Mont Ventoux

Ventoux – the Giant of Provence at 1,912m – will always have a special place in Curistas’ hearts.  Back in 2014 it was our first ever climb. 27 nervous Curistas took on one of the Tour’s toughest climbs with no idea what to expect.  The classic route is 21.8km and an average gradient of 7.5% with long sections over 10%.

It was here in 1967 that Britain’s Tom Simpson collapsed and died on the mountainside, still clipped into his pedals. Note to Curistas: amphetamines and cycling don’t mix.  Chris Froome won on Ventoux in 2013 en route to his maiden Tour victory.