Cycle Trips
Arrived in Arles about 6pm and checked in to Hotel Amphitheatre just a stone’s throw from the real thing in the photo above. A lovely warm evening for our group meal at Le Jardin de Manon, just 5 minutes from the hotel.
A 9am start tomorrow going to Avignon via le Pont du Gard.
70.35 miles, 649 metres climbed, average speed 12.7 mph
Set off from Arles about 9:15 after a group photo in front of the amphithearter. Weather was slightly overcast but warm.The first section of the ride was nice and flat passing through agricultural land with what looked like rice in paddy fields, then artichokes, and orchards of plums, cherries and pears. The brew van appeared at about 17 miles by which time the terrain had changed from flat to hilly with spectacular rocky outcrops. We were just below the hilltop town of Les Baux de Provence. Suitably refreshed we took the climb up to the very picturesque town with a viewpoint back to Arles..
We then continued climbing away from Baux and entered an area of pine trees. At St Remey de Provence we had to detour due to the town centre being closed for bull running -perhaps. The local explanation may have been lost in translation! Lunch stop came next to the cemetery at Graveson! Freshly made sandwiches, quiche and a delicious rhubarb tart. At 50 miles we reached the Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage Site, which spans the Gardon river.
The route to Avignon was, for the most part, fairly flat as it followed the river Rhone but the road to our hotel was made a little tricky by some major road works.
There is a distinct lack of pot holes on any of the roads we have ridden today !
76.58 miles, 984 metres climbed, 9 hours elapsed time .
The morning briefing given by Trevor who rode with us today. The briefings detail the location of brew and lunch stops as well as any particular navigational problems. I wore my Christchuch Bicycle Club shirt today and was approached by a German lady at the briefing who asked if I was from New Zealand. Not for the first time in France I had to explain I was from the original Christchurch in the UK.
The route took us out of Avignon and along the banks of the Rhone and passed the Pont d’Avignon. As we moved away from the river we came across large fields of asparagus beds, fields of artichokes and orchards of peaches or perhaps apricots, ripened cherries and, of course, vineyards. The route was quite flat to the morning brew stop on the outskirts of Chateau Neuf du Pape which came up after 19 miles. We did climb up into the town but did not sample the wine – too early in the day. There was a long climb up the picnic lunch stop at 40 miles and just beyond the summit of the Col de la Madeleine.
After lunch there was a nice downhill section to Bedoin followed some nice flat sections which allowed us to make good time. After the afternoon brew stop there was approximately 15 miles to go the last part along a busy main road into Avignon. A long day but with a great sense of achievement at the end
51.42 miles, 1225 metres climbed, average speed 9.8 mph
A shorter day today but with more climbing. The early part of the route was flat and included the very picturesque town of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.
As we cycled along the left bank where restaurants were setting up outside tables for lunch we came across a group canyoning down the river.
The climbing started in earnest on the way up to the brew stop at 19 mile after which the route undulated, passing through the small hilltop town of Vanesque where several of the group gathered for a breather and to admire the views of the plain we were about to drop into.
There was a long climb towards the lunch stop at 36 miles just before the town of Gorde. The red vans are always a welcome sight and I was relieved to see them at what looked be the top of the climb, only to find they were red vehicles of the sappeur pompier on exercise – and I had still another two miles to go! After a nice picnic lunch it was mainly downhill with the exception of a climb up to Rousillon were I stopped for an ice cream and a view of the ocre sandstone cliffs.
I arrived at the very comfortable Hotel Sainte Anne about 5 pm and had a nice cold beer after a warm day’s cycling.
A very poor WiFi connection so was not able to complete the post yesterday.
60 miles, 1361 metres climbed, average speed 11.1 mph.
Getting ready for the day and waiting for the rest of the group to arrive from their hotel. We had the option of a long or short ride today but didn’t need to decide until the morning brew stop at about 17 miles. There was a gradual climb for the first six miles or so then a gradual descent through vineyards and olive groves. Our first of several hilltop towns was Lacoste.
At the small hilltop village of Oppede Le Vieux we came across an art group painting or drawing the local architecture.
This part of the route was characterised by steepish climbs up into hilltop towns and villages, sometimes along cobbled roads. A lovely prepared picnic lunch was waiting at the commune car park at Chevalier Blanc, some 27 miles into the ride. Just before we arrived at lunch we heard a clap of thunder followed by a light shower but nothing more.
