Route Plus Haute second visit to the Haute Route Alps

Stage Reports

Here are the facts and figures for each stage, with a report post from after each day.

• Sunday, Aug 22 Stage 1 – Megève to Megève – 112km, 3,000m [route]

  Cols – Aravis, Colombière, Romme, Côte 2000

  A loop out from Megève, around the local peaks and back to the start. Three climbs in quick succession, with a break before the last and biggest climb of almost 1000m.

  Report – GC 150, stage 150 – A loop out from Megève, around the local peaks and back to the start. Three climbs in quick succession, with a break before the last and biggest climb of almost 1000m.

• Monday, Aug 23 Stage 2 – Megève to Tignes – 109km, 3,500m [route]

  Cols – Saisies, Cormet de Rosalind, Tignes

  Similar length and ascent to yesterday but in just three long climbs.

  Report – GC 142, stage 140 – Similar length and ascent to yesterday but in just three long climbs.

• Tuesday, Aug 24 Stage 3 – Tignes to Sarenne – 182km, 4,500m [route]

  Cols – Iséran, Télégraphe, Galibier, Sarenne

  A huge queen stage. High peaks, long descents, cold and rain.

  Report – GC 129, stage 121 – A huge queen stage. High peaks, long descents, cold and rain.

• Wednesday, Aug 25 Stage 4 – Alpe d'Huez – 15.5km, 1,150m [route]

  Cols – Alpe d'Huez

  No messing about. Bottom to top as fast as you can.

  Report – GC 132, stage 160 – Right foot pedal down, left foot pedal down.

• Thursday, Aug 26 Stage 5 – Alpe d'Huez to Col du Granon – 86km, 3,000m [route]

  Cols – Lauteret, Granon

  This looks like an easier day with only two climbs, but Granon's steep ascent will be punishing for tired legs.

  Report – GC 125, stage 102 – A mixed day, with a good performance on my part but a heavy crash in the pack.

• Friday, Aug 27 Stage 6 – Serre Chevalier to Auron – 140km, 3,650m [route]

  Cols – Vars, Bonette, Auron

  The most traditional stage in a while, in terms of length and shape.

  Report – GC 119, stage 109 – A normal stage. A couple of big climbs, a couple of small ones and some fast riding on the flat.

• Saturday, Aug 28 Stage 7 – Auron to Nice – 148km, 3,200m [route]

  Cols – Couillole, St Raphaël, Vence

  The final stretch, with three climbs all new to me.

  Report – GC 119, stage 109 – A normal stage. A couple of big climbs, a couple of small ones and some fast riding on the flat.

Intro

Four years ago I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for. I’d done the training but had no idea how I would cope with an actual week full of racing. It went pretty well, was a lot of fun and I couldn’t resist signing up again! The intention was to do it before the second baby, but 2020 had something to say about that. So here we are, heading to Megève near Geneva for the start.

The route is actually a little shorter than last time, with just a little less climbing through the week, but not by much. The steep Granon is on the route again, as well as many climbs with more than 1000m of elevation gain. So

Megève to Nice

800km distance, 21,000m elevation gain

climbing 20 mountains, including 9 that reach 2000m

With a six-month-old taking after her sister’s approach to sleeping (why sleep once a night when you can have six sleeps and cuddles with mummy in between?) it’s not been the ideal year for training. Indeed one other rider I know has ridden three times as much distance as I have in 2021. On the other hand, now I live in the mountains, so training is more realistic for the race than it was in the plains around Berlin.

As last time I won’t be threatening the top ten. I’ll be interested to see whether I can finish in a similar position to last time, around the 25th percentile. My power numbers this year are reassuring so far, but the question will be whether I have the endurance.

It’s been an exciting start, with a 330am alarm to take the girls to the airport after a packed week to finish off what I can before some extended time off. I’m ready for a nap!

The route starts with a loop at Megève where we stay for two nights before heading south. There’s no gentle warmup, we’re straight into the climbs. The queen stage this year is on day 3, where we climb the Iseran, then the monster pairing that is Télégraphe-Galibier (nearly 2000m up, combined!) from the route of the Marmotte, and finish on possibly my favourite alpine climb, Sarenne. The “rest” day 4 features only one climb, straight up Alpe d’Huez before having the afternoon off (nap? pasta? both?). In 2017 the last three days were a bit of a blur as the fatigue really set in, and I have every expectation that will feel the same, even if the riding if going well.

The weather forecast is a little more wet than it was for the dry 2017 edition. That new rain jacket may yet have to show its mettle.

Now for third breakfast while I’m on the train, looking forward to first lunch before getting on the shuttle bus.