In France.. Alpe d'Huez - before the race

Yes.. here it is October now and I'm finally sharing some July photos. I'll get there eventually..... I'm using my lunch hour to try and get a post out rather than get some work done. I'll pay for it tonight but at least y'all know I am still alive.



As mentioned previously, I went back to France to race in the Alpe d'Huez triathlon. I'm trying to get some photos of the race so you can see that I really finished. It only took me 9 hours, but I finished. However, before the race, we enjoyed the scenery and scouting out the course. This year, we stayed at the base of Alpe d'Huez and looked up to the climb. 

There was plenty of parking and lots of bikes.

These boys are just in front of our house, about 1/4 mile from the start of the climb. Thus no helmets. Now, I would never ride without a helmet but I can understand why they don't have one on. I think I averaged about 9 mph for the whole climb. If you crash, you are going very slow. But I'm still never riding without my helmet.

The top of the second climb during the race. Of course, it is brilliantly sunny on the day we rode it for pleasure. On race day, it was peeing down with rain. Notice the traffic? You can barely get your bike on the road....

Now that Beth and I are at the top, we need to pose for a photo before going down. I think I only pedaled for about 50 ft once I got going. Just brilliant.

I stole this photo from someone else. Thought you'd like to see photos from the third climb in the race. This is from one of the bends on Alpe d'Huez. We scouted this climb as well. Even though it started out sunny.......

... by the time we got to the top it was wet and windy. Therefore, arms and rain gear go on, and the we hide in the pub. You've got to have some reward for riding your bike for over an hour up a hill. Next up: post race and possibly race photos. I bet you are on the edge of your seat. ;o)