Archive | Alpe d’Huez Climb RSS feed for this section

Cycling Map of the French Alps

19 Apr

Taking advantage of the Covid19 Lockdown here in France and the fact we are not allowed to ride outside at all at the moment despite some glorious weather, I have finally put the finishing touches to our Climbs of the French Alps Cycling Tube Map posters and stocked a few for mail order dispatch only. Due to the complexity and details of the map they are only available in the larger 70cmx50cm size. They do however fit in an IKEA frame.

Climbs of the French Alps

These are now available to buy on-line only until we are allowed to open up shop again sometime in the future.

I have also created a new stand alone website for our tube maps to which I will be adding a lot more information to over the coming months.

Covid19 and our summer season…

Like all small business (it’s just me!) and especially those in the tourist industry we have seen a collapse of our summer booking both new and existing.

We really do have too many hire bikes in stock for this summer now especially in sizes Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large.

So, if you are interested in buying any of our standard rim brake carbon Shimano Ultegra complete bikes, or if you have a bunch of bits in your garage and you just need a frame and fork please get in touch with us via email.

Complete bikes from 800 euros

Frame and fork plus headset from 250euros plus postage then please contact us for more information.

Advertisement

Tags:

Alpe d’Huez Cycling Cap

5 Jun

The 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez is probably the most iconic Tour de France cycling climb. It is on every cyclist bucket list. To celebrate this we have created the Caps Not Hats Cycling Caps designed Alpe d’Huez Cap.

Check out all the Caps Not Hats Cycling Caps designs

Tags: ,

Discounted Cycle Hire – Bourg d’Oisans – End of Season Sale

28 Dec

Thinking of hiring a bike in Bourg d’Oisans in the summer of 2018 ? Make your booking before the 31st December 2017 and receive a 15% discount on your booking. [terms and conditions apply]

Cycle Hire Bourg d’Oisans >>

Terms and Conditions of discount:

  1. For bike hire between 1st May until 31st October 2018
  2. Excluded bookings for La Marmotte and Tour de France
  3. Discount only applies to new bookings received between 28th December 2017 and 31st December 2017.
  4. No other discounts can be applied.
  5. Discounts can not be applied to existing bookings.
  6. For bike pick ups from our shop in Bourg d’Oisans only.

Glandon2

Early Bird Discount Price for Paris Roubaix Challenge and Liege Bastogne Liege Cycle Hire

Our early bird discounts on Paris Roubaix Challenge and Liege Bastogne Liege Challenge  Cycle Hire end on the 31st December 2018. Reserve now to get the best possible price for these events

Tags: ,

Tour de France 2018 on Alpe d’Huez Cycle Hire

10 Oct

photo_tdf

With the area all but confirmed as staging a Tour de France finish in July 2018  and due to many requests we are now taking cycle hire bookings for the event.

For more information please visit our Alpe d’Huez cycle hire for Tour de France page.

The exact dates for the finish in Alpe d’Huez and start in Bourg d’Oisans will be announced on the 17th October 2018 by ASO.

 

 

Tags: , , ,

Discounted Alpe d’Huez Cycle hire

9 Sep

If you are already planning your 2018 alpe d’huez cycling holiday then why not benefit from our early bird 10 percent discount on all alpe d’huez cycle hire between May and September 2018.

The 10% discount applies on all new summer bookings received before the end of September 2018.

Simply make your reservation online now and you will automatically receive the discount on one of our Battaglin, Prompt or Wilier hire bikes.

Tags: , , ,

Shimano R8000 Ultegra groupset

28 Jun

We have just taken delivery of our first Shimano Ultegra R8000 groupset.

Pop into our store in Bourg d’Oisans to check it out. All our new Alpe d’Huez hire bikes that will be built up over the coming months will feature the new groupset.

2016 Photo Competition -21- A round up of some that we have missed through the year Part 1

14 Dec

2016 Photo Competition -14- May 2016 Alpe d’Huez and Snow

30 May

A couple of pictures from some Aussies doing the Alpe with Prompt….

