Hiking Trails Blogs

This is the final posting by guest blogger, Michael Lowe. On Monday of this week, during one of the Tour de France rest days, Michael had an opportunity to ride in the Étape Du Tour, an epic cycling event that takes riders from the town of Modane to the famous and storied climb of L'Alpe D'Huez. Below is his story and some of the photos he took along the way. Major kudos and congratulations for conquering the mountains of France!

Made it! Exciting, difficult, hot, beautiful, rewarding, memorable ... all of these words and more would apply. I've had some long tough rides in my career, but this was one of the hardest overall, and DEFINITELY the hardest back to back to back set of climbs I have ever done. Hats off - or "Chapeau!" - to the Tour riders who do this near the end of this year's Tour. They will do it with 18 stages already in their legs. It will be a real challenge!


Climbing the Col du Telegraphe:

The Col du Telegraphe was a long steady climb in the cool of mid-morning and under the shade of many trees. It was not that difficult, though it did exact a cost. The Col du Galibier on the other hand was a real challenge. The sun was high, the heat was in the 80's, and there was no shade and no wind. But the views were spectacular - especially against the clear blue sky. From many of the tight curves one could look back down and see thousands of riders stretched out over miles of roads - like a long, long line of ants.



One thing of note for you hikers. As you climb a ridge in the Smokies there are no signs saying 10 km to the top AND the grade is 12%. I kinda liked the distance alert. But I could have done without the gradient info! My legs were already telling me about that aspect.

At the top of the Galibier I felt great! My body and legs were good. I celebrated with a photo of the descent behind me. Looking at it I realized I would not be taking photos while riding down at 40 mph. (By the way, hiking downhill is irksome as your feet slide forward in your boots. Riding a bike down a steep slope really gets to the hands. Squeezing those brake handles gets pretty old!)

Atop the Col du Galibier:

After the long 20 plus mile descent there was a quick flat stretch and then we hit the bottom of Alpe d'Huez. It surprised me. I was quickly in my lowest gear as the first 2 km average 10%, with little ramparts much higher than that. No wonder the strong climbers launch their attacks right at the start. I settled into a rhythm, stopped taking many photos and concentrated. It was hot. My legs were tired. The big sport was watching the signs counting down the corners - 21 , 20 , 19 , 18 ... I learned on some of the very steep parts that I can ride 3 mph and not fall over!

At the bottom of l'Alpe d’Huez:


In short, it was a sufferfest of the first magnitude, but I made it to the finish. Out of the 9500 riders who started, I understand that 3000 did not. Including my roommate. His hamstring gave out at turn 15, so he walked the remaining 5 miles, pushing his bike. The official results will say DNF by his name but he hiked over the finish line at 5:15 pm, took a photo of himself, and coasted the five blocks to the hotel. No medal, but he DID finish!


Michael - what ever happened to that red polka dot jersey and those podium girls you were telling me about???

I finished in just under seven hours. I only averaged 10 mph! But while it was tough, it was also a memorable ride. If you would like to see the ride, tune in to the Tour on the Versus Channel next Friday, July 22nd.

Thanks for reading my blog entries! I hope they were a pleasant diversion. Keep up your support of this website, and I will be looking for you out on the foot trails!!

Michael Lowe splits his time between Louisville, KY (his home) and Bristol, VA (his workplace). He's an avid cyclist, and also enjoys writing, photography, gardening, travel and hiking. He's hiked portions of the AT inside GSMNP, but completing a thru hike of the entire AT remains on his bucket list. His notes on l'Etape were written as a friend in support of this site, and we'd like to say thanks by pointing out that if you're a fan of adventure fantasy, we recommend Michael's books Wizardmont and Bryunzet, the first two parts of his Promise of the Stones series. If you're a fan of history, check out Charlotte's Story, the true story of how Michael's mother survived as a young girl in Berlin, Germany between 1943 and 1951.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

The following begins a series of articles written by a good friend of mine, Michael Lowe. He probably doesn’t remember this, but after moving to Louisville in 1994, Michael was the first person in the local cycling club to chat with me during one of my first rides. In less than four weeks he’ll be riding in L’Etape Du Tour, a cycling event that will take riders from Modane, France to the famous and storied climb of L'Alpe D'Huez. The 68-mile ride replicates this years’ Stage 19 of the Tour de France. Leading up to the event Michael will be providing weekly dispatches about L’Etape Du Tour, some historical background, his training, and of course the event itself. I can’t tell you how jealous I am of Michael to be able to ride this incredibly legendary route!


Climbing mountains – on foot or by bicycle – has always been an enjoyable challenge for me. There’s something about the reward at the top that makes the sweat and the effort worth it. A tough mountain always brings a smile to my face – at the top anyways!

Hello, I’m Michael Lowe, and while I share the interest of most visitors to this site in hiking up and down mountains, particularly the Smokey Mountains, I’d like to share with you my challenge this summer – l’Etape du Tour.

l’Etape is an amateur cycling challenge held each summer in the middle of the Tour de France. On July 11, 2011, while the pros kick back on one of their rest days, I will tackle one of the toughest stages of this year’s Tour along with 4,999 of my newest friends from around the world. We’ll be starting in the French Alps and riding this year’s 19th stage: 109 km – three mountains – 3,500 meters of climbing. Those three mountains are the Col du Telegraphe, the Col du Galibier, and Alpe d’Huez, three of the most storied climbs in the colorful history of the Tour.

This year the Tour de France celebrates the 100th anniversary of the inclusion of the Alps in its course. The Col du Telegraphe was first included in the Tour in 1911. It’s been included 27 times since then, usually as a warm-up for the Col du Galibier, which again is its role this year. The climb is 11.8 km (7.3 miles) long, gaining 856 m. (2808 feet) in height (an average of 7.3%). The maximum gradient is 9.8% at the summit.

The Col du Galibier was also first used in the Tour in 1911. Only three riders were able to ride over the summit that year. Everyone else walked. I don’t intend to walk, but the climb is 18 km (11.2 miles) long, climbing 1245 m. (4085 feet) to a peak at 2556 meter (8200 feet), with an average gradient of 7%, most of the second half at 8% or better, and the last km at 10%. Whew! Good thing that the descent that follows is more or less 46 km long. If I survive the 45 degree temps expected at the top, the expected 85 degrees back at the bottom will feel good!

That leaves Alpe d’Huez, but I think I’ll save its description for next time.

Time for some last minute training!

Michael Lowe splits his time between Louisville, KY (his home) and Bristol, VA (his workplace). He's an avid cyclist, and also enjoys writing, photography, gardening, travel and hiking. He's hiked portions of the AT inside GSMNP, but completing a thru hike of the entire AT remains on his bucket list. His notes on l'Etape were written as a friend in support of this site, and we'd like to say thanks by pointing out that if you're a fan of adventure fantasy, we recommend Michael's books Wizardmont and Bryunzet,the first two parts of his Promise of the Stones series. If you're a fan of history, check out Charlotte's Story, the true story of how Michael's mother survived as a young girl in Berlin, Germany between 1943 and 1951.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com