cycling Mont Ventoux - Malaucene

For a long time I had wanted to try road biking. While staying in Malaucene with my husband it seems like the time was right. I bought a second hand bike from the super nice people at the bike store in town. I knew Ventoux would have to be a goal, it just beckons everyday. I had to get used to my bike with a few outings round and about in the area, so many great rides. After finally having the courage to have clips put on I decided it was time to ride Le Ventoux. Started out from Malaucene at about 7.30 it was pretty windy so was keeping my fingers crossed, it wouldnt be too bad on top. Its a pretty unrelenting climb but eases off part way through so you can settle into a steady pace. Theres a stretch up to Mont Serin Ski area that was a tough one for me, but I knew it wasnt much further after that. Although the last few kms make you keep up the hard work. Arriving on top was awesome lots of people welcoming you congratulating you it felt like it was quite an achievement. It didnt take long however to get dang cold, clear and sunny but windy! A really great ride and happy to have done it. My knees feel like theyre broken today though!

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

Did Malaucene ascent on my MTB whilst on holiday (only bike I had with me). Pumped tyres up to max (65psi) and started early. Temperature was 22C at 7am when I started with no wind, made early part an ordeal. Once up the first major climb a breeze picked up and it wasnt so bad. Middle section was a mental struggle just watching the km posts go by - slowly. Top was fantastic and the views kept me going. 3hr or thereabouts which I am pretty happy with as a non-roadie on knobblies! And the descent was a massive buzz. Overtook a car and very nearly a roadie (was out braking him with my disks). An amazing experience.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

find my story on www.parrabuddy.blogspot.com and follow me on www.twitter.com/skippydetour. help make a difference for the ""disabled/physically challenged. happy new year and join me on mt ventoux in 2010!

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I ascended Mont Ventoux from Malaucene in June, 2008. It was very pleasant at the botton, perhaps 22 degrees, but dropped to 2 degrees at the top with the last 5 - 6 km in heavy fog and mist. I agree that there is no way to ""ease"" into this climb - it begins right from the start. There are some shallow gradients here and there as others have mentioned, and the prevailing winds can be beneficial as they were the day of my climb. I made the top in 1:45 but it seemed much slower to me - lots of out of the saddle, low cadence tempo. I rented a Merckx CHM road bike for this trip, which included 7 days of easy 45 - 60 km riding before Ventoux, but I didnt give much thought to the chainring set-up when I arranged for the rental some months prior. I would highly recommend a compact or a triple if you can arrange it. I suffered mightiliy! All in all, this was a very challenging ride. I would do it again - probably from Bedoin just for comparison.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

This is very challenging. Right out of town you hit steep climbs. It then settles down a little. Then it picks up again. Kilometers 10-15 are a nasty surprise just when you think you have settled in. I thought ""geez, 6K to go, and only about 400m vertical before the final steep part. So, it looks like 6% from there but (as you can see from the chart)a couple of the ks are very shallow. The end was nasty when I did it. That last 4-5K is very steep from this side, and once you get out of the trees the wind is gusting hard (30-50 km/h. The day I did it it was beautiful and clear at 9AM when I started. By the time I got within 2k of the top it was cold, windy, and starting to rain; I actually thought I would need to abandon with 1.5K to go. However, I made it to the top and a bunch of people sat out the rain in the restaurant. I made it in 1:47, but it was a lot of work with low cadence. I would try Bedoin before this if you had the choice, as it seems more even.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I did this rid in late May 2008. It was blowing a gale in Malaucene so I nearly didnt set out. However, I got the benefit of a wind assisted ascent, particularly on the initial hard ramps, which were made significantly easier. On the whole this is a beautiful climb through sunny woodland. After a number of miles you swing to the left and, looking to your right, get your first view on the ""summit"". It looks a heck of a long way - but it is actually further than that! Its quite daunting at the time. This climb is actually unrelenting - hard but never desperate. reaching the summit is very dramatic. The mist shrouded summit itself is a bit of an anticlimax. And it was very cold. The descent is an absolute blast, made a little scary toards the bottom by the same swirling headwind which had helped my ascent. A great day out, a piece of history.

My personal climb rating: 5 stars

I have no story yet. I am planning on riding the Ventoux next summer with a group. Would you have info on a campground with mobilehomes. Or a bungalow park in the area? Next year Ill have some stories to tell.

Ive mounted mont ventoux last week thursday (August 2nd) starting from Malaucène. First kilometres are tough, no time to sit back nd relax. After 14 km, it gets again very steep. Once the top is in sght, you forget about the pain in your legs and you ride to have a magnificent view over the vaucluse. Of course I took a picture of the weather station so others would believe my story! It is great thrill to ride up that mountain. Malaucène is the lowest point compared to Sault and Bedoin.