Jon Reports From Mont Ventoux At Le Tour

I'm out with my son following the Tour. Saw Froome storm up Ventoux and watched the finish on the in car tv courtesy of the Leopard Trek team car. We rose at
5am the next day to take on the mountain ourselves and as the sun was starting to turn the top of the peak pink we crept out of Bedoin to start our challenge.
Starting early was worth it as the sun chased us up through the trees on 12% climbs and we were cheered on by the die hard camper vans still on the hill. It was
humbling to remember how fast the peleton had passed and as the trees thinned the rocks beckoned like a moonscape. We took a few breaks and were tested
on hill starts. Onwards and upwards the summit taunted us and the heat was on our backs like a monkey. There was no relief from the incline and below us jets

were wheeling and breaking the sound of our breathing. Past the memorial with a nod to Tom Simpson and then it was there the top and glory. To share this
experience with my son was unforgettable and will be a memory to treasure. The hard slog over we drank in the view and took the photos. Now the descent aah
the speed and my hands! We swept past the hoards who had slept in and had that extra croissant and were now suffering in the heat. Overtaking cars and not
daring to look down as each bend rushed towards us we left the mountain. Left Ventoux that day and stopped in Gap to see the finish. We missed the campsite
and then came across a Decathlon car park full of campers. This was right on the finish straight and we bagged a space. Not wanting to waste the opportunity
we made use of a display tent for the night and left before opening. We claimed our spot at the 100m marker and settled in for the day. It was a long wait but we
had the stage on a large screen to watch opposite and after the madness of the publicity caravan the riders flashed past in a blur. I managed to move along to
catch the podium and snap a few photos of Froome. The crowds were ok and I was pleased to be tall. After we got to get close up at the OMPL bus and see
Cavs bike close up. The speed of the mechanics was amazing. Couldn't find the Sky bus as it was hidden away. Froome was swifted into a media scrum and
later emerged to be taken away in the Sky Jaguar with his bike gently placed in the boot like the Crown Jewels. We're now at Chorges to see the TT and then off
to L'Alpe d'Heuz and Dutch corner for the party! Will round off with the finish in Paris and then home for a rest!

John Stainsby