King of Mont Ventoux

Nut Club, Maniacs, whatever, you make this elite group of climbers who can go up the legendary Mont Ventoux 3 times in one day and you are among a select group! Club des Cingles is the closed French organization that groups these elite cyclists. We have more and more travelers coming to us to arrange this adventure. Below is the start of a recent account; you have to click over to the Cycling Classics website to see it in full.

Joe Deyoung, pictured, a cycling nut from Chicago-land. Yes, flat land! He is an exceptional cyclist and his account lays out how to get it done!

"This past winter I recall reading an article in Bicycling magazine about a cyclist who attempted to join the Club Cingles on the infamous Mt. Ventoux in Provence France. As written in the official website, the “Club” are a group of “maniacs” who have completed 3 summits of Mt Ventoux in one day.

The cyclist written about in the article almost succeeded but crashed on the final descent to Bedoin unable to control his bike through a dangerous curve. In past trips to France I have ridden to the Summit of the “Giant of Provence” and each time the ride highlights will never be forgotten or confused with any other ride, up or down. Always challenging and sometimes too steep to even grab a water bottle. The French describe it as “a little difficult”. Ventoux is mythical, rising high above Provence, visible for 100 Kilometers. A cycling Mecca..."

continue on this link: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/montventoux_club_des_cingles.php