Road bike France

Our centre-based road bike weekender taking in the cream of the crop of Northern ProvenceRef CR2C

Pedaling, sweating, suffering a little but above all enjoying. This centre-based trip in the north of Mont Ventoux offers us the best of Provence on the road bike. On each of the 3 days in the saddle we will explore a different sector around the Géant de Provence. Gentle hills, impressive limestone rocks, beautiful gorges and many unknown, smaller mountain passes await us. And of course, the legendary Mont Ventoux is also on the program. The vineyards, olive groves, sunflower and lavender fields and the typical bushland with thyme and rosemary are not only the perfect scenery for our tours. It can also be found on our menu. So typically Provence.

Tour without assistance vehicle: from 575€ - Details Duration : 5 days | Level : Customer satisfaction :
- 1 reviews
+33 458 140 435 A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.
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Highlights

  • The ascent of the legendary Mont Ventoux (1911 m) from the north
  • The passes and gorges of the Baronnies: Wild highlands and home of vultures
  • The typical Provence flair
  • The comfort of our 3* hotel with pool

Description

Comments

  • For group offers please contact us directly.

Centre-based trip

3 cycling days + arrival and departure day/4 nights

With this centre-based trip you will undertake your daily stages starting from our partner hotel located close to the charming village of Buis-les-Baronnies. Our partner hotel is a 3* house with a warm welcome, spacious rooms (equipped with air conditioning) and a pool. Your road bikes are safely stored and your hosts cater for a regional, rich and balanced cuisine. Accommodation is on half board in double or twin rooms. Single or shared rooms are also available.

Levels of difficulty

Each day you choose between three different route options with varying distances and altitude gain (levels 1, 2 and 3).

Programme

Day 1: Arrival at your accommodation

Arrival in the late afternoon. The extra night including dinner and breakfast before the first day of cycling is included in the price.

Day 2: The Eastern Baronnies

We are here in the heart of the regional nature park of the Baronnies provençales. This huge, sparsely populated area (30,000 inhabitants live here on 1600 km2) is dotted with beautiful, isolated country roads, small winding passes and magnificent gorges. The landscape is a real mosaic of vineyards, apricot plantations, olive groves and lavender fields. And with a bit of luck we might spot the resident griffon vultures, which often circle the blue sky.

Today's highlights:

  • The gorges of Ubrieux (levels 1, 2 and 3)
  • The Col de Peyruergue, 797 m (levels 1, 2 and 3)
  • The Col de Perty, 1302 m (levels 2 and 3)
  • The famous rock climbing sites of Orpierre (level 3)
  • The gorges of the Méouge (level 3)
  • The Col Saint Jean, 1159 m (level 2)

Distance & cumulative elevation gain

  • Level 1: ca. 55 km & 1100 m
  • Level 2: ca. 105 km & 1950 hm
  • Level 3: ca. 140 km & 2000 hm
Day 3: The Northwest of Mont Ventoux

A beautiful road cycling day awaits us. On level 2 and 3 we will today climb up to the Géant de Provence from Malaucène, a demanding climb! On level 3, 2700 metres of elevation gain have to be overcome. From the descent we enter the wild and beautiful gorges of the Toulourenc. The route on level 1 takes us also into the valley of the Ouvèze.

Today's highlights:

  • The small town of Vaison la Romaine with its rich cultural heritage (levels 2 and 3)
  • The legendary vineyards of Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise (level 3)
  • The ascent of Mont Ventoux from Malaucène (levels 2 and 3)
  • The gorges of Toulourenc and the Col de Fontaube pass, 635 m (levels 1, 2 and 3)

Distance & cumulative elevation gain

  • Level 1: ca. 75 km & 1050 m
  • Level 2: ca. 110 km & 2200 hm
  • Level 3: ca. 135 km & 2750 hm
Day 4: The Northern Baronnies

A clear scenic contrast to the previous days awaits us on our last cycling day: The northern part of the Baronnies is more Alpine, the reliefs more pronounced. Between the gorges of the Trente Pas and the village of La Motte Chalancon, we bypass the mountains Angèle, Raton and the Tête du Mouret. On the level 1 route, we discover the olive growing area of Nyons!

