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September 16, 2025
The Cinglés du Mont Ventoux is the ultimate endurance rite of passage for cyclists on the Giant of Provence, Mont Ventoux. “Cinglés” translates to the crazies—and the name is fitting.
The challenge requires climbing Mont Ventoux three times within a 24-hour period, from midnight to midnight, from three different starting points: Bédoin, Malaucène, and Sault. The “Cinglés” Ventoux challenge is organised by a French “club”, which is really a website called the Club des Cinglés du Mont Ventoux. You need a 20-euro brevet card from them in advance to record your attempt.
This is the most feared and iconic side, often tackled first while the legs are fresh. The opening through vineyards feels deceptively easy before the wall of forest begins at Saint-Estève. The gradients hover around 9–10% for over 10 km—an early test of pacing discipline.
Descending into Malaucène provides a brief physical respite, but also forces you to confront the sheer magnitude of what lies ahead. This side is a roller of pain—long, grinding sections above 9% broken up by occasional flatter ramps. Many riders find this side mentally tougher than Bédoin because the gradients are inconsistent—you never quite settle into a rhythm. By the top, fatigue is real, and the wind on the barren slopes starts to feel personal.
From Sault, the gradient is gentle for the first 20 km, winding through lavender fields and open countryside. Normally, this would be a beginner-friendly ascent, but after two brutal climbs, it’s survival mode. At Chalet Reynard, the Sault route merges with the Bédoin road—meaning the final 6 km are the same exposed, rocky lunar slopes you climbed first thing in the morning. Every turn of the pedals here feels monumental, but the summit sign pulls you in.
At the top, riders present their brevet card (stamped at each ascent) to the Club des Cinglés du Mont Ventoux, earning the coveted medal and certificate. The sense of accomplishment is immense. This is a bucket-list challenge that only a fraction of cyclists attempt, let alone finish.
Put it on your wall to make sure everyone knows.
©davidt 2025
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