2nd-9th August 2020
5 to 30 °C
Level : Intermediate to Advanced
"The Ventoux is a God of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering." - Roland Barthes, philosopher.
Ventoux is not just a Hors Category climb. This col has its own microclimate. It may have been warm and sunny when you started, but the last 6 kms could be rain, wind, and fog! Or vice versa. That last 6 kms is also rocky and barren. You could be forgiven for feeling you were riding on the moon! If you’re having a good day, that last six kms is a spur to conquer ‘The Beast of Provence’. If you’re having a bad day, you will feel the mountain is mocking you, playing tricks! And, it probably is!
Mont Ventoux is the col that all cyclists respect. Sometimes kind, sometimes cruel, every rider who climbs this beast approaches it with trepidation.
It is said that Ventoux exposes your weaknesses as a rider. Winds, stifling heat, rain, mist, and let us not forget gradients in excess of 10%. Ventoux is a physical and mental challenge and is considered one of the hardest climbs in cycling.
Our tour takes you along the two most famous routes to reach the top. The Malaucène, and the infamous Bédoin route. Both offer you different perspectives on Ventoux and both will require all of your riding skills to conquer them. As well as the two Ventoux routes this tour gives you the opportunity to ride other roads used in the Tour de France and the Paris Nice races.
The descent of Ventoux has to be experienced. Although we limit you to 50 k/ph for your own safety as you are riding on open roads, you will get no greater test of your descending skills than Ventoux. This is your reward after making such a climb!
For the Ventoux rides you will be supported Tour de France style with a support car carrying spare parts, drinking water, a change of clothes and food. For all routes, Martin will also be riding with you passing on coaching advice and knowledge. Martin is a professional cycle coach with years of experience. He ensures you will reach the summit of Ventoux and is on hand to carry out repairs if needed. We want to keep you on the road as much as possible.
Don’t take your bike on a plane, hire one on site. The bikes are kept in first class condition and are perfect for conquering ‘The Beast of Provence’. We take care of the hire logistics.
From airport transfers to ensuring your accommodation is booked, to keeping you on the road, we have everything covered. All you have to do is ride the mountain the pros respect.
We ride together, we eat together, and camaraderie forms. Our guests tell us they make new long lasting friendships on our tours. If you are wondering if you can enjoy riding Ventoux if you're travelling alone, the answer is yes.
Testimonials
Last year I tackled the Mont Ventoux Challenge with SportActive. A challenge it certainly was - 6 days riding totalling 450km with over 8,000m climbed. I will never forget the sight of Mont Ventoux towering above us and the joy and sense of achievement at reaching the summit not once but twice, from different directions.With Martin on the road for coaching and encouragement and Flora in the van for support I never doubted that I would make it. A holiday it also was - with rides through the sun drenched vineyards and breathtaking gorges, stopping at hilltop villages for lunch, then returning to a friendly welcome at the hotel and a dip in the pool followed by good food and company at local restaurants.
Alexandra Taylor - Shropshire UK - Mont Ventoux Challenge
Testimonials
I had a fantastic trip with you two and the rest of the gang! It was so enjoyable I am afraid to admit it out loud! … as before heading out to Marseille I refer to the trip as the ‘boot camp’ cycling holiday’ and I was making fun of it… but having been there and done it, I do understand why the guys are hooked on it!
The beauty and charm of Provence in itself with the highlight of the astonishing Mount Ventoux, mixed with the wonderful sense of freedom and achievement while riding my bike definitely deserves a special mentioned on my diary.
I thank you for providing the frame for this to take place, I loved the fact that though it was an ‘organized’ trip I did not feel encrusted on a set timetable. I had fun, I was challenged, I learnt, I met new people, I saw new places… I was in pain, in shock, in love…
Anyway, I think you get the idea. I LOVE my sportactive experience!
Elena Romero: Mont Ventoux Challenge
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