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Ventoux: Back Among Giants
I love it here. Provence. I am hiding from the Sun a little now, it is a touch warm. But the view of Mont Ventoux remains utterly spellbinding. How can something that can be so cruel on long climb have such a calming presence. Today, though, has been acclimatisation day. One ride, not too long with good proportion of climbing on steep gradients. I have feared these after last year’s (slightly daft) sideways fall on Cote de la Redoute. It feels good to get on some gradients that were just as steep, if not for anywhere near as long, and manage to stay on the bike! Only a short training…
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Ventoux – Second Time Lucky
And then it was done. Ventoux climbed for a second time, marking the completion of the second challenge for this year and also a big personal landmark,, showing that last year was not a one-off, that I can take on the physical challenges and meet them, albeit not very quickly. So, the climb. May 30th, 2017. An early start from our lodgings in Mormoiron and then to Malaucene via Bedoin and the Col de la Madelaine (not that one!). A slow ride over these, taking it easy and saving my energy for something bigger. Far bigger. I read a lot about the climb from Malaucene ready for this ride and…
