The Tour de France may be over, but don’t make the mistake of thinking this ride has an expiration date. If anything, this is one of those profiles you’ll find yourself pulling out again and again throughout the year.
If you’ve been with ICA for a while, you know I have a bit of an obsession with Alpe d’Huez. I’ve climbed it four times myself, starting back in 1988, led countless cyclists up its legendary 21 switchbacks on bicycle tours, and even have a license plate that says ALP DWEZ. (Yes, I’m that person!)
In 2003, I introduced my first Alpe d’Huez master class at WSSC (World Spinning and Sports Conference), where it sold out every year for five consecutive conferences. I later presented it at other conferences, including CanFitPro and ECA, as well as master classes at clubs across North America. That original profile remains one of my favorites, but it told a deeply personal story of sacrifice, perseverance, and finding strength when there’s nothing left in the tank. It was incredibly rewarding to teach—but also emotionally demanding. It always felt more like a special-event ride than something I’d put on my regular schedule.
This year’s profile is different—and I think that’s a good thing. It’s no longer a ride I save for special occasions. It’s a profile any instructor can teach, any time of year, and one I hope becomes a regular part of your repertoire.
Every year when I create Tour de France profiles, I face the same dilemma: Do I write the profile before the stage and create my own story, or do I wait to see what actually happens and let the race tell it for me? I’ve done both over the years. Writing ahead of time gives me complete creative freedom. Waiting means a lot less sleep—but sometimes the Tour delivers a story I never could have written myself.
That’s exactly what happened here.
I actually taught this ride the day before Stage 19, using a version I had already written. (I teach on Thursday; Stage 19 was on Friday.) But when it came time to prepare it for ICA members, I couldn’t resist waiting to see how the race unfolded. I’m so glad I did. After watching the drama on Alpe d’Huez, I went back to the drawing board, rewrote large sections of the profile, and even swapped out several songs to better capture the emotion and excitement of what unfolded on the mountain. Some longtime ICA members may even recognize a few favorite songs from Tour profiles of years past.
As you might imagine, putting together a profile like this isn’t exactly a quick evening project. And because this was Stage 19 of 21, there was simply no way to finish it until the race had already unfolded. If Alpe d’Huez had appeared in the first week of the Tour, we’d all have been riding it together while the Tour was still making headlines. Instead, this one had to wait until after the dust settled. Then my perfectionist brain took over, and I spent far longer polishing every detail than I’d planned. Thanks for your patience—it was worth it!
The beauty of this profile is that it’s about far more than this year’s Tour de France. Alpe d’Huez is one of cycling’s most legendary climbs, and the challenge of conquering it never goes out of style. You can teach this profile in October, February, or next May, and it will feel just as epic. Then, the next time the Tour returns to Alpe d’Huez, simply update the race narrative while keeping the same music, coaching, and overall structure. That’s exactly the kind of profile I love creating—one you’ll return to for years, rather than teaching once and filing it away.
ICA members receive both the complete narrative profile and the editable Express Profile spreadsheet, so you can teach it as written or customize it to fit your own style. About half of the playlist features French artists, but don’t hesitate to swap in your own favorites if you prefer.
I truly hope this becomes one of those signature rides that earns a permanent place in your library. And if you teach it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
Download this ride below.