The Cinglés Club

124

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  • DeVlaeminck
    DeVlaeminck Posts: 9,108
    Bit of a paddle/swim at Pont Du Gard would be nice on a hot day.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • cgfw201
    cgfw201 Posts: 680
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    Bikes booked so I'm starting to build an itinerary for the trip.

    Monday 24th June
    Travel to Avignon and book into hotel

    Tuesday 25th June
    Bikes delivered by Albion Cycles to hotel in Avignon.
    Ride from Avignon to Ventoux and back to Bedoin via Malaucene
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29846960

    Lunch in Bedoin and ride back to Avignon via this route
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29847008

    Wednesday 26th June
    Ride from Avignon towards Luberon. Route TBC; any suggestions?
    Luberon loop
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29847117
    Return to Avignon

    Thursday 27th June
    Ride from Avignon towards Bedoin using same route as Tuesday but skirt around Ventoux and head out to the Gorges de la Nesque loop here
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29847048

    Return to Avignon from Bedoin using same route as Tuesday
    https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29847008

    Friday 28th June
    Route TBC
    Late afternoon, Albion Cycles collect

    I'm generally impatient so will look to tackle the big one on Day 1 rather than leave it until later in the week but this is open to change depending on weather conditions e.g. if Ventoux is cold, wet and windy on Day 1 I'm more than willing to tackle the Gorges instead and hope for better weather the next day.

    Any thoughts? Anything I'm really missing out on while in the area, remembering that I don't have a car to travel too far for a ride? Any suggestions for the Friday?

    Definitely do Ventoux from Bedoin on the first day of favourable wind but be prepared to do it a day or two later than planned above. Most of the other routes near there are nice and sheltered. I did Gorges de la Nesque on a day where there were 100mph winds at the top of Ventoux and had a lovely quiet ride in the sun with barely a breath of wind down there.
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    cgfw201 wrote:
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    Bikes booked so I'm starting to build an itinerary for the trip.

    <snip>

    Definitely do Ventoux from Bedoin on the first day of favourable wind but be prepared to do it a day or two later than planned above. Most of the other routes near there are nice and sheltered. I did Gorges de la Nesque on a day where there were 100mph winds at the top of Ventoux and had a lovely quiet ride in the sun with barely a breath of wind down there.

    Not long to go now and i'm really looking forward to this.

    Any suggestions on the best place to check the weather at the top of Ventoux or do you just look out of the window from the valley towards the top of the mountain and see what it looks like up there?

    (It seems I was really lucky last year, we arrived Friday, got up Saturday, rode the Cingles in near perfect weather and then the Gorges on Sunday and finally home on Monday without a hint of unrideable conditions or even any concern in the group about what it would be like at the top).
    FCN = 4
  • meursault
    meursault Posts: 1,433
    This weather site looks OK

    https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mont-Ventoux/forecasts/1912
    Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.

    Voltaire
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    thanks for the prompt response
    FCN = 4
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,700
    meursault wrote:
    This weather site looks OK

    https://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mont-Ventoux/forecasts/1912
    I'd be interested in how they make their forecasts. It all seems to be a bit hit & miss in France, as weather observation stations are few and far between, and the low data resolution seems to make computer modelling very wayward for specific locations.

    In my own case, I spend a lot of time in Die 26150, and the nearest weather stations appear to be in Valence, Montélimar, and Gap - three wildly different climates - and the stuff in between is just a rough average, it seems, with little knowledge of the fine detail. The comparison with the MWIS for Scotland and the Lake district is stark, where they give good forecasts which you can sensibly use to work out which valley to go to on a specific day.

    Incidentally, the Met Office do forecasts for Avignon. But again, I can only assume they use the Meteo France data.
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,700
    I can't see a Meteociel forecast specifically for Mont Ventoux (Meteociel tends to be one of the better ones), but Meteo France do one. http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-m ... rein/84410
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • poweredbyidris
    poweredbyidris Posts: 848
    briantrumpet wrote:
    I can't see a Meteociel forecast specifically for Mont Ventoux (Meteociel tends to be one of the better ones), but Meteo France do one. http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-m ... rein/84410

    Have used this one before and it's fairly accurate. Looks like the Mistral's going to be blowing for the next week - hope it blows itself out by the end of the month, as I'm down there too that week.
  • briantrumpet
    briantrumpet Posts: 20,700
    PoweredByIdris wrote:
    briantrumpet wrote:
    I can't see a Meteociel forecast specifically for Mont Ventoux (Meteociel tends to be one of the better ones), but Meteo France do one. http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-m ... rein/84410

