Road Climber: N2A - day 14 (23 July 2017):Alpe d'Huez

Today is the last day of the Nice to Alpe d'Huez leg of the Grand Tour. The majority of the group will start making their way home tomorrow, while five of us, including me, will make our way to Milan for the start of the second and final leg of the Grand Tour on 27 July 2017 which will go from Milan to Venice via the Italian Alps and Dolomites.

It was left to each individual to decide what they wanted to do on this final day - rest, mountain biking, alpine walking trails, sightseeing or go for another road ride.

I decided to have a look at some of the shops in Alpe d'Huez and then ride to the summit of the Col du Sarenne which is not far out of the village and then have a slow ride around the village before disassembling my bike and packing it away in my Bike Box. The tour company will be transporting my Bike Box to Milan.

It was an enjoyable ride up to the summit in good weather and a nice shakeout for the legs.

Back at the hotel I disassembled my bike and packed it away in my Bike Box. My cycling clothes and other clothes not needed over the next few days were also packed into the Bike Box.

The previous night we'd had an enjoyable dinner at a local restaurant and tonight we had a final group dinner in the hotel. After dinner with a slide show of the leg running in the background, those that wanted spoke about their favourite day of the tour. There were some very clever and funny speeches (and songs).

A big thank you to Clare Holdsworth, Managing Director of Wide Open Road Tours and her marvellous crew of Paul (Pepe), Rob ( mechanic extraordinaire), Cazz (magic fingers releaved a lot of sore muscles of fellow riders) and Roofi, who made this first leg such an unforgettable trip of wonder and delight.

It has been a magical tour and a trip of a lifetime for me riding through the wonderful French villages, countryside and, of course, climbing the magnificent mountains in Provence and the Alps. I have felt like a little boy in a toy shop being able to climb such legendary mountains as: Mont Ventoux; Col de la Bonette; Col du Vars; Col de l'Izoard; Col du Lauteret; Col du Galiber; Col du Telegraphe; Col du la Croix de Fer and Alpe d' Huez - God, I just love riding up mountains!

I was also lucky to ride with a great group of people and have a great room mate in Luke when we stayed in hotels.

Lastly, I want to acknowledge the French people for sharing a small part of their wonderful country with me. The warmth, kindness, friendliness, helpfulness and generosity of spirit you have shown a non-French speaking person has been amazing and completely "bowled me over". Thank you!

STATISTICS

Recorded below is the distance ridden and vertical metres climbed in the 13 rides completed between 09 July 2017 and 23 July 2017 inclusive:

Distance ridden: 1,138.4 kilometres.

Vertical metres ridden up: 28,463.

Group at start of ride in Nice on 10 July 2017.


Group at finish of Tour on Alpe d"Huez on 22 July 2017.

Dinner in Alpe d'Huez restaurant on 22 July 2017.

Dinner in Alpe d"Huez restaurant.

View from hotel room on morning of 23 July 2017.

Hotel Le Castillan where we are staying. Was told the Movistar team books out this hotel when TdF encompasses Alpe d'Huez.

Street in Alpe d'Huez.

A view going to Col du Sarenne summit.

Me at Col du Sarenne summit.

A view at Col du Sarenne summit.

People and dogs silhouetted at lookout point on Col du Sarenne summit.

A view at Col du Sarenne summit.

Looking down at Huez village from the road to/from the Col du Sarenne summit.

View from road on return from Col du Sarenne summit.

Building in Alpe d'Huez.

Street in Alpe d'Huez.

Another hotel in Alpe d'Huez.

More buildings plus swimming pool in Alpe d'Huez.

Another building in Alpe d"Huez.

Some additional photos from other days in France.

Rob, mechanic extraordinaire, servicing and cleaning my bike in Briancon. Being supervised by David B the group's food connoisseur (he doesn't like this term- prefers "glutton!")