Mt Ventoux from Sisteron
Today was a beautiful ride over three small Cols, finishing with the Giant of Provence-Mt Ventoux. We had a scenic, shady picnic lunch overlooking the lavender fields right in the shadow of the bald headed Mt.Ventoux. We continued to pedal through Sault and the vast fields of purple lavender that surrounded us, as we approached the climb of the Beast of Provence. Unique in it’s lunar like surface at the top, it really feels like you are going to the moon as the elevation rises. The road to the top is closed for most of the year due to freezing temperatures at the summit but thankfully not today.
I have done this climb several different times from all three approaches, but not usually in the heat! (I think I have climbed it twice in the rain.) Today was really beautiful once we got to the tree lined shade of the forest and saw The Chalet Raynard-this is the point where you can finally see the Mountain summit in the distance and the switchbacks rising to the tower on top.
I love Mt Ventoux and hope to return again to do the 3 different routes to the top in one day! Dad, Peter and Neil all belong to this crazy club and now I feel I have to join!
It’s been an amazing trip and it’s sad to see it come to an end. But my “End” will be happy not to get on the bike saddle tomorrow. A little rest on the train ride may be a nice break. I will try again to download and export the pictures from today
Everybody did great climbing Mont Ventoux. I cheated and used an e-bike from Sault to the top, but even with that it was a grueling climb. I can only imagine the suffering that the others felt on regular bikes, which I can easily do since I have gone up several times on a regular bike. It is never easy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for documenting an incredible trip! The pictures and write ups really captured the moments. Très bon!
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