    Have used this one before and it's fairly accurate. Looks like the Mistral's going to be blowing for the next week - hope it blows itself out by the end of the month, as I'm down there too that week.
    My experience is that Meteo France tends towards optimism, Meteociel towards pessimism. I also use La Chaine Meteo too, but have never found one which is wholly satisfactory.

    https://www.lachainemeteo.com/meteo-fra ... aujourdhui
    https://www.facebook.com/unanglaisendiois
  • phil485
    phil485 Posts: 364
    My attempt is looking like this Saturday.
    Hopefully the training will have worked out. Did a loop from Bedoin out to Gordes today, its an amazing bit of France.
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Phil485 wrote:
    My attempt is looking like this Saturday.
    Hopefully the training will have worked out. Did a loop from Bedoin out to Gordes today, its an amazing bit of France.
    Seems to me every bit of France is an amazing bit of France! Lucky French! Bon chance!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • phil485
    phil485 Posts: 364
    All done, card stamped and just needs sending off.

    An amazing day on the bike, lovely mountain to climb.
    Just under 7 hours riding time for the 3 trips to the summit.
  • meursault
    meursault Posts: 1,433
    Phil485 wrote:
    All done, card stamped and just needs sending off.

    An amazing day on the bike, lovely mountain to climb.
    Just under 7 hours riding time for the 3 trips to the summit.

    Seven hours is outrageous. Chapeau!
    Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.

    Voltaire
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    well done Phil, good legs!
    FCN = 4
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    edited July 2019
    So I'm back after spending last week in Avignon and here's my ride report.

    Day 1 we had intended to ride the pan-flat 45 km from Avignon to Bedoin, up MV2, down to Malaucene and then loop back home to Avignon.

    Unfortunately we had picked the week that the hottest temperatures ever were recorded in France with Carpentras getting a specific mention as the mercury touched 44 degrees c.

    This combined with my poor map-reading skills in getting out of Avignon meant we rode an extremely uncomfortable 70 km over 3 hours 30 mins in the sun with very little shade getting lost and turning back on ourselves numerous times, getting stuck on a dual carriageway not meant for bikes etc and only managed to reach Carpentras by which time we were totally exhausted.

    We decided to cut our losses and get the air-conditioned train back to Avignon.

    Day 2 We learned from yesterday's experience and got the train directly to Carpentras. Despite getting lost again trying to get out of the one-way system (it's amazing how often a 1,900 metre mountain can suddenly disappear when you are looking for it) we rode 20 km to Bedoin drinking 1.5 litres along the way. A top up of water in Bedoin and we started the ascent at midday #maddogs.

    In short it was unbearably hot and totally energy sapping. Last year as the first leg of the Cingles I rode this ascent in 2 hours without stopping. This time it took four hours with about 20 stops including a long stop for refreshment and a general cooling down at Chalet Reynard.

    We crested and had intended to descend to Malaucene and loop back around to Bedoin but again because of the heat, the time (now way past 4pm) and our general fatigue we reversed the route and headed back down to Bedoin and Carpentras.

    Day 3 we tackled the Gorges de la Nesque. The temperatures were actually getting hotter as the week went on and after getting the now standard train to Carpentras we rode towards Bedoin but turned off just before to head for the Gorge. We had only ridden 20km and climbed circa 250 metres when we both agreed we were exhausted and needed another long water stop in Flassan before proceeding.

    The climb up to circa 1,000 metres was much harder than i recall last year again requiring multiple stops for water and general rest and recovery but we finally reached the Gorge and there it was, just as stunning as last year but this time with the added attraction of wild boar wondering around.

    It's all downhill from here back to Carpentras and so we took it slow and easy without too much more of note although we did see that the BBC had been interviewing cyclists in Bedoin the day before basically saying 'what the hell are you doing?" We bumped into Kevin from Detroit, Illinois near the Tommy Simpson memorial. The hire shop was recommending he didn't climb MV2. He said to them, well I've come a long way and I'm here...

    Day 4 we had intended to ride the Luberon loop but with temps on the road surface reaching 45, 46 and even 48 degrees G (Garmin) and the trip requiring yet another train to Carpentras followed by an hour or so's riding before we reached Luberon we decided on a gentle pootle around Avignon to preserve our totally shot legs which were totally fatigued by the crushing heat.

    Here's a short video I edited from the footage I shot. Best viewed with sound and if you want the full effect try sitting under a sun lamp whilst watching it :lol:

    96 Degrees in the shade

    Learning points?

