In our section Classic Rides stories we tell about the classic climbs around the world. Climbs with a rich history or so-called instant classics. At Cycling Destination, the duo Erwin and Erwin, also known as the Mountain High Chasers, set out to ride these climbs.
The Erwin Visser and Erwin Reijneveld set themselves the goal of cycling 50 mythical climbs for their 50th anniversary. As Mountain High Chasers they are already well on their way to smashing that target before they turn 50. Better said, by 40 it should be done. This episode of Classic Rides features a true classic: the Mont Ventoux. Read and enjoy!
Every story has a beginning
Every story has a beginning. Our story started on the 'bare mountain', or, in other words, Mont Ventoux. The mountain that captures everyone's imagination, whether you are a cyclist or not. The mountain that frightens many a tourist and the mountain that for many is a goal in itself.
There are three routes up the Ventoux (more on these later) with all of them ending up at the iconic tower at the summit. Whether you start in Malaucène, Sault or Bédoin, the fact is that you have to cover quite a few altitude metres to get to the summit. To get to the top, you have to climb a minimum of 1515m into the air!
Bédoin
If you decide to start in Bédoin, the village is neatly marked exactly where you should be by an unmissable line on the street. Handy if you want to put down a good segment. Once you have clicked in, the road immediately starts going uphill towards what is going to be a unique climb. Besides the climbing statistics that can be found about the Ventoux, there are other important things to consider. The Ventoux would not be the Ventoux if the weather gods kept calm. In our case, it was 23 degrees with a nice sunshine at the foot. At the top, it was only 4 degrees with snow. So prepare well before you mount!
Rap in red
Leaving Bédoin, the legs soon fill up. We really have no idea what causes this. This is a trap for many climbs. The Ventoux is no exception, because especially for this classic, you will meet the man with the hammer if you start too fast. The first 5.5 kilometres are fine to digest, but remember well what is to come. After these first kilometres, you turn left in Saint-Estève and then you seem to start a new climb.
The gradients rise quickly and the friendly rural landscape turns into a mercilessly hot forest. A characteristic of the Ventoux, and especially of this stretch, is that there are few turns to be taken, which means you can often see far ahead. Whether this is an advantage or a disadvantage is up to you; when you have enough power in your legs it is of course nice to ride from one wheel to the other.
Many say Bédoin is the 'real' side to climb. It is the classic side. This is because this side is the steepest with an average of 7.2%. This certainly does not make it the only side to climb.
Trip to the moon
Once you leave the forest behind you find a car park at Chalet Reynard where many riders take a quick spin to get the tension off their legs before starting the final stretch. As soon as you pass the Chalet, you remember why you started this. A unique piece of landscape reveals itself with even the summit already visible. As if you have booked a trip to the moon with the destination in sight for the first time. Rocks, barren plains and a beautiful road with the distinctive black and yellow poles up to the summit loom before the wheels. You get increasingly beautiful (clouds permitting) views of the surroundings while it is still hard work. This is where the mountain really lives up to its name. (Mont Ventoux, the windy mountain).
The top
The last kilometre is quite steep, but with the end in sight you pedal yourself to the top in no time. The last sharp right turn takes you to the observatory entrance, which can be seen from the wider area. In season, there will be plenty of people there to help you up while screaming to get the wheels rolling over the line. From the summit you can choose to ride down another route, if you want to make a nice lap of it, the descent to Malaucène is stunning and from Malaucène you can ride back to Bédoin just fine. Do you have an appointment for a coffee in Sault? Then descend the first part the way you came up and turn left at Chalet Reynard. If you need to return to Bédoin from Sault, you'll be on the road for a while so keep that in mind. The shortest way is up again!
Cinglés du Mont Ventoux
Le club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux has existed since 1988. A club for real 'cycling idiots'. Should you want to join this club, no problem! You just have to climb all three sides of the Ventoux in one day and prove it by getting stamps on your stamp card. If this is successful, you will be a member of the Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux, or; the Malloot of the Ventoux. Only for real enthusiasts.
A classic for good reason
In case you get to the top and still doubt the 'fact' that the Ventoux is a classic? We do have an answer to that. Apart from the elements we have already mentioned (profile, weather and phenomenal views), cycling history contributes to the fact that this mountain is a true classic. Not forgetting the tragic story of Tom Simpson. At 1.4 kilometres before the summit, you can view the monument or pay tribute to Simpson who may have come to symbolise this mountain. Because the Mont-Ventoux, you treat it with respect.