Today's highlights:

  • The Gorges de Trente Pas (gorge) (levels 2 and 3)
  • The Col de Soubeyrand in the middle of lavender fields, 987 m (levels 1, 2 and 3)
  • The Col de Fromagère (or de Pommerol), 1072 m (level 3)
  • The small village of Sainte Jalle (levels 2 and 3)
  • The Gorges de l'Eygues and Saint May (vulture colony) (Level 1)

Distance & cumulative elevation gain:

  • Level 1: ca. 90 km & 1250 m
  • Level 2: ca. 100 km & 2050 hm
  • Level 3: ca. 130 km & 2650 hm
Day 5: Departure accommodation

Au revoir Provence. End of services after breakfast.

Distances and altitude gain are an indication only and may vary.

See photos and videos of this trip

Make sure to check our France Bike Trips media gallery in order to get a feel for this trip and this destination.

After your trip with us, you also have the opportunity to create your own album with your impressions. We would be happy to do the work for you - all you have to do is send us your photos.

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Dates

This tour can be booked anytime between early April to mid-November.

Cycling in the area is best in the low season from the beginning of April to mid-June or from mid-September to the end of October.

Available extra services

(prices per person)

Single room accommodation (4 nights) 215 € / 

Vélorizons cycling jersey
(shipping not included)
75 € / 

Transfers to and from the hotel: available upon request

Road bike rental: see below

Costs and services self-guided tour

Price per person:

A single-room supplement will be automatically charged in the case of odd-numbered groups.

The price includes:
  • 4 x nights in a charming 3* hotel with pool in double rooms (DR) with en-suite facilities
  • 4 x breakfasts
  • 4 x dinners (3 to 4 course menu)
  • Carefully designed itineraries on 3 levels of difficulty
  • Our navigation app for smartphones, a detailed road book including maps (digital format) and GPS tracks
What is not included:
  • Lunch
  • International flights
  • Your transfer to the meeting place (see paragraph below)
  • All services mentioned in extensions
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks at the accommodation
  • Visits to museums, monuments and sites not covered by the programme
  • Additional travel related to changes in the programme due to bad weather
  • All personal expenses
  • Everything not mentioned under “the price includes".

Road bike rental

The following road bike models are available for rent:

Standard road bike
Carbon frame, Shimano 105 groupset
180 € / 

Repair kit included. The prices include delivery and collection from your hotel.

Please specify your model choice, pedal choice and your height when filling out your tour reservation form.

Vélorizons cycling jersey

A cycling jersey to our taste.

A timeless road cycling jersey produced in France, inspired by our team and our road cycling trips. High quality, made in France by a Savoy company and with a feel-good character for long days in the saddle. Offered at a great price.

Features

- High-quality SIRTECH + LYCRA textiles
- 3 pockets, one with a central zip + 1 side pocket
- Full front zip
- Half-high cycling collar
- Short raglan sleeves in Lycra with seamless ends
- Gripper at the hem

Available sizes (EU sizing): XXS bis XL
Cut:
Slim fit, unisex
Price: see above

Order and further information by e-Mail or ask our leaders while on tour.

Private groups / Custom tours

You are a group of friends, a family, a company or a cycling club and you would like to organise a private cycling tour on the dates of your choice. This option is available for guided and self-guided tours.

  • If you are interested in one of the tours presented on our website, we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in your group.
  • If you are interested in a custom version of one of our tours, with specific requirements (tour duration, accommodation type, vehicle assistance, airport transfers, bike rental, etc.), we can provide you with a detailed quote based on the number of persons in the group and the group's specific requirements.

For more information or to receive a quote, please contact us by phone at +33 458 140 435  or by email at info@france-bike-trips.com.

