How to climb Alpe d'Huez | Cycling Weekly

Information on Alpe d'Huez, the iconic Alpine climb that has regularly shaped the outcome of the Tour de France | Subscribe to Cycling Weekly here: youtube.com/user/CyclingWeekly1?sub_confirmatio…

The word ‘iconic’ is often over-worked in cycling, but its application to the wiggling climb up Alpe d’Huez is entirely justified, with this fearsome climb set to make its 30th Tour de France appearance in the 2018 edition.

The 13.8-kilometres of tarmac slithers its way from Bourg d’Oisans to the ski resort of Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps, navigating 21 hairpin bends along the way. From the air, the road is instantly recognisable – as is its relentless turns and gradient when you are travelling up it or watching a race unfold on its slopes.

Although Alpe d’Huez is a regular fixture of the Tour de France now, it wasn’t used in the race until 1952, providing the location of the Tour’s first ever summit finish. It’s hard to believe that it wasn’t branded a success by the race’ organiser at the time – the sea of spectators spilling onto the road that we are used to seeing now did not exist.

The climb wasn’t used by the Tour again until 1976, when both the sport and the resort had rapidly developed. Since then, the climb has made Tour champions, and broken the hearts and bodies of many others – and not just racers. The climb has become a ‘must do’ ascent for cyclists, and is a mecca for bike-bound pilgrims every year when the snow melts away.

Alpe d’Huez stats

Location: Alps, France
Distance: 13.8km
Average gradient: 8.1 per cent, steepest part 11.5 per cent
Maximum elevation: 1850 metres
Fastest recorded ascent: 37 minutes and 35 seconds by Marco Pantani during 1997 Tour de France

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