Planning your 2015 Cycling Vacation? If possible, may I highly recommend you consider heading to the south of France for the 4th Ventoux Night Session next June. Registration for this very special event - held every second year - is now open.
The official site is here. I am registered and will happily buy any Podium Café people who attend at least one small beer (each!).
Limited to just a few hundred entrants, the plan is simple: Riders leave in different waves based on their own estimated ability, with the goal of everyone arriving at the summit together - in time to see the sun rise. This is not a race. Beyond a tombola (lotto), the main prize is for the heaviest to reach the summit (the brother of my good friend Philippe is two time defending champion!).
The ambience of this well organised, non-competitive, event is fantastic. At the depart are a few cycling related booths and most people gather there for the pasta dinner, a few beers, and a brief nap before waking up to steaming coffee in the wee hours of the morning. The road is closed - not that there would be any traffic - and motorcycles patrol the route offering assistance if necessary. A van carries to the summit rider's warm clothing for the (cold) descent - and a bakery/breakfast/ceremony closes things off at the bottom.
A short Moo Productions video from 2011:
There is lots of other great cycling in the region. Both times I have participated, I met up with friends for a good warm-up ride the afternoon before the event. In 2013, me and the boys from St-Etienne cycled through the incredible Gorges de la Nesque:
In 2015, for the first time, the event will start in Malaucène climbing the less famous but equally challenging back-side. So people new to the Ventoux may want to cycle the more famous Bédoin side as an appetiser.
Of course, if you want to become a member of the famous Club des Cinglés du Ventoux - by cycling all three sides in a single day - starting at 3am for the Night Session gives you the perfect early start.
I love, love, love this event. And remember, it is is non-competitive, and the different starting waves makes it perfect for riders of different abilities. And most importantly, say hi and I'll buy you a beer.
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