l'Alpe d'Huez & Du Galibier info please?

adagio

Hey Dudes,

I'm heading to l'Alpe d'Huez in late May with a group of 6.
I'm not a hard core cyclist (using my trusted Colnago) but the opportunity came up to join the group and I couldn't say no.
My sports are mountain running and rock climbing - so I'm fit but not cycling fit - Two Questions:

1. Besides Wicklow, is there anywhere in Eire that can be used for climbing training - I know there is nothing in Eire to compare w/the Constant gradient climbing as in Huez but possibly there is a nice loop somewhere?
2. As we will be reasonable near Col Du Galibier I would love to tackle this brute also (although I'm not a hard core cyclist I do know what the Galib offers... pain/hurt/tears...etc) but will I be able to cycle to the top as I'm not sure if it will still have significant snow?

Thanks guys and all help is appreciated.
Before you ask I just had my block changed to allow some chance to climb the 'hills.'

Cheers.:D

TinyExplosions

We were over there in October, and I did all my training in the Wicklow mountains. Honestly, there is nothing here that compares, so long rides including Sally Gap and Wicklow gap are the order of the day. What I found helpful was daily hill repeats up stocking lane and edmonstown road -just get the practise in and you'll be fine.

I'm not sure how long the snow lasts, but I suspect you would be able to get fairly close to the top in May, but there'll be plenty of signs telling you the status of the road.

Above all, enjoy! Top class area for cycling and fab scenery!

blorg

I would suggest at minimum a compact 34-50 with 12-27 at the back if you are not cycling fit.

I found loops in Wicklow enough preparation although it was certainly longer. Key is pacing yourself and not burning out. They are long climbs and you can't just get out of the saddle and power over them.

You can do the near side of the Galibier and back from Bourg easily enough, it's ~50km up and 50km back, about 2,000m climbing. It is a fantastic descent.

Apart from that there is of course the Alpe d'Huez, the Sarenne, the Glandon and the Croix du Fer.

When we were over we had a car which allowed us to go around the other side and do the Telegraph/Galibier from there- well worth it too, but there is plenty to occupy just on bikes, we didn't do Les Deux Alpes due to lack of time.

TinyExplosions

blorg wrote: »

Apart from that there is of course the Alpe d'Huez, the Sarenne, the Glandon and the Croix du Fer.

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about the Glandon... it's a great climb that

Iseran

Galibier usually opens 1st or 2nd week of May. There might still be road repairs going on but it'll be rideable.

Civilian_Target

Not this year it won't.

There's just been a beautiful 30cm snow dump today across the French alps, and about the same earlier in the week, that will keep the resorts open into May. It's been the snowiest winter in a generation...

But hey, you can benefit from both this way... you can even cycle to the resort

trek climber

Civilian_Target wrote: »

Not this year it won't.

There's just been a beautiful 30cm snow dump today across the French alps, and about the same earlier in the week, that will keep the resorts open into May. It's been the snowiest winter in a generation...

But hey, you can benefit from both this way... you can even cycle to the resort

How late in the year can you cycle up the climbs

TinyExplosions

trek climber wrote: »

How late in the year can you cycle up the climbs

We were up in October adn i was snowy, but fine

Iseran

Alpe d'Huez is cycleable year round (might take a few hours after a heavy fall of snow til it's cleared), Galibier closed 29th of October last year. Depends on the weather, some years it's closed by late September if there's early snow.

adagio

Thanks for that guys.

Was in Wicklow today and some good climbing was had.
There was a fresh unseasonably heavy snowfall yesterday on the Alps, but tickets are booked/bikes are booked on board and what will be will be.
Cheers.;)