After lunch we travelled along narrow lanes, with good surfaces and mostly on the flat heading for the afternoon brew stop at 46 miles. We then climbed through steep sided gorges and up through the village of Buoux finally reaching the high point at about 1600 metres. The last 5 miles was a twisting descent in the rain and taken cautiously.
A great day’s riding with a lovely sociable and supportive group of 6 in total.
Too late to post tonight. Will have to do a double post tomorrow- Ventoux celebrations permitting!!!
51.2 miles, 1407 metres climbed, average speed 10.3 mph
Nigel’s morning briefing.
Apart from the steep ramp from the hotel this was a great day’s ride with long but gentle climbs and a long sweeping descent into the lunch stop.
It took me a little while to get my legs going this morning but was well supported by Trevor, one of our guides. We passed through Saint-Saturnin-Les-Apt with its impressive roadside cacti.
As we continued to climb there were great view off to the left and then we were on the rim of a limestone gorge.
The brew stop came at 14 miles by which time we had climbed about 700 metres. The climb continued after coffee, on nicely surfaced roads, for a further 4 miles eventually topping out at over 2500 metres. A flat section of road provided great views to the right of Mont Ventoux, our challenge for tomorrow.
The road then plunged down for the next 10 or 12 miles on not the best surface so care had to be taken. A great reward for a morning’s climbing. Lunch was taken in a very nice restaurant at Ferme du Pezet just beyond St Esteve. Now came the best part of the day and perhaps the tour – a gentle climb up and around the very picturesque Gorge de la Nesque. The views into the gorge were dramatic with shear drops just beyond the edge of the road. The road passed through several arches carved into the rock. The road eventually decended towards Sault but kicked up quite sharply – yet another hilltop town.
An excellent day’s riding.
16 miles to the summit, 1191 metres climbed, 6.3 mph average speed, elapsed time 2hrs 33 minutes.
Set off at 9 am on bright sunny morning with a clear view of our objective from just outside our hotel.
The first part of the climb, through open countryside, was quite magical. Gears softly whirring, cuckoos calling, skylarks rising and the smell of lavender in the air. What a time to be out on the bike!
Shortly the route entered the Ventoux forest offering some shade from the sun. The gradient to Chalet Reynard averaged about 4.5% and is considered to be the easiest of the three routes. The starting elevation in Sault is higher than those of Bedoin and Malaucene. However, from Chalet Reynard to the summit the gradient varied from 7% to 11% in places. It was a long hard flog to the summit and on a couple of occasions I took a 2 minute breather. During the 11% sections I was now starting to question if it was such a good time to be out on the bike!!
Being one of the last to reach the summit there was a nice welcoming party.
Some views from the top.
I headed down from the summit with Pauline and Mick and stopped st the Tommy Simpson memorial where I placed a small enamel Christchurch Bicycle Club badge.
After the memorial we carried on down to Chalet Reynard for a hot chocolate and to buy more Lycra – a Ventoux cycling jersey. There was a choice of routes down from Chalet Reynard, the long one via Bedoin or the short one, retracing our steps back to Sault. We chose the short route. It started to rain as we left which became very heavy as we descended, making braking and cornering tricky. Fortunately, the rain stopped on the lower slopes for our run into Sault.
In the evening we had a very enjoyable group meal where certificates were presented and thanks were given to the excellent support team of Nigel, Trevor and Martin.
This was my third tour with Peak Tours and the organisation and support was of the usual high standard. All the more impressive as this was the first time the tour had run. If there were any teething problems they were not evident and that has to be down to the efforts of Nigel, Trevor and Martin – thank you guys.
I have just been up to Cobham Services on the M25 to collect my bike from Nigel and Trevor who drove up from Sault yeterday then crossed the Channel this morning.
Just a footnote on yesterday’s air traffic controllers’ strike. The woman I sat next to on my flight yesterday was originally booked to fly direct from Marseilles to Madrid but had to fly via Heathrow with a very tight connection. Others on the flight had missed connections to Japan and the USA and had to continue today. My two hour delay pales into insignificance.
I have not had the opportunity to add the final day’s post but will do so as soon as possible. Just left Heathrow on 20:30 National Express to Ringwood after a delayed flight, courtesy of the French air traffic controllers – merci beaucoup! I have fared better than some of the group booked on Easyjet whose flights were cancelled and have had to return home by train.