Fifty Plus (50+) - What Have I let myself in for????

Starting to plan my holiday now. Went to my LBS and ordered an 11/30 rear cassette for my trip up the slope that is only 60 miles from where I am staying in France. Found this site that has given me some hope that my preparation is going somewhere near right.

http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/rapids/3892/

Went to the cycling section on the Buttons on the left and read the report of climbing the hill. Glad I am a disbelieving soul as if I read that 6 months ago- I would be going to Holland for my holiday.

The plan is that sometime in my holiday- The wife is going to drop me at Malaucene and they can go off and sight see and meet me at Bedoin 3 hours later. Yes I am chickening out and taking the easy route up. Although I have plenty of hills in my area- many of which are 12 to 15%- They are not any longer than 1 mile, So to Climb continually for some 15 miles is going to hurt me. If I feel good after taking the "Easy" route- I may find time to get another trip to the top starting from Bedoin.

So far my training has been to take in a 50 mile route that takes in several of the hills but this has given me a total height climb of only 700 metres on say 8 of those miles. Next stage is going to do the Steepest hill and then descend it and climb again. 5 trips up and down will give me a climb of 1,000metre at 15%- albeit with a few minutes rest between each 200 metre or so climb. Just hope that the 30t cassette comes in quick.

Only a 30t cluster? My largest cog is 34t and wish I could go lower. I admire you for attempting Mt. Ventoux at any gearing.

You're doing the training so you can do this! Just think about all the beautiful pictures you can take at the top:)

sounds like a rippin good time!

pain is fleeting, climbin the giant is forever.
...tryin to imagine a 15 mile downhill :D

Do they make 48 tooth gears for the back of the bike and how slow can one go and remain upright are the two questions that immediately popped into my mind when I looked at that site.

Buck up, man, buck up.

We're getting tired around here of you getting in way over your head and then whining about it to us. We're patient people but our patience is not infinite. You're an ex-Marine. I'm sure you'll make do.

Just kidding, of course. Sounds like a hairy ride. Take pictures.

Do they make 48 tooth gears for the back of the bike and how slow can one go and remain upright are the two questions that immediately popped into my mind when I looked at that site.

I find my Woodrup tourer does not like to go in a straight line when I climb in low granny (30-26 these days).

Could this be an effect of the low trail inherent in the Woodie's geometry?

Road Fan

Just found the profiles of the North and South climbs so are attached.

I think that 10 to 13 kms bit is going to get me on the North route. And the 7 to 14 on the Southern.

I think the heat might become a problem. Did the climb to Sognefjellshytta here in Norway a couple of years ago (from the fjord to 1440 m) and it was a very hot day for Norway (28 celcius at the start and probably 24 at the top). I used 42-27 and that was really hard when it was around 10 %. I think even 39-30 is rather tough. I have got myself a triple 52-42-30 with a 27 rear. Much better to have a too light gear that I do not use than missing one. This at the cost of being ridiculed at the LBS by a young dude asking me if I didn't know that triples are only for whimps .

I really think that the 34/50 compact chainring looks good here with the 12/27 cassette. That or the triple.

I really think that the 34/50 compact chainring looks good here with the 12/27 cassette. That or the triple.

Triple on front with a 30 and the 30t rear cluster is on order. Rather have a gear for emergencies than too high a gearing. I do have a 28 on the rear at present but not using it often but on this hill- I might need it--and the 30

Daft thing is the MTB is 22/32 and I don't use the 32- that is kept for emergencies aswell. But on the Tandem-48/36/24 and 11/32 rear- we use the lot. Even on the road.

I do live in a hilly area and my lbs sell about 50/50 on triples and Normal doubles. They do a good business on converting the doubles to compact doubles aswell.

WoWeee. Stapfam - I envy you Sir. As one of our most esteemed americans say 'Get - R - Done' !!!!

If you want some company, I'll be staying about 20 km's from Ventoux from July 7 for 3 weeks. Drop me a PM if that suits or you just feel like a ride.

I did Ventoux last year from Bedoin with a 39/26. A bit stupid in retrospect, but made it up OK in under two hours. The wind at the top was the hardest part, there were 3 riders attempting the last few km's, and none of us could keep going for much more than a few hundred yards, most of that standing. FWIW, the least difficult climb, though also the longest, is from Sault. This year, I'm hoping to do all 3 climbs (though not on the same day!), weather and family holiday permitting of course.

And of course, after you go up, you get to go down. The descent to Bedoin is fantastic. A few hairpins early on, but mostly gentle turns through the forest, exhilarating stuff.

B

I rode up there once . . . . on a motorcycle. :o I am no where near ready to ride something like that on a bicycle. :( Good luck though. I'm pulling for you.

If you want some company, I'll be staying about 20 km's from Ventoux from July 7 for 3 weeks. Drop me a PM if that suits or you just feel like a ride.

I did Ventoux last year from Bedoin with a 39/26. A bit stupid in retrospect, but made it up OK in under two hours. The wind at the top was the hardest part, there were 3 riders attempting the last few km's, and none of us could keep going for much more than a few hundred yards, most of that standing. FWIW, the least difficult climb, though also the longest, is from Sault. This year, I'm hoping to do all 3 climbs (though not on the same day!), weather and family holiday permitting of course.

And of course, after you go up, you get to go down. The descent to Bedoin is fantastic. A few hairpins early on, but mostly gentle turns through the forest, exhilarating stuff.

B

Would be great but I am there from the 14th to 24th of June. Hope I find other riders attempting the hill but I will be looking forward going down into Bedoin. Whether I will feel like Going back up is probably a different matter but I hope that it will be on the Days agenda.

Hope you enjoy the "Giant of Provence" as much as I did.
Both times there was no shortage of other riders doing it.

IMHO no side of Ventoux is really "easy", but the Malaucene side does give amazing views across to the Alps, if the weather is OK

good luck and don't forget the camera


george

Hope you enjoy the "Giant of Provence" as much as I did.
Both times there was no shortage of other riders doing it.

IMHO no side of Ventoux is really "easy", but the Malaucene side does give amazing views across to the Alps, if the weather is OK

good luck and don't forget the camera


george

Many thanks for the words of encouragement. The camera is going to be a must- but I travel out on wednesday. I have not told the wife yet but the "Tour De Dauphin" starts today and finishes on the 17th. It is in the region that I am going to so Hope I do not get involved with the pelaton going up Mt. Ventoux.

Glad that the Malaucene side gives the best views as that is the route I am attempting. I do not think the views will be what I am thinking of on the day though.