2017 - Hertford Ventoux 2

Let's try it again for the Hertford 360 effort, as a practice run for the Conquering the Cotswolds ride.

We ride The Tugby Ventoux on Sunday 25th June, 2017

Get to Cafe Ventoux in Tugby for 09:00  :

  • they have parking - but please use the overspill parking - take the left of the two gates at the entrance, it's signposted

  • Have a coffee. Get set - there is a changing room, and they have energy bars, water etc.

Head out at 09:30 and ride until 3pm :

It's a tough ride, but there will be food and drink at my place (Tilton, 30km) and the chance to snack at either Wing or Uppingham, which we go through a couple of times.

There are various possible escape routes back to the cafe if legs get tired or the weather is poor - to be added.

Note - it's quite a tough ride with some sharp climbs - so put some miles in over the summer if you want to get around!

 

So, we did it.

Slightly more rain than we'd hoped for, but we completed a 101.4 km ride with 1,654m of climbing - more than from the foot of le Mont Ventoux at Bédoin to the summit.

In homage to La Vuelta, various categories were up for grabs and awarded as follows ...

  • Red Jersey - Tom - First home. But I think we should check his transponder.
  • Polka Dot - Ben - King of the Mountains. Grimacing grimpeur.
  • Green Jersey - David - Points. First to every check-point, led from the front.
  • White Jersey - Tomo - Combined. Made for the road. What an all rounder. 
  • Flashing Blue Jersey - Chris & Jo - Bike lights. Wow! 
  • Orange Jersey - Sarah - Brilliant baking. Incomparable cakery with marmalade flapjack supreme.

We took ages - managed to catch the end of the Vuelta, but missed the food at Cafe Ventoux - a real shame. Oh God, I'm still craving an egg sandwich.

Anyhow, I'll get over it. 

Thanks everyone - nice ride.

JD - 03/09/1

Here's the plan ...

We ride The Tugby Ventoux on Saturday 3rd September, 2016

Get to Cafe Ventoux in Tugby for 09:00  :

  • they have parking - but please use the overspill parking - take the left of the two gates at the entrance, it's signposted

Have a coffee. Get set - there is a changing room, and they have energy bars, water etc.

Head out at 09:30 and ride until 3pm :

It's a tough ride, but there will be food and drink at Tilton (30km) and the chance to snack at either Wing or Uppingham.

There are various possible escape routes back to the cafe if legs get tired or the weather is poor :

Then, change and shower at the cafe - they have great facilities but bring a towel and some gel.

Gorge on great food, fill up on coffee, watch the Vuelta, reminisce - about Oxford, cycling, the Tour de Hertford, youth ...

Snap back to reality, head home - fulfilled and vowing to cycle more.

Note - it's quite a tough ride with some sharp climbs - so put some miles in over the summer if you want to get around!

JD - 14/07/16

21/08/16

02/09/16