Mont Ventoux and Gorges de la Nesque

The lunar landscape that is the legendary Mont Ventoux, located in the Provence region of southern France, an area famous for lavender fields, white nougat and cherries. Nicknamed the 'Beast of Provence', Ventoux is an epic climb on any cyclists bucket list, used 18 times in the Tour de France. Though after today, no amount of encouragement will entice me to ride this mountain again. (well maybe lots of money).

According to Google, the wind blows at over 90km per hour for 240 days of the year.  Today there was no wind. Standing alone, Ventoux dominates the entire region, looming on the horizon from all directions.  The top of the mountain is bare limestone, void of vegetation, so looks like snow from a distance.

David choose's a route, a nice warmup as we climb up to Gorges de la Nesque with stunning views, its humid and black clouds are threatening, despite the weather forecast for rain tomorrow.  We had trouble finding accommodation in the main town of Bedoin, but lucked it in Sault, an apartment in a beautiful historic castle, we are in the Guardhouse with the dungeons below us. We now understand why accommodation was hard to find, The Mont Ventoux Grand Fondo is on Sunday, finishing on the summit.


Lots of riders out today, it's great to see. Interestingly, most riders were coming in the opposite direction, so I keep asking myself, 'what do they know I don't?' I continually look back at the dark clouds and say to Dave, if it starts pouring, I'm turning back. By the time we descend down from the Gorge and make our way across to the start of the climb, just out of the town of Bedoin, its humid and sunny. 

Of course I am feeling anxious, this mountain is legendary, 21.8 km in length with average grade of 7.5%, difficult level of Extreme. So yea, nervous, cross even, found it hard to relax and settle into the ride. We are soon in thick pine forest, their long branches overhanging our side of the road, offering lovely shade. The roads are straight and boring.  I don't see any kilometre markers to tick down, so disappointed when I check my climb profile on my head unit, to see I am only at the 10km mark. 

My backs aching, I'm in and out of the saddle to relieve the tension built up from the constant grind. From kilometre 6 to 12, the road stays fairly consistent around 9.5%, the scenery does not change, high dense green pine forest both sides of the road, no views, so I have to invent ways to distract myself. 

Over my heavy breathing, I listen hard for the birds.  I hear their song and that makes me smile. I listen and think of my Dad.  Not sure why, but when I do intently listen to the birds, when grinding away up some hill, Dad always pops into my head and it is in this moment, I believe, he is with me.


At 6km to go, we pass the ski resort restaurant and the landscape changes dramatically, we are now above the pine forest and the white limestone rock is a dominate feature.  I take a quick break, it's unrelenting, suck on some lollies and drink, quickly running out of water.  The grind here eases a little, I see riders ahead of me wobbling on the smooth tarmac, we have all been working so hard. 


The weather tower looms ahead, feels like it keeps moving on me.  My route tells me I have a kilometre to go at 10% but I'm done.  I stop, pull over, that's it. I say to Dave, 'I'm heading back'.  He tries to encourage me to give it one last push to the top, 'you'll regret it Ang, were not coming back here'

No, I stand my ground, I'm defiant. I'm done. He goes off, I watch him dragging his body up the last pinch with other riders.  I'm alone. I say to myself, 'ok, let's go down' Then I ask myself, 'how will I feel at the bottom?  Will I be disappointed I didn't get to the top?' The answer says it all.  I get back on and head up that blasted last kilometre to the top.


I am not elated as I was finishing the Tourmalet, I am just happy it's over.  There is little wind on top which is a blessing.  I know riders who have been pelted by the limestone rocks on their way down.
This ride is on Zwift, a cycling platform we use in winter of which I have done two or three times.  It was boring then but manageable.  I will have to say, 'in real life' this ride is much harder. 

The ride down is quite easy, no tight turns, just letting the bike run around those corners and down the long straight roads, my trusty steed, solid and safe.


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