The club was founded during the first Covid-19 lockdown when a few friends began riding all the ascents around their famously hilly neigbourhood in the north of Paris, and it grew from there. Though competitive, MVC has always been marked by bonhomie and a sense of adventure – and a love of climbing of course. So a group trip to climb the celebrated Giant of Provence, taking in 1,500 kilometres in a day… bien sûr!

Of course, they won’t be riding the whole way, though. From Paris to Orange the train is taking the strain. And that means putting bikes in bags. Once achieved, the 10 friends board the 7h14 and settle down for the three-and-a-half-hour journey, grabbing either a few more winks of sleep or else another coffee in the bar carriage.

Then the group have a 35-kilometre warm-up spin through the vineyards – staying together, chatting easily – to arrive at Café du Cycliste in Bédoin. At our newest boutique another coffee or two are drunk, and lunch taken across the road – enough but not too much! – to fortify our riders for the challenge ahead. But then there’s nothing left to do but get to it.

2 p.m.: Clément attacks almost from the gun, followed by Léopold, both determined to give it the beans and attack the ‘Bald Mountain’. Behind them, groups begin to form on the road, as some riders push the pace and some chat together – there’s a little bit of ribbing that goes on, too, to pass the time.

The higher they climb, the more threatening the weather becomes. The lower forest section is steep, but at least the trees give shelter. Once it's left behind, there’s a lot of wind and barely any visibility, such is the fog, and, even if they are hot from the effort, a definite chill in the air.

The question has to be asked: the wind on Mont Ventoux can easily blow cyclists off the road, and the fog is an additional danger. With six kilometres to go they stop at Chalet Reynard to take a decision – and make the judgement that they’ll be OK to carry on. Strapping lights onto their bikes, they continue all together. Up to the Col des Tempêtes, though visibility is down to a metre or so, it’s OK; on the final stretch, violent gusts make everyone take extreme caution.

But everyone gets to the top OK! No hanging around, though. After a quick photo, windproof jackets come out for the descent.

Back at Café du Cycliste in Bédoin, there’s time for a warming drink and a piece of cake before heading back to Orange for the train home. 

✌

Follow for more.