As the team's Kieren and John are getting good results back home, I am having a break in my native Provence. A good break from racing but not a break from cycling. Good opportunity to start doing some specific training for the 3 Peaks too. Cycling almost exclusively every day in sunshine and rediscovering / discovering roads of a former life. What's not to like?
Provence is litterally dominated by one big hill. Mont Ventoux. It can be viewed from far afield sticking on the horizon like a sore thumb. Having completed the ascent of Ventoux from all three sides (Bédoin, Malaucene and Sault) over the past three years, I thought I'd vary the pleasures this year and climb Mt Ventoux over 12h from Bédoin. No medals, no certificate just experience my favourite hill over daylight.
The day didn't disappoint. Four climbs from Bédoin. 170km, 9h of riding time. Slightly disappointed not to do the self imposed target of five climbs within the self imposed twelve hours but I have to admit that I encountered a serious case of bonking on my 3rd ascent. It wasn't so much that I was lacking food. My protein intake was wrong and started craving Pepper Steak. Luckily, Chalet Reynard had this on supply as dish of the day. Perfectly cooked. The French are the Steak Frites champions of the world.
Of all the climbs I have done over the years, my favourite ones is from Bedoin just after sunrise. No cars, a few lone cyclists and beautiful light. Climbs at other times of the day are different. More cyclists, a lot more cars and motorcyclists.
3 climbs of Ventoux in a day? There is a club for that. It's the club des Cinglés du Mont Ventoux.
me? I am an Ensuqué du Mont Ventoux. The relentless slopes of Mont Ventoux have me hooked.
Pre-dawn light over Ventoux
Herd of sheep
Climb number 1
Climb number 2
Climb number 3
Climb number 4: DONE
Star of the day: Steak au Poivre
