39 miles ridden – 6000 feet climbed – temperature 30C (but not all the time)

We know from those who have done this trip before that the day starts with a sense of foreboding. Today is short because those of us who want to are climbing up and over Mont Ventoux, one of the infamous Tour de France climbs.

I have met chaps who have come down here for a 4/5 day trip specifically for this challenge, it really is iconic to cyclists all over the world. Doing it that way is difficult enough but starting the 21Km/13 mile climb having spent the last 10 days cycling over 650 miles from Normandy is the Ironman Ventoux Challenge!!! At least that’s my perspective and I’m sticking to it.

It was a beautiful 8 mile ride through the countryside to the town of Malaucene at the foot of our route up. In the background was our goal. You can just make out the tower at the top.

The climb started innocuously enough. The analysts among us carefully read the markers every kilometre which not only gave us progress but also the average gradient for the next kilometre.

The support vans were stationed at 7Km, 14km, and at the summit. It was very hot at the base – 25C at 10am – so we all needed lots of water and bananas and biscuits to keep us going.

The first 7KM was reasonably manageable with the gradient shifting between 4 and 10%. This was just lulling us into a false sense of security as we then had almost 4Km of 11 to 13%. Not only did we have the climb to contend with but as we were climbing the amount of oxygen was dropping so breathing became a bit laboured and it became more difficult to maintain a pace. The views were stunning however

As we exited the tree-line our final destination came into view but we still had 6Km to climb. It was getting a bit cooler now which helped.

Many of you will know that I do NOT like heights so not only did I achieve this climb but I also looked over the edge to get these pictures.

Once within a kilometre of the summit somehow second wind took over. I had watched the Tour de France cycle up a few times and recognised the final few turns and the fact that it was now quite cold with a touch of tailwind also helped.

Finally I arrived along with hundreds of other cyclists all smiling and hurting. Sue and Julie were some distance behind so I waited for them – more on that later.

Mission accomplished.