Rode to and up Alpe d'Huez on folders to watch Stage 17 fo the TdF
08-05-08, 04:49 PM
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Rode to and up Alpe d'Huez on folders to watch Stage 17 fo the TdF
So, my fiancee* and I went on a 3-week vacation in Europe with folding bikes, backpacks and a rail pass.
* Actually, I proposed a week into the trip
So at the start of the trip she was my girlfriend, but by the time we were at Alpe d'Huez she was already my fiancee for several days 
My whole vacation is spraled out over pages 3 and 4 of a thread in the NorCal section, but I decided to post the Alpe d'Huez part over here too just to share with the road forum.
So we rode 50k from Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans (base of Alpe d'Huez), and then up the mountain. We were both on folding bikes. I was on a Downtube Mini
She was on a nicer Dahon (limited edition) fitted with carbon stuff, two chainrings and SRAM X-0.
See next several posts for pics:
* Actually, I proposed a week into the trip
So at the start of the trip she was my girlfriend, but by the time we were at Alpe d'Huez she was already my fiancee for several days My whole vacation is spraled out over pages 3 and 4 of a thread in the NorCal section, but I decided to post the Alpe d'Huez part over here too just to share with the road forum.
So we rode 50k from Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans (base of Alpe d'Huez), and then up the mountain. We were both on folding bikes. I was on a Downtube Mini
She was on a nicer Dahon (limited edition) fitted with carbon stuff, two chainrings and SRAM X-0.See next several posts for pics:
Last edited by uspspro; 08-05-08 at 04:54 PM.
08-05-08, 04:51 PM
#2
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Ride to Bourg d'Oisans (base of Alpe d'Huez) from Grenoble (50km ride). 5:30 AM start (5 AM Marco time)
Then I saw this (look up) and wondered if I was still sane!
Ah, arrived in Bourg d'Oisans (we were very cold and hungry)
Our bikes hung with the Time, Pinerello and De Rosa
Then I saw this (look up) and wondered if I was still sane!
Ah, arrived in Bourg d'Oisans (we were very cold and hungry)
Our bikes hung with the Time, Pinerello and De Rosa
08-05-08, 04:53 PM
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Home, home again
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what a great sounding trip!!!...fabulous pics!!....I can only hope to be able to ride in Europe some time....and congrats to the both of you!!!!
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08-05-08, 04:53 PM
#4
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Climb up ADH:
The beginning:
21 Switchbacks -- Starts at 21 counts down -- each turn has the name/year of a ADH winner
FYI: Use Low Gear!
The view:
Still climbing:
Cool kid!
Ruth passing 5k to go!
The beginning:
21 Switchbacks -- Starts at 21 counts down -- each turn has the name/year of a ADH winner
FYI: Use Low Gear!
The view:
Still climbing:
Cool kid!
Ruth passing 5k to go!
08-05-08, 04:56 PM
#5
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Still on ADH:
more turns:
PRO Shots:
I instantly entered attack mode when I saw the camera, just a bit of fun
Here's Ruth
more turns:
PRO Shots:
I instantly entered attack mode when I saw the camera, just a bit of fun
Here's Ruth
08-05-08, 04:57 PM
#6
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All smiles at the summit:
After climbing ADH on folders, the officials made us go here!
Him too!!! (I actually saw him climbing on that bike!)
View from the top -- Amazing!!
Where we watched from (800 meters to finish)
Me and my Fiancee
After climbing ADH on folders, the officials made us go here!
Him too!!!
(I actually saw him climbing on that bike!)View from the top -- Amazing!!
Where we watched from (800 meters to finish)
Me and my Fiancee
08-05-08, 04:58 PM
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The racers:
Sastre for the win:
Yellow Jersey group (Pictured: Evens [cut-off], Valverde, Frank Schleck and Bernard Kohl):
The descent (POP! check out my tube):
Sastre for the win:
Yellow Jersey group (Pictured: Evens [cut-off], Valverde, Frank Schleck and Bernard Kohl):
The descent (POP! check out my tube):
08-05-08, 04:58 PM
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That's all for Alpe d'Huez.
Hope you liked!
Hope you liked!
08-05-08, 04:59 PM
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Congrats on the pending nuptials...
Otherwise...
Speechless...
Otherwise...
Speechless...
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08-05-08, 05:00 PM
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hah awesome! It's awesome that your wife, on a folder is in front of that dude with the KOM jersey 
08-05-08, 05:13 PM
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Wow awesome pics. Thanks for sharing man.. Congrats on the marraige.
I told my wife we need to take the kids and do a trip around France. You know see the sites, and ride bikes..
I would love to be able to be there and watch the stages as they go by.. "sigh" maybe someday..
How was the ride down?
I told my wife we need to take the kids and do a trip around France. You know see the sites, and ride bikes..
I would love to be able to be there and watch the stages as they go by.. "sigh" maybe someday..
How was the ride down?
08-05-08, 05:25 PM
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Wow awesome pics. Thanks for sharing man.. Congrats on the marraige.
I told my wife we need to take the kids and do a trip around France. You know see the sites, and ride bikes..
I would love to be able to be there and watch the stages as they go by.. "sigh" maybe someday..
How was the ride down?
I told my wife we need to take the kids and do a trip around France. You know see the sites, and ride bikes..
I would love to be able to be there and watch the stages as they go by.. "sigh" maybe someday..
How was the ride down?
08-05-08, 05:28 PM
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yeahh, becky
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Too much heat on the rim on the descent, you think?
Last edited by fix; 08-05-08 at 05:38 PM. Reason: clearly my question has already been answered...too slow again!
08-05-08, 05:28 PM
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What is this demonry?!
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i think there is a slight rip in your tube. Other than that it looks like an amazing trip. I hope to do something similar within the years to come. Now all I need to do is buy my girlfriend a bike she'll enjoy.
08-05-08, 05:30 PM
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FYI: A friend (SesameCrunch) lent us these bikes for our trip.
The two of us will be purchasing Bike Friday Tikits, once we can afford them.
The two of us will be purchasing Bike Friday Tikits, once we can afford them.
08-05-08, 05:41 PM
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stole your bike
That was brilliant, and congratulations to the both of you!
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08-05-08, 06:01 PM
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Best post in a while - thanks for the great pics! (and congratulations on the great 'pick' - can't be a lot of women who'd ride ADH on a folder!)
08-05-08, 06:33 PM
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08-05-08, 07:45 PM
#23
grilled cheesus
ADH. folding bikes. pictures for proof. well played sir. well played. i vote post of the year. later.
later.
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08-05-08, 08:32 PM
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awesome. i can't wait to do it next year. some of the pics really show the grade well. congrats on everything!