Thanks to Thomas and Hamish and James (lurking in the background) we have now a bike ride for those of you tempted to the one must-do-once-in-lifetime ride in good company and for a good cause!
Mont Ventoux!
Only 1609 vertical meters in 21.1 km - average 7.63%, superb views and a dash of heavy breathing (the outdoorsy kind)!
And that for a good cause to boot.
More about it all here.
This is how it looks like just after start, looks easy eh?
...and a bit later it looks like this:
1.5 km before the top you will pass the Simpson memorial where cyclist leaves some memorabilia like punctured tubes and bottles. Simpson died here when racing uphill in 1963... so take it easy!
The profile looks like this:
And if you're not convinced yet that this is a definite, must do etc - here's a comparison to other well-known cols around:
| climbing m. | Km | % | |
| Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez | 1141m. | 13 km. | 8.77 % |
| Luz St Sauveur - Col du Tourmalet | 1405 m. | 18 km. | 7.80 % |
| Malaucène - Mont Ventoux | 1579 m. | 20.6 km. | 7.67 % |
| Bédoin - Mont Ventoux | 1609 m. | 21.1 km. | 7.63 % |
| St. Marie - Col du Tourmalet | 1258 m. | 17 km. | 7.40 % |
| Jausiers - Cime de la Bonette | 1622 m. | 24 km. | 6.76 % |
| Briançon - Col d'Izoard | 1040 m. | 21.5 km. | 4.84 % |
| Briançon - Col du Galibier | 1647 m. | 35.5 km | 4.64 % |
As you can see there are some steeper ones, but Bedoin - Mont Ventoux has that nice combination of steepness and a looong way to enjoy it!
So join us now - go here.
Support car, video recording, photo opportunities supplied and water bottles filled up at need!
I see the potential but I don't have the capability for that road!
Posted by: john dodds | June 19, 2006 at 18:35
Hehe, but you have!
That's the beauty about "potential" - you will always be able, just have to add the capability when required (read get your butt onto a bike and go, go, go!)
That's sometimes called setting goals - we have herewith given you one neat one, including a after-party :D
Posted by: sig | June 19, 2006 at 18:45