Mont Ventoux

Yet another beautiful day in Provence and we decided to get away a little earlier, first stop the Gorge des Nesque. A very scenic, windy, narrow road, very popular with cyclists with huge drop offs and tunnels. Really great to see and one day in the future, a great cycling adventure, liked maybe with our next stop, as I think many cyclists do …

Stopped for an icecream at Sault, as did ALL the cyclists we saw, then up the road to Mont Ventoux, around another 26km. The road surface was amazing, as were the number of cyclists, obviously part of the Tour de France route.

Mid 20’s at the bottom and a beautiful drive through the forest, getting higher and higher, with less forest and colder temperatures. The ascent from Sault is 1210m over 26km and the easier route, the Bedoin route which we came down is 1617m over 21.8km.

Beautiful drive to the top, passing a ski area that turns into a bike park at weekends, We stopped and check it out, 14 euro for the park and 40ish for a full downhill rig, not bad. Finally to the top, and the mountain is amazing 1912m, and the top looks like it’s snow, even in summer, due to the exposed limestone. Not too windy, but cold, around 12 degrees! And funny, cyclists who have “conquered the mountain” everywhere, along with candy and sausage stalls. Unusual, yes!

Down the mountain to warmer climes, and at around 600m we were back to 22 degrees and a beautiful forest picnic area. Homeward bound finally, but a vineyard (as usual) got in the way. A stop at Les Vignerons Du Mont Ventoux was very fulfilling. Three different roses, one which liked made from Muscat grapes, but still surprisingly dry. And 4 reds, three being Altitude 400, 450 and 500. Same wines, but grown at the said altitudes, but also interestingly, in this order, sand, clay and rock. This was all about “Le Terroir” and I believed it just a little bit more … All fantastic, but the 500 was the winner, quite fruity full bodied, in part due to the water starved Grenache vines grown in rock. All part pf the AOC process, vines can’t be watered! And the price, 5.3 euro. Ridiculously good value.

The last was a more premium wine, VMC Elite, oaked for 12 months, whereas the others were to preserve the flavor”, also fantastic at 6.9 euro. Bought one of those too ;-) Interestingly, as well as their fine wine, they sell in bulk. 2 euro per liter, BYO container. Bargain!

And finally home, via a bike shop to investigate bike rentals. Mrs PS and I decided we have to “climb the mountain”. It’s Thursday’s mission, got tomorrow to get fit!

So of course we went home to start the training, some rose, some red, and more French food. I convinced it’s the French secret training recipe!