Today we tried climbing Alpe d’Huez from our living room using the ROUVY indoor cycling app, as two beginner cyclists. Alpe d’Huez is one of the most iconic climbs in the world, boasting over 1,000 m of elevation, and we wanted to experience what it’s like on a smart trainer.
If you’re into indoor cycling, Rouvy routes, beginner cycling training, or you’re just curious how Alpe d’Huez feels on a smart trainer, this video will give you a real and honest look at the entire ride.
🎥 This is Episode 24 of my “Becoming a Cyclist” series — following my authentic journey from total beginner to finding my rhythm on the bike.
🚴♂️ 👉 If you also want to try the ROUVY indoor cycling app, you can use my code “DOMINIK” at checkout on https://rouvy.com/ to get 1 extra month free on top of the standard 7-day trial. Enjoy your rides!
(I also receive a small commission if you decide to continue with a paid plan. I highly appreciate it if you decide to support the channel. Thanks!)
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📍Let’s connect on Strava:
🏃🏻🚴♂️🏋🏽 https://www.strava.com/athletes/88816989
0:00 INTRO
0:41 Prepping for the ride
1:12 Finding ROUVY routes on a cool globe map
2:06 Eva’s “prepping” for the ride
2:54 Setting up ROUVY on TV for a better experience
3:56 Pre-ride settings & lowering reality level for Eva
5:25 Starting the Alpe d’Huez ride
7:42 Our fueling strategy
9:01 World record for this climb from pros
10:53 Our initial motivation to do iconic Alpe d’Huez
12:25 Hardest thing about climbing
13:13 Eva’s just crazy
14:01 Mid-climb update & feelings
15:49 My goal for this ride
16:24 Eva’s sprint to the finish
17:31 Did anyone say burgers?
18:22 I made a big mistake
19:56 Approaching the finish & finish sprint
21:00 Rating the quality of the route & ride stats
21:43 Post-ride meal with Eva
23:06 It’s a burger time & last words
Thanks for watching!
16 Comments
If you also want to try ROUVY, you can use my code "DOMINIK" at checkout to get 1 extra month free on top of the standard 7-day trial.
(I also receive a small commission if you continue with a paid plan. I highly appreciate it if you decide to support the channel. Thanks!)
AMAZING <3
Ahoj Dominiku a Ivo, už máte stromeček! Yes, it's the crazy guy over here. I'm feeling very honoured you were inspired by my reaction to cycle the Alpe d'Huez1 You did very well in mz opinion, even if reality wasn't 100% yet. I just finished my home training setup; put my old Trek Émonda on my Tacx Smart 2 I bought during covid. The chain was worn down so replaced it with a new waxed one like I do use on my other bikes. My pro tip; give a waxed drivetrain a try. It is soo much cleaner then oiled and I experience a much longer lifetime of chain and cassette and less friction (it doesn't attrack dirt). Soon I will try Rouvy for the first time with your promo code.
I'm afraid on my day of the challenge the reality percentage will be at least 100%, my aim will be 6 times, but with 4 times I will also be verz happy. During Black Friday I found some good deals to upgrade my Canyon with much lighter carbon Elitewheels 50d2 and Favero powermeters, so it is not depending on my bike anymore, only me… Měj se hezky na kole
Allright mate! Finally some real climbing! Good job! I can see you are making serious progress!
Thanks. You are pushing indoor cycling and showing how fine it can be. It is not about set up with very high price (like do many other cyclist’s channels. I really like videos from zero like you do, for example about (indoor) cycling and everything about. Fuel gas 💪🚴♂️🚴♀️. And I think, that it is also very nice to show indoor cycling, that it is not only men’s sport, but also women’s sport. That it it is not only about high performances. Thanks. Good luck and looking forward to next videos 🇨🇿🙋♂️
The limitation in max elevation simulation on Van Rysel D100 shouldnt really matter, the app Rouvy/Zwift only uses watts and your weight for calculating the speed. E-sport riders in Zwift do sometimes turn this elevation simulation off fully (eventhough their smart trainer can simulate it) because in racing it just requires them to change gears, their cadence changes etc.. which is a little disadvantage. But it should not have any effect on the speed and difficulty, if you are pushing 200 W, it doesnt matter if you are in a big or small gear. So good job on finishing Alpe d'Huez 👌
great effort that
Regarding your "big mistake" – it doesnt matter. If your trainer can only simulate up to 6% gradient any part above this will not be detectable _by you_, nor affect your power number. Riding above 6% just mean Rouvy will adjust your route speed to the power you put out. So for your power output (pedals) your ride is 100% reality as far as physics go 😀
You're having so much fun together, I can't stop smiling 🙂 Alpe d' Huez is great on Rouvy!
You handled it really well, I also started riding this year like Evča and it’s also my first year on a trainer. Since you mentioned the gradient simulation, that’s why my husband and I eventually chose the Van Rysel D500 — and it’s honestly perfect 😉 but sometimes I envy my friend who has up to 6% when we ride together.:D
I love watching your videos and I’m always happy when Evča appears in them. I actually laughed a bit at the comparison of her hairstyle to Beckham’s, because I wear mine the same way 😀
Hello Dom, I enjoyed the video a lot. Your girlfriend is a good sport and it was nice seeing you both together riding. I am considering subscribing to Rouvy and will use your code. Can you post what your setting were in the Rouvy app for this ride? Was it an ERG ride, I believe I saw you shift. Does Rouvy allow you to ride at you own pace and power? Thank you for the video.
Nice job to you both! I've done this humbling climb twice back in my Zwift days and it challenged me mentally more than anything else. Of course in Rouvy it's realistic and much more enjoyable than riding in a Mario Bros game – not to disparage Zwift, however. I won't look forward to it but just might have to attempt Alpe d'Huez a third time. Great video, how were the burgers? 🙂
Im thinking of upgrading my wheel on trainer to a smart trainer. Sorry for the stupid question but can you order Rouvy through your phone and then put it on your smart TV or do you need a lap top. Thanks from Canada
I spat out my coffe when you said about beckham at Madrid 😅😅😅😅
bro you probably have chrome tabs opened since 2023
Nice video and nice setup guys!