On May 16th, if all the stars align and my arthritis remains slight, cycling buddy John and I will be joining long-time blog reader Steve on the first Ventoux ascent of the year.
This is Steve. He’s an affable Aussie.
This is Ventoux. He’s an indifferent Frenchman. He’s also a legend, so worth going out of your way to meet.
If you’d like to make Monsieur Ventoux’s acquaintance with us, let me know. Maybe a group assault will take him by surprise!
The Vicious Cycle 
Maybe one day … !
Be quick, before the arthritis gets worse!
Bonjour Monsieur Ventoux,
Please be kind…..I come in peace…..
Pleading will get you nowhere with him. Come prepared, or at least with a triple chainring!
Pleading gets nowhere…prepare and bring the triple. Oh what a ride!!!
I would have come like a shot but sadly I am just a bit too busy.
Perhaps I could entice you if there were a few birds to take photos of in the forest portion of the climb? Further up the mountain vultures would be appropriate, although I haven’t seen any circling…yet.
If I tried it, the vultures would be hovering within minutes.
Mt Ventoux is certainly a climb for the log book…..être perpared à ressentir une certaine douleur.
The French is coming along, Rob. A little conjugation and you’re right there! But the ‘douleur’ part is spot on..
Lucky Steve… and, ahhh, for a plane ticket to magically appear here … have a blast!
Hi Suze, thanks for your wishes! I cannot believe that it is going to happen, well, by that I mean I am going to be trying to get up the hill! Of course none of this would have happened so soon if it wasn’t for Gerry’s support and enthusiasm!
The count down is on!
Thanks for the kind words, Steve. Cheque’s in the mail!
You might not feel the same amity towards me when your 40 minutes into non-stop 10%, so I’ll try and keep my distance till we’re both at the top 😉
Gerry – can you drop me your email to james.warne@me.com. I have a couple of questions to ask on Ventoux as it happens! Thanks! James.
Doing that right now.