Ventoux

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
N

Nickk

New Member
I'm looking for advice. Am going to cycle ventoux next month (July - so I know it will be hot) and am planning to go up from Sault because it's easier. I'll be using a Pinarello with compact gearing and am a fairly fit and experienced cyclist. How long will it take? Will the heat mean that I need to take breaks? What about hydration on the way up if I run out? Any advice welcome.
Thanks
 
gavintc

gavintc

Guru
Location
Southsea
I have not done Sault, but have done both the other two routes up. It is hard, but not impossible. We went out with about 7 riders from the club - all got up without stopping in times varying between 1 hr 40 min to just over 2 hours. None of these riders race - just average club riders. Two water bottles topped up at the bottom sufficed and then just grind away - pretty relentless with the odd easing of the slope. If as you say, you are reasonably fit, try out the Bedoin route - the classic way up. There are lots of slow riders and they give you a target to overtake, counting the scalps helps the boredom.

Remember to take a gilet or lightweight rain jacket for the fast and cool return to the valley bottom. It is actually quite cool at the top, even when the bottom is sweltering in over the over 30's C.

Tips - I took some energy gels with me and took one ever 20 mins or so. Reduce weight on your bike, do not take lots of bits and pieces in a big saddle bag; minimise your load. Warm up before you hit the slope. If you are coming from Bedoin, there is a long gradual incline which is a nice warm up, if coming from Malacene, you are straight into the climb. I know it is a personal choice, but I hung my helmet from the bars and wore a cap for the climb as I got pretty hot in a helmet.

Good luck and enjoy the day - a cracking view from the top.
 
TheDoctor

TheDoctor

Noble and true, with a heart of steel
Moderator
Location
The TerrorVortex
I did this route last May.

The first 20k up to Chalet Reynard are not too bad at all - did them mostly in the middle ring, aboy 2 hours with frequent drink stops. The last 6k was firmly a bottom gear job - it was horribly steep.

Water is available at the Chalet, and so is food and other drinks. I don't remember any other sources after Sault.

Have a good time!
 
dellzeqq

dellzeqq

pre-talced and mighty
Location
SW2
remember, it's all in the mind -

"What thou hast repeatedly experienced to-day in the ascent of this mountain, happens to thee, as to many, in the journey toward the blessed life. But this is not so readily perceived by men, since the motions of the body are obvious and external while those of the soul are invisible and hidden. Yes, the life which we call blessed is to be sought for on a high eminence, and strait is the way that leads to it. Many, also, are the hills that lie between, and we must ascend, by a glorious stairway, from strength to strength. At the top is at once the end of our struggles and the goal for which we are bound. All wish to reach this goal, but, as Ovid says, 'To wish is little; we must long with the utmost eagerness to gain our end.' http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/petrarch-ventoux.html

and this might further whet your appetite...
0VT_1107.jpg

from the excellent website of CCer Mr. Whiskywheels. There's a video of his descent, somewhere...
http://www.whiskywheels.co.uk/ventoux_07.htm
 
OP
OP
N

Nickk

New Member
Much appreciated. Might well be underestimating myself. Will look into the classic route. Could be a once in a life time chance so may as well do it from Bedoin.
 
B

Brahan

Über Member
Location
West Sussex
I cycled from Sault one day then Bedoin the next. The latter is the most enjoyable of the runs because it's more difficult. If you only have time for one climb make sure you do Bedoin - If you're an experienced and reasonably fit cyclist then you'll be fine.
 
A

ASC1951

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Nickk said:
I'm looking for advice. Am going to cycle ventoux next month ....Any advice welcome.
Click to expand...
I found all three ascent routes fairly grim, although the climb from Bedoin was on the Etape when I was going rather faster than I really wanted to. If you want to set a PB on the way down, the Malaucene descent has a 80-90kph run-out just after you get into the woods! Whichever route you take, it's mainly a matter of getting your head down and turning the pedals rather than anything desperate. Fluid will be an issue on a hot day if you are at all unfit; fortunately you aren't.

Two recommendation:-
- don't miss a descent of the Gorges de la Nesque, which is a quite stunning bit of road. You can do a circuit via Sault - here's a useful map.
http://www.steephill.tv/2007/mont-ventoux/ventoux-nesque-map.jpg
- don't miss the lavender ice cream at the cafe in the main square in Sault. A surreal taste. They probably do lavender coffee/biscuits/chocolate as well!
 
G

Greenbank

Über Member
Warning: Climbing Ventoux once leads to bonkers thoughts.

I wasn't very fit at the time and managed the climb from Malaucene in about 2 and a half hours. Lowest gear was a 39x26 so a compact will be fine.

We descended to Bedoin although there were no attempts at speed records as we were flagged to slow down by a Gendarme standing at the side of the road just after entering the wooded section after Chalet Reynard, reasonably annoyed at this until seconds later we passed a cyclist lying dead in the road under a plastic sheet. The "thwit thwit" noise of my tyres running through the stream of blood across the road will stick with me for a long long time.

I've got http://www.clubcinglesventoux.org/ penciled in for next year (too busy with London-Edinburgh-London this year). All 3 ascents in one day. Hello pain.
 
Fab Foodie

Fab Foodie

hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
Location
Kirton, Devon.
Go when it's cool.
I attempted the route from Bedoin, the temp on the car dashboard read 101 F at midday when I set off, blazing sun overhead, high humidity, heat from the tarmac and no air movement in the trees, I nearly made Chalet Reynard before succumbing to the heat. It was very dissapointing, I just had the 1 chance and failed. The Mrs bundled my shaking body into the car and drove me to the top. A beer and some water later I had the most exhillerting 22 mins of my life as I went from top to the start-line at an average of approx 40mph and highs of 49mph.


I'm going back on a cooler day!
 
rich p

rich p

ridiculous old lush
Location
Brighton
Definitely go from Bedoin if you can. I did it last year and I'd say 2 bottles and a chewy bar are enough. Wear a cap if it's hot (or a helmet if you want!).
2 hours is a good time to aim at. The descent to Malaucene is the best IMO as it has wide sweeping bends with good visibility. It also has a bar 6K down which is a good place to refuel and is a lot warmer than the summit.
 
OP
OP
N

Nickk

New Member
Thanks for all responses and advice. The Gorge de la Nesque sounds brilliant. Could it be incorporated into a route that combines ventoux?Also, does anyone reccommend a good map of the area. Something a bit like our OS maps?
Nickk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom