Is anyone going to Mont Ventoux?
07-09-13, 09:50 PM
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Is anyone going to Mont Ventoux?
I will be getting into Avignon on Sat. I cannot spend the night on the Mont. I know the route will be closed on Sat. night. But what about access roads? How far away might I have to park?
Or should I just go to the intermediate sprint line and hope the breakaway is small?
I guess my question is should I be content on seeing Le Tour or do I try to get on to the Mont and risk not seeing anything?
I will be traveling with two women and an 11 year old.
Or should I just go to the intermediate sprint line and hope the breakaway is small?
I guess my question is should I be content on seeing Le Tour or do I try to get on to the Mont and risk not seeing anything?
I will be traveling with two women and an 11 year old.
07-10-13, 01:32 AM
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We did ventoux in 2009 and will be there the 13th and 14th this year, its great.
The main roads to and from bedoin get reallly busy. They will also be closed from either 9/10am on the 14th or from the 13th evening. Not just the route, but the roads around the route get closed too. You might be able to park at bedoin if you are lucky, I would not count on it.
To get to ventoux is best to use the small roads to the south of the mountain untill you get stuck about - about 5km from bedoin and then ride halfway up the mountain. If your two women and 11 year old don't have bikes then its going to be hard to see the tour. Even if you get to or near bedoin at 9am and park, its still going to be a 8km hike to an ok viewing area , but also a 6 or 7 hour wait for the riders. Then getting down the mountain is crazy, and if you parked close to the mountain its a huge stationary traffic jam to leave.
One does not simply drive up to a vantage point 15 minutes before the tour passes and watches then drives home, its a big hot day out.
If you have a bike, use it and go alone and park as far away as you can. If the others have bikes then great, if not then they have to be prepared for a long walk, and a lot of sitting around. If you love cycling, bikes and want to hang out with other like minded fool then it is the most fun possible.
My problem is I don't want to put my 2 year old on the tandem and my wife can't handle cycling uphill on her own.
The main roads to and from bedoin get reallly busy. They will also be closed from either 9/10am on the 14th or from the 13th evening. Not just the route, but the roads around the route get closed too. You might be able to park at bedoin if you are lucky, I would not count on it.
To get to ventoux is best to use the small roads to the south of the mountain untill you get stuck about - about 5km from bedoin and then ride halfway up the mountain. If your two women and 11 year old don't have bikes then its going to be hard to see the tour. Even if you get to or near bedoin at 9am and park, its still going to be a 8km hike to an ok viewing area , but also a 6 or 7 hour wait for the riders. Then getting down the mountain is crazy, and if you parked close to the mountain its a huge stationary traffic jam to leave.
One does not simply drive up to a vantage point 15 minutes before the tour passes and watches then drives home, its a big hot day out.
If you have a bike, use it and go alone and park as far away as you can. If the others have bikes then great, if not then they have to be prepared for a long walk, and a lot of sitting around. If you love cycling, bikes and want to hang out with other like minded fool then it is the most fun possible.
My problem is I don't want to put my 2 year old on the tandem and my wife can't handle cycling uphill on her own.
07-10-13, 07:19 AM
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THANKS!!! Great info.
That's about what I thought. Not everyone in my party will have bikes, so I guess I'll go the the sprint point.
My plan will be to get there about 2 hours before the fastest time, pick a spot, enjoy the crowd and caravan and I will ride Ventoux later in the week.
I made these plans before the route was announced, hoping that Ventoux would be on the 100th route, knowing it would be a long shot to get on to the Mont.
We will be on the Champs for the finale.
That's about what I thought. Not everyone in my party will have bikes, so I guess I'll go the the sprint point.
My plan will be to get there about 2 hours before the fastest time, pick a spot, enjoy the crowd and caravan and I will ride Ventoux later in the week.
I made these plans before the route was announced, hoping that Ventoux would be on the 100th route, knowing it would be a long shot to get on to the Mont.
We will be on the Champs for the finale.
