Mont Ventoux, (to interpret to English, “Windy Mountain”) is situated in the Provencal Region of the South of France. It is an awesome sight at 1909 metres above the sea – it can be seen from almost anywhere in Provence. And from the summit, one can enjoy magnificent panoramic views.

Mont Ventoux is officially a part of the Alps but it is often considered separate from the Alps because of the distance between it and the other mountains of the Alps. Nevertheless, on a clear day, one can see other mountains in the Alps range clearly from the summit of Mont Ventoux.

Mont Ventoux is well know for the Tour de France cycle race – it has been ascended 13 times by the Tour de France race competitors since 1951. Perhaps because of this, or perhaps just for the sheer challenge, many thousands of cyclists climb Mont Ventoux by bicycle each year. There are three principal routes:-

• The South Route from Bedouin – 21.1 km

• The North Route from Malaucene – 20.6 km

• The East Route from Sault – 19.6 km

All three villages at the foot of the Mount Ventoux are delightful in themselves, and my particular favourite is Bedouin.

It was a tragic year for the Tour de France in 1967, when Tom Simpson, an English competitor, collapsed and died from heart failure a mere 1.5 km from the top of Mont Ventoux, at the age of only 29. It was the thirteenth stage of that year’s race. Tom was in 5th position, despite having suffered a stomach upset in the previous weeks. Tom was optimistic about the Mont Ventoux climb. He had previously said that his lucky number was 13 – his daughter had been born on Friday 13th, his wife too, and so maybe Friday, stage 13 would be lucky for him too. But it was not to be. Tom was still suffering with the after effects of his stomach upset and collapsed with heat exhaustion from a blazing 100 degrees in the shade – and there was no shade. It was subsequently discovered that he was also cycling on a cocktail of alcohol and amphetamines, the favoured stimulant drug of athletes of all kinds at that time. And so, the Mont Ventoux, is now famous, as is Tom himself. The Tour de France race of 1967 was won by a Spanish competitor, Julio Jiminez.

There is now a memorial to Tom Simpson at the very spot where he died on Mont Ventoux, just 1.5 km from the summit. Literally thousands of cyclists come to pay their respects each year, and many leave their cycle tyres draped over the memorial in homage to the great Tom Simpson! I have seen it many times myself – however, my favoured method of climbing the great mountain is by car or motorcycle!

But the story of the Mont Ventoux and Tom Simpson does not end there, for in 1997, Tom’s daughter finished what Tom was unable to do – she ascended the Mont Ventoux by bicycle for herself – Bravo My Girl!

This mountain is indeed a spectacle and a very special beauty. During the summer months, there is nothing nicer that to take a picnic with you to the magical mountain, and enjoy the many walks and trails. And in the winter, one can ski or sledge on the majestic snowy slopes of Mont Ventoux. As for cycling the Mont Ventoux, that is something I will leave to the professionals, and to the memory of Tom. Mind you, Tom’s daughter, in cycling up Mont Ventoux in 1997 is an inspiration in herself!