l'Alpe d'Huez (Part II)

(Above): The stretch between switchbacks 17 & 16.

The road flattened with the arrival of switchback 16 in the village of la Garde. Oddly, painted on the road was "10%" and yet, after the experience of the steep switchbacks just before, this one felt almost flat! I shifted back to my 39x19. I even managed to chuckle at the irony and naiveté of my decision to climb Alpe d’Huez as my first ride in the Alps, just to see what shape I’m in for the longer rides I’ve planned later in the week. It was putting the major hurt on me; still, I’m encouraged by the fact that I am managing to hold my own against other riders and, although I was struggling, I was still a few notches below the red line.

(Above & Below) Switchback 15, at a steep 11%. I was amazed by the wide variety
of cyclists going up--from teenagers to grandparents, on singles and on a
tandem(!) (a couple from Boston), beater bikes to glossy titaniums, light
riders and heavy ones--all on a pilgrimage to the most prestigious of all climbs..

Number 15 came after a relatively long and straightish 16. At this stage the odd-numbered switchbacks are on the inside when going up and all one sees to the right is a wall. Switchback 15 is steep, but short. It is followed in regular succession by switchbacks 14 to 7; all steep, but milder, especially as compared to the higher-numbered ones.

(Above left: Switchback 14; above right: Switchback 13)

(Below left: Switchback 12; below right: Switchback 10)

(Above: Switchback 9)

(Above: Switchback 8)

Switchback 7 announced itself with the appearance of a church steeple in St. Ferréol.

A boy in a passing station wagon encouraged me with an energetic "Allez!" I guess that’s why most riders going up Alpe d’Huez seem inspired—the place felt like a cyclist’s playground and it seemed as though non-cyclists there at least appreciated the effort and determination that go into cyclists’ efforts to defy gravity.

Continued...