) by Steven Hill, steephill.tv(The free QuickTime player may be needed to view the movies)
| Report 1: « Alpe d'Huez | Report 3: Villard Notre Dame » |
The stunning, dramatic scenery of the French Alps
23 photos and movies () by Steven Hill, steephill.tv
(The free QuickTime player may be needed to view the movies)
An easterly view two km after summiting Col de Sarenne (scroll right » for full panoramic)
 Casey Kasem! |
“It's a dance track that touches my heart(rate) like hidden treasure on the B side of a 45 rpm record; the east side ascent of Alpe d'Huez, over Col de Sarenne, literally rocks by all standards. So without further ado, this week's long distance dedication goes out to all the viewers who prefer the road less traveled to last weeks AM chart topper. Keep your feet on the pedals and keep reaching for the stars” — Casey Kasem,
King of theMountainsCountdownsThere is a terrific loop starting from either Bourg d'Oisans or Alpe d'Huez that is a favorite among the locals who have seen the star of the show enough times. At just 55 km, it's very sane, but I actually researched it over three different days. In July, I did a short out and back to Col de Sarenne on my La Marmotte recovery day and then another out and back to le Freney d'Oisans during the day of Etape du Tour. I was hoping to continue past le Freney but I encountered an Etape road closure. Finally, during a return visit in August with Rebecca, I was able to do the full loop. The photo gallery is a collection from all three days.
Click the pic to watch
Corniche and Col de Sarenne feature videoThe tracks for this ride cue up in the following order when started from Alpe d'Huez: the slalom ride down the famous climb until La Garde which is 4 km from the base (Bourg d'Oisans), the spectacular traversal of the D211A corniche looking over the Romanche Valley and Bourg d'Oisans, the bridge across the dam on N91 at Barrage du Chambon and the quintessential (quiet, narrow and scenic) 11K climb up the B side of Alpe d'Huez via Col de Sarenne.
I only have one anecdote to tell before cueing up the slide show and letting the images tell the story. While returning along the D211A corniche on the way back from le Freney during the day of the Etape, I'm coasting slowly looking for the right shot when a car widely rounds a corner on the narrow one lane road. I'm going so slow that I don't need much road to work with but even so the driver never sees me until the last moment. With a good head of steam going into the corner, I would have had three options: a head on collision, a launch off a cliff, or a carving by jagged mountain rocks. Those are the only options on a corniche if you can't stop in time. Incidents like this are a reminder. Don't descend like a fool especially when you're thousands of miles from home on an unfamiliar road (at the start of seven week trip) because you are never in control. Besides you never know when you're going to stop and take a picture.
— Steve, October 4, 2006
Next... French Alps Episode 3: Villard Notre Dame »
