I did it in 7 hours and 11 minutes. It was a beautiful ride, through some amazing countryside on a gorgeous sunny day. I sat in the wheels as much as possible and took it steady on the early climbs so not to leave the tank empty for Ventoux. The Col d'Ey is beautiful, with lavender fields and vineyards all the way up. After that the route skirts around the back of the Ventoux towards Sault so the looming presence of the mast on top was there, reminding you of what was to come.
I arrived in Bedoin at around midday, so 4:45 in and hit the Ventoux confident that I'd get up it. I was going fine until I hit the forest then the heat started to take it's toll, my left foot was sore as hell from 'hot foot' and I thought I was going to vomit. Took it steady with a couple of stops to apply more water to my head and neck and was delighted when I got to Chalet Reynard as I knew then I'd make it. Had a Zipvit gel there which must've done the trick as I got a second wind and rode to the finish without distress. My split for the Ventoux was 2:17, which I guess isn't too bad given I'd done 150 kms before I got to it and had been ill the week before.
I did it in 7 hours and 11 minutes. It was a beautiful ride, through some amazing countryside on a gorgeous sunny day. I sat in the wheels as much as possible and took it steady on the early climbs so not to leave the tank empty for Ventoux. The Col d'Ey is beautiful, with lavender fields and vineyards all the way up. After that the route skirts around the back of the Ventoux towards Sault so the looming presence of the mast on top was there, reminding you of what was to come.
I arrived in Bedoin at around midday, so 4:45 in and hit the Ventoux confident that I'd get up it. I was going fine until I hit the forest then the heat started to take it's toll, my left foot was sore as hell from 'hot foot' and I thought I was going to vomit. Took it steady with a couple of stops to apply more water to my head and neck and was delighted when I got to Chalet Reynard as I knew then I'd make it. Had a Zipvit gel there which must've done the trick as I got a second wind and rode to the finish without distress. My split for the Ventoux was 2:17, which I guess isn't too bad given I'd done 150 kms before I got to it and had been ill the week before.