    Avignon is a beautiful city but it's just a tad too far from all the best cycling spots. ~Maybe I should have chosen the routes a bit more wisely or closer to Avignon.

    The location of where we stayed wasn't up for discussion. originally it was meant to be a romantic week away with my wife, no cycling involved. That was up until the point she invited the mother-in-law. Otherwise I would have simply stayed in Bedoin

    Don't try riding longish distances/climbing mountains when it's a minimum 40 degrees C and the hottest temperatures ever recorded in France...
    FCN = 4
  • poweredbyidris
    poweredbyidris Posts: 848
    edited July 2019
    Sounds all very recognisable MTB-Idle! Was out there Friday to Friday and the only thing that was steadily climbing was the mercury. :lol:

    Was staying near Vaison-la-Romaine, so getting to the foot of the Ventoux was far easier for me. Ascended on Saturday morning when the temperature was in the mid-20's, down to Sault, then back along the Toulourenc Valley.

    Sunday was an amazing ride into the Baronnies - quickly becoming my favourite place to ride a bike in Provence. Knocked off about 5 cols that day.

    Monday was back out along the Toulourenc valley to Aulan, the a loop home via Buis de Baronnies

    Tuesday was the big one: a 2:45 alarm for a 3:30 start. Up the Ventoux from Maulaucene in the dark to see the sunrise from the summit, then down to Bedoin for breakfast. After that it was the small matter of another 250km to the Viaduc de Millau in the Cevannes. Arrived at 6pm with the wahoo registering a maximum temperature of 39 degrees.

    Drove back on Wednesday (3 of the group rode the return leg - without the Ventoux fortunately), and a short spin to get the legs moving again.

    Thursday was a 60km ride back into the edge of the Baronnies including the Col d'Ey, which has amazing views of the Ventoux across the valley.

    I did do an MTB-Idle-style video for the big ride, but haven't got round to finding somewhere to host it

    Edit: Here's the video: https://vimeo.com/346350402
  • meursault
    meursault Posts: 1,433
    #maddogs indeed! Superb riding though and excellent video. If I go back, I would do one ascent, probably Malaucene, as it's the most beautiful and the Gorge.

    Thanks for posting. Chapeau!
    Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.

    Voltaire
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    PoweredByIdris wrote:

    Edit: Here's the video: https://vimeo.com/346350402

    Nice vid, I enjoyed it. I would <3 it on Vimeo if I hadn't been banned (they didn't like the way I use copyrighted backing tracks to my vids).

    Looks like you covered a lot more ground than me; chapeau.

    Another learning point to add to my list above is to not take the cycling buddy with you that thinks 8 a.m. is an early alarm call. I literally had to kick his ar$e every ten minutes just for us to make the 10:07 from Avignon to Carpentras.

    He was King of the Faffers and had absolutely no sense of urgency. This accounts for why we didn't start the MV2 climb until midday...

    I had a quiet evening earlier this week and did a second edit, this time featuring the Gorge de la Nesque footage I shot which includes my encounter with a wild boar! (Wild, I was absolutely livid) < Gerald the Gorilla >

    Marinade

    Enjoy.
    FCN = 4
  • poweredbyidris
    poweredbyidris Posts: 848
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    PoweredByIdris wrote:

    Edit: Here's the video: https://vimeo.com/346350402

    Marinade

    Enjoy.

    Loved that - especially the Fast Show soundtrack at the start :lol:

    Which I could ride my bike in Provence every day
  • wastelander
    wastelander Posts: 557
    edited August 2019
    With just 6 weeks before my trip to Ventoux I'm excited and apprehensive in equal amounts! Keep thinking I could have put more miles in ( couldn't we all) but also pleased with how things have progressed this year and currently feeling in fine form. Must remember to ride to power/HR and NOT charge after people! More hill reps tomorrow...lucky me!
  • shirley_basso
    shirley_basso Posts: 6,195
    I did it this time last year and there were very few people on the mountain to chase. Enjoy
  • meursault
    meursault Posts: 1,433
    DaveP1 wrote:
    Phil485 wrote:
    meursault wrote:
    DaveP1 wrote:
    That's a great read, chapeau to all who have done that. There's a mountain in Italy that also has 3 ascents, I'm thinking about trying to "cingle" it this summer...

    Agreed, our group that did Ventoux last year are going to Stelvio in July. I don't think there's any 'official' Cingles type challenge, so we will probably just do two ascents.

