Mount Ventoux heroes

[gemini]

Were in the Vaucluse at the moment and I'm astounded at the amount of cyclists around. Even then local restaurants have high carb meals!
The amount of Lycra is frightening!
Have you conquered Ventoux?

[anonymous-user]

whilst I have ridden up (and down) it, I wouldn't go as far as to say I conquered it!

[E65Ross]

I'd love to do this one day. I've got Mont Ventoux on my virtual training software on my wahoo kickr (which I haven't tried yet!) which may be quite realistic but it won't be the same as getting out there and doing it!

Tempted to go next year

[tobinen]

Would love to at some point

[louiebaby]

One day...

[Gren]

Driven up it a few times (last time spotted some dodgy knock off of a Merc being tested there) and always impressed by the numbers riding up it on all sorts of bikes.

On my bucket list to ride up it one day...

[gemini]

Were setting up a holiday destination in the next few years where cyclists can stay and do the great routes around the region. The big challenge of Ventoux itself. We aim to service the cyclist's needs including large dinners Avec vin!

That'll be 4 years hence. Just surveiling the land at present!

[Kermit power]

I've never quite understood the attraction of Mont Ventoux.

OK, I don't understand the attraction of riding up a mountain if you're not then going to get to enjoy some epic singletrack on the way back down , but setting that aside, whenever I've watched the Tour go up there, I've always been struck by just how desolate and fking ugly it looks. Surely there must be other equally iconic climbs which are a bit more attractive as well? Or are the views looking off the mountain gorgeous, and it's just looking onto it from a helicopter which is to be avoided?

[Gren]

The views are great - on a good day the coast to the south and the alps to the east.

I think it's more about the history than anything though and that fact that it's one of the true mountaintop finishes rather than 'just' a pass.

[anonymous-user]

Kermit power said:

I've never quite understood the attraction of Mont Ventoux.

OK, I don't understand the attraction of riding up a mountain if you're not then going to get to enjoy some epic singletrack on the way back down , but setting that aside, whenever I've watched the Tour go up there, I've always been struck by just how desolate and fking ugly it looks. Surely there must be other equally iconic climbs which are a bit more attractive as well? Or are the views looking off the mountain gorgeous, and it's just looking onto it from a helicopter which is to be avoided?

That is one of the features that makes the climb what it is

the views are good as you get up higher, but that moment when you come out of the trees to the 'moon rock' is so stark!

[ALawson]

For my 40th next year a trip to the Alps is on the cards, with a potential trip to Ventoux fir a crack at the three summits in a day.

[JustinF]

Have a Eurostar to Avignon, evening potter, day of Ventoux, morning bimble and return plan simmering away.

[SixPotBelly]

JustinF said:

Have a Eurostar to Avignon, evening potter, day of Ventoux, morning bimble and return plan simmering away.

[castex]

Kermit power said:

I've never quite understood the attraction of Mont Ventoux.

OK, I don't understand the attraction of riding up a mountain if you're not then going to get to enjoy some epic singletrack on the way back down , but setting that aside, whenever I've watched the Tour go up there, I've always been struck by just how desolate and fking ugly it looks. Surely there must be other equally iconic climbs which are a bit more attractive as well? Or are the views looking off the mountain gorgeous, and it's just looking onto it from a helicopter which is to be avoided?

I was looking at it from the A7 at 200kph a couple of weeks ago. It looked Amazing.

[gemini]

We've just arrived by Eurostar. Have to say it was so easy!
Great way to travel.
Hire care from Avignon.
Stay at Aubignan.
We drove up to Malaucene today, for lunch.
Full of biking heroes!

[JustinF]

SixPotBelly said:

JustinF said:

Have a Eurostar to Avignon, evening potter, day of Ventoux, morning bimble and return plan simmering away.

lets plan on Rev24 weekend

[ALawson]

gemini said:

We've just arrived by Eurostar. Have to say it was so easy!
Great way to travel.
Hire care from Avignon.
Stay at Aubignan.
We drove up to Malaucene today, for lunch.
Full of biking heroes!

I assume you are hiring bikes or did you book them on the train?

[gemini]

There are plenty of hire shops. Great service too.

[Gargamel]

Few of us from the village had a jaunt to Ventoux four years ago, flew down, had a van and I hired a bike, Ventoux that evening, next day to St Tropez which was a nice century ride. Followed by a charming dinner and a few clarets.

Good times. Tough ride up, 80% of woodland it is only the last bit that is a moonscape. You need to get lucky with the weather too.

[z4RRSchris]

I did it this summer, alpe D Huez and Ventoux the same week.

it's a great climb, gets cold on the way down.