TWO cyclists from just outside South Zeal have conquered a notorious French mountain not once, but three times.

Sean Quigly and Geoff Thuld rode with friend Kevin Gunning to the top of Mont Ventoux from three different starting points — Bédoin, Malaucène and Sault.

They climbed 4,443 metres over a distance of 68 kilometres, managing to complete their challenge well within the cut off time, despite searing heat and high winds on the summit.

Located in Southern France with a height of over 6,000 feet, Mont Ventoux has been used on several occasions for stages of the Tour de France. The 'Madmen of Mont Ventoux' are a group of just 4,000 members who have climbed the mountain from three different starting points.

Having conquered the mountain, the trio now join this elite group.

Sean, who is a member of Okehampton Cycle Club, said: 'We were all rather nervous, as the thought of riding up a mountain not once but three times is rather daunting!

'We were very lucky with the weather, it was excellent. Ventoux has some of the fastest wind speeds recorded on earth, so to have a day where the wind wasn't too strong was good.

'I like challenges, especially on bicycles. I've done a 1,200 kilometre ride over three days before, and I thought this was another good challenge.

'You get an extremely good feeling after having achieved such a feat, which I guess is part of the enjoyment of such a task. It's great to set yourself such a target and reach it.'

Sean was coy about the next challenge: 'You do need to dedicate a lot of time to training. I've been doing lots of rides across Dartmoor so it is time-consuming.

'But I feel a lot fitter for it so I want to keep it up! Maybe the next challenge will be next year.'

They were also joined by Philip Davies from Sticklepath, who did a single ascent up Mont Ventoux from Bedouin.

Philip said: 'My ride up the mountain was two and a half hours hard slog in bottom gear. It really was hard work.

'It's a phenomenal feat for these guys to get up not once but three times. All three routes are very steep and very long, and I know that even very experienced cyclists find this a struggle.'

l Geoff, Sean and Kevin are pictured at the foot of Mont Ventoux the day after their epic challenge.