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My first experience was a short, but<br />
steep learning curve!<br />
It was in 2004, L'Alpe d'Huez! We drove<br />
out to Bourg d'Oisans, parked fairly close<br />
to where the climb begins, rode up and<br />
down a flat section of road a few times<br />
to warm up, and then hit "the Alpe". Oh<br />
my! With a heart rate well over 180, I<br />
made it round the first hairpin, then had<br />
to pull up as I was breathing so hard,<br />
I thought I was going to be sick!<br />
Thankfully I wasn't and after pondering a<br />
return to the car, I decided that would be<br />
ridiculous, took a deep breath and<br />
started pedalling again! I had to stop for<br />
a rest five times, but made it to the top<br />
in around 1 hour and 45 minutes. I was<br />
pleased to beat this time four years later,<br />
making it up in 1 hour 10 minutes<br />
without stopping!<br />
A couple of days later we rode Col de la<br />
Madeleine, a spectacular climb of around<br />
12 miles. I was far better prepared now,<br />
and rode it steadily, no stops required. I<br />
don't recall how long it took me, but I<br />
remember riding the last couple of miles<br />
in the company of a nice, young Belgian<br />
man who was staying at a resort part<br />
way up the climb.
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