Mont Ventoux  

The Provence Volcano
21.5 kms;  1,570 metres ascent;  Start:  Bédoin
26.0 kms   1,220 metres ascent;  Start:  Sault
21.0 kms   1,610 metres ascent;  Start;  Malaucène
Last Climbed: May 2007


Map of Route

 

This is one of those climbs that excites every cyclist. With it's moonlike last few kilometers, this extinct Volcano that dominates Provence is like no other climb. Ventoux means windy, and it is not uncommon to have winds above 100 kmh at the summit or even snow in July. On the other hand it can sometimes be a furnace, especial on South side. Ventoux first appeared in the Tour de France in 1951. In the 1967 Tour de France, UK rider Tom Simpson collapsed and died while climbing Ventoux - see the picture of his monument below. Dying to cycle Ventoux but it's steepness is a bit intimidating? The route from Sault starts higher than the other two routes and is thus significantly easier. Doreen was supposed to ride until she was tired and then descend and get the car. I rode up (in utter exhaustion) with a nice french guy a little bit stronger than me. He kept yelling "accroche-toi" (hang on!) and "si tu peux parler, tu as de l'air" (if you can still talk then you still have breath). With his motivation, I had a fantastic but exhausting ride. At the top I shivered in the cold awaiting the car. Sometime later, all of a sudden there she is! Doreen decided to do the whole climb! To much applause and with a big grin, she made the final turn. It is hard to describe what a fantastic ride this is. The volcano atmosphere is so unique. The history of the Tour de France is in the air, and the (freshly paved) rode is littered with friendly bikers of all levels. We have already decided to do it again in 2005!