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Climb one of the Tour de France's most iconic mountains
Start Sault, right at the foot of Mont Ventoux. After time to check bikes and make any final adjustments, we will head out for a short warm up ride south west from Sault through the Provencal countryside around Monieux. That evening there will be a welcome meeting with your leader and the opportunity to discuss the route in more detail. Cycle approx. 38km with 520m ascent *Comfortable hotel*
Distance in Km: 38
Distance in Miles: 23
Today we head to the iconic Mont Ventoux! Our ride starts with a great descent that winds itself through the magnificent Gorges de la Nesque. This is a lovely ride in its own right, but only the start of today's excitement. Arriving in Bedoin we can stop for a coffee break before starting the climb up Mont Ventoux (1912m) by the most famous Tour de France route. It is certainly a challenge as the road climbs for 21.5km at an average of 7.5% to the summit. The final 5km are tough with pitches as steep as 10.7 %, you'll have earnt a celebratory drink by the top! A scenic 30km descent takes us back to Sault, probably for another celebratory drink.
Distance in Km: 105
Distance in Miles: 65
After breakfast we set out on the bikes to take on Ventoux for the second time, but this time via the less ridden and equally beautiful ascent from Malaucene. The first part of our ride is mainly downhill as we follow a lovely balcony road in the foot hills of Ventoux before arriving in the town of Malaucene, here we can stop for a coffee and snack break before starting the climb up Ventoux. The ascent form this side has an average gradient of 7.2% and rises 1535m over the 21.2km, making it in theory a little easier than yesterday’s ride. From the summit we have a brilliant 35km of downhill all the way back to the hotel in Sault.
Distance in Km: 100
Distance in Miles: 62
For the final day of the tour you have the option to head out on a short ride before the airport transfer. The self-guided ride follows a road to the south of the Nesque gorges through small traditional towns like Saint-Jean and Methamis before turning and climbing up the Nesque Gorge road back to Sault. This climb is 19.7km long with a total elevation of 444m at an average gradient of 2.3% making it a perfect climb after two tough days on the bike. Once back at the hotel there will be time to pack bags and any bikes brought from home before the tour ends here.
Distance in Km: 65
Distance in Miles: 41
* 2.5 days ride with guide in vehicle support (limited seats)
* 100% tarmac roads
* Climbs are long and steady (average 7%)
* Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader in support vehicle.
* 3 nights in a charming family-run hotel
All breakfasts are included. Lunch and evening meals are at your own
expense.
For breakfast you can expect a large buffet with eggs, meat, bread, yoghurt,
cereals, jam and of course, croissants. Tea and coffee is available
throughout the day in the hotel restaurant.
Lunches and dinners are not included, giving you the flexibility to select
your own diet and the option to try more items on the menu. There are some
great bars and restaurants in the town offering superb local dishes and the
hotel restaurant is also superb, with a varied menu and popular bar
attracting friendly locals for a drink.
We suggest that you budget around £20 - £30 per day for an evening meal
including drinks. For lunch you can either stop in cafes or restaurants or
(weather dependant) have the guide set up a picnic on route; we recommend
budgeting between £5-15 per day for lunches. We also recommend that you
budget another £5 per day for coffee / cake stops whilst out riding.
We recommend that you bring your favourite energy bars/products with you as
there are limited options available locally.
* 2.5 days ride with guide in vehicle support (limited seats)
* 100% tarmac roads
* Climbs are long and steady (average 7%)
* Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader in support vehicle.
* 3 nights in a charming family-run hotel
This trip is classified Drop Bars.
Activity Level: 6 (Challenging/Tough).
3 days cycling, average 102km per day (63 miles), average elevation gain of
1800m per day
Partial vehicle support (with limited seats).
The riding on this trip can be accomplished by any fit cyclist, but it is as
much a state of mind as your fitness that will see you up and over the cols.
The secret to making it up the mountains is to spin away at a steady pace and
stop whenever you feel tired. We cover the same routes as the Tour de France
but this trip is definitely not a race!
The roads are good quality - they just aren't flat! Although the gradients do
not get much steeper than 10%, they can be long. Daily distances are
realistic, and there are plenty of opportunities for stronger riders to add
more kilometers if they wish.
On all our drop bar trips the guide does not cycle with the group but leads
from the support vehicle. This enables them to carry any spare parts, snacks
and drinks whilst also being able to filter through the group on long climbs
and react quicker in the case of an emergency.
*Please note:* Exodus drop bar cycling holidays are not run in a training
camp style, all our daily rides are group rides and we aim to cycle as a
group wherever possible. The days are broken up with food and coffee stops so
it is likely that we will be outside for the majority of the day (sometimes
between 9am – 5pm). It is common for the group to split on the longer
climbs, please keep in mind that if you are looking to push yourself on the
climbs you might have a wait at the top for other members of the group,
however the support vehicle will be there to offer warm clothes and snacks.
