There are plenty of famous climbs in cycling, but few carry the weight of Alpe d’Huez. Twenty-one hairpins, decades of Tour de France history and an atmosphere that transforms an alpine road into the beating heart of the cycling world. After days of bikepacking across Europe from Frankfurt, I finally rolled onto the mountain that had been sitting on my bucket list for years.
The climb itself was an experience long before the race arrived. Every bend had become a temporary village for passionate riders wanting to capture some of the action. Some fans camped out for days, barbecues sizzling, flags hanging from campervans and music echoing through the valley. Despite the relentless summer heat, there was a shared excitement that only the Tour seems capable of creating. I was lucky enough to spend six days with a fantastic group of Aussies, proving once again that you’ll never travel far before hearing a familiar accent.
When the race finally reached the mountain, everything changed. Hours of anticipation erupted into a blur of helicopters, team cars and riders climbing impossibly fast through corridors of cheering spectators. Watching the world’s best tackle one of cycling’s most iconic ascents from the roadside is something television can never truly capture. The noise, the colour and the sheer energy are overwhelming in the best possible way.
A few days later, I’m back on the bike, continuing south towards Barcelona. The kilometres keep rolling by, but the memories of Alpe d’Huez will stay with me long after this trip is over. Here are a few of my favourite images I took from an unforgettable day at the 2026 Tour de France.
