I received a timely email this morning from a loyal blog reader who really wanted an uplifting story to read. It just so happened that I was hoping to create one during the afternoon, with a little luck from the wind (or lack thereof) and my winter/spring training – my first assault on Mont Ventoux for the year.
John, always game, joined me on the drive over to Malaucène, where we stripped down in the parking lot like real French riders, and rode over to Bédoin for our warm-up.
Here I am, striking a proud (or dickish, you be the judge) pose in front of my new car. This machine, bought only for my cycling habit, is the first of its kind that I have owned since the ambitiously-named ‘shaggin’ wagon’ that I had for a few months in Australia in 1995. Somehow, I still remember how to drive and riders and bikes arrived safe and sound.
I am also sporting, by the way, Team Vicious Cycle’s new snazzy Haute Route kit. Nice, huh?
The ride between the two most famous starting points for a Ventoux climb is one of the best 10 km you can dream of, even on an overcast day.
Small, perfectly paved roads, with just enough climbing to get the legs warm, and little winding descents that make you tap on the brakes, but only to make you know you are going around a bend.
This was a rare sight today – a person to pass on the bike. I didn’t pass one rider on the whole way up Ventoux, and not for lack of trying. It was just really empty.
So, we got to Bédoin, went round the little roundabout, pressed ‘lap’ on the Polar, and the game was one. But just one problem, it wasn’t for one of us. My sudden acceleration didn’t sit well with John and it took him some time to come back to my wheel again. As we rode the 5 or 6 km of the first, gentle part of the climb, John’s heart rate was flying – upwards of 180, he said. I was around 160 or lower, which, we know from experience, is not the gap we should have.
We kept it up like this till the left-hander into the forest, picking up a Dutch or Belgian rider on the way. Then, as soon as we entered the forest, I lost them both (I think. I never looked back).
For one of the only times in my short ‘career’ on a bike, I felt weightless. Well, as weightless as one can feel on a 10% climb. You all know how this climb plays out, I’m sure, and most of you will know how horrible the forest can be, with its relentless steepness. Not today, for me anyway. I wasn’t sure why I was going up so fast, actually. I thought there must have been a tailwind.
Whatever it was, it continued till Chalet Reynard, where I started to feel fatigued. But it was cool, the roads were empty, and there wasn’t a lick of wind (for Ventoux that means there was a small breeze) and most of the way to the top was, dare I say it, not very hard.
Now, mind you, I was in my bottom Zone 4 most of the way up the mountain, so it must have been ‘hard’. It just didn’t feel that way at the time. Till the last 2 km, of course. It’s always the last 2 km, isn’t it? But even that evil little stretch of verticality didn’t dampen my spirits and it went by rather quickly.
Oh, and there’s snow on Ventoux, for those thinking about climbing it tomorrow.
Then I waited. I knew I’d be waiting for some time because I had lost John so quickly, so I went into the just-opened (for the season) gift shop and tried to chat up the lady so she wouldn’t boot me out into the cold. When my French finally started failing me I went out and shot some photos. If you have ever been to the top of Ventoux in season, this will look strange. It was eerily quiet up there, with not the steady stream of cyclists, motorists, hikers, motorcyclists, runners, etc., that you nearly always have to contend with. It was cold, but it was nice.
I don’t know what happened here, but there is usually at least one ‘Sommet Mont Ventoux 1912 metres’ sign on one of these poles.
John did make it to the top, but not in top form. He was wet, as well, so we descended right away, down the other – closed – road. Here’s why.
Closed to cars, but bikes can go under barriers. It was pretty slow going till we reached Mont Serein (the north side’s Chalet Reynard) and the road started to get clean again. Check out the height of the snow. John is not short (for reference).
And the damage? John didn’t have a stellar climb and finished a ways down on me, but I had an outstanding day, if you hadn’t guessed already. My time was 1:31:22, which is 4.5 minutes faster than my previous personal best. I guess I can thank my weight loss this year, plus my sadistic (and masochistic – he does the program, too) coach and all those marathon indoor trainer sessions all winter long. Or I was just lucky.
Hope that hit the spot, dear reader. And I really hope it’s not all downhill from here!
The Vicious Cycle 
Boy Gerry, you are really getting my hopes up high. I’m going out for my first outdoor ride on Saturday to test these legs and hoping I don’t have to say “Shut Up Legs” very cool and well done. Tell John, he’s still my hero.