Hotel du Louvre
We stay in the 2-star Hotel du Louvre throughout the itinerary. This
bike-friendly family-run hotel is ideally located in the centre of the
village of Sault, right at the foot of Mont Ventoux. All rooms have en suite
facilities and the hotel has a popular restaurant and bar with a pleasant
outside seating area on the town square.
Normally 4 to 16 plus leader.
All breakfasts are included. Lunch and evening meals are at your own
expense.
For breakfast you can expect a large buffet with eggs, meat, bread, yoghurt,
cereals, jam and of course, croissants. Tea and coffee is available
throughout the day in the hotel restaurant.
Lunches and dinners are not included, giving you the flexibility to select
your own diet and the option to try more items on the menu. There are some
great bars and restaurants in the town offering superb local dishes and the
hotel restaurant is also superb, with a varied menu and popular bar
attracting friendly locals for a drink.
We suggest that you budget around £20 - £30 per day for an evening meal
including drinks. For lunch you can either stop in cafes or restaurants or
(weather dependant) have the guide set up a picnic on route; we recommend
budgeting between £5-15 per day for lunches. We also recommend that you
budget another £5 per day for coffee / cake stops whilst out riding.
We recommend that you bring your favourite energy bars/products with you as
there are limited options available locally.
For airport transfers we use a bus. The rides are supported by a van, with
limited spaces for clients and bikes. The vehicle will sweep through the
group during the day offering encouragement, water and access to your snacks.
A comprehensive tool kit and first aid kit is carried and the leader is a
qualified first-aider. Lifts up or down the hills are naturally offered, if
this is your desire.
*Travelling flight inclusive from London: 4 days *
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the
itinerary.
We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways (depending on
availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend
you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm
up‐to‐date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and
cannot be confirmed
until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The
Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to
tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please
visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures [1] for a useful overview of the
options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking
regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow
a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time)
of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the
official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.
*Travelling land only: 4 days starting and ending in Sault*
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Sault in the morning of
Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided
in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately two weeks before
departure. Accommodation check‐in times are normally from around
14:00. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be
sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive
these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please
contact our office or your travel agent.
[1] http://www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note
that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight,
even if Exodus has booked it.
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able
to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the
arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check the group flight details 2
weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you
must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense.
* *
At the time of year that we run trips here, the weather is often glorious and
sunny, but given its height and the surrounding terrain, there can often be a
micro-climate on Mont Ventoux. As the name might suggest (venteux means windy
in French), it can get windy at the summit so you should be prepared for
this. Maximum temperatures can be up to 30ºC, but this will vary with
altitude. If we are riding through low cloud it can get very chilly on the
descents, but these should be short spells only. There is of course the
possibility of wet weather so you should also come prepared for this.
You will need to bring the following equipment with you:
Normal daily clothes
Cycle helmet (compulsory on this tour)
Sunglasses/eye protection
Base layers
Short and long sleeved jerseys
Windproof Gillet
Lightweight waterproof jacket
The best quality padded cycling shorts you can afford
Full length tights or knee/Leg warmers
Cycling gloves
Arm warmers
Chamois cream
Energy drink powder
Energy bars and gels
Sunscreen
Please note that all bikes are supplied with flat pedals and only a limited
number of clipless pedals are available from the hire company. Because of
this we recommend bringing your own shoes and pedals for all drop bar cycling
holidays.
If you are bringing your own bike we recommend packing the following items:
Spare tyre
Inner tubes
Brake pads
Correct length spokes (especially if using Mavic wheels)
Mulit tool
Mini pump
Tyre leavers
Puncture repair kit
The support vehicle carries a range of tools and 2 track pumps that you are
free to use during the trip. Basic spares are also carried, but we are never
too far from a bike shop, in the case that you require a specialist
replacement part.
Every night the bikes will be put in a garage/shed, but it is best to bring a
lock, just so that you can be sure yours is safe. Your bike box / bag will be
transported to the end hotel on the roof rack of the support vehicle.
On all departures of this trip we can expect to be cycling in just shorts and
a short-sleeved jersey. The temperature is naturally dependant on the
altitude, so on some of the higher cols it can get fairly chilly.
Unfortunately rain cannot be ruled out but the showers tend to be fairly
short.
You may like to bring your own pedals and saddle (excluding the seat post) or
gel saddle cover to fit to the hire bikes. We encourage this, if it is your
preference. However, please note that you are responsible for your own
equipment, and removing your saddle/pedals at the end of the trip. We cannot
guarantee the return of any bike parts left behind.
*Local Bike Details:* /Bike hire is not included in the holiday price of our
Drop Bar holidays./
Giant Defy Advanced carbon road bikes with disc brakes available on request.
For the meals that are not included, you should allow approximately €5-10
for lunch and €15-20 for dinner.
This is entirely at your own discretion. However, as a guideline, we suggest
you allow a few pounds each day for tips for the guide‐ about £4 (approx.
US$6‐7) a day per client would seem reasonable.
* Travel insurance
* Local bike hire (available on request)
* Single accommodation (available on request)
* Visas or vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.