Your family's connection to Mont Ventoux goes back more than four decades. Can you tell us the story behind this mountain and why it holds such a special place in your family's history?

 The legend of Ventoux, at least for Dad, started with Tommy Simpson. It was reading his biography (a book left lying around by his dad) and learning of the fate of Simpson on Ventoux, that compelled him to start cycling. After a season racing in France when he was 18, my dad and his father rode up Mont Ventoux together for the first time. When my dad turned forty, he completed the Cinglés du Mont Ventoux and he had his father there supporting him. Both of these occasions were big moments for them and deepened their connection to each other and to cycling. Last year Dad attempted the Bicingles (six ascents) and sadly had to call off the challenge after three ascents due to weather conditions. I was there supporting and filming it and being out there for the first time reignited my love for cycling after 12 years away from the sport. Ventoux holds such a special place in our family history because it has become the place where my family's love of cycling, my father's influence, my grandfather’s legacy and my reconciliation with the sport all intersect.

Your dad first rode Ventoux with his own father 42 years ago, and this time it was your turn to share the experience together.What did it mean to continue that family tradition?

I guess it felt like a natural continuation of my family’s story with Ventoux. My dad made his memories there with his Dad and so for me to do the same just feels right. Like another chapter being written of a story.

You spent the first part of the year training together in the UK before taking on the double Cinglé. How did those months of preparation shape both your performance and your relationship?

The months of training were a little different for us both. For me, I hadn’t been riding for 12 years and so my re-entry to the sport was a little intense. For Dad, after last years attempt I guess it was another year added on to his initial training, so he was pretty well prepared. Ultimately, the work we did (18+ hours a week) led us to being in the best shape we’ve ever been in and actually made the day manageable. As far as our relationship goes, it’s grown from strength to strength. Ultimately the experience of last year strengthened our connection and then going through the training together, working towards the same goal, it was like a newfound respect for each other. We essentially became best mates.

Each road up Ventoux has its own personality. Which ascent was the toughest this time, and what made it so memorable?

 Unpopular opinion but it’s got to be Malaucène… Bédoin is the most notorious and has the most legends attached to it but it’s from Malaucène that we felt was the toughest. Purely the lack of corners and consistent gradient. We decided to do Malaucène twice back to back so we could get it out the way and we agree it was a really good idea, especially mentally.

Six ascents of Mont Ventoux mean long hours in the saddle. How much of a difference did your kit make when it came to staying comfortable and focused throughout the challenge?

You just can’t do that kind of time in poor kit. It’s amazing to say that we didn’t have a single issue when it came to comfort. The only issue came once we were done and that was just purely because of the amount of time sat on the bike - which I think anyone would feel, if you know what I mean… We also often say that if you look good on the bike, you ride better, and we looked the business…

Your family and friends supported you throughout the entire project. How important was that support, both during the preparation and on the day itself?

That was crazy. It was important because it made the day itself absolutely flawless and without any issues. In preparation, we really have to thank my mum and my fiancée for giving us the space and time to do what we needed to do with the training.

Was there a particular moment during the ride when you really had to rely on each other, whether physically or mentally?

 I think having each other there throughout made the ride a lot more enjoyable, and therefore time passed quicker. I think Dad and I are very mentally strong and so neither of us relied on the other. It was just that presence of another and the boost that gives you to keep pressing. I do have a good perception of knowing when Dad might be in the trenches – often if he goes quiet. I would pick up on this and just offer up some words of encouragement, remind him why we’re here and set a pace that I knew he was fine with. Sometimes just being sat on the wheel is enough to pull you through some hard moments. But honestly, the training we’d done made the challenge a lot more bearable than we expected!

Only a few days after completing the challenge, you suffered a serious crash while riding in Bédoin. Looking back now, does that experience change the way you think about this project or about Mont Ventoux itself?

I have tried to not let it take away from what we did. The crash was a rubbish way to end the week but, as we know, in this sport it does happen. I said on the day of the crash that it didn’t change my perception or relationship with the mountain and would be back and that’s still the case. I had enough accidents racing when I was younger to know that I could just move on from it. I just felt bad that the post-crash process was so consuming, I’d have liked to feel a bit more of a celebration with my dad when we were home but it was initially in and out of hospital for a while. I’ll make it up to him somehow.

Long days on the bike often lead to great conversations or complete silence. What do you remember most about the moments between and during the climbs?

So we didn’t have loads of time between climbs because we were trying to stick to a schedule and I know I was clock watching to make sure we kept to it. But during the climbs, yeah, there was a lot of silence and that was fine. That shows trust and comfort in the people you’re with. We did have some deep chats too which was nice. I remember asking Dad what he was thinking about at one point and he said he wasn’t, he was just pedalling. I thought it was cool he was just in the moment.

Looking back, what are you most proud of? (completing the challenge itself, sharing the experience together)

Definitely the challenge, it is a big ride no matter how you look at it. But I am so proud of Dad. He turned 60 ten days after we did it. That’s nuts. If I am capable of doing things like that when I get to 60 I will be very happy.

For more rides in the Ventoux region, check out our riding guide 

And don’t forget to pop by our Bédoin store for coffee or to get your Cinglés brevet card stamped!