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A UNIQUE RESORT
THE MYTHICAL ASCENT
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Timed Climb - Cycling trails - Training courses and rentals
Alpe d'Huez Climb in figures
Bends : 21
Departure : 2,351 feet
Arrival : 6,100 feet
Difference in elevation : 3,749 feet
Length : 8,89 miles
Average slope : 7,9 %
Highest slope : 14 %
Climb record : 37’35’’
Average speed of 14,34 miles/h (Marco Pantani in 1997).
Number of crossings of the Grande Boucle : 25
Each summer day, an average of 400 cyclists snake around the 21 legendary bends of the road to Alpe d'Huez. Each year, more than 7000 touring cyclists participate to the Marmotte, and 1000 receive a certificate awarding their climbing time*.
Alpe d'Huez is really the best resort for biking !
*Certificate delivered again payment of 1€ contributed to a charitable association.
The 21 bends
Alpe d'Huez and the 21 hairpin turns remain the most challenging and well known stage of the Tour de France. Each of the 21 turns are marked to help cyclists count-down the 9 miles, and 3,670ft of elevation difference, with an average slope of 7.9 %. Each day during the summer, an average of 1000 recreational and expert riders climb this mythical ascent together. More than 7000 cycle tourists participate in the Marmotte Race with the first 2000 recieving a diploma with their official climb times.
Alpe d'Huez really is the Mecca of cycling, and the ascent to Alpe d'Huez is truely a once in a lifetime experience!
Alpe d'Huez 21 bends of Legende
The route
After a warm-up on the straight roads of the Oisans valley, you reach the foot of the famous ascent of Alpe d'Huez. 10 minutes afterer crossing the starting line, you’ll get to the heart of the matter… no more flat stretches. Starting from 737m, the first severe slope takes you to turn 21 (806 m) and continues with a fearful climb up to turn 17 at 965m. Once you’ve passed this bend, you can recover on the 200m gentle slope crossing the village of La Garde. At this point, the serious cyclist get a boost and pick up speed, while others huff and puff untill turn 15 (1025m) where the slope gets steeper again. Turn 14 is marked with a monument dedicated to Joachim Agostino which gives you the confidence and strength to continue.
A gentle slope will take you to "Ribot d’en Bas" (Below) after of which you’ll understand why next hamlet is called "Ribot d’en Haut" (on top). Turn 12 welcomes you at 1161 m and string of bends 11/10/9 is the consecration of your condition whatever it may be. The last moment of lower difficulty, your arrival at Sainte-Ferréol (1390 m – cemetary of Huez) where those in distress can quench their thirst. Next, the ascent to of the village of Huez.
From bends 5 to 2, you get to the heart of the matter again untill the crossing known as the "Patte d’oie" crossing, where the 3 last bends are linked on a slope similar to the first part of the ascent to La Garde.
The climb to the resort ends with turn 1 (1713 m) which is very wide, before you come to "Vieil Alpe" (the old village section of Alpe d'Huez), and pass through the tunnel. Up by chalet "Le Camigane" you are cheered up by the red flame marking the last kilometer until the final segment, gently flater between the two roundabouts. 300 meters left and you’ll have conquered the 21 mythical bends of Alpe d'Huez.
Period
April-December
Even in winter, in cold and dry weather, it’s not unusual to be able to ride your bike at Alpe d’Huez
Starting Line
The starting line is situated in front of the EDF building, 984ft after the Grenoble-Briançon roundabout right out of Bourg d’Oisans.
Finish Line
After the last roundabout, on your left, the last 984ft of the Avenue du Rif-Nel stretches out in front of you. The finish is at the end of the avenue.
Panoramic view
When ascending the Alp, you'll turn your back to the Taillefer. On your left you'll see Villars Reculas and in the last bends you’ll face the Grandes Rousses Massif. When descending, you’ll enjoy the view of the Oisans Valley.
