Mont Ventoux

[Lee on the Condor]

I'm due to climb Ventoux in late July, while I'm rather looking forward to the climbing aspect recently i've become a bit anxious about the weather conditions especially the wind.

I imagine the wind being strong during the day as the lowlands heats up and weaker during the dawn, evening and night.

Anybody had any bad experience with the Ventoux wind? Can it really be that bad? Will it push me up the hill?

I expect it to be 10 - 20 degrees colder than the lowerland so i'll take my layers.

[Sylv]

Hi Lee
Dont worry too much! While it's true they have recorded some of the strongest winds in the country there (close to 200mph I think) on a normal day it is not much of an issue (in fact Ventoux doesnt come from 'vent' contrary to popular belief) , at least the four times I have done it. Even on the way down I have not had to be unusually careful about being blown off the road.
Of course if it's windy in the valley, it's likely to be very windy up there (yes i have seen that video of guys hanging onto their bikes!)
Late July it's likely to be pretty hot (done it once last year by 40c at the bottom, it was still 30c at the top, it felt too warm all the way up, its only when you stand at the top in sweaty kit that you feel chilly). If it's about that warm you could get away with just armwarmers and some newspaper to stuff under your jersey for the way down and standing at the top (dont plan on staying ages though), otherwise to be safe a windbreaker.
Have fun - if you are there for some time it's worth doing the other side from Malaucene too- less well known but I found just as hard, and with different views. The climb from Sault is much gentler for most of the way- one to keep for the third day maybe

[Phil H]

As Sylv says, "Ventoux" is not from windy. If there's a mistral then it might get a bit blowy. The actual etymology of the name is disputed. It does get windy though - even the Tommy Simpson memorial was blown over a couple of years ago (if you need an ACC cap or bidon to leave there then give me a shout).

I'm a fat git and I've made it up HC climbs just by changing down and pacing. You'll be fine - wasn't the Stelvio on the TCR route?

Cap'n Jon and some others did le cinglés du Ventoux recently IIRC. That's proper mad.

[Lee on the Condor]

I remember the pics from Jon on Ventoux, le cinglés du Ventoux sounds like an awesome challenge.

Thanks for the reassurance about Ventoux, it's one of the parcours on this years Transcontinental and the more I get to know Mike Hall I feel he put's in clever little traps to catch out the unprepared cyclist. I was caught out by the cold + wet weather last year. I'd like to avoid any weather troubles. While I can't control the weather I can control the time of ascent, i'm thinking of starting just before dawn, 2 hours up, then descend to Sault.

Just trying to fill in the gaps of unknowns.

Anybody done Mount Grappa? It has a Italian War Memorial at the top...do they allow bikes up the top? I'm adverse to locking and leaving the bike for any longer than I need to. (Grappa is not a parcour it's just a climb i'd like to do as i'll be in the area).

[Paul H]

Ive been up Ventoux in April, May & August. It was very windy up there once but not dangerous. I think its usually a headwind if you go up the TDF route from Bedoin.

Ive always found it freezing up the top even in august but ive have always had to wait for the likes of Sylv to get to the top before descending so I would recommend taking a windproof jacket in your pocket

Cheers

Paul