Huez (Alpe d'Huez)

Hey, Corner Carvers! Anyone who thinks the area around Huez is just about the legendary 21 hairpin bends leading up to Alpe d'Huez has watched plenty of Tour de France but never properly unleashed their bike. The 21 hairpins are just the appetizer – the main course is served on the balcony roads, where the asphalt clings to the abyss like a fly to your visor. The Route de la Roche d'Auris (D211A): Not for the faint of sphincter! If you're tackling the *Route de la Roche d'Auris*, better get that adrenaline warmed up beforehand. This isn't just a road; it's a statement carved into the rock. We're talking about a classic *balcony road*. To your left, the bare rock; to your right... well, to your right, there's a whole lot of air before the Romanche river glitters far below in the valley. If you're afraid of heights, perhaps knitting would be a better hobby. The road is narrow, the view of the Écrins Massif is so brutally good that you have to be careful not to miss the next curve while gawking. It's tight, it's rough, and it feels like surfing on the ledge of a skyscraper. Dessus les Cours: The Hidden Dessert Once you've worked your way along the D211A towards *Auris-en-Oisans*, you'll hit the secret highlight: the route via *Dessus les Cours*. While motorhomes are bumping mirrors on the main road, up here, you'll often have it all to yourself. The passage over Dessus les Cours is like a ride through a postcard-perfect idyll – but with more lean angle. The asphalt snakes along above the tree line, the air is thinner, the sound of your engine echoes off the peaks, and the flow is simply magical. It's the perfect place to really throw your bike from one side to the other while the sun warms your back. My Conclusion for You: Around Huez, if you only stick to the main road, you're missing the best parts. The combination of the thrilling cliff ride on the *Roche d'Auris* and the alpine glide at *Dessus les Cours* is why we pull our machines out of the garage. So, helmet on, gear engaged, and remember: he who brakes loses – but he who rides too far to the right here definitely loses more!