ALpe d'huez; No Spoliers
 

Watching the stage today I am in absolute awe of what these guys are capable of in the tour. Incredible.

Maybe this is naive optimism, but I get a sense that this year's tour is much celaner than in the past.

This stage is a lot of fun to watch.

ALso, the importance of good breeding is certainly demonstrated by the Schleck borthers.

On my bucket list is to one day camp on Alpe d'huez and watch the tour and then ride up it the next day. Does any body want to join me? We could take some flags and run along side the riders as they are going up.

I would love to do that. In fact, I threaten to do it every year they go to the ALpe d'Huez, but have yet to follow through.

DUde, that was a spoiler and I promised there would be none in the thread title. BAd form.

As to Sastre, the difference is he has not doiminated anytinhg welse in the tour to date and this perfromance is what one would expect.

I am also confident that he will nto test posditive as CSC has very strict internal testing procedures. OF course, one never knows.

Menchov is a pounder and tempo rider and showed it today.

let me remind you that I have climbed a road just outside my front door that has the exact same profile as Alpe d'huez. I should do it again in a few weeks, thanks for the reminder.

But I would love to do the real thing sometime.

That is impressive that you can do it. I don't think I could do it if given several days. I assume it is in switchback style? How many turns?

The winner averaged about 21.5 mph today. THat is for climbing the galibier, croix de feu and the Alpe d'Huez. So see if you can go up and down and up and down and up and then see what your average speed is to compare.

DOn't get me wreong, i am impressed you can do it at all, as I couldn't, but I am in awe of these guys today.

My average speed will end up being about 8 mph, I am guessing. I am slow and plodding. You could pump me full of epo and I still wouldn't get up that thing in under an hour. They are amazing.

Here is what it looks like.
http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-...pine/481778871

Even 8 mph is good; that is a brtual climb.

Yeah but that is like 5 up and 40 going down. but yes it is brutal. I will report back with the exact stats when I do it.