Stage 5 - Saint-Julien-du-Verdon to Alpe d'Huez

Stage 5 - Saint-Julien-du-Verdon to Alpe d'Huez
A fast stage through Digne les Bains and Gap to Alpe d'Huez. Mostly on national roads, making for a swift ride, and the last 60km features many beautiful curves and, at the end, switchbacks to reach the Alpe. On the Alpe, the cycling bear dances, as the Tour de France will also be held here for a long duration. Up here, there are plenty of restaurants and hotels, offering a wonderful view of the surrounding mountains. We stayed at Hotel Le Pic Blanc, a 4-star hotel with a pool and spa that we certainly didn't use enough, if at all. The prices reflect this, but since we wanted four single rooms, we just have to accept the other arrangements :-).