Introduction
INTRODUCTION It's up there somewhere. Behind that cyclist in the photo below, lies Mr Ventoux ("the windy mount"). Looks quite innocuous, doesn't it? Also known as "Le Geant de Provence" it is a pilgrimage for cyclists, a cycling bucket list item. Every day of the year except when the fierce Mistral makes it unsafe or impossible, or perhaps in the winter when snow comes, there are many cyclists of all shapes and sizes on their way to the top. Of course it is famous mainly because it is one of the iconic "Tour de France" climbs, the scene of many dramas from the death of Tom Simpson on 21 July 1967 to the winning climb of another British cyclist Chris Froome in the 100th edition of the Tour on 14th July 2013. It was first used in 1951 when Lucien Lazarides led the peloton over the summit, and in 1958 the race finished there for the first time. Since then there have been 9 more finishes there and the race has crossed t...