Tuesday 9 July 2013
We got up early and left Aigues-Mortes for Bédoin where we started the ride. The first few kilometres are quite gentle, then you turn into the trees where it really ramps up. There were loads of riders, 99% of those going faster than us. This was a real test to see if our gearing with the Rohloff was sufficient. Most of the bikes that passed us were probably lighter than our gearhub! We were fortunate that it was sunny with little wind. The route was lined with caravans, claiming their space ahead of the Tour de France that is passing on Sunday. We even passed one group of Bavarians who were already singing along with their accordion and dressed in lederhosen. The last 6km were very exposed in an amazing moonscape. We turned the final sharp bend into the finish and were delighted that we had conquered one of the iconic mountain climbs, the giant of Provence. It is 20.8km with an average of 7.5% gradient and a final height of 1,912m. After that, it was downhill back to Bédoin, an omelette aux truffes and a few glasses of rosé.
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| Mt Ventoux |
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| View from the Col des Tempêtes |
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| At the summit |
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| In memory of Tom Simpson who collapsed and died at this point on 14 July1967 during the Tour de France. |
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