Cycling in the high mountains. Alps, Dolomites, Pyrenees etc

The rule of thumb is you'll lose 1 degree of temperature per 100 metres of elevation. It won't be a problem on the way up, as the effort will keep you warm. It might be an issue on the descent, but even then unless it's wet and below 5 degrees, you'll only feel cold for a few kms as the temperature rises as you descend.

If it's not raining or in the early morning you'll be fine. 1C loss for every 150m ish. Just make sure the weather is stable. You can always turn around. Cut arm holes in a binbag to cut wind.

I rode it around this time of year last summer and it was glorious - no gilet or warmers needed and I normally run pretty cold. You'll find you get hot as you climb and as long as you don't dawdle at the top too long you'll cool down on the descent. You may want to check for wind rather than temperature as it can be pretty hairy when you exit the forested section in the wind is kicking off, when I rode it was pretty still. I would suggest the climb from Bedoin if you're not sure which of the three you fancy, unless you fancy all three in a row of course in which case, good luck.

I've been in Italy a week and if you're anything like me you'll have been blowing so hard on the way up you'll be thankful for the cooling effect. I took arm warmers to the top of Stelvio, put them on at the top but took them off almost immediately as they weren't needed. I've not worn any gloves or socks all week either and no base layers.

And if it happens to rain I'd just sack it off and go back down as the descent in the rain ain't going to be much fun anyway.

Ventoux is only 1900m high, unless there's bad weather you'll be fine.

We've been high on Croix de Fer and Galibier which are higher (Galibier a lot higher) and they were fine. I did use a wind jacket for the descent down to the Lauteret but took it off then as I was too warm.

How fat are you?

My logic for road climbs is that, even if it's freezing at the top, by the time you get to the top you're warm so just turn around and belt down. Piece of piss. Take some washing up gloves if you want to feel your fingers.

Pic: 2022-09-09