Mont Ventoux Cycling

Bedoin to summit, Franceactivities

Few climbs anywhere in the world carry the same psychological weight as Ventoux. You feel it before you even clip in — standing in Bedoin's sleepy square, staring up at that pale limestone cone floating above the treeline, you already know the mountain is sizing you up. The 22 kilometres from Bedoin to the summit gain around 1,610 metres, making it one of the most relentless ascents in European cycling. The first few kilometres through cherry orchards and lavender-edged lanes lull you into a false sense of calm. Then the road tilts sharply at Saint-Estève and doesn't really relent for the next 16 kilometres. The gradient hovers between 8 and 10 percent through the forest section, the tarmac smooth and well-maintained but narrow in places, with occasional traffic — this is a public road, not a dedicated path, so expect cars and camper vans in summer. Above the treeline at Chalet Reynard, the landscape turns lunar: white scree, battered metal barriers, and howling mistral wind that can stop a loaded rider cold. Treat that final 6 kilometres with genuine respect. Bedoin offers plentiful accommodation, from chambres d'hôtes to small hotels, and several bike-hire and rental shops stock road bikes in reasonable condition. The nearest train station is Carpentras, about 20 kilometres away — manageable if you're riding in already. Most cyclists treat Ventoux as a single summit day, resting the day before and after. Riding north to south, Bedoin to summit, gives you the hardest and most celebrated approach; descent via Malaucène or Sault suits tired legs and varied scenery. Ride between late April and mid-June or September to October — high summer brings dangerous heat and heavy tourist traffic, and the summit road closes entirely in winter.

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