FanPost

The 2015 Ventoux Night Session

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!).

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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:

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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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More photos and trip reports: 2011 2013

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