Wine Trails by Bike

Introduction
Provence France
Come and discover the natural wonders of Provence far from the crowds! During your stay you’ll start from the beautiful and historic city of Avignon, and make your way to the base of the famous Mont Ventoux, then onto the heart of the Dentelles de Montmirail with and end your tour in renowned Chateauneuf du Pape.

HIGHLIGHTS
- An off the beaten track cycling experience in Provence
- The majestic Dentelles de Montmirail mountains & the famous Mont Ventoux
- The wine making villages of Châteauneuf du Pape, Beaumes de Venise, Vacqueyras and Tavel

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive trip, so you will be staying in different establishments along the way. 

Description
We favour small local establishments, often family-run hotels or B&Bs, that employ local people. Selected by our track finders, our accommodations are chosen based on the friendliness of the owners, the quality of the service, the charm of the establishment and, quite often, the quirkyness (of both accommodation and owners!) that makes where you sleep an integral part of your adventure. 

Your package includes standard accommodation (with all basic comfort and services) but it is possible to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations for an extra fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel Boquier in Avignon
Night 2: Hotel Les Remparts in Vénasque
Night 3 & 4: L'Escapade in Bedoin
Night 5 & 6: Wine B&B in Chateauneuf du pape

Hotel Boquier in Avignon
In a quiet pedestrian street, in the heart of Avignon, stands the Boquier hotel (2 stars). This atypical and cozy building from the 18th century will warmly welcome you. Each of the 13 comfortable room comes equipped with air conditioning, a flat screen television, a private shower room and Wi-Fi access.

Hotel Les Remparts in Vénasque
Housed in a charming building, Les Remparts offers 8 recently renovated bedrooms. Each room has its own décor and includes air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a TV and private facilities.

L'Escapade in Bedoin
In this hotel, you will find bright and simply decorated bedrooms equipped with private bathroom, TV, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi.

The Wine B&B in Chateauneuf du Pape
Located right in the heart of the village, this quiet vinegrowers’ house offers 4 comfortable guestrooms, all featuring air conditioning.
Your host will share with you the art of provencal lifestyle, her passion of cuisine and secrets of French wines and cheese.


Meals
Only breakfasts are included in your package.

Breakfast will be provided by the accommodations.

Riding

Trip Difficulty: Moderate
Cycling 17 to 45 km or more per day, this trip is accessible to everyone who cycles regularly during the year on small roads and tracks.

GPS & Travel Kit
We will send you the GPS files for your trip via email, before the start of your holiday. You will have to bring your own device whether it is a Garmin GPS or a Smartphone with the files already downloaded.
Your Travel Kit containing road book & vouchers will be sent to the first accommodation of the trip. The road book contains technical description of the itinerary, 1: 100 000 scale maps integrated in the book with itinerary traced out, contact listing and helpful recommendations (restaurants, museums, vineyards, craftsmen, where to find a bank machine…).

Equipment
If renting a bike with us, your bike is delivered at your accommodation on Day 1 with all the necessary equipment ( helmet, bike lock...).

No matter the kind of bike chosen for your holiday, if you borrow a bike through us, you will get the following items for your tour:
• helmet > our regular “helmet head tour” is 54cm > 58cm. If you need a larger helmet, please contact us
• security vest
• pump
• one inner tube and repair kit per two bikes
• bike computer
• front pannier
• two side panniers
• water bottle holder
• one lock per two bikes

E-Bike - extra cost
Provence is hilly and most of the prettiest villages are “hilltop”, meaning you have to climb to get there.
Our E-bikes becomes a wonderful compromise: while still doing exercise – you still have to pedal to get these things going after all – you can access the hilliest and most breathtaking of what Provence has to offer without being a great cyclist. You can also accompany a more athletic spouse or friend on one of our holidays. When you start pedalling, the electric motor is automatically triggered. You will have the choice between several levels of assistance.
Our E-bikes (E-Ride or equivalent) are equipped with a battery with about 90km autonomy, a low frame (easy to get on and off), anti-puncture tires (reducing the risk of flats), and hydraulic brakes, ensuring the highest standard of safety.
With our E-bike we provide:
• a briefing from a specialized mechanic, who will show you how to use and get the most out of your rides. During the briefing a credit card pre-authorization of 800€ will be asked as a guarantee.
• assistance, meaning if you have any problems whatsoever with your E-bike, our mechanic will come and repair it at no charge.

