Cycling for Softies in Provence. 
1 week of   guided or unguided cycle tours from a fixed base with visits to vineyards, olive mills , hilltop villages included.Also available as an independent cycling week with bikes available.

Introduction.. This holiday is ideal for those who would like to explore the rural region of the Drome provencal by bike but without the thought of having to cover any great distance or move each day. From our very comfortable guesthouse in Valreas we set out each day to explore the region.The rides are usually about 20 to 30kms long  in the form of a loop usually,  taking between 3 to 4 hours depending on the gradients and the weather.They are in ascending order of difficulty as the week progresses. For 2010 we are including a days' ride in the famous Luberon Valley with visit to famous hilltop villages , Roussillon, Gordes and Menerbes.  A minibus and trailer is used to allow for a greater variety of rides.Lunches are picnics taken either during the ride or back at the Guesthouse by the pool.. We arrange visits to olive mills , wine caves ,provencal markets , hill villages and , as bad weather extras, visits to Orange and Avignon .We also make sure that there is always time to relax by the pool with a book and a cool drink ..or even a siesta!!.

Accommodation and meals ..You will stay in a delightful Guest house in Valreas run by an Anglo French couple. All rooms are ensuite and there is a comfortable lounge with TV . It is only 5 minutes walk into the town for that evening drink. The pool  is set in a lovely garden and meals are taken on the terrace. Mike and Chantal are superb hosts and Chantal is an expert provencal cook so look forward to some very appetising meals with wine included.The house is only 5 minutes walk from the market town centre.
NOTE,,We can also offer this holiday from our own gite which accommodates 4 in comfort in Vinsobres..The gite is fully equipped with pool and garden and set in lavender fields and vineyards.. see special price Meal are taken in local restaurants
Cycles. .The cycles we use are all terrain bikes with 26 gears , comfortable saddles and ideal for the minor roads and farm tracks that we include in the rides.Clients should have suitable clothing for cycling including padded shorts ,light weight breathable tops and also a light weight shower proof outer jacket. Also a small rucksack for spare clothing , drinks , camera etc.

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Itinerary ( Saturday to Saturday).Please note that we can help with accommodation if you wish to travel back later.

Day 1 Saturday.  Please meet at our guesthouse or gite in time for tea at 5pm. We do include transfers from  Avignon TGV Station in the cost .After a welcoming  drink there is plenty of time to settle in before we sit down to a typical provencal evening meal with Mike and Chantel your hosts.Wine is included with the evening meals.Clients staying in our gite will eat evening meals in local restaurants .

Day 2 Sunday.A delightful flat ride from Vinsobres through vineyards on minor roads and tracks  and then via minor roads with some ascents to the villages of Buisson and then Villedieu.There we will stop for a break and a chance to explore the village.We then stop for a picnic in the shade before a  lovely descent to the river valley . Minor roads lead back to our start point. Time now for a relaxing swim and cool drink before supper. Distance 20kms/ 4 hrs with stops. All the villages are very attractive and with interesting histories to them.This is an ideal starter day
Vinsobres		Buisson
Day 3. Monday...Circuit of the famous wine villages of  Rasteau,Cairanne,Gigondas and Seguret..Distance 30kms..4hrs.30 with stops.
This is a lovely ride passing through some of the famous vineyards of the Cotes du Rhone region. From Vaison la Romaine we circle through the gently undulating valley of the River Ouveze before climbing to the base of the Dentelles . There we spend some time in Gigondas, famous for its wines, before taking a minor road to Seguret. Seguret was originally a Roman site  but is now a delightful little provencal village A stroll up the cobbled street and through the atmospheric lanes  is a real treat .Our picnic site will depend on how much time clients would like to spend in the villages. However , after Seguret, a fairly steep initial ascent on the road back to Vaison helps with the digestion
Day 4  Tuesday. The circuit of the Papal Enclave from Valreas via Richerenches of Knight templars fame and passing through Visan with its medieval heart and superb chapel. 33kms/ 3 to 4 hrs with stops. .
View of the rolling countryside near Visan		Street scene in Richerenches

