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V long time since I’ve been in these parts, how’s everyone doing? Used to be able to talk about random bike things, well here’s one for the Lycra clad xc racing, road bike training wierdos. Mt Ventoux, getting there with bikes from Marseille, options? And don’t say ride, we’re only there for quick raid on the triple then home. *waits for replies to flood in*
TER train to Avignon change there and get train to Carpentras? Not done it myself but just looked on SNCF app and you can take bikes. About €30 by looks. Either that or rent a car?
I assume you're flying into Marseille? (as opposed to getting the train there...?)
Honestly if you're only there for a couple of days, the easiest thing to do is hire a car - if you can split the costs between a couple of you, it'll be far and away the easiest and give you the leeway to come and go and whatever time you need. Also potential (if you have someone spare to drive it) to use it as a support vehicle.
It's about 90 minutes to drive.
Just note that while it can be mid 30's degrees C in Bedoin on a summer afternoon, it can also be 20 degrees colder and very much windier up the summit! Consider carrying full winter gloves and a waterproof, no matter what the weather forecast says. It's easily a 90-minute climb from each side and setting out in cloudless skies doesn't mean it won't be pouring with sideways rain at the summit (and if it is, seriously, just bail!).
I've been over the summit a few times and once (coming up from Chalet Reynard) it was so windy that there were people pushing down the descent. It was OK climbing (not fun but OK) but riders coming down were crouched over the bikes pushing into a howling cross/head wind, their deep section carbons acting like a massive kite.
If you get time, try and do the Gorges de la Nesque ride from Bedoin round to Sault, it's stunning.
Agree with crazy-legs, hire car is a simple way of doing it. We stayed with Velo Ventoux when we did the triple and they did the pick-up/drops-offs but I've hired on other trips with friends.
The gorges is an amazing ride, you can do it as part of a lap of Ventoux.
Agree with crazy legs. Last time ( only time!) I did ventoux we had to ride round the bottom from Malaucene to Bedouin and do that ascent as the direct road was still a ski piste. On of the guys with me just had shirt sleeves and short mitts muppet.
Cheers so far folks, there’s 5 of us so will contact VeloVentoux to do a transfer. Training hard!