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You are here in French Alps, approximately fifty
kilometers in the south of Grenoble. I am pleased to show you an interesting ride near the famous ski resort of
Alpe d'Huez. This ride is quiet, using a narrow road. You will pass Col
du Solude. On "Confrérie des Cent Cols", it is known as "38-1680b". This col allows you to join the main road from Bourg
d'Oisans to La Mure. So, if you want to discover a scenic road, use your mouse, don't forget your triple and follow
theses lines...
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In Bourg d'Oisans, go to the church and follow
the road marked as D219...
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You will go towards "Le Creux". As
a starter, the climb is difficult. On the pannel, you will be able to read "Route Difficile" which means
a difficult road. Yes, you are going to discover nice countryside...
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The start of the climb is in the forest. Don't
be afraid to be honking on the bike...
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Sometimes the road seems to be very bad but
it is still ok. Here, you pass on a little bridge...
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After the forest, the road becomes scenic. Are
you ready to pass a first tunnel, not very long?
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This road has been built by Joseph Paganon in
1939...
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Here is an overview on this first tunnel. Like
this riders, you will have time to look the valley on your left...
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Here is an overview on the valley. You will
notice Bourg d'oisans at the bottom and l'Alpe d'Huez in the back...
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Further, things are more difficult... This second
tunnel will require lights because it is very dark...
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After this second tunnel, the road is scenic,
carved in the mountain...
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After riding 2,5 kilometers, you will be able
to stop a little to have a look on this milestone. Behind it, you will notice Romanche valley...
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As you just noticed, you have to complete at
least 7 kilometers before the top. Now a third tunnel...
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The road is still scenic...
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Another fourth tunnel...
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This tunnel is fantastic. It is opened at its
end, a great place..
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After the road is still tarred and you will
have a look on "Pied Moutet" (2338 m) in the back...
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Take care not to ride on the rocks...
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The road continues to be scenic. If you well
notice the rock, it is dry, compared in the Vercors area...
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At this place, the climb becomes easy. A moment
for you to recover a little...
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And the climb continues in the forest...
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Here is a first bend on the right...
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We are at 1115 meters of altitude as written
on this milestone... The climb is not finished...
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Another switchback on the left...
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Again, the climb continues in the forest...
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The following milestone will show you the climb
continues...
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Another bend in the forest...
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This bend is remarkable, because you will notice
the road where you come from...
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Well notice this moment in the forest....
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Between trees, you will have a look on "Aiguilles d'Arves"
in the back. Perhaps did you already notice them in "Col
de la Croix de Fer" ???
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After another bend, the climb continues...
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This pics is great! You will notice the first
car we saw since the start...
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Another milestone in the climb...
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We are just arrived in "Le Creux",
a little village in the mountain..
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The climb continues...
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In the following switchback, you will notice
"Grand Pic du Col d'Ornon"...
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At this place, another milestone will tell you
how it suffers during wintertime...
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The climb is nearly finished in the forest...
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The road becomes narrow before the village...
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We just arrive in "Villard Notre Dame"...
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A nioce village with a little church...
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From "Villard Notre Dame", I strongly
recommend this point of view on the mountains of l'Alpe d'Huez. Again, in the back, les Aiguilles d'Arves...
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After "Villard Notre Dame", the
road becomes tiny and it is paved...
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In the fields besides you, perhaps you will
notice this marmot...
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The climb continues. I don't advice to be honking
on the bike...
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If you look your cycloe computer, you will notice
the climb is terrible...
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After two kilometers, the road is still paved,
and the climb becomes enjoyable... You will be able to recover a little...
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Here is an overview of the mountain on your
left. "Col du Solude" is in the back right...
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The paved road continues...
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Take time to admirate Romanche valley from this
place...
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Take care to rocks again...
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When you will see this place, you will be close
to the top. It is the last bend before the Col...
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Here is "Col du Solude". There is no pannel...
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I am pleased to show you a panoramic view of
the Col. we come from the right, and we are goind on the left...
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Here is an overview of the descent. The road
is tarred...
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In the descent, you will notice we are not
very far from Bourg d'Oisans...
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Here is another overview in the descent...
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Eight kilometers after the col, we arrive in
"Ornon La Palud". We join the main road between "La Mure" and "Bourg d'Oisans" passing
by "Col d'Ornon"....
I hope theses pics will make you envious to do this
ride in French Alps...
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