The Everest of Alp d' Huez on Zwift

 I didn't want to write about it until after I finished it. I was going to do it next week but I decided rather last minute to jump in and give it a go. I had planned to go up twice in a row (which is usually my breaking/cramping point), then take a break, relax, change clothes, eat, jump back on hours later. I even thought of doing two assaults, sleep, and do two in the morning, two in the evening, sleep, two in the morning. I know that goes against the "official" rules. But, I'm a sprinter. My legs are not built for nine hours of endurance full-gas efforts. If I am doing this, I am doing this my way. (I can do an official one some other day when I feel insane)

I will add a bunch of details. But, when I asked Emma Pouley about it, she told me, "It was the worst decision that I ever made." I basically agree. I sprained my right ankle getting off the bike after the second Alp. It only hurt when I walked on it. Yet, on the bike, it was fine. I used every single outfit I have, including one that is very tight and has an annoying seam. I got a pimple. I had bike problems, butt soreness/numbness issues. I had moments of greatness and moments when I had to just try to focus. Having a long ten minute downhill is great. I would never want to do the radio tower or the grade. You need the time to recharge a bit physically and mentally.

I rode the full Alp six times. Two times, one and a half, two times, one and almost two full times. Eight and a half in total for 8901meters uphill. I felt the best on the fourth climb. I felt strong and the power just felt easy. I finished two minutes ahead of my Holo. The faith was way slower and the final one, I had very sore legs. I should have been in an easy gear but I kept it in the main gear I use as it seemed faster? I was afraid that once I used the small gear, that my power would evaporate. It was a bit dismal in the end. But by then, all I wanted was to finish. I did pedal just enough to take the 8849 to 8900 before cruising down to the start line. And no crash, no dropouts, no failing batteries. Yeah! I can't believe that I didn't give up.