Mont Ventoux, lived up to its name. Huge gusts of 60mph.

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Sault, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, FR

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Debbie Kennedy

Pyrénées Cycling

26 km

1 230 m

Some call the Mont Ventoux Sault route “Ventoux-lite”. We prefer to call it the connoisseur's route. If you’ve ridden Bédoin and are looking to your next ascent of Mont Ventoux, this is the route we’d suggest next.

Sault-Mont Ventoux is longer, and the gradients are much less severe than the Bédoin and Malaucène routes.

You’ll get fewer bragging rights if you ride up this way, but on the plus side, you also get far-reaching views and (in season) unforgettable lavender fields. It’s also far quieter, both in cars and other cyclists.

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Détails de l'itinéraire

# Mont Ventoux (1,912 m)from Sault
## CLIMB PROFILE: Departing from Sault
## Length 25.6 km, Altitude at depart 759 m, Altitude at end 1,912 m:. Average percentage gradient 4.5%, maximum 12%

It can be achieved under an hour - depending on your strength and ability. The road up Ventoux from Sault is awesome as you can get in a steady rhythm and power up; it’s so much fun it almost doesn't feel like you can be climbing Ventoux! So it’s a bit of a shock when you get to Chalet Reynard and hit the multitude of other cyclists grinding up from Bédoin. You can’t help feeling a bit smug that a) you’ve got to the same point as they have on significantly less effort and b) you still get the benefit of the incredible last six kilometres.

The beginning and the middle: 0-20 km
You descend slightly from Sault, down to the valley bottom, and then gently meander upwards, through trees, meadows and lavender fields. This is a gorgeous, gradual ride. It’s peaceful too with few other cyclists or cars to bother you. The lunar landscape from Chalet Reynard: 20-26km. You join the @point[road from Bédoin](d,19583.77) at Chalet Reynard.  It’s then an unforgettable six kilometres through the white rock to the @photo[summit](12429377). Be prepared for wind; if you don’t get a brutal headwind, you’re lucky!

**The descent** - The road down can be hair-raising. The gradient is severe, the road is often wet, there are multiple @photo[hairpins](12429378) and strong gusts of wind.

**CAFÉ STOPS:**
* Chalet Reynard is a popular place to stop. It’s about seven kilometres before the summit, and it’s impossible to miss: there are some post-boxes at the side of the road, followed by wooden cabins and a sign for Chalet Reynard. Here at @poi[Chalet Reynard](62005023) it has a bar-restaurant with an indoor area and outdoor terraces. It serves simple food and drinks.There is a reasonable amount of car parking outside the restaurant. 
* Around the 20 km mark, you pass the [Tom Simpson](http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Tom_Simpson) memorial and there is a water fountain nearby.
* At the summit, there is a restaurant that serves basic meals.
#

## A few tips

* You need to be fit to climb Ventoux by bike; if you haven’t trained, you are going to struggle. We also strongly suggest you practice descending hairpin corners before you arrive. This is not the place to learn.
* At an absolute minimum, you will need arm warmers, leg warmers and a windproof jacket for the summit. If the weather looks bad, pack and dress accordingly. Leave your deep section wheels at home.  
* If it’s windy at the top of Ventoux, you won’t be happy. If you aren’t a wiry climber, use a compact chainset.
 * Plan your route before you visit. 
 * Other than for the Sault route (where there are no markers), milestones every kilometre show:
  the average gradient for the next kilometre and the number of kilometres to the summit; and
  the current altitude.
* The road is relatively narrow in many places and expect lots of cars, particularly in summer.
* Don’t underestimate the conditions on the summit, even in good weather, and/or when all is calm at your chosen starting point. The summit and the descent are very exposed and, crazy as it sounds, people are frequently blown off their bikes. 
* It if rains, debris may get washed onto the road. 
* Fog can also make things tricky.
* In summer, the heat can be intense. Set off early.

#
## Bonne Chance à toi!

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Mont Ventoux, lived up to its name. Huge gusts of 60mph.

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