Le Mont Ventoux, from Sault, and back

53km up and down Mont Ventoux, on a lovely, not too hot, sunny, not too windy day. Hired a bike from Albion Cycles in Sault (a Giant Defy with a triple ring - thank goodness), and attached my own pedals. Bought two water bottles and was wearing my UnderArmour top and Brunello di Montalcino top (and wiggle shorts). Water bottles had one

sachet of energy drink, and one with hydration tablets. Set out from Sault - first couple of km are downhill, before starting the climb through the lavender fields. Nice and steady, although was on the smallest chainring in no time. After maybe 10km, the gradient eased, and the easier spinning started, with some faster work above the lavender. Surprisingly quickly, the Chalet Reynard appeared, and time for a break. First 20km in about 80 minutes - average 15km/hr and heart rate at around 150 most of the time. For future reference - very patchy phone signal at the Chalet. After 40 minutes, set out for the top. First climb out of the Chalet was tough, before easing a bit, and then firming up again and getting very steep towards the top. There were 4 different photographers, each of whom took one or more photos, and then slipped a card into your pocket with their web address. One or two gave a cheering word, and one a little push after feeling that my rhythm change had cost me time. Didn't stop for the Tommy Simpson memorial, which is really quite near the top - in the last km I think - as I didn't want to stop. Around here the Broke car went past cheering wildly, which gave me a boost. The last hairpin onto the summit was hard, but nobody's going to stop there, and then you're on the summit plateau, with the biggest pick and mix sweetshop you've ever seen. Hit maximum heart rate of 172 on this corner. Took a few minutes to get my breath back, and found the intermediate climb time, set from Albion Cycles, was 2 hours and 51 seconds! The turned around and kicked out for the downhill. The first section, to the Chalet, was fantastic, with great views and lots of visibility on what was coming up. The only problem was slow down-going cars which wouldn't let you overtake. After the Chalet, the road had ups as well as downs, but great fun on the straights, and changing down a couple of gears into the hairpins to accelerate out. At least one car pulled over to let me past - epic! All too soon, you're back in the lavender, and then it's the last 2km, climbing back through Sault to the shop. Weary legs at this stage, and the total time was 2hr42'58", at an average moving speed of 19.8km/hr. Would have been 20, had there not been traffic in the way on the descent! Fantastic experience - tiring but not ridiculous - so no more fear of climbs for me!