Helmuth (1051)Mark (1108)

 

Tags: ,

Cycle Shoe Hire for Alpe d’Huez, Col du Galibier or beyond.

24 Mar

New cycle shoe hire your cycle hire. For 2014 we are stocking Shimano R064 Road Cycling Shoes to hire for the period of your cycle hire. Shoes are only available when you hire your bike through us. Shimano road cleats will be fitted to the bottom of the shoes.

 

Tags:

Galibier T-shirt

7 Sep

galibier_tshirt

We have just taken delivery of the brand new Galibier t-shirt. It is 100% cotton and is available in sizes S to XL. It also has a reflective strip on the back to keep you visible during gloomy winter evenings.

Never ridden the Col du Galibier? Join us for the Tour of the Oisans in the first week of October at the hugely discounted rate of £199 per person. The weather is usually fantastic for riding at this time of year and the roads are much less busy. Half-price bike hire is also available for this week.

Tags: , , ,

Forgotten Climbs of the Oisans: Part 1 – Villard Reymond

9 Jul

In the week leading up to the Marmotte, riding in the Oisans is hectic. The roads are busy with cars and cyclists. However most ignore the lesser-known ascents in favour of Alpe d’Huez and co. Whilst the smaller climbs may lack the prestige of their neighbours, they provide some of the steepest, most beautiful rides in the area.

The climb to Villard Reymond is hard – 9km at 8.5% from La Pallaud. The climb twists and turns up the side of a ravine under the cover of pine trees until opening onto a mountain plain at 1610m altitude.

DSCF0343

The gradient is never constant – short ramps are followed by brief periods of rest. The first 2km offer a nice introduction. You begin climbing straight away however the gradients are not too severe. The middle section is really tough; the hairpins had me prodding at the levers in the faint hope that there was still another gear. The final 1.5km proved easier as I wound through fields towards the village.

DSCF0344

Above the fields soar two 3000m peaks – Le Grand Pic d’Ornon and Le Grand Renaud. The village has 37 inhabitants and is famous for its production of Génépi – alpine plants that are used for the production of liqueurs such as Chartreuse and Absinthe. Once at the top you have the option of continuing to Villard Notre-Dame and descending back into the valley through a succession of long unlit tunnels. However the road joining the two villages is poor and is better ridden by mountain bike. I prefer to avoid the tunnels and enjoy the technical ride back down. Below is a picture of Hattie at the top modelling her Alpe d’Huez cycling jersey and waterbottle.

DSCF0351

Strava – http://app.strava.com/segments/1677004

Next up – The climb of Maronne (and hopefully a Strava KOM!!!!)

Tags: , , , , , ,

The PROMPT shop in Bourg d’Oisans is having a make over

19 Mar

Over the last couple of weeks the PROMPT.CC shop in Bourg d’Oisans has been having a bit of a make over. Currently I am waiting for the new floor to dry which has slowed progress down a bit.

For 2013 we will have a new stock of hire bikes as well as a whole load of new magazines for your holiday read plus a new 2013 Alpe d’Huez Cycling Jersey that has already proved popular with over 75% of people reserving one when making a Alpe d’Huez Cycle Hire reservation.

More photos of the shop will be available over the  next few weeks. In the meantime all the PROMPT bikes are stored in the office space. Here’s hoping the floor dries quickly !

 

2013-03-17 10.12.14

Tags: ,

Aside

Try out a PROMPT D211 free of charge

20 Feb

We have teamed up with Mosquito Bike / Lightweight Wheels and More Than 21 Bends to provide a PROMPT D211 demo weekend here in Bourg d’Oisans.

Holiday Details 2nd – 6th May 2013.

