A plan is coming together. Ventoux with the husband and son and some friends in May. None of us are speedy lycra-types.
Has anyone done it? I know about the three routes, they're easy to research but any thoughts from people who have ridden them? Where should we stay? If we rent fancy road bikes (imagine schoolchildren riding racehorses), where should we rent them from?
My son (14) wants to do the 3 routes in 24 hours. I def could only do two max (and I'm not sure I could do two). Same for my husband. Any thoughts on how we could make this happen? He's so strong, he'd definitely give it a good bash.
I hear what son is saying, but having done one ascent, the rest is just more pain without any pleasure / diminishing returns of pleasure.
France Bike Rentals is in Bedoin at the "start" of the climb is most convenient place to day hire a bike. The route from Bedoin is the classic route the TdF uses most of the time. In classic message board style I shall advise you to do what I did

but the guys in said rental shop said it was the best thing to do when I picked up my bike and they asked what my plan was. (i was holidaying with the family a couple of hours drive away, so left them to it one morning when the weather forecast was good (low wind) and snuck off for the day).
So climb up from Bedoin,
It starts easy 3% gradient, for 5km to the junction to the climb proper, then its 8-9% steep for 10km up thru the forest, but mercifully shaded in the trees to Chalet Reynard (junction with road up from Sault) where you can stop for a drink etc, then eases off for 4km as you hit the moonscape and then last 3 km tip up again but the steepest bit @10% is within sight of the end.
Descend back down to Sault and grab some lunch, and return to Bedoin via Gorge de la Nesque
Why do this?
1. the descent back to Bedoin is very crowded often with cars and bikes coming up, not always on their correct side much more relaxing from Chalet Reynard to descend the quiet road to Sault (above Chalet Reynard the sight lines are excellent for confident descending, below that its poor, blind corners in the forest. CR to Sault is also good sight lines, and you lose your altitude a bit slower, so you get full reward for your climb in the afternoon.
2. The Sault descent is pretty - lavender fields etc
3. gorge de la Nesque is stunningly beautiful, I mean jaw droppingly so, yor on a road perched high up on the gorge side with amazing views
4. after a small climb out of Sault its a slow 1% descent for nigh on 30km, great for tired legs
5. it makes it more of a day out than just cycing up hills and back.
The other option is a loop back via Malaucene, but its not as beautiful as the Gorge.
If you are desperate to do the other climbs, do them a different day.
When to ride? - when its not windy! No shelter above Chalet reynard - the road will close in high winds as it blows the bolders around. defo midweek not at the weekend.
Unlike the high alpine passes, it wont be snowed up in the spring its only 1900m, but it will be a lot cooler at the top than bottom, so take appropriate layers.
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web cam on malaucene side at 1400m