Ventoux in september. Help please!
08-13-09, 09:41 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ventoux in september. Help please!
Hi guys,
I'm not at all a professional cyclist. I ride about 1000-1500 miles per summer. Some climbs.
Am planning to climb Ventoux in september. I've read a lot on the subject but have a few questions:
1) Am not planning to take my bike with me. Any shops you can recommend with good road bikes with clips, helmets, bottles to rent? What is the minimum crankset?
2) I've read the climb by Sault is much easier. Should I even venture via Bedoin considering my experience? What about Malaucène?
3) What is the nicest descent? I hate going quickly when descending (have crashed before) so am looking for a safe ride.
4) I might have to ride from Bedoin to Sault before starting the climb. How easy/steep is that?
5) Where did you guys saty over there? Any place to recommend?
Every tip is appreciated!!!
I'm not at all a professional cyclist. I ride about 1000-1500 miles per summer. Some climbs.
Am planning to climb Ventoux in september. I've read a lot on the subject but have a few questions:
1) Am not planning to take my bike with me. Any shops you can recommend with good road bikes with clips, helmets, bottles to rent? What is the minimum crankset?
2) I've read the climb by Sault is much easier. Should I even venture via Bedoin considering my experience? What about Malaucène?
3) What is the nicest descent? I hate going quickly when descending (have crashed before) so am looking for a safe ride.
4) I might have to ride from Bedoin to Sault before starting the climb. How easy/steep is that?
5) Where did you guys saty over there? Any place to recommend?
Every tip is appreciated!!!
08-13-09, 11:02 PM
#2
Magnesium Dogmatic
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,939
Bikes: Look 585 Ultra, Pinarello Dogma, Pegoretti Duende, Orbea, Cannondale Capo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I never climbed Ventoux, but if it was me I'd take my shoes, pedals, helmet and saddle in an attempt to reduce the amount of adjustment my body is going through in a foreign place and a high effort ride.
08-14-09, 12:32 AM
#3
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 5,943
Bikes: Scott Addict R1
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2396 Post(s)
Liked 2,404 Times
in
1,218 Posts
The approach from Sault is long and gradual. But once you get to Chalet Reynard, the real climbing starts.
I hate long gradual approaches, give me a real climb from start to end. My personal preference would be to start from Bedoin.
Whichever way you go, start early! The wind picks up in the afternoon, making the climb much harder. It's a great climb, just go at your own pace and enjoy it.
We camped here in Bedoin (luxury camping -- may not be suitable for some): Belezy Campground
I hate long gradual approaches, give me a real climb from start to end. My personal preference would be to start from Bedoin.
Whichever way you go, start early! The wind picks up in the afternoon, making the climb much harder. It's a great climb, just go at your own pace and enjoy it.
We camped here in Bedoin (luxury camping -- may not be suitable for some): Belezy Campground
__________________
Ride, Rest, Repeat
Ride, Rest, Repeat
Last edited by terrymorse; 08-14-09 at 12:48 AM.
08-14-09, 12:34 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 130
Bikes: 1980 Mercian Pro steel, 2005 Specialized Roubaix, 2016 Norco Search, 2018 Ritchey Breakaway, 2019 Giant Defy
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I rode the Ventoux many years ago but I'm sure it has gotten harder since then when I was in my 30's! If you're finding meagre response to your post, you might try a forum more frequented by the Brits as they're over there all the time. Try posting a query on www.bikeradar.com or doing a search there. Cheers.
08-14-09, 05:20 AM
#5
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
The approach from Sault is long and gradual. But once you get to Chalet Reynard, the real climbing starts.
I hate long gradual approaches, give me a real climb from start to end. My personal preference would be to start from Bedoin.
Whichever way you go, start early! The wind picks up in the afternoon, making the climb much harder. It's a great climb, just go at your own pace and enjoy it.
We camped here in Bedoin (luxury camping -- may not be suitable for some): Belezy Campground
I hate long gradual approaches, give me a real climb from start to end. My personal preference would be to start from Bedoin.
Whichever way you go, start early! The wind picks up in the afternoon, making the climb much harder. It's a great climb, just go at your own pace and enjoy it.