    I did the 2 Stelvio climbs in 2018. a good day out.
    I believe Mortirolo has 3 ways up. Hard work that one.

    You could go up the Umbrail, couldn't you? I know the "usual" route is to go down that one.

    Monte Grappa has something like 10 or 11 routes up it! :shock:

    Actually considering the Grappa challenge, not sure if I can get my usual buddies to go, would involve multiple trips I think.
    Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.

    Voltaire
  • wastelander
    wastelander Posts: 557
    edited August 2019
    Had a bit of a barometer ride yesterday - the former Grand Fondo Dragon Ride route - 119 miles and just over 10k climbing through the South Wales valleys. The headwinds were stiff but thankfully the move to a 34T cassette in readiness for my trip paid dividends. Slower that my 2009 time for the same route but being able to sit in the saddle for most of the climbs made a huge difference to my freshness at the finish.

    With just 4 weeks to go all I can do now is keep up with the hill climbs for a couple of weeks to maintain my form and look forward to what's ahead!
  • meursault
    meursault Posts: 1,433
    wastelander wrote:
    Had a bit of a barometer ride yesterday - the former Grand Fondo Dragon Ride route - 119 miles and just over 10k climbing through the South Wales valleys. The headwinds were stiff but thankfully the move to a 34T cassette in readiness for my trip paid dividends. Slower that my 2009 time for the same route but being able to sit in the saddle for most of the climbs made a huge difference to my freshness at the finish.

    With just 4 weeks to go all I can do now is keep up with the oil climbs for a couple of weeks to maintain my form and look forward to what's ahead!

    I wouldn't be too concerned with times or speed. Nothing wrong with spinning up the climb, enjoying the experience.
    Superstition sets the whole world in flames; philosophy quenches them.

    Voltaire
  • mtb-idle
    mtb-idle Posts: 2,179
    Agree; take your time, enjoy it. Definitely ride to power/HR. I't's the first time I've ever done that in over 20 years of riding but it was certainly the best approach on the day.
    FCN = 4
  • wastelander
    wastelander Posts: 557
    MTB-Idle wrote:
    Agree; take your time, enjoy it. Definitely ride to power/HR. I't's the first time I've ever done that in over 20 years of riding but it was certainly the best approach on the day.

    This is exactly the approach I took during my barometer ride and will be taking on the day - I know my FTP and lactate H/R so just have to stay well within them. Will it be enough to allow me to completely the challenge? I guess I find out on 12th September :shock:
  • shirley_basso
    shirley_basso Posts: 6,195
    It's not as hard as I thought it would be, just takes a frikking long time. The second ascent was the worst.
  • nellie72
    nellie72 Posts: 49
    Hi all.

    I am heading down to Ventoux in 2 weeks time (5-9th September) for a bit of a spur of the moment, unsupported attempt at joining the Cingles club.

    I've been before when riding the Haute Route in 2017 so know what to expect. In 2017 (October) we only managed to get to the summit twice due to the winds. Once under official event conditions it was pretty calm, but on the third day a few of us ignored the organiser instructions to stop at Chalet Renard and although we did make it to the top, it was pretty scary up there. You wouldn't have known it in Bedoin though where it was a glorious 80 degrees with just a reasonable breeze.

    This time as I am going alone I still want to be aware of whats going on weather wise on the summit. Does anyone have a website link that gives accurate, near real-time or forecasted weather conditions on the summit?
    Canyon Endurace CF SL 9.0 Ultegra di2
    Reilly Gradient GRX600
    Dawes Super Galaxy
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    The friend of a colleague of mine spent 24 hours a couple of weeks ago doing a triple Cinglés, so 9 ascents. He'd done the double and thought, oh, let's see if I can do the triple in under 24 hours. He made it.

    Apparently he had a couple of support riders and car with him whose main task towards the end was to keep him awake on the descents.

    Madness.
  • narbs
    narbs Posts: 593
    PoweredByIdris wrote:
    Tuesday was the big one: a 2:45 alarm for a 3:30 start. Up the Ventoux from Maulaucene in the dark to see the sunrise from the summit, then down to Bedoin for breakfast. After that it was the small matter of another 250km to the Viaduc de Millau in the Cevannes. Arrived at 6pm with the wahoo registering a maximum temperature of 39 degrees.

    Drove back on Wednesday (3 of the group rode the return leg - without the Ventoux fortunately), and a short spin to get the legs moving again.

    Edit: Here's the video: https://vimeo.com/346350402

    More madness!

    Great videos, both yours and MTB-Idle's, thanks.

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