18 kilometers/11+ miles of non-stop pedaling was my goal and I am happy to say I achieved it even though at one point I came to a crawl to wend my way through a herd of cattle and goats. The 6% average grade belies the difficulty of this giant of a climb. There are numerous 9% sections and the final kilometer is 10%. As I neared the top the Tourmalet was socked in with thick fog. What a climb. A dream come true for this touring cyclist. I have a feeling I will climb it again.
Eternal Bike Trip... At times I feel like I've always been on a bike trip, ever since Ralphie Leeper and I pedaled from our homes in Youngwood to the Rustic Drive-In in United 5 miles away and we arrived home after dark. I was eight, Ralphie ten. I had memorized the way there when my family would go to the movies. And somehow, I just had to bicycle "there" and back. Well, this blog is about that same sense of adventure. A bicycle trip I just have to do. Europe.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Col du Aubisque in the French Pyrenees
Monday, October 26, 2009
L' Alpe D' Huez
This is one of the many awesome views you see while climbing L' Alpe D' Huez. Bourg D' Oisans, where I camped, is the village at the base of the L' Alpe D'Huez. The climb is truly mythic, starting out at 12% grade, it goes up relentlessly for over 8 miles, passing through a couple villages before arriving at the ski village at the top.
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