Cheers
Pierre
I’ll pass along your sentiments, Pierre! Let me know how the legs react to the Great Outdoors. Hope you don’t have it like me and go 2 months before they start performing like you expect!
Nice ride! Oh yeah, and the car looks pretty good too. Very impressive performance. Don’t lose too much weight, I need someone to draft behind in Haute Route.
Thanks. It’s a little white, but drives great and came at a ‘friendly’ price. I’ll watch the weight loss, but I’m still a ways to go, according to my pinchers.
Ford- Fix Or Repair Daily. Hope your new car is better than this.
I had my reservations, too, John, but so far so good. This one’s made in Germany at least!
I remember Mont Ventoux well. My stomach knots up at the thought of it. I want to go back again. This time fit. Did my first longish solo ride yesterday. Beautiful countryside. 1200m over 80km and 26C temp. One 7-10% section to start. Amazing how the 3-5%’s are a doddle after that. Well done on the climb Gerry. Excellent time. Great pics. Great kit.
Luc, tell me when you’re going to attack again and I’ll drive down for the show! I’ve climbed Ventoux 12 times now and I also remember the many times I suffered terribly. It’s a killer, no question.
Maybe you could take Team Vicious Cycle for a spin a day or two before the HR starts..? A local guide would be awesome!
wow, 1:31:22, very very impressive. I always think, on Ventoux, around the 1hr30 mark as the division between the keen cyclist and the person who is a serious rider. If you’re feeling geeky how about a little graph of your times over the years? (with weight 😉 My graph would be a rather frustratingly flat line start above 2hrs and getting into the HIGH 1:40’s (and on the way back up again now – next time I get round to it) . nice wheels too. I’m a proud FORD owner too;)
Thanks, Doug. I’ve just spent 30 min on this! The graph doesn’t look that dramatic because of the small number decrease, but basically, and unsurprisingly, there’s a direct correlation between weight and time. My first climb 2 years ago was around 2 hours and I was probably 74 kg or so. This one yesterday was nearly 30 minutes faster and I am 65 kg now. There’s been a little training mixed in there, too, but it’s all about weight on that monster, no question!
impressive! So just buy one of these bad boys to lose another 3-5 kilos (depending on how much your Bianchi weighs) and should get you another 12-15 mins off ? (though I suspect you’re right, not just the weight, but all that training!
http://road.cc/content/news/96-german-carbon-group-full-road-bike-under-3kg
😉
While you were climbing Ventoux, we were tootling around the back roads of Creuse on our bikes, stopping at a café and pretending we were on a cycle touring holiday!
Have I missed the chance to order some of your bike tops?
Nice. Well, now that I have a car there’s really no reason why Shoko and I don’t come up to Creuse for a visit. Especially since you have a lamb!
Sorry, no go on the jerseys in the end. We found out it would be too difficult and pricey for delivery. Many apologies.
It would be great to meet you! More lambs any day now, plus piglets probably within the week…
Okay, I’m keeping the piglets to myself. If she found out I’d be packing the car next week!
The pics show quite a contrast, green fields to snow banks. Enjoyed the account and glad for your progress. I need to go out and find some ‘hills’ myself.
It’s always a contrast with that moonscape on top, but yesterday was very different up there. Good luck finding those hills!
Impressive in every way, especially the grimace at the start.
Thank you. I’m working hard to look intimidating.
You terrified me.
Best reason I’ve heard of to buy 4 wheels. And oh, how I miss those narrow, beautifully paved roads.
What is it that looks like blue piping in the beautiful photo of flowering trees?
Thanks for the excellent ride report.
Suze, I didn’t see that when riding by. Could it be some sort of protection from birds?
So…tell me about your plans to ride our beautifully paved roads this year!
Hi Gerry,
there is a chance that I drive by Ventoux mid of June. I´m thinking of joining Cingles Ventoux.
Interested to join the ride?Any suggestions for a Campground nearby?
Carsten
Interesting timing. I was just returning an email to someone asking for a guided ride up Ventoux at the time! Anyway, the answer is ‘hell yeah’, if I’m free – at least for one or two of your ascents.
I’ve never stayed at any campgrounds around there, but have been to one for a visit.
http://www.camping-le-pastory.com/
There are lots nearby, so look around.
I’m envious… see you on July to share a climb to Le Geant!!!
So jealous…such beautiful roads!
Magnifique! Absolument!