1 We started at Les Bourg d' Oisans.
2 Where they had a market going on.
3 Let's by a yellow jersey in advance. ;-)
4 This is not the stuff I will need for uphill skating.
5 Let's start on this warm morning.
6 Our goal at the very top of the mountain.
7 Thats where we are going to. 13km hard climbing.
8 Flushing down the last nerves.
9 Mental preparation.
10 Wow these guys look a bit more professional.
11 Cyclists from Belgium still looking happy.
12 and now they don't smile any more :-)
13 I don't think they appreciated a skater keeping up with them, shooting video and pictures.
14 And here comes Meindert. He gave us a headstart.
15 He overtakes the Belgians.
16 Marleen and Wouter had a headstart and are being overtaken by Robert (and me :-)
17 Lots of cyclists....
18 ...fighting the 21 hairpins.
19 Thats where we started Bourg d'Oisans in the valley below.
20 Dutch cyclist Steven Rooks won the stage finishing on top of the Alp d'Huez in the Tour de france of 1988.
21 It's steep, it's very warm, its hard.
22 Erik has to rest for a moment.
23 Getting closer to the finish, still three curves to go.
24 Alp d"Huez in the background.
25 This is a very cool picture, what a view.
26 After this sign you still have to climb further to the village.
27 The pavement is very much better than 15 years ago.
28 My final strokes to the finish.
29 Meindert reached to top after 1 hour 6 min. Well done.
30 Erik in his last meters.
31 Screaming because of a cramp.
32 Wouter arrives too.
33 Againts a superb background.
34 Okay, here comes Marleen. Well done!
35 Now all the pain is forgotten.
36 The team.
37 Exploring the empty ski resort of Alp d'Huez.
38 This is where the stage of the Tour de France finishes.
39 Changing my good wheels for older ones that I can wear down while breaking.
40 Enjoying a cool drink and hearing heroic stories from those who reached the top.
41 And now its donwhill time.
42 Reaching high speeds.
43 Fantastic downhill with all the hairpins :-)
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Peter Nikkel.
peter@nikkel.nl