Channel 2 Med Vajrin 2016: Day 11 – Vaison la Romaine to Sault

"The Ventoux is a God of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering."

Roland Barthes, French philosopher

Breakfast outdoors with fine views over Provence as we prepare ourselves for a massive climb.

The morning briefing was more about reassurance and advice to take it steady! Although there was a short flat ride to the starting point of the ascent, the village of Malaucene, once there, it was simply up for between 2-3 hours of continuous climbing.

Rob, our guide was on the bike today, there to support from the back. It was also his first ever ascent.

Fran, one of the tandem team, looking as cool and relaxed as ever

Mont Ventoux, shrouded in mist, as we approached Malaucene,

The Provence is stunning. My words cannot do it justice, nor can these photos. If you can, do visit to taken in the awe-inspiring vistas .

We were to make the ‘Malaucene’ ascent of Mont Ventoux. One of two very tough ascents and an iconic Tour de France 21 km climb. Some say that Ventoux is the toughest climb of all the Tour.

The ascent is relentless, at best 6% but mostly 9-10% with a mid-section >11%.

I’ve never climbed continuously for over 2 hours before, so this was unknown territory.

We ascended either singly or small groups, each going at a pace that challenged but remained doable.

Sadly, Mt Ventoux claimed the life of Tom Simpson, who died on the mountain in 1967 whilst attempting to complete the 13^th stage of the Tour, a monster 211km from Marseille to Carpentras. Temperatures exceeded 30 degrees. After collapsing he asked spectators to "put me back on my bike!" . He then died within 1.5 km of the summit. The cause of death was attributed to a combination of heat exhaustion, alcohol and amphetamines.

In 1970 Eddy Merckx rode himself to the brink of collapse while winning the stage. He received oxygen, recovered, and won the Tour de France.

Kilometre markers gave both distance to the top and the gradient. This one showed a brief levelling, a joy for my burning quads!

Our guides, Nigel and Isabelle, leap-frogged with vans supplying much needed fluids and sustenance.

Pasture land and snow-capped mountains to the east.

The more testosterone-driven amongst us refused to stop for breaks and were handed snacks and water on the move.

Adrian and I ascended the last few kilometres taking in the lunar landscape and fine views.

After photographing on the move (not to be recommended), Adrian reciprocated - "Pass me your camera." This was a difficult 'lunar docking' between climbing cyclists, possibly slightly delirious from a 2 hour as.

Mission accomplished

Ian

Here are a series of celebratory photos - apologies if you have no idea who we all are, but arriving at the top felt fabulous!

Bruce

Peter

Elise and Rachel

Andrew on his final ascent, being cheered - "allez-allez"

Critical to keep warm at the top. Although very sunny, it was windy and easy to get chilled.

Debbie with Chris.

Kathy steaming in.

John and Chris

Yippee!

On top of the world

Chris at the front and Fran steering - fabulous! Although two pedalling, this bike is heavy and not ideal for steep ascents.

Philip below the iconic tower.

One of us managed a fabulous 1hr 59min (world record from the Bedoin side in 2004 was 55' 51" – but there were issues around doping during this time). However, our Canadian 'King of the Mountain', Adrian, ascended only with the benefit of croissant.

After much jubilation, many photos and, in my case, purchase of a ‘must-have’ Mt Ventoux cycling gilet (a sort of polythene waistcoat costing the earth).

Although mostly cyclists there were some cars and more motorbikes. Mostly, French drivers are much more sympathetic to cyclists than in the UK. There were many signs en route asking motorists to give a 1.5m overtaking gap.

We stopped at Chalet Reynard 6 km below the summit for cyclist’s portion sizes of omelette and chips, then descended to Sault, our destination for the night.