Provence

Landed at Marseille on Friday morning in sunshine and high winds to be met by Craig from VeloVentoux and driven to their guesthouse in Faucon. Wanted to get on the bike and attack the Ventoux as soon as I saw it, so waiting was gonna be difficult.

Our bikes were waiting for us when we arrived so we got them set up (I secured myself a very nice De Rosa) then spent the afternoon mooching around the guesthouse and chatting to the other guests, some of whom were doing a sportif over the Ventoux the next day, then having a fantastic home cooked meal courtesy of Vicky at VeloVentoux.

Saturday

The wind was blowing a gale still, but we set out from Faucon towards Bedoin and the beginning of the climb. However, the bikes were getting blown across the road on the benign descent off the Col de la Madeleine, so with discretion being the better part of valour, we scuppered the planned ride and did the 100km circuit all the way around the mountain. There were some good climbs on the route, including the Col de la Abeilles (996m - a Cat 3 climb from the 2009 Tour de France) and the Col de Veaux (590m - a Cat 3 climb on this year's Tour), plus a grind DOWNHILL against the wind out of Sault.

100km & 1,650m climbing

Went for dinner with the other guests in Malaucene that evening, and heard tales of the majority of the sportive being turned back before the summit of Ventoux due to the wind. Good decision not to attempt the mountain!

Sunday

The wind was still blowing so we postponed our attempt on the Giant of Provence again, leaving us with a 1 day window to get it done. I struck out alone on Craig's 3 cols ride which took in the Col de Propriac, the Col d'Ey (718m - another Cat 3 climb from the 2009 Tour) and the Col de la Croix Rouge. The climb up the Col d'Ey was fantastic, and the snaking descent off the Col de la Croix Rouge was a lot of fun. Saw about 6 cars all day on perfect roads, and even finished with an out-of-the-saddle sprint up the hill into Faucon.

67km & 1,100m climbed

Finished the day off with pizza and beer on the lawn of the guesthouse as the sun set on another beautiful day.

Monday - V-Day - Mont Ventoux: 1,912m: HC Category

Awoke to perfect conditions, so ate a massive breakfast before rolling out in the direction of Bedoin with Emily. The Col de la Madeleine seemed little more than a bump, which was encouraging. After a few snaps at the bottom, we went off individually up the first part of the ascent.

Maintained a good speed to the village of St Esteve and the beginning of the forest where the road ramped up significantly. I ground through the forest section of 9km at 9.5%, trying to keep the heartrate just below maximum. Passed a few other cyclists and enjoyed some of the road graffiti - a reminder that I was on the same roads as the heroes of the Tour.

As the forest thinned, I wound my way up to Chalet Reynard, where the gradient eases a smidge. Looking back, I know I could've gone faster from this point, but I had no knowledge to pace myself properly - didn't want to blow up in sight of the summit.

Enjoyed the view of the weather station at the summit getting ever closer, and of Provence spread out below me. With just over 1km to go I rounded a corner and passed the Tom Simpson memorial. A nod of the head and a whispered "on, on, on..." (Tom's last words) were all I could muster as I pedalled past. As many have said, it's terrible to see how close he got to the summit before succumbing to his exertions (and other things). After that it was a good final km, and I unleashed my 'inner Pantani' with a quick drive out of the saddle around the last hairpin and up to the summit.

Got myself a coke, and felt very proud of my 1hr 54min time as I waited to see if Emily made it. Sure enough, I picked her out passing the Simpson memorial, and shouted a few words of encouragement as she passed under the summit and around the final bend.

No more mountain to climb

After a rest, it was the super-quick descent over the other side to Malaucene, and a roll back to Faucon for a well-earned beer as we sat in the sun.

Best day on a bike. No question.

78km & 2,098m climbed

Tuesday

An impromptu race with some of the other guests down to Malaucene to return the hire bikes, then it was back to Marseille airport and home

A great trip and a real confidence boost ahead of the etape. Although Emily's decided that it's not for her, so won't be taking her place at the start line. A shame, but perfectly understandable - we're not getting paid to do it, so why do it if you're not going to enjoy it?