Ventoux. What's it like to drive up? (1 Viewer)

[timdownieuk]

I'm thinking of running up it and getting my wife to drive up and meet me at the top.

Hairpin bends don't bother her but narrow roads and precipitous drops do. Anyone know what it's like and got any recommendations as to the "easiest" of the three routes up? (For comparison if it helps, she reckons that driving up the Galibier wouldn't phase her too much).

Also heard that it's a great place to be at sunset. Is there any suitable parking up there for an overnight stop?

 

[moulin 87]

We've been up two or three times and it was easy... Easier than riding.. I think we went up from Malaucene.. There is a large car park at the top but I don't know about stopping over..

 

[2657]

Be aware that it is **** freezing up there

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[Hettie's Crew]

We went up there a few times to cool off when it was over 40 degrees, though this was on a motorbike 15 years ago. Made me feel a bit disoriented as none of road or verges was level until we got to the top.

 

[Lenny HB]

Easy drive, near the top west of the road there is an area you can overnight. If overnighting do check the weather forecast first, they don't call it the windy mountain for no reason. I had to turn the van around to face the wind at 2am and couldn't open any doors on the windwood side oh yes it can be bl**dy cold.

 

[Tweedie]

We stayed just down from the top overnight last June, roads were an easy drive up (OH rode bike up, realising an ambition). Struck it lucky with the weather not too windy, we had the whole parking area to ourselves overnight, it was magical. Would definately recommend.

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[Tweedie]

This pic shows the parking area a bit better,

 

[timdownieuk]

This pic shows the parking area a bit better,
View attachment 175747

Brilliant! Thanks for all the feedback folks. Very helpful.

 

[timdownieuk]

I made it! Bloody long slog from Sault to the top and it looked like I was the only runner this afternoon. Now parked up near the summit waiting for the sunset.

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[DBK]

Well done! What was the distance? It can't have been much less than 20 km?

And I hope removal of the sign from your skull isn't too painful.

I've cycled and motorhomed up it, the latter was memorable for the huge clouds of black flies just below the tree line. The former for the freezing descent.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Well done!
We stayed up there in June, had a most wonderful evening and early morning. Enjoy.

 

[tony_g]

Just don't do it on a day like the one we did. 10,000 ghostly cyclists emerging from impenetrable mist and a logjam of motorhomes and cars at the top!

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[hilldweller]

I'm thinking of running up it and getting my wife to drive up and meet me at the top.

At your age !

You should know better.

 

[timdownieuk]

Well done! What was the distance? It can't have been much less than 20 km?

And I hope removal of the sign from your skull isn't too painful.

I've cycled and motorhomed up it, the latter was memorable for the huge clouds of black flies just below the tree line. The former for the freezing descent.

26km from Sault. Felt even further. ;-) Temperature near 30C in Sault but fortunately things cooled down a bit eventually.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1098063979/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-US&v=1500829641

 

[D.ten]

Well done that man. On my tick list to cycle but didn't make it that far this year, now have to wait until 2019 as no motorhome trip next year as in-laws taking us on safari

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[Ninjabob]

I got tired just driving up it. Sad memorial to Tommy Simpson but a reminder of the days drugs were de rigour.

AUDI were driving up and down testing out two prototype cars.

 

[maison]

View attachment 176070

I made it! Bloody long slog from Sault to the top and it looked like I was the only runner this afternoon. Now parked up near the summit waiting for the sunset.

Fantastic result.

You, Sir, have my admiration.

 

[timdownieuk]

Fantastic result.

You, Sir, have my admiration.

Thank you. I just do it for the "Relive" videos. ;-)

https://www.relive.cc/view/g13079910412

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[Riverbankannie]

Thank you. I just do it for the "Relive" videos. ;-)

https://www.relive.cc/view/g13079910412

Nice video, reminds us of our ascent from Sault back in June. However we took longer than your time of 3 hrs 21 min and we had the benefit of 150 hp fiat engine and air con
Chapeau to you.