Mt Ventoux - 17 July

Mt Ventoux was our third 'High Category' climb of the tour in 5 days. What was I thinking? I'd never attempted a single one of these before.

Another icon of Le Tour, Mt Ventoux rises 1910m from the plains of Avignon and dominates the surrounding landscape - its summit beacon visible at a great distance. Many a tour defining moment has happened on this mountain, not the least when the British rider Tommy Simpson died of a heart attack 1.5km from the summit. The circumstances are not the best advertisement for cycling - he was dehydrated (from diarrohea and not eating), had alcohol and amphetamines in his blood, and was last seen swerving widly across the road before collapsing.

I, on the other hand, heeded the lessons of good cycling preparation and was well hydrated, with only a hint of fine French red wine from the night before, no stimulants, a tummy full of food and bowels intact. The weather was hot - again - and humid, but we got away around 8.30am near the village of Bedoin at the base of Ventoux before the temp could get to its expected high above 30 degrees.

About 2 hrs 17min later I crested the summit having covered 21.4k with 1600m of ascending, average speed of 9.3km/h, average cadence of 59rpm and an average heart rate of 144bpm. By ride's end I had chewed about 1630 calories. The first 4kms are relatively easy; followed by a gut busting 12km through 8-10 degrees of unending forest road; past Le Chalet Renard rest stop; and then up the final 6km grind to the summit - with a nice little 15% incline kicker for the last 500 metres to test out your legs.

It was a great feeling to get to the top and enjoy the sights, the high fives and wonderful soft lolly stalls which do a roaring trade up there. Then on to the half hour, 22km descent to Malaucene with a top speed of 80.3km! Wow!

The day finished with a long bus ride to our next accommodation in Toulouse and a wonderful 'al fresco' dining experience of cassaulet and St Emillion red.

For the record, the pro tour was on a different route and Vinokorouv won the stage with a solo finish in Revel.