Day 3: Col du Lauteret to Alpe d’Huez to Freney d’Oisans. 48 miles. Total ascent: 5,448 ft For many of us, the highlight of the 5-day trip was the promise of a climb up Alpe d’Huez. This legendary climb with 21 switchbacks has long been associated with drama and skill at the Tour, and is…
Day 2: Col du Lautaret to Le Chazelet return. 20 miles. Total ascent: 4,721 ft Today we had our first encounter with the Tour de France. Stage 18 came right by our hotel, which sits at the top of Col du Lauteret and at the base of Col du Galibier. As a result, we needed…
Day 1: La Grave to Col du Lautaret with Briancon Return. 30 miles. Total ascent: 5,643 ft Today we met our guides and fellow riders in Grenoble. There are roughly 15 people in our group. There are 5 women, 3 of whom are riding, and except for me they are all with their husbands. Thanks…
In 2007 I began road cycling. I quickly fell in love with the sport and made lots of wonderful friends. I also began watching the Tour de France each July, an epic three-week bike race. It is probably the best-known bike race in America, thanks to Lance Armstrong, who won it a record-breaking seven times….