Mont Ventoux

We were up early today for our drive to Bedoin in Provence at the foot of the Mont Ventoux. Took a lot longer than we thought with plenty of EXPENSIVE toll gates. We were hoping to be on the bikes early today especially since there was talk of riding up the Ventoux via the three recognized routes. We got underway just before 10, and I quickly realised that today was not going to be my day. I just didn’t feel like it. I’d decided before I’d done 2 k’s that I’d only be going up once. I tapped out a nice tempo and managed to get up in 1hr 45. Not tooo bad. My legs felt good, I just wasn’t in the mood to put myself through the ringer.

As far as the route is concerned it really is a tough climb. Some 26km. Not as steep as some of the stuff we’d done earlier in the week but long enough to make you suffer. I won’t forget seeing the fabled moonscape slopes for the first time. It really does knock what little breath you have left, out. The top is merely a communication station and a curio shop. Nothing else really going on. After spending a bit of time on top (1900m) and having watched a flight of French airforce fighters fly over the top I rode down to Valloire for a spot of lunch. After that I cycled round the bottom back to Bedoin to wait for Mark. Mark was really determined to ascend 3 times. I think he would have stayed behind in France if he hadn’t done it that day. But well done to him he stuck at it and eventually finished some 9 hrs later.