Motogull
Todd Warrior
- Sep 16, 2005
- 10,578
6 hours+ and a late crash. A most deserved win there.
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
[Other Sport] Cycling geeks
- Thread starter Pantani
- Start date
Pogue Mahone
Well-known member
- Apr 30, 2011
- 10,969
I'm looking forward to this year's Criterium in Quillan, the little town in the Pyrenees where I spend several months of each year. Sagan's last road race!
Here's a thing about my least favourite subject - me.
The Statmobile is in for a protracted stay in hospital, so, yesterday, for the first time in years I poured myself into some very angry lycra to see if I could Strava cycle commute the 16 miles.
I set myself a target of anything under 75 minutes and I'll give it a go today.
Well 61 minutes later I found myself at work, so I rode in today.
And it was bloody lovely.
Sure it was also 04:30 but the day breaking with hardly a car on the road did make me remember why I used to enjoy this.
Admittedly I have to ride home, through Chi at 4:30 so I'm not expecting this dolce vita to last.
The Statmobile is in for a protracted stay in hospital, so, yesterday, for the first time in years I poured myself into some very angry lycra to see if I could Strava cycle commute the 16 miles.
I set myself a target of anything under 75 minutes and I'll give it a go today.
Well 61 minutes later I found myself at work, so I rode in today.
And it was bloody lovely.
Sure it was also 04:30 but the day breaking with hardly a car on the road did make me remember why I used to enjoy this.
Admittedly I have to ride home, through Chi at 4:30 so I'm not expecting this dolce vita to last.
Motogull
Todd Warrior
- Sep 16, 2005
- 10,578
Is this still available?
BrightonCottager
Well-known member
Has anyone on here cycled up Mont Ventoux? We've got friends who moved near there and when we visited last September I promised myself I'd give it a go next time. We're going out in a few weeks time. I can do the Beacon in 9.19 minutes, go out mtbing on the Downs and cycle around town. I'm just worried I don't have the miles / climbing in my legs for 2000m. Ta for any advice (especially sensible)
- Jan 19, 2010
- 1,439
If this chap could ride MV on a 3-speed Boris Bike, I reckon you'll be able to make it on something with a few more gears:
I think @Hamilton has.
Whereabouts are you staying? It’s a great climb. And with three routes up, something for everyone.
BrightonCottager
Well-known member
Nearest village to where we're staying is Puymeras which is near the Malaucène route, although I was thinking of the Sault route which is supposed to be 'easier'.
Feck off.
Go big or go home.
You're not riding Ventoux every weekend, put your big boy pants on and ride the hardest route.
You might hate every minute, but you'll enjoy every memory.
We believe in you.
Last edited:
There’s a great book I’ve got on the 3 climbs up Ventoux and the author raves about the Malaucene climb. The only downside is you don’t get that famous glimpse of the top as you emerge from the trees at Chalet Reynard, but you might be thankful of that as it’s daunting when you emerge and those last 6km are a bit of hard work.
I did the Sault route and do the Beacon in a similar time to you. I didn’t do any training for it and is was fun and moderate until that last 6km. You’ll be fine.
If you go up Malaucene it may be a tad tougher but from what I’ve read it will be fine; what I’ve seen is you’ll be special because you’ve bucked the trend, and you can always descend to Bedoin and watch the madmen coming up the hardest route.
BUT, the route up from Bedoin is narrower and busier than the other two making descending trickier, whereas the descent down to Sault after the Chalet is a dream because there is very little on the road. It is one of the best descents I’ve enjoyed.
So, if you want to test yourself and be knackered, go up via Bedoin and down Macaulene.
If you just want to do it and say you’ve done it, go up via Sault and down Macaulene.
If you want to be a bit different, go up Macaulene and down whichever way you want.
I’m a knackered 50+ year old cyclist, and as far as I’m concerned you can stick option 1 in your pipe and smoke it.
Of course, whichever way you go, you have to stop at Tommy’s memorial. I left an Albion cycling cap there a few years back.
One other thing. Check out the mistrals when you are down there. I was down there last week and it was blowing a hooley. You don’t want to be up there unless it’s clear. Drove up there and it was very unpleasant.
And if you choose to cycle to Sault then beware of the Gorges on the way - very hilly. I was in Menerbes when I went up via Sault and thought the ride over the Luberon hills would be easy. Wrong. 30km of hills before you even get to the bottom of the mountain.
Whatever you do. Do it. You will love it.
Don’t listen to him @BrightonCottager - he’s goading you.
Love that! Where was that?
1066familyman
Radio User
- Jan 15, 2008
- 15,246
But DO listen to Hamilton. I mean, it's not like he's ridden Paris Roubaix or anything silly like that.
pb21
Well-known member
- Apr 23, 2010
- 6,715
I rode the Mt Ventoux sportive a few years ago, up one and a half times, was very fit then, so found it relatively easy, although completely spent after 170 kms!
I think the biggest factor is your overall fitness rather than climbing speed up DB. If you can comfortably do 100 kms of Sussex roads in less than 4-hours I suspect you'll be fine, with the right gear.
Motogull
Todd Warrior
- Sep 16, 2005
- 10,578
Did anyone see the women's road race yesterday? It was brilliant. I would have loved Vlooters to have taken it but it was one race too far for her. The leading group with about 15 miles to go was packed with quality. No surprises that LK won given her form and that DV was runner up. Gutted and delighted at CUL making the rostrum. I was hoping that Lizzie was going to do better but hey ho.
The best museum in Modena . . . https://www.paninimotormuseum.it/
Totally missed it. Would have watched as well. I'm ashamed to say the whole UCI things has passed me by.
BrightonCottager
Well-known member
Thank you. I've never tried doing 100kms of Sussex roads. My normal MTB and road rides are about 15-20 miles with about 1000 feet of climbing, which ive been doing for about 34 years (I'm 63). I'll go out later this week for a spin and see how I do.
I'm only intending to go up and down MV and to / from my mates (although they said they'd pick me up from the bottom).