 4 nights half board accommodation at More Than 21 Bends B&B in Bourg d’Oisans France, transfer from Grenoble train station to Bourg d’Oisans and Bike transfers from Mosquito Bikes London to MT21B’s or free PROMPT D211 demo bike for the weekend

Itinerary

Between Friday 26th and Tuesday 30th April 2013: Bike drop at Mosquito Bikes, Bike fit service available at a special rate and Servicing option with Mosquito Bikes so your bike is ready to roll on arrival.

  • Thursday 2nd May: Make your own way to the More Than 21 Bends B&B in Bourg d’Oisans or join the transfer from Grenoble train station at 4pm. Opportunity to test Lightweight Wheels and Prompt bikes or join More Than 21 Bends on a short late afternoon ride. Evening meal at MT21Bs.
  • Friday 3rd May: Breakfast at MT21B.  80KM Guided ride including ascent of Alpe d’Huez leaving 10.00am.  Informal pre dinner talk and introduction to Lightweight Wheels. Evening meal at MT21B.
  • Saturday 4th May: Breakfast at MT21B.  Guided ride of 100km taking in the Col de la Morte and the Col d’Ornon leaving 10.00am.  Informal pre dinner talk by our Nutrition Partner. Evening meal at MT21B.
  • Sunday 5th May: Early Breakfast at MT21B.  80KM ride including the spectacular Traverse d’Oisans and Les Deux Alpes. Evening meal at MT21B.
  • Monday 6th May: Breakfast at MT21B.  Last chance to test ride Lightweight Wheels and Prompt bikes before departure.  Departures around 11am, transfer to Grenoble train station for 12.00pm.

Between Tuesday 7th May (pm) and Saturday 11th May : Bike collection from Mosquito Bikes

Price Includes:

Click here for more information 

Tags: , , ,

Buy Rouleur magazine in France

31 Jan

We are pleased to announce that from issue 36 you will be able to buy Rouleur magazine from our shop in Bourg d’Oisans. The perfect read after a hard day in the saddle in and around Alpe d’Huez

Rouleur Magazine 36

 

Flemish author Herman Chevrolet's book Het feest van list en bedrog details the dealmaking and double-crossing that have existed throughout professional cycle racing's long and chequered history. Olivier Nilsson-Julien joins Chevrolet to take us through the pick of a very large crop, from 1904 Tour riders catching trains to Lance Armstrong's
$1m bonus in the appropriately named Thrift Drug Triple Crown…

The slyness and betrayal theme surfaces again – as does Mr Armstrong –  in Herbie Sykes' uncut interview with Paul Kimmage. The Irish journalist has been battling doping in the sport for over 20 years. He's still fighting. Can the Change Cycling Now movement finally make a difference?

Tony Martin's dramatic year of broken bones, Olympic medals and World Championship titles will not be forgotten in a hurry. David Sharp finds the time trial specialist in good spirits, while Timm Kolln records the battle scars.

Ned Boulting waxes lyrical on the Revolution track series, Guy Andrews follows up with the Madison Genesis team on their new steel-framed race machines, Jordan Gibbons gets to see Lightweight's sexy carbon wheels being made in Germany and Andrew Curry travels further east to the Czech Republic to talk cyclo-cross with Zdenek Stybar.

Also featuring regular columnists Matt Seaton, Paul Fournel, William Fotheringham and Johnny Green.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Ladies Saddles – Selle Italia X1

17 Jan

We are pleased to announce that we are now able to provide female specific saddles (the Selle Italia X1) for your bike hire. Simply let us know at the time of booking and we will make sure that it is on your bike and ready to go.

ladiessaddle

 

Tags: , ,

Test ride a D211 for free on the Route des Grandes Alpes Tours

1 Jan

During the month of January we are offering free bike hire on the More Than 21 Bends Ultimate Alps Tour and Route des Grandes Alpes Tour.

To qualify for your free Carbon Shimano Ultegra equipped bike you simply need to book either holiday before the end of January 2013.

