Mont Ventoux Cycling Weekend

Oversikt

Climb one of the Tour de France's most iconic mountains

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Day 1

Start Sault at the foot of Ventoux; short warm up ride through the Provencal
countryside.

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

Day 2

Descend through the Gorges de la Nesque; climb Mont Ventoux (1912m) from
Bedoin via the famous Tour de France route.

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

Day 3

Cycle through undulating rural scenery to Malaucene; climb Ventoux via a less
ridden but equally spectacular route.

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

Day 4

Optional self-guided morning Ride; trip ends in Sault

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

Bilder

Viktig Informasjon Vis detaljert viktig informasjon

• The trip destination

  
  * 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
  
   
  
  

• Food

  
  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.
  
  

• at a glance

  
  * 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
  
   
  
  

• trip for you

  
  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.
  
  

• accommodation

  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.
  
  

• group description

  
  Normally 4 to 16 plus leader. 
  
  

• eating drinking

  
  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.
  
  

• transportation

  
  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.
  
  

• joining instructions

  
  *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
  

• transfer details

  
  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.
  
  * *
  
  

• weather info

  
  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.
  
  

• essential equipment

  
  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.
  
   
  
   
  
  

• optional equipment

  
  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.
  
  

• equipment hire

  
   
  
  *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.
  
  

• spending money

  
  For the meals that are not included, you should allow approximately €5-10
  for lunch and €15-20 for dinner.
  
  

• tipping

  
  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.
  
  

• not included

  
  * Travel insurance
  * Local bike hire (available on request)
  * Single accommodation (available on request)
  * Visas or vaccinations
  
  

Priser / Datoer

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