The Mont Ventoux

The Mont Ventoux, it is a mountain widely known by bike because of the Tour de France. The tour de France had a race over the mountain a whopping 18 times in its years. Whilst the mountain is known for being the most grueling climbs in the race so far! Mont Ventoux, also known as the Bald Mountain, is located in France in Drôme. Most people climb Mont Ventoux from the south side of the mountain, starting in Bédoin. The distance is 21.5 km, the average gradient is 7.5%. This route takes you to the top of Mont Ventoux at 1,909 metres. During this climb, you will make 1,610 altitude metres. That's spicy. The steepest parts are in the middle of the route and in the last two kilometres, see figure 1. The weather at the top of the mountain can be erratic. It is often 20 degrees colder there than at the bottom of the mountain. It is important to check the weather forecast for the day before you leave and bring warm clothing (https://fietsbeklimmingen.nl/mont-ventoux/ , 2024)           

Preparing to climb Mont Ventoux

First, it is important to have a good physical condition. Do you have that? Then you can start preparing. Eat healthy, do not drink alcohol and do not use tobacco. It is recommended to have at least 1,000 km of cycling in your legs, spread over 2 to 3 training sessions per week that last 2 to 3 hours on average (https://www.dekaleberg.nl/ , 2024). 

The day of the climb

• Make sure you warm up for at least 30 minutes before starting the climb.
• Drink at least half a litre every hour. 
• Make sure you have something to eat with you: bread, candy bars, bananas, so high in carbohydrates.
• Take two water bottles with you, one with water, the other with sports drink. You lose a lot of salt and fluid.
• Take a break before you descend. Do stretching exercises. Drink half to a whole litre of water.
• During the climb
  • Keep to the right during the climb and descent.
• During the descent
  • Most accidents happen during the descent. Moderate your speed.
  • Check the heat of your brake pads halfway downhill, cool them with water from your water bottle if necessary. (https://slimmerfietsen.nl/materiaal/)

Tips and challenges (Mr. Scholten, 2024)

• The biggest reality check was the conversation with yourself, that you are tired, that you can't go any further, That you want to go home, that the Mont Ventoux is a bluddy anoying mountain. If you have that, laugh to yourself and keep going.
• Another big challenge is that if you go through the forest of Bedion, there will be a lot of flies who really like your sweat.
• Check the weather app before you start your climb because it could be that on the bottom of the mountain it is really nice and warm weather and at the top of the Mont Ventoux it suddenly is freezing. so dress accordingly!
• Mr. Scholten also stated that there is no way to check if you are fit enough to do the climb. He said to just do it!!
• You can also do the climb to the top of Mont Ventoux on any bike you like as long as it is light and has disc brakes.
•  You should keep up your own tempo whilst going off the mountain because it will really drain your energy to try and keep up with someone.
• Drink enough water.
• Mr. Scholten also suggests to read 'De kale berg op en over de Mont Ventoux' (Reurings and Janssen Steenberg, 2017) and 'Mont Ventoux' (Wagendorp, 2022).
• There are many routes to climb Mont Ventoux. The route from Sault is the easiest although it has the most kilometers. This is because the incline for the climb is less than on other routes. Bedouin being the most famous and Malaucène has a lot of really steep parts but also a lot of parts that are really easy. 

Tip from Spiering (2024)

• Good preparation is key because in the last 6km I could see the top of the mountain but it felt like I was not getting any closer.