{"id":21780,"date":"2025-02-18T22:14:17","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T21:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=21780"},"modified":"2026-10-05T07:44:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T07:44:41","slug":"4-times-the-mont-ventoux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/4-keer-de-mont-ventoux","title":{"rendered":"4 times the Mont Ventoux: Jeffrey talks about his monster ride on the \u2018bare mountain\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Mont Ventoux has something special. There are many beautiful climbs in Europe, but once you have climbed to the top of the Mont Blanc, you will admit that this one is special. With the summit at 1,910 meters, you reach the highest point of Provence. And you can feel it. In the final kilometers, all the protection is gone and the hard wind blows into your face. For Jeffrey Wiese, the love for cycling began on this mountain, and after \u2013 literally \u2013 mountains and valleys in his \u2018cycling career\u2019, he felt that there was something special about it. the Ventoux<\/a> There was still \u2018something\u2019 to be achieved. That brought him to the ultimate challenge: the Cingl\u00e9 du Ventoux<\/strong>. But then with a pinch of salt: he climbed the Mont Ventoux 4 times, with the Fourth ascent<\/strong> The gravel route. We spoke with him about his monster ride on the bare mountain.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Maks Groeneveld <\/em>| Photos: What if the Cycling Podcast<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The love for the Ventoux<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2018You are a cyclist who finds the Ventoux particularly special. Why did you choose that mountain specifically?<\/strong>\u2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018When I was about 13 years old, I went to France with my father. From the campsite we had a view of Mont Ventoux, and I immediately thought, \u2018Wow, I have to go up there.\u2019 At the time, I only had a \u201cnormal bike\u201d with a straight handlebar and few gears. We cycled a short distance together. There I suddenly saw all these cyclists and beautiful racing bikes. At that moment, my love for cycling literally blossomed on Mont Ventoux. <\/strong>The years that followed we went back \u2013 then with a race bike. Three years later I rode the Ventoux for the first time from Sault, I must have been 16. At the top I felt more proud than ever. On returning home I joined a club and started riding competitions.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"'The
\u2018The first time I was on the top as a 17-year-old, I felt more proud than ever before.\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"'When
\u2018When I got home, I joined a club and started competing.\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"'Because
\u2018Because of a knee injury, I almost gave up on my goal, but a good bike fit changed that.\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2018How did you come up with the idea to climb the Mont Ventoux four times?\u2019<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u2018It was already on my schedule to climb the Ventoux three times, but I had to cancel that plan because I had 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 had put the challenge out of my mind. Later, when I started my podcast series with two friends, \u2018The Cycling Dream\u2019 \u2013 in which all three of us would embark on a cycling dream \u2013 I immediately knew that that would mean that I would still climb the Ventoux three times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had a number of partnerships, including with a bike fitter, David. I got a very good bike fit from him. David measured the soles of my cycling shoes. He helped me on one condition; I had to climb the mountain a fourth time.<\/strong> The insole reduced my knee pain significantly, and that made the challenge really achievable all of a sudden.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018How did you prepare for this challenge?<\/strong>\u2018<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Phew. That wasn\u2019t great. During that period I had a lot of work, so the training was really minimal. I cycled whenever I could. About a month before the challenge I was in Limburg 15 times the Camerig<\/a><\/strong> I climbed up the mountain to get a lot of elevation gain and test my knee. That day I realized that I had a lot of improvement. was less fit than I thought<\/strong>. So it got exciting; I only had about two weeks left to train. During that period I did another 70-minute endurance ride, and then it was all over. The week before the climb I deliberately took a rest.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Screenshot\"<\/span>
