There is almost always a view of the Mont Ventoux — The God of Provence

Cycling Provence: Le Mont-Ventoux and Gorges de la Nesque

The road cutting through the bare, white limestone on the south side of the Mont Ventoux (1,909 metres or 6,263 feet)

40 photos and movies () by Steven Hill and Rebecca Heald, steephill.tv

The highlights of this ride

[October 22, 2008 update: The Mont Ventoux is confirmed for the 2009 Tour de France]

After a 5 month break from posting descriptions of our cycle-tours, this overdue report should be timely as preview for tomorrow's stage 4 of the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, which finishes on the Mont-Ventoux. Last summer, I cycled it on two separate occasions with photos and videos from my return visit appearing in the gallery below. There is a lot to describe in Provence, but a full review will have to wait a bit longer. Today, the focus is on the region's two most spectacular cycling attractions, Le Mont-Ventoux and Gorges de la Nesque.

As one of the world's most famous cycling climbs, the Mont-Ventoux doesn't need much introduction. The Tour de France and, to a lesser degree, the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré have a lot to do with its soaring popularity. But, it's a tough cycling climb that can stand on it's own... literally, because the telecommunications tower at the summit is visible from long distances in any direction like a god overlooking its cherished landscape. (In 1882, a meteorological station was constructed on the summit, though it is no longer in use. In the 1960s a 50 m-high telecommunications mast was built.) Although geologically part of the Alps, Mont Ventoux has been ostracized since no mountains of a similar height exist in-between.

Memorial to Tom Simpson on Mont Ventoux (photo: wikipedia.org)

Mont-Ventoux means windy mountain where wind speeds as high as 320 km/h (or 193 mph) have been recorded. The wind and the steepness aren't your only enemies; the temperatures can be extreme. And Pro rider Tom Simpson learned in 1967 that it's not a good idea to consume alcohol and amphetamines before scaling Ventoux in the heat. But, even on a hot summer day, the top of the mountain can appear snow-capped due to its bare, white limestone. Ventoux was once forested, but it was stripped of its trees starting in the 12th century to meet the demands of local shipbuilders. Since 1860, some areas have been reforested with deciduous and coniferous trees including junipers higher up.

Route Map (click to enlarge) Bedoin → Mont-Ventoux → Sault → Villes-sur-Auzon → Flassan → Bedoin

Ride Analysis: 90k with one big climb (plus optionals)

Ventoux can be scaled by road bike from three sides, but the most popular option follows the usual Tour route and starts southwest in Bédoin. From Bédoin, the climb gains 1610 m over 22k for a average grade of 7.6%, but the last 16k average 9.1% giving it a well earned reputation as one of the hardest climbs in Europe. Luckily, the starting elevation is only 300m (1000 ft). Iban Mayo set the Ventoux record of 55'51" during a climbing time trial stage in the 2004 Dauphiné Libéré, and in the spirit of 24-hour extreme sport endurance events, a Frenchman climbed Ventoux eleven times in 24 hours starting from Bédoin in May 2006.

Several months later, Rebecca and I climbed it on a beautiful day with little wind and warm temperatures so Rebecca was out to break Mayo's record. His record is still safe, but among the hundreds of riders attempting Ventoux on this day, only one rider passed Rebecca on the entire climb. Now, for those of you who don't know, Rebecca is a fine dancer and an excellent masher, but we were surprised at the number beginners out on one of the hardest climbs.

Even on a hot day, don't forget to bring warm clothing because the long descent to Sault can be chilly. If you do the ride in July, you'll see and smell lots of lavender crops as you make your way to Sault, a good size town with lots of amenities and an ideal lunch stop.

Learn more about Ventoux including its Tour de France winners and the two other routes to the top.

Gorges de la Nesque... Ventoux ride bonus

Located between Sault and Villes-sur-Auzon, Gorges de la Nesque should be slotted into the end of a Mont-Ventoux ride for a day you'll never forget. It's a really fun, scenic 19k descent on a twisty, tunnel-laden corniche with a perfect descending grade of 3%. It is now bypassed by the locals, so the only traffic you'll encounter are other cyclists and site-seers.

The route I've posted is only 90k, but more distance can be added with a loop northeast of Sault along some quiet, hilly, lavender-lined roads such as D63 through Ferrassieres or by starting the ride from further away to get a longer Ventoux warm-up (strongly advised). — Steve, June 13th 2007

<— Trust me... you'll be mortified.
(photo by: Philippe Crist)
Mont-Ventoux profile courtesy of cyclingcols.com

Bedoin is the most popular starting point for Mt Ventoux	It's 22k to the top starting from Bedoin	An early morning conquerer
Midway up Ventoux is reforested. As the sign says, 15 km of 9 percent to go	Rebecca rounding into fine form	The final 6k of 7% at 1441m
A switchback with 5k to go	This triathlete or wrestler was the only rider that passed Rebecca on the way up	A shade under 10%
The view on the north side of Ventoux	A moving experience	Relatively mild conditions with 3k to go
Once an observatory... now a telecommunications tower	How about towing your kid to the top?	Up close, Ventoux looks like a pile of limestone rubble
1k to go	Like I said, 1k to go	You can buy candy of any flavor at the top
Mt. Ventoux was once just 1909m high, but it now stands corrected	Looking down from the top. Ventoux looks snow-capped in mid-summer	Use "prudence" on the descent
Many riders were out of their league	Despite the traffic, Ventoux is definitely worth it	By mid August, most of the lavendar has been harvested
Starting the descent into Gorges de la Nesque with omnipresent Mt Ventoux peaking through	A gorgeous view	Picture in picture
Nesque tunnel	Never take a blue sky for granite... that's limestone	A look back at the two tunnels and first bend
The landscape across the gorge could induce green envy	Looking back at the two corniche tunnels	The highlights of Provence
Another descent shot	The best corner from a distance	Cornering in tandem
The best (corniche) corner close up	Back to the flats and another view of Mt Ventoux	Lets do a recap

Lance Armstrong's attack on Mt. Ventoux, 2000 Tour de France A recreational descent of Mt. Ventoux at 4x speed