Mtb- Idle, I’d be interested to hear how it goes, we are 14 doing it on the 7th July.

You should do the Gorges ride if you can, it is amazing.

Travelling out to France soonish and the bike hire and route is sorted, thanks for all the advice.

Outside of shops in the villages are there any options for filling bidons en route – eg springs at Chalet Reynard, the summit?

Yeah at the Chalet, and there’s a cafe just before the final ramp up.

If you refil at CR you will be fine.

We never tried the springs dotted on the way up.

not sure which route you are riding but there are shops to buy water plus cafes etc in Sault, Malaucene and Bedoin plus a massive cafe at Chalet Reynard which is 6km from the top of Ventoux.

also a nice restaurant in Nesque which seated 16 of us (see vid below)

I’m sure I’ve posted these on other Ventoux threads here but as @jkomo asked:

Cingles – Contact https://www.pinkbike.com/video/488976/

Gorges de la Nesque – Comfort Eagle https://www.pinkbike.com/video/488995/

Just wondered if there was l’eau potable from springs to save leaving a hire bike unattended outside a shop

Not sure, but when you get to Chalet Reynard you’ll find dozens of unlocked bikes and yours (probably) won’t be the most expensive.

Also the springs are at the bottom half so not much use.

Maybe take a small cafe lock if you are worried.