7/29 - Mont Ventoux

We did it! Took the hard way, from Bédoin to the summit, then continued on D974 descending into Maucelène then finishing the loop back at our campsite in Bédoin. We began the 21 km climb at 6:00am to avoid the midday heat. The road starts off at a pretty low gradient for the first several kilometers, then inclines sharply at the bend of Saint-Estève, winding through a forest at an average grade that never drops below 9%. Once you reach the Chalet Reynard at km 15, the steady steepness eases up a little, leaving you with a stunning view of the road to the summit: a wind-swept, rocky, bare, almost surreal place, so different from the forest below. After some hard pedaling and gritted teeth, we reached the summit. What a view from up there! With the sun still low in the sky, it was like watching the whole world wake up. Off to the south we could see towards Arles and the Mediterranean. Looking north, we could see an infinite field of mountains - the French Alps, where we would soon be heading. I love climbing roads by bicycle because I feel so incredibly alive at the top. Today's climb was one of the best ever.

Lonely at the top


The blessed summit signpost


All smiles


Mountains beyond mountains