mt ventoux,best time to go?

janwal

5 of us looking to do ventoux,possibly next year.Is June OK weather wise etc as a lot of trips seem to go later,July an August.Anyone hired bikes when out there?

sancho_panza

June should be perfect. It's a massive mountain though and so has its own climate.

Very good bike hire in Malaucene and Bedoin; get in touch with velo Ventoux if you're interested in accommodation, transfers from TGV or marseille and sorting bike hire etc.

Even if you don't ride on the mountain there's enough amazing riding to keep you smiling for years out there. The Ventoux is a truly beautiful mountain and even though it's got roads and infrastructure on it it still feels very wild. Riding up through the different climate zones, especially in early summer, is always a lovely experience.

For somewhere so hot it holds an enormous amount of snow but by May it's open.

Have fun!

whoof

Have ridden it twice in June. Both times there were clear skies and not much wind. However, we were lucky and there is no guarantee of good weather regardless of when you go.
This was a nice campsite at Bedoin that does cabins from 490 euros for a week.
http://www.camping-ventoux.fr/
There is also a lot more riding in the area other the just the Ventoux

durhamwasp

Have been to Ventoux three times - July, August and September, we got the best weather in September, though I honestly think this was just down to luck.

July we had clear skies with high temperatures but a lot of wind! August we had cloudy overcast weather, September we rocked up with 1 day to do the Cingles on, and got the best day of the year. Never again will we be so lucky.

Would also recommend Camping La Garenne that is linked above. Also used the campervan Aire and had 3 cracking nights there amongst cyclists from all over Europe, and it didn't cost a penny

el_rey

I was there in June a few years ago and it was great. I stayed with http://www.veloventoux.com/ and they arranged a bike rental as well as a pick up from the train and transit to the airport.

exlaser

El Rey wrote:

I was there in June a few years ago and it was great. I stayed with http://www.veloventoux.com/ and they arranged a bike rental as well as a pick up from the train and transit to the airport.

+1 for June and veloventoux.
Weather was good and had a great time at veloventoux. Hardest day I have ever had on a bike and the greatest.

nunowoolmez

3 of us have just booked up at Veloventoux for late July. Going to be doing the cingles & a recovery spin day after. Hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst!

mrc1

As others have said the weather is massively variable, so plan for the worst and hope for the best. For what it is worth we were there in fine conditions in June, July, August and September this year, but had huge thunderstorms on days either side, where riding would have been a massively different prospect.

Cingles wise make sure you set off as early as possible to make the most of the cooler morning weather and to have the mountain to yourself! Also ensure you top up your water whenever possible (there is a fountain a short way into the Bedoin ascent and another a K or so after Chalet Reynard) and make sure you carry a decent amount of cash as food and drink at the top and at Reynard are very expensive!

The pic below is from late September this year:

durhamwasp

Yep, a Cingles bash needs good planning! We took small packets of energy powder measured out for 500ml bottles and mixed them with water at each refill point. Also took 4 gels for each ascent and ate Pain-au-chocolates in each village. Few tips on our website below.

plumieux

Have a practice by climbing the Lurs mountain a bit further east towards Forcalquier but well worth it and alot easier,it makes for a good warm up for `Le Géant`

sancho_panza

and use this website

http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-m ... rein/84410

- I find it very reliable, especially the en savoir plus button at the bottom (although I can see the summit from my front garden... )

sancho_panza

and use this website

http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-m ... rein/84410

especially the "En savoir plus" button at the bottom as it gives a reliable indication of what the weather's going to do (especially the wind) 1600m above the villages.

t4tomo

Make sure you take in Gorges de Nesque whilst you are there - you can descend to sault and pick it up there and head back to bedoin. Truly beautiful and mainly downhill from sault end.

Aigars HC Bike Tours

I would reccomend to make a trip from Avignon to Nice and include Ventoux. You should to see regional
Luberon Natural Park of Provence, Gorge du Verdon (one of Europe’s most gorgeous gorges) and of course the breathtaking view over the Mediterranean Sea as you head south.

bigbeezer67

really, really wanna do this as well for my 40th in 2016.

ecrinslodge

I just popped down there a couple of weeks ago to check out a property close to Bedoin I'm taking a group of 24 cyclists to in September. Interesting to see the place void of cyclists, cold and rainy. Hope the weather is better then. I gather that June and September are the best times to go, although you can suffer from the Mistral (strong northerly wind) at any time.

davidof

Not at the moment

JoostG

Will be there again in July. This time with the family on a camp site in Faulcon. I'm planning to do the Mont Ventoux 3 times (1x Bedion, 1x Maulucene, 1x both). As I don't want to bother the family to much with my hobby, I will start at 6 to be back with fresh croissants at breakfast. The day I will do both ascents, my wife and kids will support me during my second attempt (fun for the children to throw water at dad).
One day I will skip Ventoux and do a round tour to see something else of the region.

I'm really looking forward to this.

davidof

Info today, the Ventoux is snow free to the summit on the south side, still snow covered to Mont Serein on the north. Windy.

durhamwasp

JoostG wrote:

Will be there again in July. This time with the family on a camp site in Faulcon. I'm planning to do the Mont Ventoux 3 times (1x Bedion, 1x Maulucene, 1x both). As I don't want to bother the family to much with my hobby, I will start at 6 to be back with fresh croissants at breakfast. The day I will do both ascents, my wife and kids will support me during my second attempt (fun for the children to throw water at dad).
One day I will skip Ventoux and do a round tour to see something else of the region.

I'm really looking forward to this.

Sounds like you need a bash at the Cingles!