 |
| Montbrun Les Bains |
 |
| Sault |
Found an area to park the motorhome on the edge of the village within easy walking distance of the centre. France is very well set up for these vehicles. At least twenty other homes parked, complete with facilities to discharge your effluent, and replenish with water, provided by the council.
 |
| Breathe in.. |
The weather looked favourable to make a break for the top 25 deg and warm. Had a bite to eat and a cup of tea. Rolled into town, and as we all may be familiar there is a slight delay in bowel movements after you have had a hot cup of tea. Being in my riding outfit about to climb Mt Ventoux I was not going to leave the climb and return journey to chance. So I went to the tourist office in town as it was an opportunity to use my significant vocabulary of French. Ou sont les Toilettes? Up the top of the street, turn left and straight in front. I say merci. I love this french thing. Wow what a dump and the building wasn't much better either......you will have to ask me about this experience as this is secret men's business and ladies are reading this.
The ride to the top is 26 klm from Sault. Sault is perched on top of a high ridge overlooking a wide valley.It is famous for it's Lavender fields which bloom at this time of year. Many tourists can be seen walking through the fields having photos taken.
Now we are at the 22 klm from the top mark and this is where the climb starts,we are uncertain of what lies ahead, as our images are all from the TDF TV back in Oz. There is a mystical reputation about this mountain, with it's moonscape terrain towards the summit and the well known British rider Tom Simpson who collapsed and died on this mountain in 1967 whilst competing in TDF. Of all the classic climbs we rode I felt this was easier. Firstly the first 16 klm average at about 5-6% gradient with a number of false flats at 3-5%, it was forested most of the way up with little opportunity to look back on your climb and the surrounding countryside, and the surface of the road was excellent. This was also the only climb we rode continuously without stopping and kept a good tempo throughout. However as you reach the limit of the tree line things change. You have no cover as the trees are behind you and the white crushed granite/ gravel surface is quite a contrast and must be very harsh on the eyes in bright sunlight. Then you come to a fork in the road coming up from Carpentras on your left and a cafe/restaurant on your right, this is where it's reputation comes from, 10% plus all the way to the top for the next 6 klm, then to add to our dilemma the cold front we were expecting comes through bringing high winds and sleeting rain. A tough lonely battle to the top, tipping our caps to Tom Simpson on the way, his memorial within the 1 klm mark from the top. We make it to the top @ 1911 mtrs 12 deg in 1 hr 35mins. (Chris Froome 57mins 2013 TDF)
Too cool to stay to long at the top, roll down slowly as the harsh side winds are buffeting us. Have a hot chocolate in the cafe on the way down, wait for the front to pass, then a beautiful ride down once you hit the tree line, fast sweeping bends and you feel the temperature rising. Got a flat tyre on the descent but enjoyed the home run. Back to Sault watch the stage finish in the pub buy some French bread (Baguette) retire for the night.
NB Tolls Zero, Toilettes free, baguette 0.55, Beer 4E, Countryside sensational
The ride to the top is 26 klm from Sault. Sault is perched on top of a high ridge overlooking a wide valley.It is famous for it's Lavender fields which bloom at this time of year. Many tourists can be seen walking through the fields having photos taken.
Now we are at the 22 klm from the top mark and this is where the climb starts,we are uncertain of what lies ahead, as our images are all from the TDF TV back in Oz. There is a mystical reputation about this mountain, with it's moonscape terrain towards the summit and the well known British rider Tom Simpson who collapsed and died on this mountain in 1967 whilst competing in TDF. Of all the classic climbs we rode I felt this was easier. Firstly the first 16 klm average at about 5-6% gradient with a number of false flats at 3-5%, it was forested most of the way up with little opportunity to look back on your climb and the surrounding countryside, and the surface of the road was excellent. This was also the only climb we rode continuously without stopping and kept a good tempo throughout. However as you reach the limit of the tree line things change. You have no cover as the trees are behind you and the white crushed granite/ gravel surface is quite a contrast and must be very harsh on the eyes in bright sunlight. Then you come to a fork in the road coming up from Carpentras on your left and a cafe/restaurant on your right, this is where it's reputation comes from, 10% plus all the way to the top for the next 6 klm, then to add to our dilemma the cold front we were expecting comes through bringing high winds and sleeting rain. A tough lonely battle to the top, tipping our caps to Tom Simpson on the way, his memorial within the 1 klm mark from the top. We make it to the top @ 1911 mtrs 12 deg in 1 hr 35mins. (Chris Froome 57mins 2013 TDF)
 |
| Another classic climb under the belt.... |
Too cool to stay to long at the top, roll down slowly as the harsh side winds are buffeting us. Have a hot chocolate in the cafe on the way down, wait for the front to pass, then a beautiful ride down once you hit the tree line, fast sweeping bends and you feel the temperature rising. Got a flat tyre on the descent but enjoyed the home run. Back to Sault watch the stage finish in the pub buy some French bread (Baguette) retire for the night.
NB Tolls Zero, Toilettes free, baguette 0.55, Beer 4E, Countryside sensational
No comments:
Post a Comment