on the upper slopes of Alpe d'Huez.
Cattle will get a front row seat to high Tour drama around a wide pasture a few switchbacks below the top of the climb.
Five switchbacks down
Location: 45.072369°, 6.051149°
James Startt passes an overlook at the fifth switchback on Alpe d'Huez
If tunnel vision hasn't set in yet, riders will enjoy a fantastic valley overlook at the fifth switchback.
Bourg-d'Oisans
Location: 45.054909°, 6.030679°
Bourg-d'Oisans, the gateway to Alpe d'Huez
Location: 45.091399°, 6.055784°
Suspension on the switchbacks
The ramps
Location: 45.065762°, 6.043167°
The fourth switchback
The switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez have gained a certain degree of un-earned infamy. The switchbacks themselves aren't the hard part of the climb--in fact, they're the flattest spots on the road. It's the ramps that come off of each switchback that take a toll on the riders, and of course the sustained stretches of steep grades do some damage as well.
Cow pasture
Location: 45.088793°, 6.060162°
On any given day
Cattle will get a front row seat to high Tour drama around a wide pasture a few switchbacks below the top of the climb.
Location: 45.088430°, 6.055784°
Panniers up Alpe d'Huez
It's not all switchbacks
Location: 45.080824°, 6.059046°
James Startt climbs a rare sustained straightaway on Alpe d'Huez
The ramps
Location: 45.065762°, 6.043167°
The steep pitch coming off of switchback #4
The switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez have gained a certain degree of un-earned infamy. The switchbacks themselves aren't the hard part of the climb--in fact, they're the flattest spots on the road. It's the ramps that come off of each switchback that take a toll on the riders, and of course the sustained stretches of steep grades do some damage as well.
Cow pasture
Location: 45.088793°, 6.060162°
On race day
Cattle will get a front row seat to high Tour drama around a wide pasture a few switchbacks below the top of the climb.
Location: 45.077976°, 6.047845°
Taking a break with 10 switchbacks to go
Location: 45.088430°, 6.055784°
Riding by sheep a few switchbacks below the top
Location: 45.070945°, 6.044283°
Room for another name on this switchback sign
Location: 45.067762°, 6.041837°
A cyclotourist outdescends a van around the broad third switchback.
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