The most renowned mountain in the cycling world, as per the average cycling fan, is L’Alpe d’Huez. It’s believed that over a thousand riders conquer this col every day during the peak season, which undoubtedly increases its popularity.

This col was the first one we ever attempted, followed by Col de la Croix-de-Fer the next day, which became our first Deux Mille col. What we didn’t know then was that if we continued up through the ski resort and rode for three kilometers to a dead-end by Lac Besson, the ride would become a Deux Mille col.

The “Tour de France” version from Le Bourg d’Oisans has the famous 21 hairpins. It starts with gradients of around 10%, ensuring you suffer all the way. You get to experience all the advertised sights, including the first brutal hairpins, the Dutch corner, the stage winner names in each of the hairpins, and the tourist finish line. The climb only becomes more trivial after the ski resort, and only the last few hundred meters bring some excitement as you get a view over the start of the notorious Col du Glandon/Col de la Croix-de-Fer climb.

Alternate routes start from either Lac du Verney, which connects with the original route near the Dutch corner, or Mizoën, which takes you over Col du Sarenne, at 1,999 meters.