Impressions: Mont Ventoux vs. l'Alpe d'Huez
Day 1,519, 23:59
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Published in Belgium 
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by
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by Cooke4444
In succesion of "le tour de France" on the forum games, an impression on two of the most famous mountains in cycling
Let's start with the Mont Ventoux (=Mountain with wind from everywhere literally). With the death of Tom Simpson came fame for this mountain. Altough his death was more a combination of alcohol and doping, more than the difficulty of the mountain, the images of a struggling Simpson are known to everybody. The mountain has some famous winners like Merckx, Anquetil and Pantani, but as you see the list you can see some names like Garate and Moureau. No bad climbers, but not really the best ones. This shows that the Mont Ventoux is slightly overrated. Almost everybody will be able to reach the summit, see the numerous actions for charity where lots of untrained people accept the challenge. Also, the Mont Ventoux is on a "wrong" position. Surrounded by flat areas, it's the only difficulty in the direct environment. Bur after all, it's still a boost for your confidence if you can say: 'I survived the Mont Ventoux, bitchezzz'.
Than the "Dutch" mountain. Named after several wins of Dutchmen. 5km less to climb than the Mont Ventoux, but steep as hell. When you cross the bridge and go to the left, there's a wall waiting for you. If your legs are already tired, l'Alpe d'Huez is pure torture. But what makes it less hard are the sharp corners, who are less steep and you can release the tension on your legs for a second. l'Alpe d'Huez is fun though, as you cross 2 villages, so you can get some support from the villagers. And on top there's a small supermarket, so you can immediatly replenish yourself.
Oh yeah, before I forget it: I survived both, bitchezzz.
Let's start with the Mont Ventoux (=Mountain with wind from everywhere literally). With the death of Tom Simpson came fame for this mountain. Altough his death was more a combination of alcohol and doping, more than the difficulty of the mountain, the images of a struggling Simpson are known to everybody. The mountain has some famous winners like Merckx, Anquetil and Pantani, but as you see the list you can see some names like Garate and Moureau. No bad climbers, but not really the best ones. This shows that the Mont Ventoux is slightly overrated. Almost everybody will be able to reach the summit, see the numerous actions for charity where lots of untrained people accept the challenge. Also, the Mont Ventoux is on a "wrong" position. Surrounded by flat areas, it's the only difficulty in the direct environment. Bur after all, it's still a boost for your confidence if you can say: 'I survived the Mont Ventoux, bitchezzz'.
Than the "Dutch" mountain. Named after several wins of Dutchmen. 5km less to climb than the Mont Ventoux, but steep as hell. When you cross the bridge and go to the left, there's a wall waiting for you. If your legs are already tired, l'Alpe d'Huez is pure torture. But what makes it less hard are the sharp corners, who are less steep and you can release the tension on your legs for a second. l'Alpe d'Huez is fun though, as you cross 2 villages, so you can get some support from the villagers. And on top there's a small supermarket, so you can immediatly replenish yourself.
Oh yeah, before I forget it: I survived both, bitchezzz.
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I cilmbed them both
The mont ventoux was terrible for me. It was really hot (i had to start climbing it at 13h00, the hottest time of the day) and the wind almost killed me at the end 🙂 I was so tired that i did the descent by car.
I loved Alpe d'Huez, it was just me, my bicycle and the road. I didn't see a single rider during the whole climb (except my father the first meters). One of my best moments on my bike. It was rather cold, a bit foggy and early in the morning and I wasn't tired at the top 🙂
btw, a lovely website to compare both climbs:
alpe d'huez: http://www.climbbybike.com/nl/beklimming.asp?qryMountainID=5
mont ventoux: http://www.climbbybike.com/nl/beklimming.asp?qryMountainID=4
another beautiful, little easier, climb is plateau de beille!
o7
Respect to you, sirs!
Wow... didn't know we had so many cyclists around here.
I did the Mont Ventoux a day later than planned because I was ill, so that might have influenced it a tiny bit, but I really felt like a cat there... think I died at least 9 times. Alpe d'Huez was WAY easier, but I must say I did that a bit slower... (instead of seeing my father only in the first meters, I waited for him from time to time... giving me some rest at the same time... 😛).