Climbing new heights - Tina De Vits- #Montventoux

At the summit of Mont Ventoux, victorious

Pedaling Into Possibility

We've all been there or will be there soon enough. We're settled in life, with some money in the bank, kids are maybe grown up and now something seems missing in life. This was the case with my protagonist, Tina De Vits. She  wasn’t searching for a life overhaul when she sat chatting with her son one day. Life was good—her sons were grown and preparing to leave home, her work was steady, and she felt content. But she also felt a gentle nudge inside her, a desire to bring a little more spark into her days.

They were casually discussing this urge when her son said, “Mama, what you need is a good challenge.”
Tina smiled, thinking briefly of the logical next step—maybe taking up cello lessons, something she'd always wanted to do. But instead, without hesitation and from absolutely nowhere, she replied:
“You’re right. I’m going to cycle up Mont Ventoux.”

There was no rational link to her life at the time. She wasn’t a cyclist, didn’t own a bike, and had no history of long-distance riding. But somehow, that wild declaration took root. And it set her on a course that would add more color, challenge, and connection to her life than she could’ve ever planned.

From Jogging to cycling Mont Ventoux: The Power of the Group

Tina was jogging regularly with her local running club in Belgium when she casually mentioned her wild idea to cycle up Mont Ventoux. To her surprise, several members immediately lit up—they’d dreamed of doing it too. Suddenly, her personal challenge became a shared goal. The group of 5, ranging in age from 31 to 77, created an energy and accountability that was deeply motivating.

They stuck together, whether it was while choosing the right bike or waiting for months for it to arrive while keeping the flame burning. Once the bikes arrived, together they learned how to use click pedals (which Tina hilariously struggled with at first, falling over more than once). What could’ve felt isolating became joyful, even during the cold Belgian winter.

They trained together, encouraged each other, and helped fill in each other’s gaps.

Together, they joined Sporta, an organization that offered expert training, medical testing, and progressively challenging cycling tours across Belgium. With each ride, camaraderie grew and confidence followed. To build strength and stamina, Tina added spinning classes 3–4 times a week. Over the months, her body grew stronger, her mind sharper. By the time they tackled the steep hills of the Ardennes, six months of focused training had transformed her—physically and mentally.

The Mont Ventoux challenge that happens in France a month before the Tour de France is a big cycling event known to people of Belgium. Many Belgians participate in this annual challenge that's open to the general public. By now, I'm quite impressed by Tina's determination and I probe into when she started running and whether she had always been interested in sports. She says that she was never a competitive or a super sporty person, but she nostalgically remembers running with her sister in the Brussels commune of Jette as a young girl in the forests around the city. She had run some races like the 10 miles of Antwerp or a 10km to 15km run here or there earlier in life.

2019 :  The First Summit

In June 2019, the group traveled to France, buzzing with nerves and anticipation. They had rented a house in Le Barroux near Mont Ventoux, sharing meals, laughs, and the quiet understanding that they were about to do something big—together. On race day, they took on the Sault route—the most approachable of the three ascents. The early stretch, with its steady 5% incline leading up to Chalet Reynard, felt manageable. As Tina paused to refill her water, a spectator offered a knowing smile and called out, “Now the real climb begins.”

And it did. The final 10 kilometers were steep, exposed, and unrelenting. But Tina pressed on, carried not just by her training, but by the energy of the group. They passed one another with cheers and encouragement, lifting each other with every pedal stroke. After 2 hours and 40 minutes, Tina reached the summit—exhausted, elated, and overwhelmed. She thought of her brother Armand, a long-distance runner who had supported her from the start. Pride, joy, and gratitude rushed in all at once.

At the finish, she received a finisher’s medal—a keepsake that became even more meaningful when organizers later announced the end of medals for budget and environmental reasons. That small token now serves as a lasting symbol of her first climb. That night, in Bédoin, the group celebrated at the Sporta party—tired, proud, and deeply connected by the mountain they had conquered side by side and dreaming of tackling the tougher side next year.

