France 2011, Sep 22, Mont Ventoux

Our last day of riding. We decide to climb the "giant" one more time. This time from Sault, the very north ridge of the mountain. It is the easiest approach until the last 6 km when it joins the road from Benoit. It was a beautiful day, no clouds, and very little wind.

When starting a ride we often look for a Tobac (small place they sell cigs, beer, coffee, hot chocolate etc) We found one in Sault and asked about the "toilet". We were pointed up a circular staircase about 3 feet wide. Nothing at the top. Halfway up a very small door. Inside was crammed a toilet. We swear it had to be set and then the very thin walls put up after. No way to take an adequate pic. You had to be there. Hilarious.

On the way up this approach there we some very nice forests to ride through. Most of the grades were around 4-5 %.





There were three professional photographers I saw on the way up. None on the day we climbed in the Mistral. They shoot your picture and a helped above runs out with their card and contact info.

In this picture I have about 3-4 km to go. This is my third time up the mountain. Have climbed it from all three approaches. Lots of other bike riders, motorcyclists, and cars going up this time.

The top was like a hornets' nest of people. This pic taken by a Dutchman who I saw several times on the way up as was the next pic.

This is the weather station at the top. It is huge and I suspect it has some military function as well because there were 3 passes by fighter jets that we saw.

This is looking down the north side and the road approaching from Malaucene. We did this climb in September of 2009.

That it for this trip folks. Had a great time. A bucket list trip. I am tired. Ready for some time off and the flat rides. I love riding my bike, almost anywhere, anytime. It is truly a privilege to be able to do so at age 70.

France 2011, Sep 21, Gorge de la Nesque

On the 20th I visited friends in the Luberon. They have a house in Goult. So on the 21st we decided to take it easy and look at the Gorge de la Nesque.

The ride starts by traveling up a long ridge on the south east side of Mont Ventoux. In the picture below you see the "Giant" on a clear day.

We stopped at a great out door restaurant at the the top of the gorge for a nice lunch. Best one we had seen in the small villages during the trip. Sorry for the lousy picture.

Then a view riding down the edge of the gorge itself. Note on the right edge of the picture, the southeast face of Mont Ventoux. Very nice an relaxing day

France 2011, Sep 19, Mont Ventoux in a Mistral

This was a crazy day. Weather predicted a Mistral. This is a north wind that comes down the Rhone valley when there is a high over the eastern atlantic and a low over the low countries. It then creates a wind that roars down the Rhone valley.

When we got up it was nice an warm, a little breezy and looked good for a ride up the Bedoin side of Mont Ventoux, the side the pros usually use, as we had never done that.

We rode from Carpentras to Bedoin and took this pic. Note that you cannot see the top of Mont Ventoux. Also note the name. Vent-tous (always windy) in English. Little did we know. Off we went.

I know, I took this pic on the way down. This route is the hardest of the three routes up the Ventoux. Several kilometers of average of 10% or greater. We didn't get too warm on the way up so stopped at the little shop and restaurant 6 km from the top. A man (T.W.) insisted I take his leg warmers. He was on his way down and we watched as he drank 4 hot chocolates. Then he began shivering. We took off for the top.
The top. I do not have my bike as I cannot hold it and stand at the same time. I am leaning into the wind. Winds recoded that day on top were around 100 km in gusts. We were crazy. Had to walk up the last 200 meters and get in the lee of the weather station.

Post script: I found TM in Canada and talked to him. He was coming to Denver so I gave him his leg warmers and a drink. He agreed we were all crazy because we were limited on time and thought we had to do it NOW. NOW!! A great killer of athletes.