| Mont Ventoux, (to interpret to English, "Windy | | | | Friday 13th, his wife too, and so maybe Friday, stage 13 |
| Mountain") is situated in the Provencal Region of the | | | | would be lucky for him too. But it was not to be. Tom |
| South of France. It is an awesome sight at 1909 | | | | was still suffering with the after effects of his stomach |
| metres above the sea - it can be seen from almost | | | | upset and collapsed with heat exhaustion from a |
| anywhere in Provence. And from the summit, one can | | | | blazing 100 degrees in the shade - and there was no |
| enjoy magnificent panoramic views. | | | | shade. It was subsequently discovered that he was |
| Mont Ventoux is officially a part of the Alps but it is | | | | also cycling on a cocktail of alcohol and amphetamines, |
| often considered separate from the Alps because of | | | | the favoured stimulant drug of athletes of all kinds at |
| the distance between it and the other mountains of | | | | that time. And so, the Mont Ventoux, is now famous, |
| the Alps. Nevertheless, on a clear day, one can see | | | | as is Tom himself. The Tour de France race of 1967 |
| other mountains in the Alps range clearly from the | | | | was won by a Spanish competitor, Julio Jiminez. |
| summit of Mont Ventoux. | | | | There is now a memorial to Tom Simpson at the very |
| Mont Ventoux is well know for the Tour de France | | | | spot where he died on Mont Ventoux, just 1.5 km from |
| cycle race - it has been ascended 13 times by the | | | | the summit. Literally thousands of cyclists come to pay |
| Tour de France race competitors since 1951. Perhaps | | | | their respects each year, and many leave their cycle |
| because of this, or perhaps just for the sheer | | | | tyres draped over the memorial in homage to the |
| challenge, many thousands of cyclists climb Mont | | | | great Tom Simpson! I have seen it many times myself |
| Ventoux by bicycle each year. There are three | | | | - however, my favoured method of climbing the great |
| principal routes:- | | | | mountain is by car or motorcycle! |
| • The South Route from Bedouin - 21.1 km | | | | But the story of the Mont Ventoux and Tom Simpson |
| • The North Route from Malaucene - 20.6 km | | | | does not end there, for in 1997, Tom's daughter |
| • The East Route from Sault - 19.6 km | | | | finished what Tom was unable to do - she ascended |
| All three villages at the foot of the Mount Ventoux are | | | | the Mont Ventoux by bicycle for herself - Bravo My |
| delightful in themselves, and my particular favourite is | | | | Girl! |
| Bedouin. | | | | This mountain is indeed a spectacle and a very special |
| It was a tragic year for the Tour de France in 1967, | | | | beauty. During the summer months, there is nothing |
| when Tom Simpson, an English competitor, collapsed | | | | nicer that to take a picnic with you to the magical |
| and died from heart failure a mere 1.5 km from the top | | | | mountain, and enjoy the many walks and trails. And in |
| of Mont Ventoux, at the age of only 29. It was the | | | | the winter, one can ski or sledge on the majestic |
| thirteenth stage of that year's race. Tom was in 5th | | | | snowy slopes of Mont Ventoux. As for cycling the |
| position, despite having suffered a stomach upset in | | | | Mont Ventoux, that is something I will leave to the |
| the previous weeks. Tom was optimistic about the | | | | professionals, and to the memory of Tom. Mind you, |
| Mont Ventoux climb. He had previously said that his | | | | Tom's daughter, in cycling up Mont Ventoux in 1997 is |
| lucky number was 13 - his daughter had been born on | | | | an inspiration in herself! |