An idea - Ventoux

[martint235]

Ok at this stage this is really just an idea. By this time next month, I should almost have finished LEL and I'm looking for a new challenge. I've always wanted to ride up a real mountain and Ventoux seems a suitable candidate.

I'm thinking of next June/July. Train to Avignon, short hop to Bedoin on day one. Ride up on day two, day 3 relax a bit, day 4 come home.

Piece of cake?

 

[StuAff]

I take it just the one ascent rather than joining les cingles?

 

[martint235]

Yep just the one, straight up, straight down, in pub.

 

[StuAff]

DC Rainmaker not long rode it, there's a blog post here http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/04/cycling-legendary-ventoux.html
Book extract in the current issue of C+ as well.

 

[Tim Hall]

Yep just the one, straight up, straight down, in pub.

It's the last bit of your plan that worries me.

 

[martint235]

It's the last bit of your plan that worries me.

I thought that was the best bit of the plan.

 

[ColinJ]

I thought that was the best bit of the plan.

If you really thought that then you would just spend 4 days down the pub!

I like the idea of tackling the Ventoux one day, but it is a long way to go for one climb! I'd want to spend at least a week cycling round there, preferably two weeks.

 

[martint235]

If you really thought that then you would just spend 4 days down the pub!

I like the idea of tackling the Ventoux one day, but it is a long way to go for one climb! I'd want to spend at least a week cycling round there, preferably two weeks.

Time constraints though unfortunately. I chose Ventoux as it's such an iconic climb that's relatively easy to get to without flying (I want the train journey across France to be part of the fun!)

A quick check has shown that if prices stay roughly the same, a return to Avignon (in 1st naturally) is around £300. Just need to find a cheapish place to rest my head and this is looking slightly more realistic.

 

[dellzeqq]

It's a thoroughly stupid idea - indeed, if ideas are the fruit of mental struggle, then it's not so much an idea, but, rather, the chance product of neurons colliding. If you really want to waste a weekend, why not get yourself a turbo trainer and pin a picture of Ventoux on the back of the door? And a two bar fire for that authentic overheating experience.

Don't thank me for this good advice - just send me half the money you save.

 

[martint235]

It's a thoroughly stupid idea. If you really want to waste a weekend, why not get yourself a turbo trainer and pin a picture of Ventoux on the back of the door? And a two bar fire for that authentic overheating experience.

Don't thank me for this good advice - just send me half the money you save.

But...but...but.... I'll have the fun of travelling across France by train and I'll also get to climb a real mountain.

 

[dellzeqq]

But...but...but.... I'll have the fun of travelling across France by train and I'll also get to climb a real mountain.

and the chance to star in your own HE Bateman cartoon?

 

[martint235]

and the chance to star in your own HE Bateman cartoon?

Ok way over my head....

 

[Aperitif]

Nearest A&E is in Avignon...

 

[martint235]

Nearest A&E is in Avignon...

You could come along. I tend to need someone to collect me from said A&E early in the morning.

 

[rich p]

You're averse to flying I guess, by the sound of it, but when I did Ventoux I got a 6.30am flight. I was on the bike by 2pm near Ventoux. I then did MV the next day and had 2 more days riding before the flight home. So for 5 days away I did 3.5 days cycling. It seems to me you're making a big effort for 1 ride and 2 days on a train.