Enrico arrives..
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June 11, 2005
Day 3 - Another Hors Categorie
Today was the final climb, the long one to Col de Croix de Fer. I must say that personally I found it hard to motivate myself, after finishing my long-ago set goal of climbing Alpe de Huez. I decided to just start, I could always get off at any point!
The climb is very long, about 32km. Compare Alpe d'Huez - only 13.5km. The early part is a long part through a forest, which is relentless. It just doesn't seem to end.. no switchbacks, just gentle curves, with a gradient of 8 to 10%. After that, a steep descent, ascend, descent and VERY steep (I saw 17% on my bike computer..) part. I had already decided that simply making the Col was my goal and I didn't care about my own time.. so I took it very slowly.
The landscape was again absolutely stunning. The pictures only show a small rectangular bit of it, but if you're immersed in this scenery it is really overwhelming.
And I had the speed to enjoy it.
Eventually I made it to the summit, after a few drinking and eating breaks of a minute each. Sitting on a bike for 3.5 hours also has the effect that you really want to get off it.
When I eventually arrived I got high fives and hugs from the others which was really nice. At least they made me feel a hero.
Thanks also to our soigneur!
and a big hug!
Easy does it...
32 km climb, 1300m altitude gained...
Big landscapes make us feel small
Watch out for crossing sheep
Why do I always have to walk at the back?
Stir it up
There is Michael Pantani again
Wiard, water!
Wiard had to smoke a cigarette
We go for the shirt with the red dots
ready to go!
June 10, 2005
Enrico was the fastest downhill
another view
we went slowly enough to admire the landscape
enrico stole the camera
and some more turns..
turn left here
the landscape is absolutely stunning (but the climb is steep!)
pfffffff
what a high
Michael is blogging... at 1780m altitude
the heroes made it to the top!
the last yards..
eating some... on my way to turn 9
Michiel in action
DSC_0519.jpg
Michael Pantani
The heroes are ready for the climb
Start of the day
Superb !!!!
Today the d'Oisans region really got to know the Nedstat team. Dressed in impressive flashy outfits (thanks Annemarie and Jacqueline for taking care!!) we all made the Alpe d'Huez climb in good pace. Michiel was particularly impressive with only a total of 150 biking km in his legs and then making this climb the way he did. Enrico looked like a professional, completely in control. Off course we couldn't have done without the fantastic assistance of Wiard, our soigneur, photographer, technician and animator. I am writing this from a cafe in Alpe d'Huez at the finish of the climb. We are sitting on the terras where everybody that makes it comes by. Believe me, this really is a Dutch mountain. You can't believe the number of people from the Netherlands are her, from all over the country.
About the finish. No matter how many times you have climbed this mountain, arriving here is something special. There is only one Alpe d'Huez and today again that showed. What a moment.
We made it!
I'm writing this from Alpe d'Huez! Michael and Enrico were slightly ahead of me, but I still managed to hit my target of (about..) one-and-a-half hour.
The climb is absolutely beautiful, much much nicer than les Deux Alpes. The first part is steep, but at that stage you still have energy so that is not really difficult. The middle bit is variable; there are some villages there. The last 3 km is very tough because it is steep, there are some long stretches between the switchbacks. Michael and Enrico also found that part the toughest.
Wiard took some very nice pictures which we can't post right now, but they will arrive on the site later this afternoon.
The weather is fabulous; we just had sandwiches outside in the sun. You can see some snow-capped mountains in the other side of the valley.. it's beautiful here! And that really helps raise your energy level as you climb the mountain.
We're about to start the descent.. wish us luck! Check back later today for the pix!
June 09, 2005
We survived day 1
Yes friends, we all made it to Les Deux Alpes and safely down again. We are now back at the hotel; Michael is taking a nap (the years are really starting to add up) and Enrico is taking a shower, although according to him, "he didn't sweat at all really". And I did everything in my own tempo. It is really really tough, but I made it.
We will post more pictures later, the connection in the hotel is pathetic in speed and stability (and price) so we'll have to find some open wifi spot somewhere.
Voila les deux alpes
This is the beautiful town of les Deux Alpes: It is clear that the journey itself was the goal. When I finally got here, I really wondered why the hell I ever got this crazy idea. It really is no fun at all.
downhill
Turn number 7...
I took a small drinking break here. The other two guys were nowhere to be seen... the ascent to Les Deux Alpes is quite tough because it stays steep all the way. In this turn, there was a sign that said I had 6.4 km to go, which is quite discouraging. This is not an easy climb. Apparently though, tomorrow it will be much tougher on Alpe de Huez.
If I press here...
yes!
okay just ONE short break then
why am I not in that van?
most of us still look happy here
Everything is charged up for the first day
Wiard, do we have enough IT hardware for these three days in France?
Michael said: Pimp my rental ride!
Our hotel - notice the snowcapped mountains in the background
Michael looks very professional
epo? moi?
June 08, 2005
Arrivee
After wasting about 300 liters of GPL, we finally arrived at the Alps. Enrico pointed Alpe d'Huez to me, at which point I replied 'Are we supposed to go up there? Tering man... this looks a lot steeper than Limburg!'
The hotel is pretty nice, and now in safe Belgian hands. We had pasta, of course.
The internet connection is quite old-fashioned here, I actually had to look for the 'Pulse' setting in my dialup connection. So we'll probably update the log infrequently.. look back at earlier times, pictures may appear at any moment! We went wardriving (looking for open Wifi networks) in Bourg D'Oisans. The inhabitants were quite intimidated by our slowly driving Chevy Van (with blinded windows) out of which slow beeps emerged.
I have to go now, Wiard has started the main movie. Wish us luck!
the road ahead is empty...
Michiel rijdt ook een stukje
plenty of wildlife here in Belgium
what do you mean 127 liter...
we will have to do this a few times..
Hij rijdt 1 op 5
on the road...
great to have a practical family car
June 07, 2005
Michael brings his bike
It is 10.30 pm on tuesday night and I am dropping my bicycle at Wiard's. He is meeting Michiel and Enrico tomorrow morning at 6.45 am to start the journey to Freney dÓisans, a little village not far from Grenoble. The Oisans region is known for its skiing but particularly known for bicycling. Many heroic Tour de France finishes at Alpe d'Huez have made the 13 km climb that starts in Bourg dÓisans a must for every diehard biker. This friday Alpe d'Huez is on the program.
It looks like we are all well prepared. Professional bikes, good outfits, a place to sleep and hopefully some good meals. But in the end it will all come down to the legs.
Wiard will be our soigneur during these days. We will not be stuck on the mountain without food or drinks, flat tires or too little clothing. As a real Nedstat partner fits, Wiard will on behalf of McNolia 'networking business' be on our side.
I will report about our adventures daily from our base in dÓisans. It will be fun so I hope you will follow us.
Michael