Pandemic Detours and Italian Peaks

Unfortunately in 2020 and 2021 this didn't happen as COVID19 had struck and there was no race. But the team kept the dream going and in 2022 they decided to do the Sellaronda bike day in Italy. They participated with an organization called 'Climbing for Life'. The race included climbing up and down a series of mountains.  The group had booked hotel rooms outside the village and as a result Tina felt the group was isolated so they didn't get to enjoy the social part of mixing with the racers for long before and after the race like at Mont Ventoux. The race was also organized in September, so it was much colder making it difficult to party outdoors. Of course the race itself went off well and completing it was a great achievement and it got their group back on track in the literal sense of the term.

Mont Ventoux round Two

In 2023, four years after their first ascent, the group returned to the Ventoux—this time to climb the tougher Malaucène route. It was hotter, much steeper, and far more demanding.

There’s a saying: The first time you tackle Mont Ventoux, you’re crazy—you have no clue what you’re in for. The second time, you’re even crazier—because now you do know. And if you go back for a third time, it’s a passion!

The highlight of the Malaucène trip came later, at the after-party in Bédoin, where Jean-Louis, the oldest of the group at the age of 76, received a huge standing ovation from over 3,000  Sporta attendees after Tina had quietly informed the organizers of his remarkable achievement. It was a deeply moving moment of celebration and respect that none of them would ever forget.

Mont Ventoux – once more

In 2024, Tina suffered an ankle fracture but still participated at the Ventoux race going up the easy side at Sault again. She had a tough climb as she had not had a chance to train beforehand. On this route, there is a monument dedicated to the British cyclist Tom Simpson where he tragically died during the 1967 Tour de France competition. Mont Ventoux is one of the steps of the Tour de France that's held in July each year. Many cyclists pay their respects to the cyclist who died by stopping there for a few moments. Riding past, Tina saw her friend Jean-Louis  standing there quietly, grateful and reflective. At 77, his determination to take on such a challenge was deeply inspiring. It was a powerful reminder that there is no age limit to facing something as demanding as Mont Ventoux, and it filled her with admiration for what’s possible when you push your own limits.

Mont Ventoux – the Craziest Yet

In 2025, Tina and her cycling group returned once more—this time to face the steeper, tougher Malaucène route again. The heat was brutal: 40°C at the base, though mercifully just 27°C at the summit. It was their hardest climb yet—hotter, steeper, and relentless.

What started years ago as a spontaneous challenge had become a personal ritual—one of discipline, grit, and shared joy. The build-up, the training, the anticipation—it had all become part of Tina’s rhythm of life. And now, only one route remains: Bédoin—the legendary final piece of her Ventoux trilogy.

Another fun biking trip and memories

Tina talks to me about another race called the Ballon d'Alsace cycling climb in the Mountain Ballon d'Alsace or Alsatian Belchen. This is a mountain that is at the border of Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté, all regions in France. This climb was organised by 'Climbing for Life' in 2024. One of her random memories is when she had 3 flat tyres during a practice session at Mont Ventoux and how she reached a small cycling shop in a village called Beaumes-de-Venise where some extremely kind people at the shop helped her free of cost. That's what Tina holds dear as a bonus of the cycling trips. Her interactions with delightful people on her trips.

More Than a Cyclist

Tina De Vits never set out to reinvent herself. She simply wanted to say yes to life a little more boldly. And in doing so, she found a kind of freedom that only comes when you veer off the logical path and follow a spark. By doing so she became an inspiration for her sons—one took up jogging and the other took up cycling. 

At the age of 63 she obtained an  A++ graded diploma in Neuroleadership through a hybrid program featuring weekly calls with professors at NYU and Harvard. 

Fluent in several languages, she continues to explore new interests with curiosity and determination. 

For Tina, the real challenge isn’t about conquering specific activities—it’s about discovering what she’s truly capable of. Knowing she can push her limits while staying gentle with herself, she hopes life continues to treat her well as she keeps exploring and feeling the full strength she has within.

Stay tuned if she inspires you as much as I'm. Feel free to leave her encouragement and suggestions or maybe even a wild challenge in the comments.

A special mention to Tina's closest cycling mates - Wendy De Wever, Jean-Louis D'Hondt, Elke Vandenbroeck and Helga De Smet (non-cycling moral support)

#ventoux #bikelife #mtb

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