Mont Ventoux – Bedoin side

After yesterday’s big ride, I was a bit nervous to try Ventoux again. But the weather was perfect and the legs felt OK.

From Bedoin is the classic route, at roughly 21 kms and over 1,600 metres climb, it is a big climb. The first five kms are quite easy, and then the fun begins.

With the great weather, the road was full of cyclists. From kilometre 5 through to 15 the road is very steep and winds through a nice Provence style woods.

The legs were better than I feared and I made my way through a maze of riders that were at least half Belgium – two large tour groups.

Fairly near the beginning of the route, Doreen took this great photo of the top.

At Chalet Reynard with just over 6 kms to go, the road exits the woods and the rest of the way way is barren. Ventoux means windy – and the highest wind sppeds in France have been recorded here – but luckily today is calm. Great Photo by Doreen

Making progress. Getting tired.

Both days the top was an absolutely mob of cyclists of all shapes and sizes – all pretty tired but pleased.