We left the Hotel Des Pins with some regret as it was such a beautiful and welcoming hotel. However we were all mentally ready for the challenge of the task ahead and having ridden this far across France, confidence was high. Rob decided today was the day to get back on a bike after several years away and left the comfort of the campervan cab to tackle the 22km climb with us. In fact it was infectious as I am told Ant took part in a relay of the lower slopes with Rob on their way to the top.
The climb can be done from three ways but we were going up the traditional route used most often in the Tour de France from the little town of Bedoin.
Monday's is market day and the stalls of fabulous Provence produce were setting up.
We had to walk through the closed roads to the roundabout where the climb officially starts.
From here it would be 22km to the summit. The climb can be split into three sections: The first a few kilometres from the village at a gentle 2-3% gradient then 11kms at an average of 9-10% through the forest to Chalet Reynard an optional coffee stop. At this point the trees end and the landscape appears almost lunar with white limestone slopes through which one line of Tarmac snakes upwards to the building at the summit. If you have the energy to look to your left there are spectacular views of Provence. However the focus is on the climb and the passing of each bend and kilometre before the effort can be completed and the summit reached.
Climbing has to be done at your own pace. It's about establishing a rhythm and using your own mental strategies to overcome everything in your head telling you to stop.
We wished each other well and confident that the kilometre markers showing the gradient at each stage and the distance to the summit would guide my fellow team mates up we all set off at our own pace. I wanted to ride this climb in my own company and at my own pace after days of riding at more gentle speed it was time to ride to my rhythm. I had no idea how long it would take or what it would be like. I had only ridden a couple of climbs this long before but none with such steep long gradients in the early stages. So I just let me legs work at their own speed and intensity. I took the minimum with me, just one bottle and a single energy gel to fuel the anticipated 2 hours of exercise.
It was warm already but not yet too warm and the trees on the lower slopes helped to prevent any overheating.
Eventually the trees ended and I knew there was only 6km remaining left to the top. I wasn't going to stop now even at the memorial to the late Tommy Simpson which sits 2km from the summit. So I tipped my hat to him as I passed and made it on to the top in 2 hours 6 minutes and 56 seconds. Being so close to breaking the two hour mark was a bit painful but perhaps another day without 750 miles in my legs I'll try it again. I couldn't have done it any faster and was happy I had given my best shot at it aware also that I had to pace myself for the rest of the 85 mile days total and another big day tomorrow. It was incredible to get to the top and then to sit and watch as everyone in the team eventually wound their way there having overcome their own personal battles to get there. Simon soon appeared within minutes and found me buying tourist tat and cold drinks in the shop. Then 'Dougie the Mountain Goat' and in time all the others.
Jamie was the most awesome of all, not being able to change gears to her smallest sprocket she had ridden in a larger than necessary gear. Chapeau!
Jamie was the most awesome of all, not being able to change gears to her smallest sprocket she had ridden in a larger than necessary gear. Chapeau!
We stayed quite a while at the summit as more and more cyclists (read 'nutters') from all around the world climbed to the summit. Time for a little souvenir shopping and a banana and Nutella crepe to celebrate.
And of course the obligatory summit photo. I don't have the group shot but we made sure to get one of us all jubilant and relieved.
Emotions were really running high for some and Andy proposed to his girlfriend Elaine from the summit. She said Yes. :-)
For me it was a bucket list climb and a fabulous ride for my palmares as a cyclist. It was an honour to ride the climb I have seen the professionals ride on the tour whenever they visit. There is something magical about it.
Emotions were really running high for some and Andy proposed to his girlfriend Elaine from the summit. She said Yes. :-)
For me it was a bucket list climb and a fabulous ride for my palmares as a cyclist. It was an honour to ride the climb I have seen the professionals ride on the tour whenever they visit. There is something magical about it.
That wasn't the end of the day though it was now past lunchtime and we still had 70 more miles to ride so we set off towards Greoux les Bains.
A quick stop on the way down to pay our respects to Tom Simpson was made before we continued down.
Luckily plenty of it was downhill so we made good time and eventually after riding across the lavender fields of Provence we got to our hotel tired hungry but all very happy to have completed the day.
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