Booking procedure / Cancellation

How to book

In order to make a booking please fill in the online booking form on the "booking" page of your chosen tour. At the end of the booking process you will be transferred to our bank's secure payment page in order to pay a 30 % deposit.

Last minute booking

All self-guided bookings made within 21 days of tour departure will incur a surcharge of 15 € per person.

Expert advice
  • Unsure which tour to book?
  • Interested in a custom version of one of our tours?
  • Not sure if a particular tour is suitable for your riding style?

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm (French time) by phone - +33 458 140 435 or by mail - info@france-bike-trips.com.

Tour confirmation

In order to confirm our guided tours, we need to reach a minimum number of participants (usually 5 persons are necessary). Therefore booking a guided tour does not necessarily mean the tour is confirmed. In the unlikely event that we are unable to confirm your chosen tour, we will offer you the opportunity (no less than 21 days before departure) of switching to another (confirmed) tour, or receiving a full refund.

Self-guided or custom tours: We confirm bookings of self-guided tours and custom tours directly after booking.

In both cases, please await our final booking confirmation before making any travel arrangements.

Balance payment

Tour balance payment must be made no less than 30 days before tour departure. Your travel documents will be sent to you once we have received your balance payment. Road books and maps will be sent to you 3 weeks before departure.

Cancellation

In the event that you are obliged to cancel your tour France Bike Trips will reimburse the entire sum paid for the tour, minus the following cancellation charges:

  • More than 60 days before departure: 5 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 60 and 31 days before departure: 15 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 30 and 21 days: 30 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 20 and 14 days: 50 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Between 13 and 7 days: 70 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium
  • Less than 7 days before departure: 100 % of the tour price, excluding insurance premium

Full details of our sales conditions are available here

Travel insurance

It is important to be correctly insured when embarking on a cycling holiday. We recommend checking the details of your travel insurance (if you have one) and, if necessary, subscribing to our contract below. Please note that France Bike Trips is simply an intermediary between you and the insurance company.

You can choose between these travel insurance contracts while completing your booking form:

  • I subscribe to the "comprehensive multi-risk" insurance cover (4.5%), minimum premium of 15 €:
    This contract covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage, holiday interruption and cancellation. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "cancellation only" insurance cover (2.5%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers cancellation only. To see the full contract, click here.
  • I purchase the "repatriation & assistance" insurance cover (1.6%), minimum premium of 10 €:
    This policy covers assistance, repatriation, lost or stolen luggage and holiday interruption. To see the full contract, click here.

Recommendation:
If you choose to take out a travel insurance policy with another insurance company, please check that the search and rescue coverage is suitable: area covered, expenses included, risks covered (as an indication, a minimum cover of 15 000 € is recommended). Please note that credit card insurance rarely offers this type of coverage.

Getting there

By plane

Avignon airport: www.avignon.aeroport.fr

Marseille airport: www.marseille-airport.com

Airport transfers are available on request. Please contact us for a quote.

By train

  • Hotel in the surroundings of Buis-les-Baronnies: Pierrelatte railway station (regional trains)
  • Next stations for high-speed trains: Avignon, Orange
  • Transfers available upon request

SNCF: www.voyages.sncf.fr

By car

Route planner : en.mappy.com

Parking: In the event that you arrive by car, various parking options will be proposed.

Accommodation

We favour comfortable accommodation with warm hospitality.

Our standard price is based on 2* and 3* hotels and comfortable guesthouses with double rooms and en-suite facilities.

For private groups and self-guided trips it is possible to customise the accommodation (upgrade) depending on availability.

Food

"L'art de la table"

This trip is also an opportunity to discover the famous French gastronomy. 

We pay very careful attention to the quality and the variety of your meals.  Fresh and local products will be served wherever possible.

