Phase 2

On Monday, June 14th, we'll drive to Bourg d'Oisans, at the foot of l'Alpe d'Huez, shown here.

We'll actually be staying about 5 km outside of town at the B&B of Alan and Lynne Coldray. They're British ex-pats who gave up their careers back home to run a B&B in the French Alps. Here's another link:

http://www.bourgdoisansbandb.com/index.html

I happened across them while searching for places to stay around the area. I was excited because they speak English!

We'll be with the Coldray's for 4 days/nights, 14-18 June. Our two main objectives while here are: 1) ride the route of La Marmotte cyclosportive and 2) climb the Col d'Izoard from the more difficult southern approach (we did the northern approach from Briancon in 2006).

La Marmotte is a 106 mile ride taking in the Col du Glandon, Col de Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and l'Alpe d'Huez as a finale. The actual cyclosportive is going to be on July 3rd this year. They will have upwards of 10,000 participants. There will be far fewer people when we ride the week of June 14th. We did all of these climbs in 2006, but we did the Telegraphe and the Galibier from their easier sides. There's only one way up l'Alpe d'Huez.

http://www.sportcommunication.info/web2010/epreuve2.php?langue=2&trophee=128

I couldn't figure out how to add more photos of the various mountains, lucky you. I'll figure it out.

Mountains rule.