10 tips for climbing Mont Ventoux

Climbing Mont Ventoux? 10 tips!

Fancy taking on the challenge of the mythical Mont Ventoux, alone or with your cycling friends? Never start unprepared! Read on for a few tips worth considering in advance. That way you will face fewer surprises and be as well prepared as possible to see the job through.

Laatste 507m richting de top, vaak ook de zwaarste meters.

The last 507 m to the summit, often the hardest metres of all.

Before you go

1. Choose the route that suits you!

First decide which side of Mont Ventoux you want to climb. This bald mountain in the heart of Provence has 3 different routes, each with its pros and cons. Read more about these 3 climbs: The three starting points for climbing Mont Ventoux

2. Build up to your big day

In the weeks or months before you take on Mont Ventoux, it is wise to be as fit as possible at the start. At the very least, that means a healthy lifestyle. Dare to say no to alcohol, tobacco, sweets and so on.

3. Train your body for the effort

Try to estimate how long your effort will take. You can use this not only as a target but also to train for it in the months or weeks beforehand. For many keen cyclists, 2 to 3 rides of around 3 hours a week will already be good preparation. Look at it from your own perspective, though, and judge for yourself whether you need more or less training.

That is also why it is a good idea to include as much climbing as possible in your training routes. That way you train your climbing muscles, something you can't do on the flat. Want to go a step further? Then the Ardennes or the Vosges are the nearest options for clocking up plenty of climbing and getting used to longer ascents.

4. Get the right kit

Just as important is the equipment you will use to climb Mont Ventoux. Always make sure your bike is in good order: chain, gears, derailleurs and brakes. Your chain will be under a lot of strain during the climb. Always check beforehand whether your gearing will be enough to survive the gradients of Mont Ventoux. Besides the number of gears, a climbing ratio is often recommended: a 50/34 chainset at the front and a 30 to 34 cassette at the back. That way you can always keep pedalling smoothly.

5. Check the weather forecast

The day before your climb, also check the weather forecast. The Météo-France website always has accurate weather information, especially on wind and rain. Once you are above the tree line the weather can turn, so be prepared or choose another moment.

During the climb up Mont Ventoux

6. Start the climb steadily

Watch out for overconfidence! The first few kilometres of every climb up Mont Ventoux are always the easiest. Don't let that catch you out, and start the climb at an easy pace. If you think it is going surprisingly well, bear in mind that in most cases the hardest part is still to come.

7. Keep an open riding position

An open position means your hands on the handlebars and your arms far enough apart. That way you always get enough oxygen and put less pressure on your lower back, so that towards the end of the climb you can still draw power from your back.

On the steeper sections you can also move slightly forward onto the nose of your saddle. You will notice that you can put down more power that way.

Pay attention to your breathing to find your rhythm and keep it. If you focus on breathing out slightly longer, you will notice your heart rate drops a little and you can keep up the pace.

8. Alternate between standing and seated climbing

Switching between these positions on the steeper sections lets you generate more power and use different muscles for a while. On the sometimes irregular sections of the climb, this change can be a welcome relief.

9. NEVER get off the bike!

If you hit a rough patch during your climb up Mont Ventoux, try not to get off under any circumstances. Mentally it does not help once you have put a foot down, but above all, try to stop your muscles from seizing up completely.

At the summit

10. Take care on the way down!

Congratulations! You have made it to the top, but that does not mean all the dangers are behind you. After the exhausting climb you still need to get down safely. Most accidents happen on the descent. Always watch out for traffic, as you are on a public road.

If you climbed from Bédoin, you might choose a different, safer descent. For example, you can take the less steep and quieter descent to Sault. From Sault you can ride through the breathtaking Gorges de la Nesque back towards Bédoin.

YouTube also has plenty of information to help you work on your climbing skills. The video below is a good example.

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