John's Raid Alps Adventure

Day 6 Briançon – Barcelonnette – 113 km – 2 700m D+ "The day begins the Izoard and its “Casse Déserte”, a daunting and barren landscape that takes over in the final kilometers of this demanding climb, the day then concludes with the sporadic percent grades of the Col de Vars, so get ready for a few steep sections as you make your way to the top. “  Difficulties:  -Col d’Izoard (14 km at 7.3 %)  -Col de Vars (19.1 km at 5.5 %) Unfortunately, the biggest challenge of the day was not the extent of the climbs, but the weather: cold and rainy from the start. Our group set out as usual, as a group on the first climb which, though never very extreme in pitch, was wet, and as we climbed  the temperature dropped and the rain continued. It never once stopped, impeding the views, and soaking the cyclists. Once at the Col we found a refuge (cafe) open, and entered one at a time, drawn like iron filings to a magnet to their wood stove. Most ord...

Day 5 Allemont – Briançon – 120 km – 3 100m D+  “Today’s ride is positively the most legendary of your entire Raid Alps cycling challenge. You will be climbing the 21 famous switchbacks of Alpe d’Huez and you will tackle the Lautaret taking you to the Glandon. Tonight, you will definitely deserve a hearty dinner and good night’s rest!” Difficulties:  -Alpe d’Huez (13.8 km at 7.9 %)  -Col du Lautaret (19.2 km at 4.7 %)  -Col du Galibier (8,6km at 6,7%) In map form:  But seeing it in graphic representation is nothing like riding it. You've got the graphic; here's the narrative: Our rollout from the hotel was cool, and along a beautiful bike path alongside a river. “Alongside a river” means: level! Pedaling on the flat is an excellent way to loosen legs still tight and achey from the day previous. We shed our layers and prepared for the 1st climb of the day. The Alpe d’Huez is one of the iconic stages of the Tour de France, such that of the 21 turns from bottom to ...