Mount Ventoux

andrew said:

I would really like to ride the big beast.

It looks like we are going to book a house for our hols next summer
not too far away.

Has anyone ever done it or know anyone who has?

I have, in 1994 when Eros Poli made that epic break to with the Tour stage
into Carpentras. I was on the summit of Mont Ventoux. I overshot a corner on
my descent enad end up on the wrong side of the road, the ride behind me
ended up in a tree with broken collar bone. On watching the Tour on TV that
evening M. Indurain over shot the same corner. We later saw him in
Carpentras trying to find his way back to his team bus or hotel after the
interviews.

Quoted message said:

Any tips for my preparation?

Ride lots

Quoted message said:

I know there was a debate on here recently on the longest climbs in
the UK as I guess I'll have to ride some of them to prepare........

Ride as many as you can and as often as you can.

andrew said:

I would really like to ride the big beast.

It looks like we are going to book a house for our hols next summer not too
far away.

Has anyone ever done it or know anyone who has?

Any tips for my preparation?

I rode up a some years back. Don't be daunted. It looks a real monster
from miles away - and it is, but taken gently I think any reasonably fit
person should manage it.

I climbed up from Malaucene where I had camped and it took most of the
morning. I'd certainly advise starting as early as you can because it
really can be hot above the tree line. Take lots of water. That said it
can also be howling a gale.

If you don't like heights (like me) you may find the scree slopes a bit
scary. When you see the observatory at the top don't be misled - there
will still be a lot of gravelling to do.
I went up on a reasonably light road bike.

A couple of years later I was there on the tandem trike with two
children on the back and really wish I'd gone up again. I regret not
doing so.

There's a wealth of info on cycling up the Ventoux on the web.

Enjoy.

John B

in message <[email hidden]>, andrew

(') said:

I would really like to ride the big beast.

It looks like we are going to book a house for our hols next summer
not too far away.

Has anyone ever done it or know anyone who has?

Any tips for my preparation?

I know there was a debate on here recently on the longest climbs in
the UK as I guess I'll have to ride some of them to prepare........

Green Lowther. Up from Sanquhar through Wanlockhead and then on up to
the radio mast at the top.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; all in all you're just another click in the call
;; -- Minke Bouyed

Martin Newstead said:

I have, in 1994 when Eros Poli made that epic break to with the Tour stage
into Carpentras.

He came third last on GC that year, and I think he came last in the Giro
the same year! An amazing rider though.

"andrew" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I would really like to ride the big beast.

It looks like we are going to book a house for our hols next summer not

too

Quoted message said:

far away.

Has anyone ever done it or know anyone who has?

I did it on a sunny day in August. It's great fun. It's extremely long,
obviously, but not very steep. It's a very popular ride and the summit is
unusual and makes the climb well worth it. There are kilometre markers so
you will know how you are progressing. Just go at a steady speed that you
know you can sustain.

Quoted message said:

Any tips for my preparation?

Do some long rides. Take plenty of water and some high carb. foods. Check
the weather forecast. Take a sweat band so you can stop sweat running into
your eyes.

Mark

Zog The Undeniable said:

He came third last on GC that year, and I think he came last in the Giro
the same year! An amazing rider though.

Yes but why?

John B

Zog The Undeniable said:

Martin Newstead said:

I have, in 1994 when Eros Poli made that epic break to with the Tour
stage into Carpentras.

He came third last on GC that year, and I think he came last in the
Giro the same year! An amazing rider though.

he's a nice guy too, posed for a picture before a stage start for us in 95,
unlike some of the more successful riders would.

JohnB said:

Zog The Undeniable said:

He came third last on GC that year, and I think he came last in the
Giro the same year! An amazing rider though.

Yes but why?

John B

On the Carpentras stage he calculated he'd need a 25 minute lead on the
bunch to survive the climb in front. He rode like billio to get this lead
then kept his required speed up the climb while the bunch gained on him. He
was first over the top and kept his lead on the descent. He was a very
selfless rider, gave his all for him team leaders when required. He wasn't a
quitter unlike many other Italian riders. He always smiled. He was tall and
thin.