Some pointers please - keen mid-life bloke looking to get up Mt. Ventoux.

[Spudmaster]

That should be fine . I did it with 50/34 on the front and a 11/32 cassette. 😀

💪

 

[Spudmaster]

The air gets thinner from sea level. You won't feel any appreciable effect of altitude at 1500m, and Ventoux isn't even 2000m.

On gearing, the OP aims to be 85kg. That's definitely not "Clydesdale territory", though we don't know their height. This, writing as an 85kg person who's climbed many 2000m+ summits.

178cm - but short in leg & long in body.

 

[Spudmaster]

I don't think it's been explicitly stated, so I'll add it here. Average speed on this type of climb is irrelevant.
The gearing will be fine.




Given these figures, I'd go so far as to say the OP could consider the Cingles challenge (all 3 ascent routes in a day) with a couple of months of regular hill climbing.

Blimey! Not even on my radar & happy to keep it that way! 🙃

 

[Spudmaster]

@T4tomo the question of whether to hire a bike is a good one. It cuts down logistics headaches considerably. And being at a hotspot like Ventoux means there should be good choice. I hired one for my little adventure this year. Definitely worth considering as it made the rest of the trip stress free.

That's a good point, and one that we are debating at the moment. Of the 4 of us, 2 are on for the fun of a road trip; (of which I am one); the other 2 planning fly & hire. Ultimately the latter will probably be more cost-effective and time efficient. I would only hire if I knew they had something in the right size and with the right gearing, (which based on most feedback above suggests that I have with my lowest 34:34).

 

[Dogtrousers]

What was difficult about it?

Getting from the bottom to the top.

 

[Spudmaster]

Good morning,

Typical MAMIL here - aged 49 & 90kg. In my 'youth' was relatively fit - rugby, athletics and skiing in the main. Did a LOT of cycling as a kid, mainly to get around as I grew up in the middle of nowhere. Sadly that stopped when I got a driving license aged 17, and went away to Uni.

12 years ago, when we started a family, I bought a hardtail and started riding a bit with friends and my 'new' family - but nothing major. Then, about 6 years ago, a few of my pals started road-biking. I took the plunge, bought a Cube Attain, (great starter bike!), signed up to L2P and loved it. Fast forward to now, I have done L2P 3 times, treated myself to a new bike this year, (Merida Scultura Endurance 8000), and have the Cube permanently on my Zwift Smart trainer. This year, I have done c. 2000 miles so far, with c. 700 of those on Zwift.
I am still absolutely loving my cycling, but the challenge is often balancing time commitment with work and family. Most of my riding is done with a small group of friends or solo - typically 30-70 miles on mainly B & Back roads, averaging 17-ish MPH; and normally involving at least 1 pub stop, (except when solo!). I have always had 'strong' legs, and seem to be quite good at 'putting down the power' for short periods - in such a way that I actually love short punchy hills - and typically appear relatively near the top of leaderboards on Strava for such segments- especially for weight & age. However, at 90+kg - I hate long steep hills. Which brings me to my point....

I have signed up to do Mt. Ventoux in late April with a couple of my cycling pals, and a couple of their slightly more serious cycling friends. It seems like my idea of hell - but also the ultimate challenge to say I have done it. My approach is very much not to be first up there - just to make sure I get there, ideally in a manner that I can be proud of. I am really not a cold/wet weather rider by choice, so I am looking for tips on best 'programme' or approach to time on Zwift over the next 3-4 months over winter to get me in best shape for my spring adventure. I have done the 12 week 'build me up' programme twice before. First time it had a real positive impact, second time less-so; and I struggled to fit in what is a fairly regimented schedule around 'life'.
With my FTP currently at c. 230, (c. 2.6W/kg), I would ideally like to increase this to 250+; and get weight down to 85 or lower to get me knocking on 3w/kg for the big event. I am a data geek - and all being well, Santa will be bringing me a power meter for Christmas so that I can continue to monitor and use power when back out on the road.
Finally - I am happy to push myself - but not to the point of zero enjoyment!

Lots of information there - but hoping some / much of it might be relatable to others on here. As such - any tips and pointers much appreciated!
TiA
Spud

As an update - I signed up the 6 week FTP builder programme on zwift at the weekend. It tends to focus on zones 2 & in the main with short punches in 3,4 & 5. To get me going, I had to do an FTP ramp test to set my base. it came in at 240, which I was quite pleased with, especially since I hadn't ridden in 4 weeks. Most years, i tend to stop altogether in the autumn, then get on the Turbo February onwards. Hopefully this programme will allow me to maintain / build base fitness this year, so that i can hit training 'properly' in January...

 

[T4tomo]

That's a good point, and one that we are debating at the moment. Of the 4 of us, 2 are on for the fun of a road trip; (of which I am one); the other 2 planning fly & hire. Ultimately the latter will probably be more cost-effective and time efficient. I would only hire if I knew they had something in the right size and with the right gearing, (which based on most feedback above suggests that I have with my lowest 34:34).

https://www.francebikerentals.com/about-us/our-store/

this is who I used yonks ago and still going strong - you can choose specific model and gearing is stated on the website so you know what you're getting

you can usually specify which pedals you want on it. my top tip is take your own saddle with you if you have a sensitive arse or are doing long days...

