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A Mont Ventoux thread

by alansmurphy
Fri, Feb 17, 2017 13:35
10

Well... I have done it. Convinced the wife that the best way I can spend my 40th Birthday is riding up Mont Ventoux - and it just so happens to be on the same day that Tom Simpson's new comemorative piece will be unveiled.

 

So...

 

All aspects of advice appreciated:

 

Just how much of a ballbag is Eurostar - bikes due to be packed in as hand luggage (less than 120x85cm) - will this work?

 

What else is worth a look in Bedoin or surrounding areas (short bike ride)?

 

Anyone got any decent GPX rides?

 

Any tales of woe or inspiration?

 

Will I live to see 40+1 day?

 

Should I run?

 

 

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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10 comments

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Paul@SerreDesOrmes | 7 years ago
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Hi Alan,

It's a fantastic hill to conquer... go for it! The atmosphere towards the top is amazing with all sorts of folk on all sorts of wheels! We are based not far from Mont Ventoux and regularly ride it, don't be scared by it just enjoy it:) If you like a mountain to yourself then an early start in the dark is well worthwhile (time it with a full moon for a special experience). The sunrise at the top can be spectacular.

Like @Average_Joe I can definetly recommend Gorges de La Nesque, here are some more details of the route that we put together. If you think it is too much to take on in one day then you could do the Gorges as and out and back the following daty.

http://www.pedalnorth.com/content/mont-ventoux-and-gorge-de-la-nesque

 

Please get in touch if you need any more information.

Keep turning those pedalswink

Paul

 

 

  

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Griff500 | 7 years ago
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Wine tasting in Gigondasenlightened Nice easy cycling through vineyards to get there. Not that I'm suggesting you drink and ride of coursekiss

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freespirit1 replied to Griff500 | 7 years ago
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Griff500 wrote:

Wine tasting in Gigondasenlightened Nice easy cycling through vineyards to get there. Not that I'm suggesting you drink and ride of coursekiss

 

Is that because you may spill some?

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redscouse | 7 years ago
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I cycled up from Bedoin late july and came back down via sault had some lunch and then rode mostly downhill through the gorge de nesque back to bedoin ....highly recommended the best ride of my life...scenery is breathtaking. take plenty of drink through the gorge as it is hot and no cafes en route.

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alansmurphy | 7 years ago
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At gmail rather...

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alansmurphy | 7 years ago
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Thanks lavie, would be interested - add an at email dot com to my username and I can pick up with you!

 

Cheers Joe, I was apprehensive about Paris to Avignon bit and am looking at flight options too, have a French speaking friend who was going to dig more. And indeed I have looked at Ventoux bikes and think €55 to take a Pinarello up is a bargain but again some want their own machines???

 

And thanks for the links - looked at a few spa towns coming down a different route rather than back into Bedoin.

 

The car hire or driving option is a bit tricky as I am the one on the trip that doesn't drive - easy fro me to have a vino and ask others to play taxi 1

 

Cheers Arfa, I'm the skinny climber of the group but our train is spending a lot of time on the turbo working in his red zone. Confident(ish) that I could just about struggle up today but we have the cat and fiddle and mow cop nearby (think that's number 70 on the 100 climbs) so there will be lots of hill reps going on and the advice to work in heart zones is a great tip. We are aiming for a start of around 8am to try and see off any adverse weather - just hoping the wind is kind!

 

 

 

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arfa | 7 years ago
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It's a very rewarding climb with fabulous views all round.
My tips for what it's worth.
Ride early to avoid the heat of Bedoin forest, it's like a furnace in the summer sun.
Wear a full zip jersey (helps with the heat).
No idea of your condition but the lower your body fat the better (less timber to get up there, it really does make a difference).
Wear a heart rate monitor and stay out of your red zone, otherwise you'll find it relentlessly punishing.
Gilet and arm warmers are a good idea for descent, rule of thumb, you lose 1c in temperature for every 100 metres of altitude. It can be hot at the Base and unpleasantly cold at the summit.
Pay attention to the weather forecast. On my first visit I was up there when the mistral was blowing and standing up was impossible.
That said, it is eminently doable, so good luck and enjoy it.
I drove for what its worth as it is a pretty easy journey.
For gpx rides, Google cannibale which is a crazy Dutch sportive in the area

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average_joe | 7 years ago
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We took the traditional TDF route from Bedoin and then descended to Malaucene.  I found the toughest bits were the bends just after Saint Esteve and the final bend before the summit.

https://www.strava.com/activities/383168154

 

If you have time, the Gorge de la Nesque is one of the most beautiful rides I've ever done (just ignore the bit before Villes-Sur-Auzon, we got lost a few times!)

https://www.strava.com/activities/384686490

 

http://www.provence-cycling.co.uk/tourist-itineraries/mont-ventoux/circu...

 

I don't think you can take bike boxes on the Avignon Eurostar service.  You can take them on the Paris service and then take the RER from Gare du Nord to Gare du Lyon and then get the TGV to Avignon.  To be honest getting bike boxes across Paris is a bit of a ball ache, although by booking early we got 1st class TGV returns for just £70 each.  The other plus is that there are car hire offices at Avignon TGV station.

http://www.eurostar.com/uk-en/travel-info/travel-planning/luggage/bikes

https://youtu.be/RSAHTKVBVwg

Last time we went we flew from Birmingham to Avignon with Flybe.  Unfortunately you can't pre-book bikes on Flybe, you have to do it at check in and if they can't fit them on your flight they'll put them on the next one.  Because of that we hired bikes from Ventoux Bikes in Malaucene.  If you want a hire car you either need to take a taxi to the TGV station or I think you can arrange for it to be delivered to the airport.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

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CXR94Di2 | 7 years ago
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I'd personally drive, but time and cost are issues. If you like ancient architecture. Avignon is not too far, it has a festival for most of July(fantastic) National parks around ventoux are within reach.

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LaVieEnVelo | 7 years ago
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Hi, I don't want to ruffle the forum feathers with a commercial post but I can answer all those questions because I take trips there, but suffice to say it is everything it is cracked up to be, especially the riding in the surrounding area which is sublime.

I did the big mountain last year very early one morning (highly recommended) before the group had got up on their 'recovery' day. I am older than you, by more than a bit, and I climb like a stone, and I loved it (in retrospect).  If you'd like more info, especially about getting there and back, then do let me know.

Apologies if forum members find that this has broken the rules (again)! 

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