Goodbye Alps, Hello Provence

Today was officially moving out of the Alps and into Provence as the official last day of the tour, and the chance for the sane among us to ride Mt. Ventoux once. I say once because there is a second post on its way. As with the day before, we moved through quintessential French countryside. Lavender fields (freshly picked, so no photos of purple fields . . . but the smell. Indescribable), sunflowers that are just starting to wilt, rocky fields and old stone homes. Amazing to be amongst it all, and seeing things that you only imagine could be real.

(And the grapes are getting ripe as well)

Leaving the Alps behind us . . .

The climbs today, aside from the Ventoux, were all relatively gentle. I suspect the tour had pity on us, and assumed correctly that our legs were all tired at this point. We did go over the Col de L'Homme Mort . . . that's the Col of the Dead Man for those translating at home. The photo below is from the first climb, the Col de Saint Jean. Totally not as cool of a name. L'Homme Mort is unsigned, probably because people wouldn't be able to help themselves from bringing that thing home as a little treasure to impress their friends . . . . assuming they were teenagers who liked, you know, stealing road signs.

(Talking about how cool we are . . . )

Of course, the real work of the day was at the end, with a climb up the Ventoux. Starting in the town of Sault. Ventoux is one of those legendary climbs, and legendary for a reason. As we climb L'Homme Mort, we catch our first glimpse. That tower on the top, almost 2000 meters up will become a treasured sight tomorrow.

(We wanted to get the Ventoux behind us. Oh well, a good shot of me, Dave, and Simon)

The Ventoux has three main routes up. One leaving from the town of Sault, one from the town of Bedoin, and one from the town of Malaucene. The road up from Sault is considered the "easy" way. For a while, that's true. Once you hit Chalet Reynard (6k from the summit), all bets are off.

(You think you are close to the top when you see the tower. Not so much)

Quick history lesson for those who don't know. Mt. Ventoux (the windy mountain) is an oddity, sticking up out of the Provence country side without any other surrounding mountains. The top of the mountain was logged many, many years ago to build ships for the French Navy. From the summit down the mountain side for about 6-7 kilometers is nearly void of vegetation, it is all small white rock, which reflects heat and leaves absolutely no shelter from the wind; a cliche at this point, but it's like the moon. It is also incredibly steep in sections, particularly as you near the summit. So, if your legs are still on after the first 20 kilometers give or take depending on the road you take up, you get to fight the intense heat coming down from the sun and up from the rock, the wind that absolutely screams and swirls around at series speed, plus 10-12 percent steep hills. The Ventoux has played major roles in Le Tour, and claimed the life of Tom Simpson. So, a legend.

(To say the Tour has been here is, of course, a bit of the obvious)

(Want some candy to help you up?)

(No, no, no . . . just let me hang on a bit)

The two photos above give you an idea of the landscape. The one below gives you an idea of the kind of climb it is.

(Giving it full gas across the lunar summit)

(Tough)

(Did that just happen?)

At the summit, there is the obligatory souvenir shop, a candy stand, and exactly what you would expect and want, a stand of dried meat. What this guy is doing contemplating a nice salami after the work it takes to get up here, I don't know.

(Fruit candies)

(Crazy French man)

A couple summit photos . . . a must.

Becky jumped in on the fun for the descent of the Ventoux and the 25k or so roll to the Hotel. I show photos at the top only, because she went down so fast . . . . only stopping to pay respects to Tommy . . . that we couldn't get photos. Seriously, like a bat out of hell. I was impressed and having a heart attack the whole time shepherding her down.