Made it to the top!

[bikeman66]

Well, I had wanted to complete it within 2 hours 30 minutes, so I'm well pleased to have reached the top of Mont Ventoux in 2.24.

The legs were very heavy as we cycled out of Bedoin, and within the first 5km I actually doubted I would make it. I sat in with my two mates and settled in to a steady spin. As the climb began in earnest I started feeling a lot better and got stronger as we ascended. Can't deny that the section through the forest that doesn't dip below 9% gradient was tough, but having reached Chalet Reynard we pushed on to the summit fairly comfortably. 10 minutes for a few photographs and then the luxury of a 30 minute descent back to Bedoin.

Best thing I've ever done on two wheels so far. Thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is confident of cycling 22km uphill.

 

[Jerry Atrik]

Fantastic !

 

[Nigeyy]

Congrats on a job well done sir!

 

[CopperCyclist]

How was the decent afterwards? Did you try it? Congrats on the climb!

 

[helston90]

Good work- it's on my bucket list for sure.

 

[13 rider]

Well done that's a proper HILL

 

[Globalti]

Ooh! I've got the full Kona top and shorts combo that your mate is wearing. - or is that you? Why aren't Kona road bikes more popular? I used to love my Explosif and my Hei Hei.

Well done anyway.

 

[bikeman66]

How was the decent afterwards? Did you try it? Congrats on the climb!

Hi CopperCyclist. We were hoping to descend the road down to Malaucene to make it a circular route back to Bedoin of around 50km, but unfortunately the barrier to that road was closed at the summit. Another option was to descend the road to Sault and then cycle back to Bedoin from there. In the end, I think all three of us were that knackered that we decided to descend the route we had just climbed. I saved the ride up the mountain on the Garmin, but like an idiot, I forgot to start a new ride when we left the summit. I only realized this when we stopped at Chalet Reynard about 6km down, for one of our more cautious friends to catch up. From that point we had a policy of every man for himself on the way down, and I have to admit that the descent through the forest was absolutely awesome. It definitely keeps you on your toes. Long straights where you can pedal your biggest gears, chicanes, sweeping bends you can rail around, hairpins which try to catch you out. Just the most fun you can have on two wheels! The top 6k (which went unrecorded) were definitely the fastest I've ever cycled, and with long straights, wide sweeping bends and excellent visibility, it's pretty easy to do. Definitely be having another go some time.

 

[busman]

Well done fellas

 

[Globalti]

I bet the tarmac was super-smooth as well?

*wanders off, green with envy*

 

[bikeman66]

Ooh! I've got the full Kona top and shorts combo that your mate is wearing. - or is that you? Why aren't Kona road bikes more popular? I used to love my Explosif and my Hei Hei.

Well done anyway.

Hahaha Globalti....... That is me. Being a bit thicker than a normal cycle jersey I thought it might be better for the colder conditions at the summit. Turned out to be a good choice too.

 

[bikeman66]

I bet the tarmac was super-smooth as well?

*wanders off, green with envy*

The road surface is excellent (i.e no potholes etc etc) but the tarmac on the Bedoin route is fairly coarse. Certainly provides plenty of grip for a speedy descent. The tarmac on the descent down to Sault, which we had recce'd the previous day as an option, is very smooth.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

Can I be nosey and ask what gear ratios you were using?

 

[bikeman66]

Can I be nosey and ask what gear ratios you were using?

Hi Big Dave,

Yeah, the lowest gear I had available was a 34-28, which saw a fair bit of use to be honest. There were a number of times when it was more comfortable to stand on a 34-25, especially after Chalet Reynard.

I fitted an 11-28 cassette especially for the trip (originally had an 11-25). Although it was totally feasible to push the 34-25, even up some of the 12% sections, over the length of the climb I think it would have caused too much fatigue to be able to complete the route.

Coming back down I was pedalling a 50-11. Didn't quite pedal it out, as the bends and chicanes slowed things up a bit.

 

[Big Dave laaa]

Hi Bikeman, thanks for the info. I've got exactly the same gearing on my Giant TCR and it's nice to know that you managed that epic on the same ratios. I've got a few bike rides coming up and was wondering if I should have gone 11-33 on the back but now i'm a bit more confident 11-28 will cope.
Congratulations on cracking Ventoux. I hope to do something similar for my 50th next year.