Guys, I know this North America centric forum is going all gaga over the 101 stuff and IMNA, but meanwhile on the other side of the pond is a serious serious classic in the making. In additions to last year’s Olympic Tri at Alpe d’Huez, aparently this year there is a “Nice Distance” event there at Alpe d’Huez.
This year the event is the first weekend of August and it conficts with a family vacation, but this sounds like an event worth the trip in 2008!
If any Euros on this forum can post details it would be great.
i was going to do the LD +sprint+oly race (i think there are 3races+1kids race in 4 days), but i didn’t have the money + i hate descending, so the LD race probably isn’t a good race for me.
Diablo, this sounds like a better distance. I could do something like this a few weekends after Ironman LP…not fast, but I could complete it and it would make the trip worthwhile as you could actually recover and do some more riding after this race…or better yet, a 7 day mountain training camp with 1 day taper and do the race on the final day :-). It would be a shame to travel to Bourg d’Oisins and sit around in the shadow of Glandon, Croix de Fer, Galibier, Les Deux Alpes, and Alpe d’Huez and sit around tapering…
Dev
PS. What type of activities are there for family in the area? Last time I was there it was a trip with a college buddy, we either had out butts on a saddle, or in a cafe drinking espresso watching the TdF
Not sure what particular attractions you have over there, as usually I just pass by the Grenoble region on my way to the south of France.
Alpes d’Huez is a winter sports resort, but I’m sure they have also plenty of activities for summer (indoor pools, great mountain tracks, etc).
Or you can come to nearby Switzerland for the week before, and we’ll show you some great rides. Also plenty of activity for the family where I live :-).
Diablo, I’m working on the family to do a Euro trip next summer. The plan would be to rent a car and drive to a number of locations. I’d be able to get my fix of cycling in, and we’d do some hiking and sight seeing. Neither my wife or I are really into spending too much time visiting cities. We’d rather be in the countryside close to nature. We also have friends in Geneva who we want to visit, so visiting other parts of Switzerland is definintely of high interest. If things line up with witnessing a TdF stage, my son would be interested for sure.
Dev,
There are lots of activities around for the familly. Last time I stay @ Alpe d’Huez was during the summer and my familly (10/15 years ago) had fun since the ski resorts are trying to attract famillies as well (even though in France you traditionnaly hit the beach in the summer for 2/3 weeks).
I am not sure how much you know of the area… but you are also very very close from the French Riveria & not that far from Italy, via Monaco…
So plenty of things to enjoy.
Keep in mind though that it is in the middle of the peak period (1st week of August) which is July 15-August 15 so expect to pay premium and we are takling “Euro premium with a Euro flavor” and it might be challenging to find places to stay (that are not too expansive) if you do not plan in advance.
I’ve been to the Alps a few times to cycle there. Last year I planned to race Alpe d’Huez, but after a barbecue two days before I was sick for a couple of days.
Heared good stories about last years race; I already signed up, and I haven’t planned any barbecues in the week before.
Maybe Bourg d’Oisans isn’t the place to spent a few weeks with your family; for most of the activities you’ll have to take the car an drive for a few kilometers. In the summer it’s especially crowded with cyclists and there obedient partners.
A few more kilometers to the south you’ve got Embrun. It’s located on the border of one of the biggest lakes of Europe; Lac Serre Poncon. The climate is a bit more ‘southern’ and because the mountains are less steep it’s a bit less barren then the northern alps. Besides great climbs like Izoard and the Bonette (and Mont Colombis) there are lots of opportunities to go for a one-hour ride with only a small climb. They put a dam around a portion of the lake where you can swim and do your runs. Besides that there’s much more to do in Embrum compared to Bourg d’Oisans. Somewhere in august there’s also a triathlon in Embrun (the Embrunman).
On http://www.cyclingcols.com you can find a lot of climbs in places you’re planning to go to. Often only the big climbs are known because they ride them during TdF, but some of the most spectacular (and extremely heavy) climbs are not commonly known. It’s worth to check the map, and ask locals. http://www.campingembrun.com/eng/home.html is a great place to stay when you’re there.
If we were there for a few weeks, there would be some “city time”, then a week somewhere on the Cote D’Azur for family beach time and then a few days in the Alps so I can get my “Col” fix…end it off with the Alpe d’Huez Long Distance…but thanks for the Embrun suggestion…Oh and I am keenly aware of Embrunman and the Col d’Izouard.
Yes, it is possible, but it’s a hell of a climb. I had blisters on my hands when I got up; I don’t wear cycling gloves. Because you have to go down the same way; the descent is holding the brakes for most of the time, and ensuring your rims won’t get overheated. It’s far the most difficult climb I ever did.
By the way; any SlowTwitch people did the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon. I did the short course; it was fantastic. Next year I’m back. Then my goal is not to lose about 30 places during the ascend of the Alpe…
Thanks for information. It looks great. Wasn’t sure whether the road is suitable for racing bikes. I just cant await to get back to Embrun - hopefully I’ll manage 2008.
are you living in Berlin/Germany? I have a lot of questions. My main one is if you could only bring one bike would you bring your tri bike or a cross bike with clip on aero bars?
I have a lot of questions. My main one is if you could only bring one bike would you bring your tri bike or a cross bike with clip on aero bars?
I think its a good Idea to have two bikes in Berlin. One bike for training and racing and one bike to get around inside on berlin. If you can bring only one, you might bring your racing bike and try to get a cheap second bike here, maybe second hand.