Tour de France: Today was the famous Alpe d’Huez stage
The Tour de France has reached its 17th stage and the Spansih Carlos Sastre is wearing the yellow jersey. And let me tell you that to arrive first at the Alpe d’Huez, you must sweat !!!
The 210.5 km itinerary (over 130 miles) that separates Embrun from l’Alpe d’Huez, the famous ski resort, is a killer. It is a continuous up and down road where you have to reach many high altitudes passes and peaks. Leaving Embrun at 2988 ft, they first had to reach the Galibier peak at 8678 ft; then race back down to Saint Julie at 2198 ft to climb back up to 6781ft at the Col de la Croix de Fer pass. Then, after another dive at 2483 ft, they finally reach the prestigious ski resort at 5512 ft. How long would it take you ? Me ? … just could never make it without a heart attack !!!!
But it took Sastre 6 hours 7 minutes and 58 seconds. Even on a flat distance I will refuse to stand on a bike for that stretch of time!!!! Even pulled by a truck … or a horse… or whatever !!! And that’s why the Tour de France is a couch sports for most of us, isn’t that right, Margaret!
Only 4 more stages to go and it will be the Grand Finale on the Champs Elysees in Paris !
My name is Jackie Grandchamps. In 2003, I founded French Escapade, offering another way to travel in small groups of 8. "Don't be a tourist, be our guest" is the moto and spirit of my company.
Check www.frenchescapade.com
Through this blog, I will provide information about France, Belgium, California, (soon Italy) but also some stories from my guests on the tours.
Learn more about the company in the French Escapade section of this blog.