The Cinglés Club  (The Mont Ventoux Screwballs)

This is the traditional Mont Ventoux challenge. To become a member of the Cinglés Club you need to climb the mountain by the 3 traditional ways from Bedoin, Malaucene and Sault all in one day!
Registrations can be done online at the official Cinglé website by clicking the link below.
Once you have had your card stamped in the  3 villages and on the summit send this back to the Cinglés organiser Monsieur Pic and you will receive a certificate and become a member of the club a short time later..



You can choose which order you do the three climbs. However, generally speaking the best way is do do it like this:

Start in Malaucene and ride the 12km to Bedoin, this is a nice warm up. (Optional)
Ascend the mountain from Bedoin.
Descend to Malaucene and re-ascend from there.
Descend to Sault and re-ascend from there. (on the way down, if you've started early enough, it's a good idea to stop for food at Chalet Reynard)
Descend to Bedoin or Malaucene for celebratory beers and pizzas.

Total distance 135km Total height gained 4381m

Click here for the STRAVA segment data and the leaderboard of the STRAVA Cinglé Challenge and here for the official Club des Cingles du Mont Ventoux website.

Cost

Cinglé registrations are 20€ via the official website.
Full day's vehicle suport - 50€ per person (minimum 4 people - max 350€)

What's included?

• Vehicle support - includes a lift down to the start at Malaucene or Bedoin if needed
• Energy products and drinks during the day
• Mechanical assistance if needed
• A lift home! Even if it's 10pm

NEW - Cinglé FAQ's

What is the average time to complete the challenge?

Obviously this is relative to your fitness but a super quick time is sub 7 hours, a slow time would be 12 - 13 hours with the average being between 9 and 10 hours.
We like to say 3 hours for one ascent + descent + short break + 1 hour for lunch, photos, comfort breaks etc = 10 hours.

What's the best sequence to do the 3 climbs?

If you're riding from the Veloventoux house do the Malaucene side first, the Bedoin ascent second and the Sault side last. Then descend to Malaucene at the end of the day – then you're only 11km from home.
If you're driving down start in Bedoin, do the Malaucene side 2^nd and the Sault side last and finish in Bedoin.

Always save the easier Sault side for the last ascent.

Where do I get the Brevet Cards from?

From the official organiser Christian Pic via the online registration here:
http://www.clubcinglesventoux.org/en/inscriptions.html
Cards cost 20€

Where do I get the cards stamped?

Any cafe or bar will have a stamp but preferably use the bike shop Bedoin Location on the roundabout in Bedoin. DO NOT GO TO THE BIKE SHOP ROUTES DU VENTOUX which is adjacent to the start line of the climb.
In Malaucene the bike clothing shop Ventoux Finisher or the bike shop Ventoux bikes. If the bikes shops are closed any cafe or bar will be ok.
In Sault use the toursit office or again, any bar or restaurant.
On the summit you can either go in the gift shop of the cafe. ONLY GET ONE SUMMIT STAMP.
If the gift shop and cafe on the summit are closed a photo of you by the summit sign will suffice.

Which is the hardest of the three climbs?

Bedoin edges it over the Malaucene ascent – BUT - if you do Bedoin first Malaucene will feel harder and vice versa.
Sault is much easier so save this until last.

What's the best time of year to attempt the challenge?

Last week in May through June then last week in August through September.
Early October can also be good but mornings are cold and daylight hours less than than in summer.
In early May there's a chance that the Malaucene side can still be closed due to snow.

What is the temperature on the summit?

Obviously this varies throughout the season. A good rule of thumb is that it will be 10° lower on the summit than in one of the start villages.
If it's 15 degrees in Bedoin it will be roughly 5 degrees on the summit – throw in a bit of windchill and it will feel very cold.
In summer it could be 30 degrees in Bedoin so 20 degrees on the summit – very pleasant.

What clothing do you recommend?

See above.
If it's 5 degrees and windy on the summit you'll need a good quality top layer, long finger gloves and leg warmers.
In summer, if it's high 20's to 30's at the bottom just a gilet will suffice for the first part of the descent.
We'll advise on this on a day to day basis when you're here.

What gearing do you recommend?

A compact chainset with a 27 rear sprocket is usally the minimum gear required but this varies from rider to rider.
Lightweight natural climbers, racers and experienced club riders: 34 compact – 25 or 23 rear sprocket usually enough.
Average club, group riders and sportive riders: 34 compact – 27 or 25 rear sprocket.
Bigger build weekend warriors: 34 compact – 30 rear sprocket minimum.

What about training for the Cingle?

Miles miles miles and hills hills hills. It's impossible to get the experience of a climb such as The Ventoux in the UK.
Prior to arrival here make sure you're comfortable with a hilly 100 mile ride somewhere like the Peak District, Wales or The Lakes.
Sportives like the Fred Whitton and The Dragon Ride are ideal training and a good gauge on how you will do.

What is the success rate?

Aproximately 4 out of 5 Veloventoux guests who try The Cinglé complete it. So 80%

Where can I get water from?

There are water fountains in each of the 3 villages.
Then on the mountain there's a tap in the toilets at Chalet Reynard.
There's no water between Sault and Chalet Reynard (20km) and no water on the Malaucene ascent unless you purchase some from the Cafe at Mont Serein.
You can buy water and coke from the gift shop on the summit if it is open.

How many bottles do I need?

2 x 750ml Bidons are enough. Ideally keep one topped up with sport drink and one with just water.

What about food?

Take your own preferred gels and energy bars. Roughly what you'd take on a 100 mile UK sportive.
Extra energy products can be purchased from the bike shops in Bedoin and Malaucene.
For a proper lunch stop, if the weather permits, stop at Chalet Reynard for food on the way down to Sault before the third ascent.
If it's cold go all the way down to sault for food.

Can I do it in July and August? Isn't it too hot?

It can be hot but rarely too hot. In July and August you have plenty of daylight to complete the challenge so an early start is advisable. Starting at 5am will enable you to get two ascents done in the morning before the midday heat. You can then have a relaxing lunch before the last ascent later in the afternoon.

Will you do an early breakfast in hot weather

Of course we will.

Do you provide vehicle support?

Subject to availability we can provide vehicle support for your attempt.
All details and cast can be seen here: http://www.eurocyclosport.com/?c=broomwaggon