An email was posted, and as soon as I picked it up I emailed Lauri, whom I’d met on the Haute Alps Alps adventure. Within a couple of days it was all booked. The Fins, Saku, Tuomas, and Lauri had confirmed. And within a few weeks I’d also recruited Mark, a guy I ride with in Auckland, New Zealand.

The concept of the Haute Route Ventoux is similar to that of the week event, but you have the luxury of staying in one village. Day one starts with a short 110km loop including an ascent of Ventoux to finish it off. The first ascent is from Sault, the easiest of the 3 ways up the Giant of Provence.

Day 2 sees the us take a circuit around the base of Ventoux, before ascending it from Malaucène. An ascent I have always claimed as the hardest way up. And day 3 takes us up Ventoux from the classic Tour de France starting town of Bedoin.

After a series of hectic flights from Honolulu-LA-London-Marseille, I finally landed, grabbed a rental car and headed up to Avignon.

The next morning Mark and I headed for the classic French village of bedoin. It’s strange to think that the 3 most famous villages around are notorious because of cycling and Mt Ventoux. It’s easy to understand when you see the majestic beast rise on the landscape. It’s huge, and nothing compares to to it for miles.

We checked into our accommodation. We then headed into town and registered for the event. Picked up our race number and clothing. We were all set and now waiting for our Finnish friends to arrive.