Ruud practiced with his sister for Mont Ventoux (photo: Paul Rapp / De Gelderlander)
Climbing a mountain on a tricycle
Ruud had prepared well for the hard climb. The Mont Ventoux is 1,912 meters high and on a tricycle that is a big challenge. On his Easy Rider Small tricycle, Ruud practiced 60 kilometers a week in the hilly surroundings of Berg en Dal (The Netherlands). The Easy Rider Small is a smaller version of the tricycle Easy Rider. This bike has a cool and sporty look and with the pedal assistance that Ruud has he can cycle in different assistance modes.
Ruud experienced his workouts as very manageable. While practicing, he sometimes cycled up the Oude Holleweg( The Netherlands) three times in one day. The Oude Holleweg is the most difficult climb in the Middle-Netherlands. With an incline of around 14 percent, this climb causes a heart rate around 200 beats per minute.
In the beginning of September Ruud left with his sister, two supporters and two teammates in a van to France. Ruud told De Gelderlander: "I have the feeling that I'm ready. I'll reach the top anyway and then I will be completely broken. ''I guess, it will take me 4 to 5 hours. When I reach the top I'm planning to drink a beer if I can do that."