Training for an assault on Mont Ventoux

[nicolaandandyslade]

I am attempting to ride the 3 roads up Mont Ventoux in one day in June. With 14 weeks to go, does anyone have any specific training advice for these last 3 months, power levels I should be able to sustain on the mountain or tips on Ventoux?

 

[Race Radio]

I am attempting to ride the 3 roads up Mont Ventoux in one day in June. With 14 weeks to go, does anyone have any specific training advice for these last 3 months, power levels I should be able to sustain on the mountain or tips on Ventoux?

One of the keys would be gearing. Two of the sides are relentless. 15 km of no rest, no turns, just up. Compact crank and a 25 in the back at least.

Make sure you get your certificate.

 

[bhilden]

The south side, starting in Bedoin, has the most difficult section with 10km at 10%. The north side, from Maulecene, had longer sustained climbing than the south side, but not as much double digit stuff. The east side from Sault is the easiest with most of the climbing in the 5-7% until you join up with the south side at Chalet Reynard.

I would suggest doing the ride in the order described above. As far as training is concerned do what Eddy Merckx suggests, "ride lots."

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

Ventoux is only ventoux if you start in Bedoin, in my opinion.

edit: just read you're going to do all 3 sides. That's even more ventoux ofcourse.
Did you decide what side you'll do first?

 

[Winterfold]

I want to do Les Cingles (the idiots) in the next couple of years

I've ridden the Bedoin climb on 34:25 in 1:50 which is an ok amateur time and found the middle section relentlessly hard. It was much steeper than I expected. Even the bare limestone top part is very hard and psychologically you are used to seeing fully charged Pharmstrong and Pantani destroy it so you think you will be quick LOL it is steep and fecking scary windy

I will go 34:27 or even 34:29 when I try all 3 sides, you need to keep spinning

Good luck

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

I really want to do the climb again sometimes. Did the bedoin climb 1h42 at age 15, i really wonder what i'm worth now at 21...

 

[eljimberino]

If you have time, why not do one side each day, and on day four, do all three? Should be enough training.

 

[skippy]

Imagine a bright sunny day in Feb 2011 with no one around ! Contrast this to an early morning start in 2009 when the road was a heaving mass of humanity that was uninterested and unimpressed with anyone attempting to ride up the race route of Mont Ventoux .
Can tell you that being in no hurry meant that i managed all three climbs that day and have the photos on the blog to prove the story . From maulecene to the ski station was no problem but beyond the barrier the road was covered with drifted snow so descended and started again at bedoin and found snow at the foot of the Tom Simpson memorial for 100m then a clear road to the top . Descended to sault and decided the run back to the top was easier than riding around the side of the mountain . All day i was pushing along quite easily but came across some Belgiums who had ridden in from nearby and stopped at the memorial because of the snow on the road . Long way to ride and stop 800m short of the target .
On the climb back from Sault was able to get onto the big ring but mostly 42 on 19 so there was reserve if needed . Next days was able to enjoy coasting on the route of the Tour Med .

 

[nicolaandandyslade]

MOnt Ventoux

We are starting with the south route, followed by west then east. As someone mentioned, this is the best order in which to do this challenge.

We wont have the time to do a climb a day for 3 days then all 4 on the 4th. I have decided with a 34/28 setup.