Hybrid Bike - extra cost
Our high-end HYBRID bike rental (trek or equivalent) come equipped with Shimano parts, light aluminium frames, and a triple-plateau (Gearing: 28/38/48 with 11/32 cluster > 27 speed).
Hybrid bikes are undoubtedly the best choice when tackling the day long rides, thanks to a high performance level and no sacrifice on comfort: wider tyres, the slightly more upright position and the flat handlebars make for a real comfy ride.
This light and aerodynamic bike is ideal when dealing with the steep climbs on your Provence cycling holiday.
Our bike frames are unisex. When possible, we provide a comfortable woman saddle to all women riders.

Bring your own bike
If you are bringing your own bike, make sure to also bring panniers, map holder, a bike computer and all of the other necessary equipment (inner tube, repair kit, pump, helmet).

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

WARNING
Despite all our care to update the description of our itineraries, there can be changes on the ground that are not reflected in the notes.
Roadwork occurs every year: signs can disappear or change, new intersections can form or change... Remain vigilant while reading the notes, paying close attention to the cumulative mileage on your bike computer and in the route notes. In case of a doubt along the route, be aware of how to return to that spot easily if you’ve made the wrong turn.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival on your own in the medieval town of Avignon.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Avignon

Day 2: Avignon to Venasque
From Avignon, you take a little known cycle path, following a river out of the city. A short climb takes you up to the village of Jonquerettes before heading back down to the valley and reaching the pretty town of l’Isle sur la Sorgue. We recommend a lunch in l’Isle, either a picnic on the grass by the quays or perhaps a quaint restaurant in town. From here, you head into the heart of the countryside, and make your way up to Venasque, listed as “one of the most beautiful villages in France”.
Cycling about 43km +430m / 200m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Venasque

Day 3: Venasque to Bedoin
Today you follow the contours of Mont Ventoux, cycling at the limit between cultivated fields and the majestic forested slopes. When you reach the town of Villes sur Auzon, 17km from the start, you can take the scenic detour to climb the Nesque Gorge: a narrow and winding road that hovers above the canyon, with stunning views.
Continuing along the foot of Mont Ventoux you enter the town of Bédoin, famed stop along the Tour de France.
Cycling about 30km + possible detour through the Gorges de la Nesque (up to 35km extra) + 450m/ 390m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bedoin

Day 4: Crillon & Mormoiron
Today, you will visit two villages along the way. The first is Bedoin, with its colourful homes huddles beneath its oversized church. Take the time to wander through its streets, and climb (by foot) above the church, where the castle once stood.
Next is Crillon le Brave, perched well above the valley, its handful of homes converted into what is now one of the most prestigious hotels in France. You can have lunch there, on the terrace overlooking Ventoux.
Cycling about 45km +380m / 620 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Bedoin

Day 5: Bedoin to Chateauneuf du Pape
Today is a longer bike ride but worth the efforts. Travelling through the most prestigious winemaking villages in the southern Rhône Valley, most notably Vacqueyras (reds) and Beaumes de Venise (sweet muscats) you’ll have the chance to bathe in a sea of vines, with lots of wine tasting opportunities along the way. You hit the plains before climbing slightly to Chateauneuf du Pape, the ruins of its castle standing proudly atop parcels of old gnarled vines, and covered by their blanket of smooth red stones.
Cycling about 45km +380m/ 620 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Chateauneuf du Pape

Day 6: Châteauneuf du Pape Loop
A short ride around Chateuneuf du Pape, passing renowned estates, and touring around the small Oiselay island before returning to the village. You can get a picnic lunch in Chateauneuf du Pape and find a quiet place to eat on l’Ile de l’Oiselay, or complete the ride in the morning and eat when you get back to town.
For the afternoon, we recommend joining a half-day wine tour.
Cycling about 17km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Chateauneuf du Pape

Day 7: End of tour
After breakfast, transfer to Avignon around 10am.


Optional half-day wine tour -  inquire for rates
Morning tour starts at 9am / Afternoon tour starts at 2pm (pick up and drop off from your hotel in Chateauneuf du Pape) 
This wine tour with a wine expert lasts for about 3 hours. Visit a family run winery with explanation of the vinification process. Visit of a Château (one of the most famous and oldest cellars in the area) + wine tasting if time permits. This tour is NOT POSSIBLE on Sundays & bank holiday! Possible on Saturday only for private groups.

Rates and Dates for Wine Trails by Bike

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Avignon
Airport: Marseille
Transfer:

Climate:
                                    Chateauneuf du Pape area