Where To Cycle Near Mont Ventoux

A Loop Around Mt Ventoux

Now there’s numerous articles about climbing Ventoux, videos etc… so I’m not going to delve too deep into the climb, however I will say it is certainly a must do ascent for any avid roadie. It’s a special climb, very challenging and diverse. As a quick overview of how we tackled Ventoux. We parked up in Sault, East of the mountain, took the fantastic winding route west, South of Ventoux, ascended the ‘classic’ route from Bedoin, then descended back down to Sault, providing a nice loop, which you rarely get with these types of mountain climbs. It really was a highlight for us and we were buzzing after the climb, the descent to Sault is easy going, plus there’s a great pizza van (Pizza Bruno) in the town.

Now that’s out the way let’s focus on the real reason for this article, where else to cycle, as there’s some first rate riding to be had in this area. After climbing Ventoux, the following day we decided upon a more ‘leisurely’ route to include 110km with 1600m of ascent but this time around the mountain, not up. On this route we could gaze upon Ventoux’s peak from different angles in the comfort of knowing what we had achieved the previous day…. Still a little sore, we chose an anticlockwise route, again from Sault round to Malaucene (one of the three options up Ventoux), down to Bedoin, then east back towards Sault along Les Gorges de la Nesque.

This route has three stages, firstly the northern road which provides a unique view of Ventoux. We were full of energy knowing the ‘hard work’ had been completed the day prior. This road stretches from Reilhanette and crosses the river at Cost, at around 30km in we’re greeted with a wonderful descent down Col de Fontaube, after what was just a gradual none descript climb. At a fair gradient my preference would have been to climb this road… perhaps next time if we’re back this way.

After Cost we head west then cut down south to Malaucene. To get over to Bedoin we tackle our second climb of the day, Col de la Madeleine. She’s kind to our Ventoux hardened legs at just under 2km long with a 4% gradient, a nice climb to do before our café stop in Bedoin.

Bedoin is a hot bed for cyclist, either just about to or having cycled Ventoux. We stopped for chips and coffee in Foody Café, the salt was much needed on this warm day as we partook in some cyclist watching.

Around 15k after Bedoin we start our journey along Les Gorges de la Nesque. A 21km section of road, at a slight gradient, ascending going east, descending west. Unfortunately by the time we’d hit the Gorges we were 80km in, completed two climbs and had given everything to the previous day’s ascent, so this gradual gradient was wearing on us. The Gorge road however is quite special as it hugs the rock face and winds high above the gorge. The surface, as to be expected, is very good and views are stunning.

With the Gorges complete it wasn’t long before we were back at Sault, having ordered another pizza and reflected on the ride. If you’re after a ride that takes in some of the best additional routes around the Ventoux area then I can highly recommend this loop. Depending on where you start/finish, you may want to complete this in reverse. This way you’ll experience a fast gradual descent along the gorge, which would be great fun and feel just epic and also climb the Col de Fontaube, rather than descent it. Either way, it makes for a perfect additional days riding, as there’s nothing too arduous to tackle and it allows you the opportunity to gaze upon the beauty that is Mont Ventoux.

For the GPX route and further details you’ll find the Strava activity here https://www.strava.com/activities/7890318609