Alpe d'Huez Long Course Triathlon: A Preview

I’ve set one of my goals for the 2016 season, the Alpe d’Huez alpine triathlon in July! Find out what lies in store for me with this course preview…(caution: contains hills!)

The Alpe d’Huez long course triathlon in the South of France is considered one of the toughest tri events in the world. So I’ve signed up to do it! I’ve got 7 or 8 months of training ahead of me. Here’s what I can expect on the day. 

2.2km lake swim: The swim isn’t just long, it’s usually cold too (despite the time of year). The entrance to the lake  is rocky, so I'll be cautious even before the race starts! Low water temperatures aren’t unusual in this race (it was 13'C in 2013), so I’ll pack two swim caps and be sure to take time to dry off properly in T1 before heading off on the bike. And with around 1,200 athletes taking part, it’s likely to be a bumpy swim. But the views will be worth it: the setting of Lac du Verney mountain reservoir is beautiful (and the water is clean and crystal clear too).

115km bike: The clue is in the name: the Alpe d’Huez triathlon is hilly! The course is the stuff of legends. In fact, I get to ride three mountain passes: the Alpe du Grand Serre (1375 m), the Col d’Ornon (1371 m) and the climb up to Alpe d’Huez itself with its 21 switching bends. Some of the climbs are 12%, and they go on for a long, long time. I’m just going to have to spin up and grind it out. I’m counting on some pretty stunning views from the top as a reward for my efforts!

T2: There are two separate transition areas in this race, so I’ll have to be extra organised when I pack my transition bags and set myself up.

22km run: The final leg of this tough race starts on a narrow track along the mountainside, with an uphill section halfway through. The last few kms are downhill, though, so I’ll enjoy that bit! Apparently the finish line is noisy and packed with crazy enthusiastic spectators, and the post-race “village” is great. But it’ll be some time before I’m there. I’ve got to swim 2.2kms, bike 115kms, run 22kms… and tick off months of structured, periodised training first!

Does this sound like the kind of race you’d like to do? What’s the toughest triathlon you’ve ever done?