BioWheels on Mont Ventoux

October 5, 2007 on 6:35 pm | In Road, Touring |

BioWheels Race team member, John Godts, recently returned from the trip of a lifetime in both splendor & difficulty. There is a challenge organized by a French bicycle club (actually, a brotherhood) next to Mount Ventoux. They say, “It is normal for a bike rider to try to climb Mont Ventoux at least once in a lifetime, but you are crazy if you do it again.”

There are 3 different routes you can use to go to the top of Mont Ventoux.
If you can climb all the routes in one day (starting from Bedoin, Malaucene and Sault), between sunrise and sunset, you are declared “Nut of Mont Ventoux” and you receive a plastic medal from the brotherhood. Putting all that in perspective, to accomplish this feat you will ride about 40 miles and climb 14550 feet - the descending at 55 or 60 MPH is another story.

The challenge can be done any time during the year - alone or with other riders. The rider must call the brotherhood in advance and then receives a road sheet which needs to be stamped by a local store in all 3 villages where the starts take place (Bedoin, Malaucene and Sault) as well as on the top of Mont Ventoux to confirm that you have been there.

So far, 26 Americans have done it including 5 people from Asheville. If you speak French, visit their web site www.clubcinglesventoux.org. If you don’t speak French and you’re still interested, e-mail John at jgodts@charter.net

John loved his Look KG461 for it’s lightweight climbing ability, stable descending and all-day comfort. Check out his great photos…