This circuit passes through splendid rolling countryside of vineyards, lavender fields and evergreen oak forests. There are few ascents, apart from the ride out of Valreas, so it is a really pleasant leisuredly ride to be fully enjoyed slowly. The first part of the ride leads up onto the famous Vinsobres plateau with glorious views towards Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles.A long sweeping descent then leads down into wooded valleys before arriving at Visan. Here we stop for a drink and a chance to explore the village and its beautiful chapel.The ride then continues through pleasant countryside with contrasting fields of lavender, wheat, vineyards and truffle oak forest.. Richerenches is our next stop. The village is famous for its winter truffle market but also because it was a major centre for the Knights Templar. The old walled centre is well worth a visit as is the information centre.We then carry on to Grillon and finally back to Valreas. Later on we will arrange a visit to a truffle farmer where he will explain the secrets of this 'black diamond'.

Mont Ventoux in spring	Day 5. Wednesday.The Valley of Toulourenc and the hills of provence.33kms/4 hrs with stops.OR.. A day in the Luberon with rides to Menerbes , Roussillon and Gordes ..5hrs 30km. . This is a really spectacular ride leading us into the heart of the hill country of Pagnol .The day starts  with a fairly steep climb up to the Pas du Ventoux on minor roads from Mollans. Here we have great views up towards Mont Ventoux and its summit at 1900m. Fortunately we do not plan an ascent but instead take the dramatic sweeping descent into the Toulourenc Valley. The river itself is hidden initially in a series of gorges but , the green meadows and woodland soon herald its appearance . A little detour leads to an old Roman bridge and a great spot for a dip in the river. After this break the ride returns to the road and on down the valley to the climb up to Brantes.   .The village is perched on the side of the steep valley with oustanding views across to Ventoux. In the village there is a great cafe/tea shop which is too good to miss out for lunch. The ride then lops back down through very rough countryside but on good roads to eventually lead back down to Mollans sur Oveze. This is such a spectacular trip that we often spend the whole day admiring the scenery. Luberon. A lovely ride from Maubec along the quiet tracks and roads to Menerbes and then over to Roussillon and Gordes  returning to Maubec ...4 hrs ride plus time for visits.
Brantes
Day 6. Thursday..A much more leisuredly start with a visit to the Provencal market in Nyons, a wander around the old town and visits to the lavender distillery and olive mill. Today is a day off so no ride is planned, the afternoon being spent relaxing, swimming or even taking a siesta. In the early evening during the lavender season we will drive up onto the Vinsobres plateau to admire the masses of lavender growing there. best time to see this is in June and July by the way.
	Day 7. Friday..The Dentelles circuit from Malaucene via the hamlets of Suzette, Lafare and le Barroux 30kms /4hrs. This is the most attractive ride of the week with stunning views of the Dentelles cliffs and  swooping descents through woodland, mountain and vineyards .Our last day starts in Malaucene the famous start point for the ride up Mont Ventoux. Malaucene was the site of the Pope's Summer palace in the 14th Century . Unfortunately little is left of the palace but there is a superb fortified church dating from the same period .The route follows minor roads up via  a long ascent to a col with excellent views of the rocky spines of the Dentelles. From here the ride descends through a patchwork of fields and forest to the hamlet of Suzette perched on a rocky shoulder..Another long fun descent leads to Le Barroux where there is time for a visit to the chateau. On our return is through a maze of tracks and minor roads passing a massive Roman aqueduct en route. Finally another descent leads back to Malaucene and a cool drink in one of the tree shaded cafes . This is a memorable day with excellent views and variety..a fitting climax to the weeks' rides. We lay on a special meal for the last night with plenty of wine and , usually , laughter..plus some  nicely cushioned seats !!!!.

Day 8. Saturday  Transfers to Avignon TGV Station . Nimes Airport or Marseille Airport.

COST......E 850 inclusive of all meals except 3 picnic lunches. Bike hire included as are transfers from regional airports and Avignon TGV Station..all by  prior arrangement. PLEASE NOTE..clients must have insurance that includes cycle touring cover and cycle theft  .

Special PRICE in our gite of  E750..
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DATES for 2010..17 to 24 April        8 to 15  May.FULL    19 to 26 June    4 to 11 sept   16 to 23 Oct

Other dates available for groups of minimum 4 clients.Based on group of maximum 8. Equipment list on request.