Depending on the meals included in your chosen tour:

  • Continental breakfasts taken at the accommodation  
  • Cereal bars and dried fruit during the day
  • Hearty dinners (3 to 4 courses, with local dishes)
  • For lunch, we offer 3 options based on your preferences: 
    • A picnic to carry along in a small backpack. It contains an individual salad (carbohydrate and vegetable based salad), cold meats, cheese and fruit. This picnic can be carried in a small backpack or a handlebar bag. 
    • "Racing food" for those "allergic" to backpacks: energy bars, dried fruit.
    • No lunch organised by France Bike Trips, leaving you free to stop and eat when and where you choose (restaurant, bakery, grocery store...).

Please check the "Dates & Prices" section for meal plan details.

Car sharing

If you sign up for a guided tour, we offer you the opportunity to see if you can carpool with other participants to get to the point of departure. To do this, go to "Car sharing" in our website. By entering the complete reference and the date of departure of the tour (available on the registration confirmation that we have sent you), you have access to route details and emails of other participants who wish to carpool.

Baggage

During the day you carry only a daypack for additional clothing, water, food, camera, etc. The rest of your baggage is transferred each day to the following nights accommodation.

Health

We strongly recommend having a medical check-up before your holiday. 

Our / Your state of mind

- A "group" tour: If you join a guided tour, you will be part of a group for several days. This is a superb opportunity to meet new people and share some magical moments. However, a group tour requires that each person show friendliness, openness and mutual respect for their fellow travellers.

- An "adventure" tour: despite the most careful preparation, adventure tours can present unforeseen events. Accepting these risks will help you enjoy your trip to the full, in the knowledge that your guide, our local partners and the entire France Bike Trips team will offer you the most suitable solutions to any given situation.

Bike and plane / train

If you decide to bring your own bike, be aware that transporting a bike by plane or train is no longer an issue. However a few simple guidelines help to optimise the transport and avoid potential damages that could occur.
Your bike must be transported in a designated bike bag (standard size 120x90cm). This maximal size allows you to travel with your bike as "hand luggage" in any TGV and SNCF trains.
It is very important that you protect your bike in the bag. After having deflated the tires, removed the wheels (by removing the quick release mechanisms), pedals and rear derailleur (which is left hanging on the chain), we recommend you wrap your bike inside the bag in a sheet of dense foam (thickness of 3 to 5 cm). A piece of cardboard or rigid plastic positioned between the foam and the inside of the cover can be beneficial to provide more rigidity.

Once folded up the bike bag will take up very little space and will be transported by the assistance vehicle during your tour.

Bike bags are available directly from France Bike Trips at a cost of 70 euros, plus postage.

Your equipment

Personal equipment to bring:
Luggage

All your luggage must be distributed in two bags: a backpack and a travel bag:

1/ Backpack (or saddlebag)

This is the bag or saddlebag (saddle or handelbar) you use every day while cycling, if you choose to take a picnic lunch (see paragraph "Food"). This bag should not be too large (up to 20 litres).

It will contain: a picnic for lunch, snack food, camera, waterproof and extra clothing and sunglasses, ...

2/ Travel bag

This is the bag that will be transported from one accommodation to the next by vehicle. It will contain all the belongings you will not use during the day. You will find it at the accommodation in the evening (or sometimes for lunch).

List of equipment to pack:
For your head
  • A cap or other head protection against the sun
  • A hat or sweat band
  • A bike helmet.
For your upper body
  • Two cycling jerseys or technical t-shirts  (made of synthetic or natural breathable fabrics)
  • A warm shirt or sweatshirt
  • A fleece
  • A waterproof jacket
For your legs
  • Two good quality cycling shorts with chamois (avoid triathlon shorts)
  • A pair of warm cycling tights or leg warmers
  • Trousers
  • Casual short
  • A swimsuit.
For your feet
  • A pair of biking shoes
  • A pair of shoes suitable for the evening
  • Sandals (not compulsory, but nice for warm evenings...)
  • Sport socks.
For your bike
  • Gearing adapted to riding in the mountains: if in doubt ask your local cycle dealer
  • 2 spare tubes
  • Puncture repair kit
  • Spare brake pads (except if you start with new pads)
  • A rear derailleur cable
  • Chain lube
  • A pump
  • A multitool
Other
  • A pair of bike specific gloves
  • A bike lock
  • A headlamp with batteries
  • A pair of spare laces
  • A toiletry kit and towel
  • 2 bike bottles 75 cl (or camelbak)
  • A pocket knife
  • A few plastic bags to protect your belonging
  • A needle and thread
  • A small individual pharmacy: sunscreen (face and lips); band aids + double skin (Compeed); Immodium; pain killers, earplugs, other personal medication.

