Mont Ventoux Squared

The final climb on this year's itinerary was to be the mighty Mont Ventoux. There are three ways up the mountain, but the classic one, is from Bedoin, where we were staying. The route starts at the mini roundabout where the D19 and the D974 meet in Bedoin. From there, it follows the D974 all the way to the summit. The first few kilometres is easy, with the gradient rarely going above 5%. However, once the village of Les Bruns is reached, the scene is set for the next 10 kilometres or so. This section, through the Bedoin forest averages 9-10% and is commonly steeper. It is a long, unrelenting climb reminiscent of the hardest parts of the Col d'Agnel. However, as this section is much lower down, it doesn't have the added challenge of less oxygen. It's a hard climb, but never completely taxing. Though the gradients change a bit, the character of this section is constant. The surface is good and there is plenty of shade from both sun and wind. There is no chance to see the summit from within the forest, and little indication, other than the roadside markers, about progress towards the summit.

It's not until you emerge from the forest at Chalet Reynard, with only 6 kilometres still to go, that you finally get to see the summit. Chalet Reynard is a cafe and bar and a popular stopping off point for riders. Many also start the climb to the top from here. Above Chalet Reynard, the gradients drop back until near the top, but the wind becomes a much greater factor. I was lucky that the wind was from the north, which meant I was sheltered from it on many of the ramps. When I did have to ride into it, the effort required increased dramatically, and the temperature dropped too.

The first clear views of the observatory at the summit don't appear until after Chalet Reynard.

With just 1 kilometre to go, you reach the memorial to British rider Tom Simpson, who died while attempting to climb Ventoux in the 1967 Tour de France. The memorial marks the spot where he collapsed. He died on the way to hospital in a helicopter.Tradition has it that riders bring something up the mountain and leave it at the memorial. I left one of the sweets I've been using as fuel since my energy bars ran out.

Memorial to Tom Simpson who died climbing Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France.

The final kilometre or so is at 10%, but doesn't seem as hard as the top of the Galibier, Iseran or Cime de la Bonette. Maybe it's because Ventoux is hundreds of metres lower than the really high cols.

For the final time this year, bike and rider at the top of a climb. In the background is the Rhone valley. They say you can see the Mediterranean from here, if you screw your eyes up!

Just as with the Izoard last year, there is a large sweet shop on the top of Ventoux. Actually there are two. Angela bought supplies to help us on the drive back on Monday.

Looking towards the east from the summit. The road is the last couple of kilometres from Chalet Reynard.

As you might expect, with Ventoux dominating the Provence landscape, the views are spectacular.

The observatory can be hard to photograph at the top. Cloud continually comes and goes.

The route up Mont Ventoux is available on Garmin Connect.

To make the trip a circular one, I descended the north side of the mountain, ending up in Malaucene. There are endless debates about which is the harder way up, from Bedoin or from Malaucene. However, everyone seems to agree that the descent to Malaucene is the better. It's certainly fast, with wide sweeping bends and good visibility into the hairpins. 

From Malaucene to Bedoin the road rises and falls, but with easy gradients and a good surface. It was a nice way to end an epic day.

There is yet another Col de la Madeleine on the road between Malaucene and Bedoin. This one is no challenge at all!

The route down from Mont Ventoux to Bedoin via Malaucene is available on Garmin Connect.

Arriving back in Bedoin, we went in search of some dessert. We found this concoction of cream and ice cream in a local restaurant and had to have it. It's name? Mont Ventoux, of course.