Mont Ventoux

A brief collection of information relating to Mont Ventoux, especially in relation to the Cingles du Mont Ventoux challenge
May 4

Top Tips for the Cingles Challenge

Some tips from a seasoned rider

  1. Do the Sault ascent last, it is quite easy to get into a nice rhythm on it
  2. There is one dangerous corner midway down the descent to Malaucerne, coming after a real long straight bit, otherwise you needn’t use your brakes after the ski station
  3. I used a 39x27, but a 34x25 would be equally fine;
  4. Take kit for all eventualities, especially a tight fitting waterproof that you can stuff in your pocket. It is no fun being blown about by a flappy cagoule at the top
  5. Check the wear on your brake blocks before you go. You can wear through some rubber if it is wet day
  6. Obviously conserve your energy. You might be tempted to turn on the gas for a 1hr 20 ascent, but you may suffer later. Save the record attempts for the next day! (I was taking 1hr 40-50 on my trips, and trying to keep my HR at below 150 all day. I didn’t have a powermeter then, so no idea what that translates into. Even at that pace I was only overtaken by two riders the whole day and the next)