Last week I popped my first ‘proper’ alpine climb cherry when I rode up Mont Ventoux. I must admit that I’d let it get into my head somewhat before the ride, but for once I’m glad it did. It made me pace myself for what was, by far, the longest climb I’ve ever done. Ventoux is relentless, and it plays with your mind all the way. The lower slopes, on paper, are the hardest part with gradients of 8-12% for well over 10km. And there’s never any respite. No freewheeling sections to catch your breath. It just climbs and climbs. When you reach Chalet Reynard you have in theory done the hardest part, but even on a crisp beautiful morning like we had, the wind plays it’s part in contributing to the challenging final 6km. And just because the gradient eases a fraction, it doesn’t mean it’s any less relentless. On top of that, as you turn the first corner after Chalet Reynard and see the tower, you think the end is in sight, but you still have a leg sapping 6km to go, and the wind starts to play it’s part, swirling around you and hitting you head on at the most inopportune moments. And as if that isn’t enough, things ramp up for the last 2km just to make sure you’re leaving everything on the mountain. Ventoux is a barren and bleak landscape which only contributes to the magic of the climb. I’m not sure there are many other mountains I’d prefer to have popped my cherry on. It was wild. It’s was relentless. It was unforgiving. It was exhausting. It was magical. It was utterly enthralling. I loved it. I’d set a target of 2 hours as a reasonable objective and came it at around 1 hour 50mins and I’ll take that. It’s given me a taste for the big alpine climbs and it’s left an indelible memory. Thanks again to Derek and Donna at @bike.alive for making this dream a reality, and for the whole St Malo to Nice experience. 🙏 #stmalotonice #stmalotonicecycle #mtventoux #ventoux #montventoux #cyclinglife #cycling #cycliste #cyclinglove #cyclingpics #ilovemybike #lovecycling #instacycling #instacycle #instabicycle #bikestagram #bikelife #bikelove #bike #bikes #mamil #themamil #rideordie #bicycleride (at Mont-Ventoux) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfyE1nWsQaa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
