We drove from La Grave in the high Alps to Geneva today, and celebrated our 17th anniversary by taking a detour up Alpe d'Huez.
Each curve is numbered with the numbers decreasing as you climb, and each sign includes the name of a winner from a Tour de France Alpe d'Huez stage.
Originally, I'd thought about renting bikes to do this ride but it would be a lot easier if we had our own helmets, shoes, pedals, bike shorts, gloves, a recumbent bike for 'Bent, and a local hotel room so we wouldn't have to leave a car full of luggage, computers, etc. sitting on the street. We will make it happen on our next visit.
It was a lot of fun cheering in cyclists as they crossed the "finish". I took a few photos for groups.
Only a couple of lunch places are open there in the summer but they are packed full of happy cyclists.
One of the bike shops at the top maintains the daily chrono list.
There were lots of souvenirs that we obviously couldn't buy. I ended up getting a water bottle, figuring it's a symbol that I'd like to *try* to ride Alpe d'Huez. A jersey would be undeserved, however.
Speaking of which, I can't imagine wearing a yellow jersey either - except maybe as a joke. But they're quite popular, apparently.
One more thing to do on our next trip! :)