Euro Tour - Day 3 - Mont Ventoux - Yamaha MT10
This is my 3rd day of my Euro Tour. Hitting the first climb in South of France, which is one of the climb's of the Tour de France. This is a fantastic route... whether you walk, cycle, ride or with a four wheeler, you will love it too.
Subs as listed in the video:
Mont Ventoux is the highest mountain in the Provence region
Has been nicknamed the “Beast of Provence”
Since its inclusion in the Tour de France, it became extremely popular
There is no special event going on today
Yet, hundreds of hikers, cyclists, bikers enjoying the route
The word venteux mean windy in French
The wind blows 90+ km/h 240 days a year
The highest recorded wind speed hit 320km/h
They often close this route down due to high winds
Not surprised, even though it is nice and sunny today
Did get the taste of some unexpected blows
Don’t even want to imagine how hard it could hit you when it picks up
Highest point of the summit is 1912m
Unlike being in the middle of the Alps
Where you are fairly protected from heavy wind
Here, you haven’t got much to block the wind
There are 3 routes you can take to the top
Bedoin, for cyclists this is the most famous and difficult ascent
Malaucene, this is what I am riding to the top
Malaucene about equal in difficulty as the Bedoin
But better sheltered against the wind
Finally you can ride it from Sault where the average gradient is
About 3% less than coming from Bedoin
My route down was towards Sault
I found both routes equally amazing however both are completely different
Hope, one day I can come back to do Bedoin
Can’t believe how popular this climb is
Motorcyclists, amateur cyclist teams, hikers all over the place
Must admit, I am not a massive fan of cyclists
BUT, today we all got on very nicely
Got lucky with the weather today.
Even if it was a bit grim I would’ve loved this ride.
So, if you’re in the area, give this one a go!
Destinations to hit:
Mont Ventoux
Verdon Gorge (Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon , Castellane)
1402 Route du Pont de Pierre / D6 La Colle-sur-Loup, Alpes-Maritimes, France, 06480
The route today:
Setting of from a small town called Caromb
D938 to Malaucene
D974 to Mount Ventoux
D164 to Sault
D30 to Saint-Christol
D166, D18, D188 to Simiane-la-Rotonde
D51, D5 to Saint-Michel-l’Observatoire
D105, D907, D82 to Greoux-les-Bains
D952 Riez
D11 to Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon
D111 to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
D952 to Castellane
D4085, D2211, D2, D3, D6 La Colle-sur-Loup