 

[Dogtrousers]

A thread about bike hire. May have some useful info https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/holiday-bike-hire.297843/

 

[rualexander]

Getting from the bottom to the top.

😂
Yeah but why was it difficult for you?

 

[Exlaser2]

Depends on your weight and level of fitness. He currently weighs 90kg, which is Clydesdale territory. He will find sustained 10% gradients draining without suitable gearing

I've ridden with a super lightweight chap up Ventoux, who climbed the mountain on a 53t front chain ring. He set off one hour after me and came past just as we got near the tower

Horses for courses

I total agree . I only said anything because even though I weighed about 10kg less than the OP when I did it . The OP overall fitness and training program is far superior to mine and he has better gearing too. 😀

Also if your doing the climb from Bedoin and and you feel you need a lot lower gearing than 34 x 34, your probably better just cycling to Saint-Esteve , leaving your bike there and walking the last 9km. As it will be faster 😂😂😀

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I hate long steep hills

Keep tackling them and facing your nemesis and learn to love them. You have a fairly low power to weight ratio for a male, but you’ll be aware of that. An FTP improver program will be good start and also stretch out your time to exhaustion. A lot of people quote an FTP but ask them to hold it for at least 30 minutes and they will struggle.

Old fashioned but hill repeats work wonders if you like getting outside.

 

[berty bassett]

if the aim is solely to get to the summit , there is one side that is slightly easier than the other 2 so maybe if in doubt something to think about , keep an eye on the forecast while you are out there and choose best day , if in summer leave early to avoid being cooked , if it says its gonna be windy - believe them , nice if tail wind but side or headwind are frightening .
if hiring a bike, email them in advance and they will take all the magical figures from your own set up ie saddle height and reach also type of pedal , as for gearing , their bikes will have been up and down that mountain many times with all sorts of riders so with the right training the bike shouldn't be the issue
if you have a smart trainer there are quite a few apps that have either a video of ventoux or a similar ride just so you have an rough idea of how it feels to climb for so long . theres nothing in uk to compare and the more hours in saddle you do in training the easier it will be , on the day if you are doing 1 climb then its about 5000ft so if you can go out for rides that do 5000ft then you know you can do it - guessing your not racing so dont forget you can stop and have a slice of pizza and a coke at the chalet ( if you go up one of them 2 sides!) enjoy it

 

[Ridgeway]

In April you’ll likely freeze your nuts off at the top. Never been up there that early TBH, May is as early as I’ve been and the descent was “refreshing”…..

Watch the weather as of course it can be windy, in fact there’s almost always some wind and again at that time of year it could be quite strong so worth checking the forecast.

The Sault ascent is the easiest by far, then Malauène, then finally Bédoin although those last two are very similar TBH.

Don’t be ashamed to stop, there‘s nothing wrong with that at all. Just take your time and enjoy it.

One tip from someone that spends quite a bit of time climbing is that the most likely thing that will get to you is the position on the bike for that extended period. Your position will not be your usual one when you’re climbing and this changes the comfort factor, back pains are often a limitation for long climbs when you’re not used to it. The only way to get used to that is to spend plenty of time climbing and on as long a climb as you can find, a turbo won’t provide that (unless we’re talking Kickr Climb).

Early in the season i set my rides out by number of meters elevation per kilometre travelled ie 10m for every 1km is a more less flat ride for me here, 15m per KM is average, 20m per KM is now a climbing ride and 30-40m i wont take on unless it’s mid season and i‘m in decent shape. Start measuring your rides vertically and not horizontally 😉

 

[Spudmaster]

Keep tackling them and facing your nemesis and learn to love them. You have a fairly low power to weight ratio for a male, but you’ll be aware of that. An FTP improver program will be good start and also stretch out your time to exhaustion. A lot of people quote an FTP but ask them to hold it for at least 30 minutes and they will struggle.

Old fashioned but hill repeats work wonders if you like getting outside.

Good advice - thank you. However - I will aim for a love-hate relationship.... Unrequited love might be a stretch too far!

 

[Spudmaster]

if the aim is solely to get to the summit , there is one side that is slightly easier than the other 2 so maybe if in doubt something to think about , keep an eye on the forecast while you are out there and choose best day , if in summer leave early to avoid being cooked , if it says its gonna be windy - believe them , nice if tail wind but side or headwind are frightening .
if hiring a bike, email them in advance and they will take all the magical figures from your own set up ie saddle height and reach also type of pedal , as for gearing , their bikes will have been up and down that mountain many times with all sorts of riders so with the right training the bike shouldn't be the issue
if you have a smart trainer there are quite a few apps that have either a video of ventoux or a similar ride just so you have an rough idea of how it feels to climb for so long . theres nothing in uk to compare and the more hours in saddle you do in training the easier it will be , on the day if you are doing 1 climb then its about 5000ft so if you can go out for rides that do 5000ft then you know you can do it - guessing your not racing so dont forget you can stop and have a slice of pizza and a coke at the chalet ( if you go up one of them 2 sides!) enjoy it

Thank you Berty
We are planning to stay there for 3 days late April. We aim to ride everyday, keep an eye on local forecasts & conditions; and pick the 'best' day to do the climb.