Call Toll Free 1-800-557-9119 or inquire online.

What happens after I inquire?

We will give you a call to discuss your plans so that we can put together an awesome quotation for you to look at. If you're happy, give us a call and we will make your booking. If you want to make any changes, that's what we are here for!

Are your cycling tours in Mont Ventoux self guided?

Our cycling tours in Mont Ventoux are self-guided, giving you the freedom to explore at your leisure. Armed with our detailed route packs, you can effortlessly navigate the stunning countryside and the mythical climb.

What's Included on your Mont Ventoux Vacations?

Our self guided cycling vacations in Mont Ventoux typically include airport transfers, the best bike hire, cycling friendly hotels and amazing routes for you to follow. If you want to add guiding or anything else, just ask us.

What are the dates of your Mont Ventoux bike trips?

All of our self guided bike tours to Mont Ventoux are entirely tailor made. You can choose what day you want to travel and what riding you want to do.

How fit do I need to be?

Very! Mont Ventoux is not to be under estimated. This is a huge climb and you need to train and prepare to climb it.

When can I climb Ventoux?

You can access the top of Ventoux between about May and September. Either side of that the winds are ferocious and weather unpredictable.

Mont Ventoux (Cycling From Sault)

Sault

Sault is a very beautiful place and full of incredible architecture. If you like lavender fields and village life, there's a good chance of falling in love with this place.

If your trip falls on the 15th of August, they have an incredible lavender festival here which brings all the locals together, and people flock from all over to enjoy the games and competitions they put on all about lavender. As beautiful as it is here, you will want to get on your travels to the Mont Ventoux from Sault. Ensure you have enough food and water when you leave, as there are little to no places for resupply.

The Climb

Cycling Mont Ventoux from Sault will take you up just shy of 1,200m, and you're going to really enjoy this. The views are incredible, and the road is nice and quiet.

You will see an everchanging landscape where the green starts to fade, and you start to see the harshness of this incredible mountain. You have about 20km of climbing before joining the route from Bedoin to Ventoux. In this section, the gradient on average is about 6% but can bite you all the way up to 10% at points while heading up. When you join the road which comes from Bedoin, it starts getting tougher, the gradients are steeper, and the altitude is higher.

Chalet Reynard

We recommend keeping your edge about you as the wind speeds can pick up a little once you are up to Chalet Reynard as past the cafe is where the lunar landscape really appears. It's also where the climate really changes as the protection from the forest has been lost and winds can batter riders as they try and complete the last 6km of the climb.

If you have the time to stop at the Tom Simpson memorial, this is always a reminder of the toughness of this challenge and the legend of the rider. One thing you will experience here is the epic views of the lunar landscape region around you as you tower over everything. Here you will see the weather station and just round the bend is a small cafe if you want a coffee at the top.

The Descent

It's now time to make your way back down, and you are going to come back on yourself here, riding back down to Sault. The descent is incredible, passing Chalet Reynard, but we highly recommend taking it cautiously as you can easily pick up a lot of speed.

Key Statistics

Length - 24.4km

Climbing - 1,150m

Average Gradient - 4.5%

Toughest Gradient - 13%

Tips For Riding Ventoux

Ventoux is not an easy climb, and it can easily get the better of even the best cyclists, so here are our top tips for tackling the mountain.

Training

We highly recommend doing a bit of training before going to Ventoux from Sault. It's a challenging ride and can easily get the better of a very experienced cyclist. Some training on local hills will go a long way.

Weather

One thing that Ventoux is known for is the strong winds that can come from the top. You are going to want to be very cautious and go on a day when the weather is nice. Starting early in the morning to avoid the heat from the day will also help your ride.

Food And Drink

There's not a huge amount of resupply in the mountains, and you can never count on everything being open, so we recommend carrying plenty of food and water to keep you fuelled.

Pace And Equipment

Finding pace helps alpine climbing. Using a heart rate monitor or power meter will really help you avoid digging too deep. This also stops you going to crazy on a false flat. Using the right bike will go a long way too. A road bike instead of a Mountain bike should be on the menu Mont Ventoux.

Enjoy It

Although it is challenging, don't forget to enjoy the climb and relish in its rich history. Having a cycling vacation at Mont Ventoux is incredible and must be enjoyed as much as possible. If you enjoyed this route the Gorges de la Nesque is also an excellent cycling route. Making a family vacation out of the trip is a great idea as there's a lot to do in the area.

Other French Cycling Routes

For more information about other exciting cycling experiences we offer, visit our France cycling vacations page.

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Whether you're a keen road cyclist, enjoy riding an e-bike or a leisure bike, or want to get your family more active, we have the perfect cycling vacation for you.