Holiday Details

3rd – 17th August 2013

More Than 21 Bends are now taking bookings for individuals, couples and groups for their Route des Grandes Alps or Ultimate Alps Tour The point to point fully supported cycling tour tackles 20 cols including Alpe d’Huez, Mont Ventoux, Col de l’Iseran, Col du Galibier, Col d’Izoard and more as it weaves through the French Alps down to the Mediterranean coast of Menton

Itinerary

Start of Ultimate Alps Tour

  • 3rd August 2013 Arrive in Bourg d’Oisans

  • 4th August Ride Alpe d’Huez

  • 5th August Transfer to Geneva in our mini bus

Route des Grandes Alpes

You can join us just for this part of the holiday

Continuation of Ultimate Alps Tour

  • 15th August Transfer from Menton to Sault

  • 16th August Ride 50%Mont Ventoux

  • 17th August Transfer back to Bourg d’Oisans

Tags: , ,

Hire Bike Upgrade for 2013

16 Dec

Bike Upgrades

We are pleased to announce that all our 2013 hire fleet have been upgraded with full carbon handlebars, new carbon/alloy FSA stems and carbon bottle cages. We have 15 bikes in stock for 2013 ranging from 49 to 58cm in size both with compact and triple chainsets. In addition Shimano Ultegra now support  a 30 tooth rear cassette. All bikes will be replaced with 30 cassettes when the existing 28 tooth cassette has worn out. Please check each individual bike for more details on our website.

Additional Services for 2013

In addition to the upgrades we are also pleased to announce

  1. A group discount on bike hire starting from 5% for 5 bikes and rising to 15% for all 15 bikes. Discounts will be applied when you pick the bikes up. Please contact us for more information before making your booking
  2. A drop off and pick up service for more than 6 bikes in and around the Oisans area. Minimum hire for this service is 5 days. Discounts above do not apply if the bikes are delivered to you. Please contact us for more details and to check our availability  before making your booking.
  3. All hire bikes will be available to buy at the end of the 2013 season. Prices will start from 1200 euros per bike plus delivery. The bikes will be fully serviced. Again please contact us for more details or have a chat with us when you pick up your bike.

Tags: , ,

Last hire bikes available for the Tour de France on the 18th July 2013

11 Dec

We now only have 3 hire bikes left for the Tour de France week in 2013 (11/12/2012)

Carbon Cycle Hire for Tour de France 2013

Tags: ,

Hire bikes on the Col du Galibier

2 Nov

Tim and Kathy from the USA who hired some D211 bikes from PROMPT.CC for a More Than 21 Bends Tours sent us these great photos from the Col du Galibier and Alpe d’Huez

 

 

Tags: , ,

Alpe d’Huez Triathlon Cycle Hire

19 Sep

The 2013 Alpe d’Huez triathlon will take place on the last week of July. We have a large selection of both triple and compact chainset bikes for the event.

For more information and to book online go to our online booking system

 

 

Tags: ,

The great gear debate on Alpe d’Huez

3 Sep

We like bikes here at PROMPT– no surprises there I guess. We also like the poetry and the views that the mountains inspire in us and offer up to us on each ride. Today, after bend 9 on the Alpe, our home town of Bourg d’Oisans was shrouded in the cloud that we had climbed through. The valley was as breathtaking as ever. We also like the technology and the endless debate about the benefits of this or that product, brand and design concept. For instance I love my beautiful hand made Cielo bike. But I also know that the PROMPT bikes ‘out-perform’ it in every possible way around here. They are simply more efficient- up, down and across. Perhaps the most frequent conversation concerns gear ratios and we basically opt for a ‘compact’ and 27/28 rear or a triple up front. There is no doubt that ‘spinning’ up these hills works best for most of our customers. There is also no doubt that the best ‘gear’ available to all of us is our own fitness. If you put the two together some amazing things start to happen in these mountains.