Self-guided tour "user guide"

Active autonomy: what you need to know for our self-guided tours

In order to achieve the planned tour programme, you must:

  • Guide yourself with the highlighted maps and road book;
  • Choose suitable start times adapted to the lengths of the daily stages as well as your own riding pace, and leave an adequate safety margin of time;
  • Obtain daily weather forecasts from your hosts, and take into account the weather conditions when planning journey times;
  • Arrive at the booked guest houses and hotels listed in the programme on the given dates; 
  • Bring the necessary personal equipment to carry out the tour. France Bike Trips equipment list constitutes the necessary minimum;
  • Carry insurance policies and emergency telephone numbers with you at all times;
  • Be familiar with basic first-aid steps;
  • In the event of any problems during your trip, contact France Bike Trips (contact information in your travel documents). Possession of a mobile phone that works in France is strongly recommended.

Self-guided tours are undertaken without a guide and at your own risk. France Bike Trips cannot be held liable for any route error, misconduct, personal imprudence, inadequate planning or inappropriate reactions in the event of incidents.

Any programme change of your own initiative is under your responsibility and at your expense. 

Having said this, with our advice and good preparation, you should be able to look forward to a wonderful, trouble free holiday. Enjoy your trip!

Route navigation

You will receive an email 2 weeks before departure, containing all the information necessary for your upcoming tour, including the following navigation tools:

Our dedicated smartphone app

Follow your route with comfort and ease! Thanks to the Velorizons navigation app, download the full trip itinerary to your smartphone, view route maps and profiles, access the list of booked accommodation, services and useful contacts, and use the integrated route guidance (visual and vocal) for navigation.

See the mobile app presentation video

To benefit fully from the app navigation system, we strongly recommend attaching your smartphone to the bicycle handlebar using a dedicated mount. An example can be viewed here.

Velorizons app compatibility
Operating systemAndroidAppleWindows PhoneBlackberry
CompatibilityVersion 8.0 minimumiOS 8.0 minimum. iPhone compatible, iPad compatible if GPS equippedNon compatibleNon compatible
A detailed Road Book

Your tour road book will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The road book contains:

  • Full colour maps with highlighted routes,
  • Step-by-step route description,
  • Route profiles
GPS tracks

Tour GPS tracks will be available to download in your My France Bike Trips customer area. The tracks are in .gpx format, compatible with all GPS devices/apps.

Average tour rating:

5/5 - 1 Reviews
Karen A. | Participant rating:
"France Bike Trips was a wonderful experience. It allowed us to explore Provence in a really unique and intimate way. It was great having the logistics of most the accommodations, bike rentals, and some meals taken care of. We had a great stay at the hotel provided. The rides themselves are challenging but very thoughtful. The staff were communicative and helpful leading up to the trip. "
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A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.


Phone number: +33 458 140 435

Contact us

A dedicated team of travel specialists is available to offer you expert advice Monday to Friday from 9 to 12:30 AM and 13:30 to 6 PM (French time) on the phone, or by email.

Please type in your email address in order to access tour details and description

Your email will not be communicated to any third party or company outside France Bike Trips / Velorizons. You may receive occasional emails from France Bike Trips, with the possibility to unsubscribe at any time. CNIL (French National Commission for Data Protection and Liberties)