Booyaa
Veteran
- Location
- South Staffordshire
Cracking video that, looks absolutely beautiful!
Did the Cingles de Ventoux. Here's the video of our first descent....
- Thread starter betty swollocks
- Start date
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OP
OP
betty swollocks
large member
Thank you. I asked my friend who made the video, what the music was? His reply as follows:- 'it was a youtube tune - they have music that they have already set up, so you don't get into trouble with copyright etc - called deep sea orchestra by aarlborg fantasy soundtracks'........
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
Shadow
member
- Location
- edge of the south downs
Started at 4am, nailed it!
Took our time, stopped for photos, back stretches, food and coffee etc. Second ascent from Malaucene was the hardest by a country mile. I didn't enjoy having my meals at the bottom of the climb before each ascent - that is the main thing I would change if doing it again.
Best day on a bike - and such a beautiful area
OP
OP
betty swollocks
large member
Many congrats. It's great feeling, isn't it?
oldfatfool
Guru
Congrats, tried and failed last year (due to a massive thunderstorm on the final ascent) so know exactly how much effort is required.
OP
OP
betty swollocks
large member
Thank you.
We didn't do any specific training. Being all regular 'sporting' cyclists in the same club and probably each notching up 100 plus cycling miles each week every week, over a period of years, it wasn't necessary. We all had the required base fitness. So, in that context, it's difficult to answer your question I'm afraid.
I had done Ventoux many times previously and was the only one in my group that had. My compatriots were only used to steep but short British hills and were understandably nervous at the prospect of climbs lasting 2 hours or more. I had to convince them that the gradients were shallow-(ish!), and they came along on faith! And the gradients are not that severe - mostly 6,7,8 percent, but it does get to the legs after a while, there's no denying.
So, all I can say is, get a lot of cycling miles in with plenty of hills to establish a certain base fitness and strength, loose any excess weight and do the event on a decent-ish quality lightweight bike. On the day, start early and take your time. Ensure you drink and eat plenty. One of my compatriots who wore one of these fitness monitor thingies said that it told him that he burnt 8,500 calories.
Your reward for all the effort is three glorious descents!
Sorry that advice is a big vague, bur we did not approach the event from being complete beginners.
Good luck and best wishes.
We didn't do any specific training. Being all regular 'sporting' cyclists in the same club and probably each notching up 100 plus cycling miles each week every week, over a period of years, it wasn't necessary. We all had the required base fitness. So, in that context, it's difficult to answer your question I'm afraid.
I had done Ventoux many times previously and was the only one in my group that had. My compatriots were only used to steep but short British hills and were understandably nervous at the prospect of climbs lasting 2 hours or more. I had to convince them that the gradients were shallow-(ish!), and they came along on faith! And the gradients are not that severe - mostly 6,7,8 percent, but it does get to the legs after a while, there's no denying.
So, all I can say is, get a lot of cycling miles in with plenty of hills to establish a certain base fitness and strength, loose any excess weight and do the event on a decent-ish quality lightweight bike. On the day, start early and take your time. Ensure you drink and eat plenty. One of my compatriots who wore one of these fitness monitor thingies said that it told him that he burnt 8,500 calories.
Your reward for all the effort is three glorious descents!
Sorry that advice is a big vague, bur we did not approach the event from being complete beginners.
Good luck and best wishes.
Last edited:
OrthoMatt
New Member
I am going to attempt the cingles in June and was interested in your post. How would you do things differently? How long did and would you leave between climbs?
Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt,
You get a nice long descent after each climb which is rest enough - just take it in at your own pace. As I said before, the main issue for me was eating at the bottom of the climb before ascending again, however it is hard to get round that! Perhaps hunt out some proper food rather than stuffing your face with croissants! The main enemy is the weather, we started at 4am to combat the heat - definitely advisable, especially for the sunrise. Ensure you have a gilet / rain cape for the downhills, no matter how hot it is on the way up. Gearing wise, I'm fairly fit and enjoy my racing, but 39-30 was a bit grindy for me, would prefer a 34-28 or lower. Get some long tempo training rides in and you're sorted - definitely aim to lose weight if that is a current issue