Tags: , , , , ,

Alpe d’Huez first timers

30 Aug

Everyone thinks that they have to be super fit and super fanatical to ride Alpe d’Huez but maybe you just have to be keen and prepared to sweat a bit! Two PROMPT customers took the plunge yesterday and achieved much more than they anticipated. Steve surprised himself with a steady and very controlled climb up the mountain and young Sam, at fourteen, realised that all that time on the BMX bike had prepared him better than he thought and by the top he was beginning to have the look of an experienced cyclist as he kept up a good rhythm to the finishing line. Steve and Sam both completed the climb in under two hours and proudly bought themselves celebratory jerseys at the top. Their PROMPT bikes, fitted with triple chain sets and low gears, helped them achieve their first ascent of the Alp. They will definitely be back for more!

the d211 does box hill

10 Aug

One of the proud owners of a D211 sent this picture in after completing the olympic box hill climb

Image

Aaa

Tags: , ,

Is it about the bike?

6 Jul

Here at station PROMPT we get to ride with a different set of fantastic people every week. People come because of the mountains and they come here because of the bikes. Add a person in between these two things and you have a life changing experience. Think that is hyperbole- you should read our feedback sheets!  Anyway it means we get to see a lot of bikes- usually bikes from the expensive end of the spectrum from all the big brands. All of them sporting that years shape or technology or design cue and all of them brilliant machines. In our two day Marmotte tour last week one of the eight riders was on a PROMPT that he hired from us. We rode the Telegraphe first. The PROMPT was first up. Then the tough side of the Galibier. First up again. Finally the 21 bends of Alpe d’Huez. You guessed it. Is it about the bike?

Tags: ,

Christmas comes early to Bourg d’Oisans

22 Jun

Christmas is not here yet. It gets cold in Bourg d’Oisans, home station for PROMPT, at Christmas; everyone tells you that when you are moving here. Cold enough to take your breath away. But today Christmas came early as our latest batch of frames arrived. Candy colours have come to PROMPT!

Two frames in grey with a hint of green, another in glossy black and our real eye opener – blue with red lettering. Rock and roll this one!

I don’t know how old you feel but it seems to me that riding bikes is age defying in every way. Many of our riders scoot up Alpe d’Huez like 60 year old children. It is not necessarily how quickly they do it but it is that grin of achievement and stressless pleasure at the top. It is a return to more innocent times and reminds us all that our inner child is not that far away. It just got a little buried along the way. Riding is about movement and fresh air, physicality and smiles. We fidget with happiness on our bikes like children with popcorn.

A few minutes ago a French kid hammered past the shop on his bike – late for dinner. You can only do that on a bike. Bike riding is like an endless Christmas morning.

Tags: , , ,

53cm and 58 cm Shimano Ultegra Triple Hire Bikes for Alpe d’Huez now in stock

21 Jun

We have taken delivery of some of our new Shimano Ultegra triple chainset PROMPT D211 carbon hire bikes for rental. These can now be booked directly online here.

Tags: , ,

PROMPT D211 HIRE BIKES With Triple Chainsets for Alpe d’Huez

22 May

We are pleased to announce that from the end of July 2012 we are going to have a selection of Carbon D211 road hire bikes with full Shimano Ultegra Triple groupset. For more information on availabilty and to book online click here

Tags: , ,

New PROMPT Cycle Hire Pick up point

23 Apr

The new PROMPT cycle hire pick up point in Bourg d’Oisans is now open. The shop is also selling Alpe d’Huez Jerseys, energy bars gels and bottels as well as carbon bottle cages

Tags: , , ,

The D902 on Alpe d’Huez in December.

13 Dec

I took a break from renovating our new shop in Bourg d’Oisans to take the D902 up Alpe d’Huez. For the record this is the 41st consectutive month that I have ridden the great climb.

 

Tags:

Alpe d’Huez Jersey

26 Nov

We have just had delivery of our 2012 Alpe d’Huez Jersey. This year we have gone for a simple design with our alpe d’huez badge on one of the sleeves. Also as an extra incentive we are offering 20% discount on one of these jerseys if you order it when you hire your bike online.

 

Tags:

← Older Entries