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Today has been quite an excursion.
We headed off about 8.15 to drive 50K to Prende-les-Fontaine, which was to have been 18K from the base of Mont Ventoux.
We caught the morning peak hour and the GPS was giving incorrect turning instructions. It was a tense drive.
We eventually got to Prende. It was full of narrow streets. Fine for the locals but scary for a novice. Eventually found a large car park, set the Garmin and headed off about 9.30am.
The Garmin was spot on but wanted to use very minor roads. It was 25K to Bedoin - the base of Ventoux.
The problem was that the entire 25K to the base was a climb ranging between 2.5%-3%. Unbeknown to Carol her rear brake was rubbing the entire time.
I was only intending to do the 1st 5K of Ventoux. Sunday is to be the full 22K climb. Another training ride up there on Thursday.
There was a stream of cyclists riding back. The locals obviously get out early.
As it happens the 1st 5K is a 5%-7% warm up. At about 5K there is a switchback and thereafter it jumps to 9% with 11% and 12% pinches. Did an extra 2.5K and turned back.
Sunday is going to be a hard day at the office. At about 12K it eases back to about 7%-8% for 8K. Then there is a 1K pinch.
The ride back to Prende was beautiful because it was downhill all the way. Stopped there for lunch. Another salad.
We drove back to St Remy via secondary roads quicker than we got there. Will use this route on Thursday.
Did some shopping and then found the St Remy bike shop to tweak Carol's gears and the brakes. Very friendly owner. Speaks good English. Bike will be ready tomorrow morning. Am going to buy one of his bike shop jerseys as a souvenir.
It was 30 degrees in St Remy. Going to have to get out early on Thursday.
Just watched the end of today's stage and Cadel appears to have clawed back a few seconds off Wiggins.
Josette was just here. Unfortunately she told Carol that the sales start in St Remy tomorrow.
Fortunately Carol is on a 2pm TGV to Paris to catch up with Christine Dunn for a couple of days. Thinking about that, that is worse. The sales are on in Paris as well and she will be with Christine.
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