Last year a small group of us made the 1,400 mile round-trip to Mont Ventoux to cycle each of the three routes to the summit over three days.  Two of us did two routes in a day during a heatwave and suffered near-dangerous levels of heat exhaustion and dehydration.

This year 12 of us are going back, exactly one year later with many of us attempting all three in a day.  That's 4,400m of vertical assent over 137km, and if it's like last year it will be scorching.

It's said of Ventoux:

"Physically, the Ventoux is dreadful. Bald, it's the spirit of Dry: Its climate (it is much more an essence of climate than a geographic place) makes it a damned terrain, a testing place for heroes, something like a higher hell." 

"The Ventoux is a god of Evil, to which sacrifices must be made. It never forgives weakness and extracts an unfair tribute of suffering."

Roland Barthes, French philosopher and bicycle racing fan.

A lot of money and hours away from my dear son Leo are spent in the training alone.  Many of us have done several 100+ mile charity rides in preparation, but this is the only one I'm collecting sponsorship for.

Having a young child of my own I feel extremely thankful that he's happy and healthy.  Not all children or their families are so lucky.

If I can raise a few pounds to help less fortunate children it will ease the pain and suffering involved in cycling up a mountain...three times.

Thank you