Timed Climb - Cycling trails - Training courses and rental
Alpe d'Huez Winners
1952 Fausto Coppi (Italy)
1976 Joop Zoetemelk (Netherlands)
1977 Hennie Kuiper (Netherlands)
1978 Hennie Kuiper (Netherlands)
1979-1st passage Joachim Agostinho (Portugal)
1979-2nd passage Joop Zoetemelk (Netherlands)
1981 Peter Winnen (Netherlands)
1982 Beat Breu (Switzerland)
1983 Peter Winnen (Netherlands)
1984 Luis Herrera (Colombia)
1986 Bernard Hinault France)
1987 Federico Echave (Spain)
1988 Steven Rooks (Netherlands)
1989 Gert-Jan Theunisse (Netherlands)
1990 Gianni Bugno (Italy)
1991 Gianni Bugno (Italy)
1992 Andrew Hampsten (USA)
1994 Roberto Conti (Italy)
1995 Marco Pantani (Italy)
1997 Marco Pantani (Italy)
1999 Giuseppe Guerini (Italy)
2001 Lance Armstrong (USA)
2003 Iban Mayo (Spain)
2004 Lance Armstrong (USA)
2006 Frank Schleck (Luxembourg)
2008 Carlos Sastre (Spain)
2011 Pierre Rolland (France)
More: Guide 2011 Tour de France - 19th stage
Atmosphere Tour de France 2011 Alpe d'Huez
On Friday, July 22nd, 2011 Alpe d'Huez has hosted after two years of absence, the Tour de France. Pierre Rolland, won the 19th stage Modane-Alpe d'Huez.
Like every year, the Tour was trigger the same passion, enthusiasm, and buzz that is unique to the mythical ascent of the 21 bends.
Timtoo Timing
Timtoo Timing chip automatically records your time from Bourg d'Oisans up to Alpe d'Huez.
On website timtoo.com you can check your performance, update every hour.
These chips are available at Alpe d'Huez Office of Tourism and Bourg d'Oisans Office of Tourism.
More + : Download PDF in English or PDF in het Nederlands
Timed Climb - Cycling trails - Training courses and rental
Alpe d'huez climb certificate
From May to September, Alpe d’Huez Tourism will present all the touring cyclists ascending the 21 bends, more than 2000 diplomas of the ascent of Alpe d’Huez (by foot or by bicycle), certifying the time of their ascent. This diploma is offered for a small fee of €1, the total amount collected will this year be remitted to the European Association against leukodystrophies "ELA".
Timed climb of Thursday
Every Thursday, the tourist offices in Bourg
d’Oisans and Alpe d’Huez organise a timed ascent of the 21 bends. On average, there are around 70 participants that take part each week.
:: Every Thursday, at 10 a.m from mid June to mid September.
Arrival Place Paganon scheduled from 11.00 a.m
Depending on weather conditions
Tarif
€ 5
Registration
Tourist Office of Bourg d'Oisans
Quay Girard 38520
Bourg d'OISANS
Tel: +33(0)4 76 80 03 25/Fax: +33(0)4 76 80 10 38
Download PDF in English or PDF in het Nederlands
Timed Climb - Cycling trails - Training courses and rental
Cycling trails
From small country roads to solitary mountain passes lost in the clouds, Oisans is a very popular area for cycling. Come and explore the six valleys of this fantastic area with its winding roads, its perched villages, sitting on mountain tops like eagles’ nests, or its more gentle roads opening up its hidden valleys. As you will see, each road has its own history and each village has its own distinctive character.
NEW!
27 cycling trails with permanent timing: 
the Alpe d’Huez ascent,
the Marmotte route,
all the mountain passes (cols),
climbs up to the ski resorts and perched villages.
Cycling training courses and rentals
MCF School - A la carte road biking
The Cycling School will guide and coach you on your uphill rides. On the 21 curves of the Alpe d’Huez, on the mythical passes and summits of the Alps, come meet your personal challenges in well organized groups.
ESF
Maison de l'Alpe, 38750 Alpe d’Huez
Tel :+33(0)4 76 80 31 69
Contact us by email
www.alpedhuezbike.com
Cycling travel
The conception, organisation and coordination of cylcing holidays and events at Alpe d'Huez and in Oisans. Whether you want to cycle amid the most beautiful hills and summits of the Tour de France or add an activity to your seminar by making a timed ascent up Alpe d'Huez... whatever your project, we are here to help you organise it.
Cycling travel
Tel : +33 (0)6 64 11 08 71
Contact us by email
www.cycling-travel.com/
Road bicycle rental
• Sarenne Sports: +33 (0)4 76 80 44 76 - Place du Cognet (H2)
• Rocky Sports: +3 (0)4 76 80 63 02 - l'Eclose (I8)
• Richard III Sports: +33 (0)4 76 80 36 93 - Rond Point des Pistes (H2)
• Névada Sports: +33 (0)4 76 80 65 61 - Avenue de l'Etendard (L5)
• Man Sports – Ski Set: +33 (0)4 76 80 69 40 - Les Bergers (L5)
