There is something special about the Mont Ventoux. There are many wonderful climbs in Europe, but anyone who has climbed to the top of Bald Mountain once will agree that it is special. With the summit at 1,910 metres, you climb to the highest point in Provence. And you can feel it. In the final kilometres, all shelter falls away and you get the strong wind full in your face. For Jeffrey Wiese, the love of cycling began on this mountain, and after - literally - mountains and valleys in his 'cycling career', he felt there was on the Ventoux was still 'something' to be gained. That led him to the ultimate challenge: the Cinglé du Ventoux. But then with a twist: he climbed Mont Ventoux 4 times, with as fourth climb the gravel route. We spoke to him about his monster ride up the barren mountain.
Written by Maks Groeneveld | Photos: What If the Cycling Podcast
The love of the Ventoux
‘You are one of those cyclists where the Ventoux evokes something special. Why do you have that with this particular mountain?‘
'When I was about 13, I went to France with my father. From the campsite we had a view of the Mont Ventoux, and immediately I was like wow, I have to go up there. At the time, I still had a 'normal bike' with me, with straight handlebars and few gears. We cycled up a little bit together. There I suddenly saw all cyclists and beautiful racing bikes. At that moment, literally on Mont Ventoux, my love for cycling was born. The following years we went back - then on a road bike. Three years later, I rode up the Ventoux for the first time from Sault, when I must have been 16. At the summit, I felt prouder than ever. On returning home, I enrolled in a club and started cycling races.'
'How did you get the idea to climb Mont Ventoux four times?'
'It was previously on my plan to climb the Ventoux three times, but I had to cancel that plan because I suffered a knee injury. I had to recover from that for over two years. The symptoms kept coming back after a lot of climbing, so I did put the challenge out of my mind. Later, when I started our podcast series 'The Cycling Dream' with two friends - in which all three of us would take on a cycling dream - I knew immediately that for me that would mean climbing the Ventoux three times after all.
We had a number of partnerships, including with a bikefitter, David. There I got a really good bikefit. David fitted soles for my cycling shoes. He helped me on one condition; I had to climb the mountain a fourth time. The sole greatly reduced my knee pain, and that suddenly made the challenge really achievable.'
‘How did you prepare for this challenge?‘
'Pooh. That was not good. During that period, I had a lot of work, which made training really minimal. I cycled when it was convenient. About a month prior to the challenge, I cycled in Limburg 15 times the Camerig climbed, to do a nice lot of altimeters and test my knee. On that day, I found out that I had a lot of was less fit than I thought. So it was getting exciting; I only had about two weeks left to train. During that time I did another 70-minute effort ride, and then it was all over. The week before the climb I deliberately rested.'
'By always putting my aim on the next cyclists in front of me, I stayed sharp. Actually, I only enjoyed the second climb.'
And then there it is: up Mont Ventoux 4 times!
The first climb - Malaucène (departure 06:30)
'I leave from Vaison-la-Romaine and ride from there 10 kilometres to the start of the climb from Malaucène; my favourite. It's hugely foggy, cold and wet. Normally you meet many cyclists on the Ventoux, but now I am constantly alone. With music on, though, it's going nicely and fortunately my knee doesn't bother me. At the top, it is so cold and windy that I immediately put on warm clothes and start the descent. During the descent, I can see no more than 4 metres in front of me. At the bottom - in Sault - I find a local café to get my first stamp and have something to eat.
The second climb - Sault
'This was my first ever climb, so I feel like cycling from Sault again. The sun starts to come through and it gets busier on the climb, allowing me to overtake cyclists. By always putting my aim on the next cyclists in front of me, I stay sharp. Actually, I just enjoyed the second climb. Contrary to my expectations, I actually arrive at the top super fit and motivated. At the bottom, in Bédoin, I get my second stamp in a cycling café. There I do feel: this is only the half; it's still going to be tough.'
The third climb - gravel from Bédoin
'The gravel climb. First a bit on the road from Bédoin, then almost 14 kilometres of gravel and the last bit back on the Malaucène route. So: time for the bike and shoe change. On the gravel section, I don't meet anyone. At times it is more like an MTB path, with lots of loose boulders. It's a really nice climb, up 8% at most. This alternation to gravel in between is super; time flies by. After this climb, I arrive at the top most refreshed; I suddenly have a lot of energy, am comfortable. I thought; bring on that final climb. Around 18.45, I arrived in Bédoin. There I got the third stamp and finished a good plate of 'Pasta Bolo'. And then time is running out; dusk is coming and I really don't feel like climbing everything in the dark.'
I had never gone that deep on the bike before. But then again, I only had about 600 metres left of the 6,100 altimeters.'
The fourth climb - Bédoin
'The last climb... the toughest. On the terrace, fatigue strikes - and the realisation that I underestimated it a bit. Just at the bottom of the climb, the sun sets and then it immediately gets colder. Leg and arm pieces on and an extra jacket. At that point, I just don't see it anymore, I think that's the low point. I've never gone that deep on the bike before. But then again, I 'only' have about 600 metres left of the 6100 altimeters. I am already so close, so I have to finish it. With lots of Haribo, Cola and enjoying my music, I get higher and higher. Along the way, I take a moment to myself; I dismount and stand there all alone, in the dark on that barren mountain. With only the sound of the wind around me, I watch the beautiful lights in the valley.
Then I get back on, and stomp to the top. My friends are waiting at the top with the car, whose lights are getting closer, which motivates. At 10.30pm, I come upstairs. At the summit, all sorts of things go through me; so much pride and euphoria at the same time. Something that first felt impossible, I have now done all by myself. This challenge lay 100% with me, no one could help me in this. The fact that I have now ticked this off makes me feel like I can handle anything. And the fact that this is now possible, after all the hassle with my knee injury, feels fantastic.'
After the finish line: tips for others Who want to climb Mont Ventoux 4 times?
'When asked if Jeffrey has any tips for people who are hesitant to go for the Cinglé du Ventoux to go - or maybe the 4, 5 or 6 times, he says: "With a good nutrition strategy - 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour, with sports food your body is used to - you already come a long way. Furthermore, I found it super nice to have support along, to give a jacket or extra nutrition at the intermediate stops. And make sure you have a good gear on your bike, don't make it harder for yourself than necessary.'
And further: 'Just do it. The fact that you are thinking about it does say you should go for it. Make sure you have climbed all three sides beforehand, so you know exactly what it entails. And if you really don't succeed, dare to give up too.'
This monster ride, 4 times up Mont Ventoux - and its preparation - has been fully captured for the podcast series 'The Cycling Dream'. Curious about the accompanying images and emotions of this adventure? Then watch below is the film
