While this is a gravel page, biking Mont Ventoux is relevant to everything I’ve ever done.
We ride bikes to expand our boundaries of adventure and every outing may not be of that variety, but each stroke we take leads us there.
Mont Ventoux is part of a special subset of world renowned climbs, especially for producing iconic moments in the Tour de France.
For us in North America, the biggest hurdle is getting there as the only direct flight to France goes into Paris and it’ll take you 3-4 hours to Avignon which is the closest pivot point to Bedoin.
Most likely, you’ll have to rent a car for an hour drive or take a bus to Carpentras for bike rental which is nine miles away from the climb’s start.
Mont Ventoux can be divided into three segments starting with the wine region bottom quarter, followed by the forest section taking up half the ride finishing up on the moonscape past Chalet Reynard.
In California, Onion Valley Road is almost identical to Mont Ventoux in both distance and grade (though 900m higher) which taught me you have to temper your effort on
While the flattest of any of the sections, the start doesn’t exactly scream climb with its light grades and sharing more space with the local villages.
There’s a clear delineation making the hairpin turn after the emblematic fountain taking you into the trees and the heaviest grades lingering around 9%.
The middle is definitely the toughest as its limited views and constant grindage will wear at you some way, especially if you take the bait to start chasing other riders here.
If there’s a sign of hope, it’s at mile 9 when you can spot the lifts from Chalet Reynard that’s an appropriate spot for a break and take it all in because a number will drive to this point just to bike the rest of the way.
At 4700′, the tree density severely scales back and continues to do so until the peak with deforestation starting two thousand years ago attributing to Ventoux’s unique look.
The result is producing the amazing panoramas as you enter the western edge of the alps helping you take your mind off your effort.
While most of the grade stays near a comfortable 7%, the final stretch after the Tom Simpson Memorial gets a bit more pitchy to the end but you should be on Cloud 9 at that point.
Reaching the peak is truly a crowning moment with scores up there taking their time to celebrate and everyone ready to swap stories on this epic accomplishment.
With the history of the Tour mixed in and the energy coming off all the other riders, biking Mont Ventoux is a lifetime experience that cannot be replaced.