Frejus and Mont Ventoux

crispybug2

Right, so I've booked me and the family for a ten day break in Frejus and I've decided to have an assault on Mont Ventoux as It's close enough to drive to and it would be rude not to!!

So my questions are.....

I'll be doing the Ventoux ride from Bedoin, I imagine that the parking will be a nightmare so where would be the best place to park?


What is the riding like around Frejus? Are there decent rides and climbs that are worth my attention?


Obviously any other information that will assist me will be gratefully received


Thanks

banditvic

Loads of parking. Take a windproof for the descent.

grenw

Plenty of parking in Bedoin. Just avoid Monday as it's market day.

brettjmcc

PM me and I can send you a book about routes around there, as my parents have a place in Cogolin. There's some nice short sharp climbs (Cat 3 and 3 on Strava) around the St Tropez costal area (Collobrieres, Cavaliare, Grimaud); they do the Haute Var around that area.

It's a good 2.5-3 hour drive to Bedouin from Frejus and traffic will start to get busy soon in that area. When are you going? You may be better off going towards Col de Madone unless you are determined to do Ventoux.

BillyImp

Yup, went on a weekday last year and nearly had a car park to ourselves!

lostboysaint

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639542#p19639542]brettjmcc[/url] wrote:

PM me and I can send you a book about routes around there, as my parents have a place in Cogolin. There's some nice short sharp climbs (Cat 3 and 3 on Strava) around the St Tropez costal area (Collobrieres, Cavaliare, Grimaud); they do the Haute Var around that area.

It's a good 2.5-3 hour drive to Bedouin from Frejus and traffic will start to get busy soon in that area. When are you going? You may be better off going towards Col de Madone unless you are determined to do Ventoux.

You missed my favourite, the Canadel climb. It's a fabulous part of the world for cycling, the whole Massif des Maures just lend themselves to it.

brettjmcc

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639637#p19639637]lostboysaint[/url] wrote:

You missed my favourite, the Canadel climb. It's a fabulous part of the world for cycling, the whole Massif des Maures just lend themselves to it.

No I didn't (sort of) I assume you mean doing the climb from the Canadel side on the coast and then over the top towards La Mole? Yes, nice climb. Also worth spending some time playing around Ramatuelle/Gassin as well. Have you tried taking the D14 from Grimaud towards Collobrieres? Nice long climb which you can then go up the D39 towards Gonfaron, but would advise you have cobbles mode on coming down as the road is horrific and shakes you to bits LOL

lostboysaint

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639654#p19639654]brettjmcc[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639637#p19639637]lostboysaint[/url] wrote:

You missed my favourite, the Canadel climb. It's a fabulous part of the world for cycling, the whole Massif des Maures just lend themselves to it.

No I didn't (sort of) I assume you mean doing the climb from the Canadel side on the coast and then over the top towards La Mole? Yes, nice climb. Also worth spending some time playing around Ramatuelle/Gassin as well. Have you tried taking the D14 from Grimaud towards Collobrieres? Nice long climb which you can then go up the D39 towards Gonfaron, but would advise you have cobbles mode on coming down as the road is horrific and shakes you to bits LOL

Oh yes you did, but you've covered yourself beautifully with this post. I like the climb both ways. Coming out from Cogolin, hanging a left next to "St Tropez International Airport" at La Mole and then going up past the campsite on the left. The last few metres to the top and the view that unfolds over the Med is quite special. Coming up from the coast road through the houses that slowly get bigger, better and less dense as you climb is nice as well.

I haven't strayed north much at all. Tended to stay around the roads and trails (MTB) immediately around the D98.