helped create. Mont Ventoux stares down in regal indifference upon the scrabbling irrelevances of man, “look upon my works, ye mighty, and weep.”
Mont Ventoux
Depending upon what you rely on for information, Mont Ventoux is 1909, 1911 or 1912 metres above sea level. The highest point in Cornwall is 420 metres while Ben Nevis is 1345 metres. The extra three metres or so either way is of interest to the perfectionist, cartographers and geologists. Aircraft pilots who rely on accuracy in altitude will have made a serious error in judgment already if they are relying on those 3 meters difference. For in addition to the surface spot height, stands a white telecommunications tower of 50 meters. Ventoux’s height and location provide ample justification for certain of its names including the Giant of Provence. Its limestone and treeless capped summit give it the appearance of snow at all times of the year. Winds of over 90 kms per hour occur for over 240 days! Whatever the actual height, it is the fact of its prominence over the surrounding country that provides its visual and cultural dominance. The Alps are far way to the North East, and can be seen easily from its summit, but from Provence its presence is seen and felt everywhere. Nothing comes close to challenging it.
It is of course a cycling Mecca, a place of sacred pilgrimage for the velophile. But it is a Mecca without the beheadings and the stoning. You are also allowed to drink alcohol although if attempting to ride to the top that is not advisable. Women may also drive, cycle, walk and talk on Ventoux.
A DAY IN PROVINCE - BENNY GOODMAN
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