We camped here in Bedoin (luxury camping -- may not be suitable for some): Belezy Campground
Also, if you're staying in Sault, this place is/was amazing:
https://www.valdesault.com/index-gb.htm
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
08-14-09, 05:45 AM
#6
Announcer
My all-time fastest speed was on the descent of Ventoux. I won't print it here because you won't believe it, and it'll only scare you.
But I was TRYING to go fast, where you'll be doing the opposite.
Don't let it get away from you. And be careful not to let your brakes overheat your rims.
But I was TRYING to go fast, where you'll be doing the opposite.
Don't let it get away from you. And be careful not to let your brakes overheat your rims.
08-14-09, 06:04 AM
#7
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
My all-time fastest speed was on the descent of Ventoux. I won't print it here because you won't believe it, and it'll only scare you.
But I was TRYING to go fast, where you'll be doing the opposite.
Don't let it get away from you. And be careful not to let your brakes overheat your rims.
But I was TRYING to go fast, where you'll be doing the opposite.
Don't let it get away from you. And be careful not to let your brakes overheat your rims.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
08-15-09, 02:39 PM
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Good advice people, thx a lot!
I'd honestly prefer going up by Bedoin but it truly scares me. The only climbs I do is a 1.6 km ride at 8.2% which I approximately ride 6 times in a row, but it seems clearly insufficient for Bedoin. Any other help is appreciated!
I'd honestly prefer going up by Bedoin but it truly scares me. The only climbs I do is a 1.6 km ride at 8.2% which I approximately ride 6 times in a row, but it seems clearly insufficient for Bedoin. Any other help is appreciated!
08-15-09, 04:20 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NYC - where bicycles go to die
Posts: 1,313
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm betting you could do Bedoin with a compact or a triple. The descent to Sault sounds better for you, though. When not pedaling I was only doing about 32mph after Chalet Reynard. You'll be able to enjoy the trip and have fun in the corners rather than hoping your rims don't melt. From the summit to the Chalet you'll be ****ting your pants if you don't like descending - the adrenaline I got from the short stretch of road before the first 90 degree turn helped me overcome my fear of airborne velo-death for the next half hour. It was a beautiful end to the day (except for the short climb back into Sault).
08-15-09, 05:58 PM
#10
well hello there
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Point Loma, CA
Posts: 15,406
Bikes: Bill Holland (Road-Ti), Fuji Roubaix Pro (back-up), Bike Friday (folder), Co-Motion (tandem) & Trek 750 (hybrid)
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 495 Post(s)
Liked 311 Times
in
194 Posts
+1 on bringing your own helmet, saddle, pedals and shoes.
__________________
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
.
.
Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
08-15-09, 06:56 PM
#12
Banned.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Post-partisan Paradise
Posts: 4,938
Bikes: GF Wahoo '05, Trek T1000 '04, Lemond Buenos Aires '07
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
2 Posts
Partant de Saint Didier, il vous faudra un peu de courage, pour rejoindre à votre rythme les magnifiques villages perchés des monts de Vaucluse. En guise de récompense, vous pourrez admirer depuis ces promontoires rocheux, de superbes panoramas sur le Mont Ventoux et les cultures environnantes.
08-16-09, 08:46 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Los Angeles/Aveyron France
Posts: 5,308
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Do it from Bedoin. It's hard, but just ride it at your own pace and you'll be fine. A 34-25 is enough gearing wise, a 27 wouldn't hurt though. We stayed here during the Tour https://www.bed-breakfast-gordes.com/...ewlang=english lovely folks, about 30 minutes from Bedoin. As for the descent, just go as fast as you prefer. There's nothing to be scared or intimidated about. It's just a road up a big hill. If you're going all that way do it right and ride the Bedoin route.
There's lots of shops around, I believe there's one right on Bedoin. Otherwise Carpentras will have a shop where you can rent a bike.
There's lots of shops around, I believe there's one right on Bedoin. Otherwise Carpentras will have a shop where you can rent a bike.
08-16-09, 08:05 PM
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 37
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great advice people. I have 3 weeks to prepare myself. What do you guys suggest? Several times the 1.5km at 8.2% that is near me, or doing long interval training? I'm starting to believe Bedoin is possible... Very exciting stuff!