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\u2018By constantly setting my goal for the next cyclists in front of me, I remained focused. Actually, I only really enjoyed the second climb.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And then it's finally time: 4 times the Mont Ventoux!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The first climb \u2013 Malauc\u00e8ne (departure 06:30)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018I leave from Vaison-la-Romaine and ride 10 kilometers from there to the start of the climb from Malauc\u00e8ne; it\u2019s my favorite climb. It\u2019s extremely foggy, cold and wet. Normally, you encounter many cyclists on the Ventoux, but now I\u2019m constantly alone. With the music on, it\u2019s fine, and fortunately I don\u2019t have any knee problems. At the top, it\u2019s so cold and windy that I immediately put on warm clothes and start the descent. During that descent, I can see no more than 4 meters ahead. Down below \u2013 in Sault \u2013 I find a local caf\u00e9 to get my first stamp and have something to eat.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second climb \u2013 Sault <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018This was my first climb ever, so I\u2019m looking forward to cycling again from Sault. The sun is starting to come out and things are getting busier on the climb, which means I can catch up with the cyclists. By always setting my goal for the next cyclist in front of me, I stay focused. Actually, I just enjoyed the second climb. Against my expectations, I end up feeling super fit and motivated at the top. Down at the bottom, in B\u00e9doin, I get my second stamp in a cycling caf\u00e9. There I feel: this is only the first half; it\u2019s going to get tough.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third climb \u2013 gravel from B\u00e9doin <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The gravel climb. First a bit on the road from B\u00e9doin, then almost 14 kilometers of gravel and the last stretch back on the Malauc\u00e8ne route. So: time for a bike and shoe change. On the gravel section I don\u2019t see anyone. It\u2019s sometimes more of a MTB trail, with a lot of loose rocks. It\u2019s really a nice climb, with a maximum of 8% uphills. This alternation between gravel and road is great; time flies by. After this climb I\u2019m most refreshed; I suddenly have a lot of energy, I feel great. I thought, \"Come on, climb that last climb.\"<\/strong>. Around 18.45 I arrive in B\u00e9doin. There I got the third stamp and put up a nice sign saying \u2018Pasta Bolo\u2019. Then the time starts to tick; dusk is approaching and I really don\u2019t feel like having to climb everything in the dark.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Screenshot\"<\/span>
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I\u2019d never been that deep on a bike before. But hey, I only had to cover about 600 meters of the 6,100 altitude meters.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The fourth climb \u2013 B\u00e9doin <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u2018The final climb\u2026 the hardest. At the terrace the fatigue sets in \u2013 and the realization that I had underestimated it a bit. Just below the climb the sun goes down and it gets immediately colder. Put on gloves and a jacket. At that moment I just don't see the point anymore; that's probably the low point. <\/strong>I\u2019ve never been this deep on a bike before. But hey, I only have to get about 600 meters from the 6100 meter mark. I\u2019m already so close, so I have to finish it. With lots of Haribo, Cola and some good music, I get higher and higher. Along the way, I take a moment for myself; I step off and stand there completely alone, in the dark on that barren mountain. With only the sound of the wind around me, I look at the beautiful lights in the valley.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I get back on, and I stamp my way to the top. My friends are waiting at the top with the car, and the lights get closer, which motivates me. At 22:30 I get upstairs.<\/strong> There are so many emotions going through me at the top; so much pride and euphoria at the same time. Something that seemed impossible before has now been done entirely by myself. This challenge was 100% up to me; no one could help me with it. The fact that I have ticked this off now gives me the feeling that I can handle anything. And the fact that this is now possible, after all the trouble with my knee injury, feels fantastic.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the finish line: tips for others<\/strong> those 4 people who want to climb Mont Ventoux?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2018To the question of whether Jeffrey has tips for people who hesitate to apply for the Cingl\u00e9 du Ventoux<\/strong><\/em> Go \u2013 or perhaps the 4, 5 or 6 times, he says: \u2018With a good nutrition strategy \u2013 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour, with sports nutrition that your body is used to \u2013 you can go a long way. Furthermore, I found it super nice to have support, to give a jacket or extra food at the pit stops. And make sure you have good pedaling on your bike, don\u2019t make it harder for yourself than necessary.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And besides: \u2018Just do it.\u2019. The fact that you are thinking about it says that you should go for it.<\/strong> Make sure you have already climbed all three sides beforehand, so you know exactly what it entails. And if you really can\u2019t make it, then you should also dare to give up.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This mountain race, 4 times the Mont Ventoux \u2013 and the preparation for it \u2013 has been fully documented for the podcast series \u2018The Cycling Dream\u2019. Curious about the accompanying images and emotions of this adventure? Then check it out Below is the film<\/a>
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