Bubba s Cycling Tours Provence, Pyrenees 2018 Itinerary. Vaison La Romaine, Luchon, Le Tour
Day One Bubba s Cycling Tours will collect you from the airport in Lyon for the transfer to our hotel in Vaison La Romaine, one of the most beautiful and historically significant towns in Provence. After assembling the bikes, we will head out for a ride around the vineyards and olive groves of the region. Nothing too strenuous, around 40-50km to assist in loosening up the travel legs. After the ride we will have a little time to relax in Vaison, before meeting for a group dinner in town. 40-50km Daily ride plans are subject to variation. Final decisions on any changes will be made by the tour leader.
Day Two After breakfast we will roll out to ride the fabulous Loop du Ventoux. This is a magnificent route that covers the foothills of Mt Ventoux, delightful provencal villages, such as Sault and possibly the most beautiful sight in all of Provence, the incredible Gorges de la Nesque. All day, you will see the Ventoux from all angles and ponder the task of climbing her in the days ahead. Spend some time in the afternoon, wandering the streets of Vaison, and soaking up the history of this charming roman town. Dinner is at your leisure, you will be spoiled for choice. 125km
Day Three One of the great attractions of cycling in Provence is the opportunity to visit wonderful villages, perched above vineyards. Today we will take a tour of a few more, exploring medieval towns such as Gigondas, in the region of the famous Cote de Rhone. The rollout will be after breakfast and today, we will have a choice of either 60km or 110km. The route passes back through our home town in a figure-eight, after the initial loop. We will again have a little free time in the afternoon before meeting for another delightful group dinner and possibly a drop of the local red. 60km or 110km. With the shorter ride, we will have the option of a vineyard tour in the afternoon.
Day Four Today is Ventoux Day. Most cyclists who visit Provence do so for the express purpose of climbing Mt Ventoux. It is a truly mythical mountain with a reputation built on equal parts beauty, challenge and suffering. A post-breakfast rollout, will have us on the Malaucene ascent early and this will set up the option of then completing a double or even triple ascent of the mountain. The choice will be yours, or maybe not if the mountain decides to turn you back. The ascents from Malaucence and Bedoin are both very challenging, whilst the climb up from Sault is significantly easier. Whichever ride plan you choose, this will be an epic day. Tonight we will share stories and photos over a group meal in town. 70 / 110 / or 164km.
Day Five Another sensational day of riding as we head out after breakfast towards the beautiful Parc Nationale de Provencale. Not a really mountainous day, but not many flat roads either. The return journey provides a choice between either the Toulourene Valley, or a final summit of Ventoux via Sault. 105km or 112km. On return to Vaison, we will pack our gear and bikes, in preparation for an uber-early rollout to the Pyrenees the following day. Dinner is at your leisure in Vaison tonight. We are still exploring the possibility of staying the evening of July 24 at Carcassonne. In this case, dinner would be in Carcassonne, followed by an early departure for Luchon on July 25. This may be necessary to reduce travel time on July 25 and for the logistics of viewing stage 17 of the TDF.
Day Six Today is a super-early rollout. We will need to be one the road before sunrise to head to the Pyrenean town of Luchon. Here, we will assemble the bikes, grab some breakfast and head up the col de peyresourde to find our place to watch stage 17 of the Tour de France. This will possibly be the most exciting stage of the entire race. Just 68km but with three very tough climbs, there will be fireworks. So get your cameras ready as we settle in for Tour Time. 75km of riding prior to checking in to our delightful boutique hotel in town. After some time to freshen up (will be a long day), we will meet downstairs and head into town (2 minutes) for a group meal.
Day Seven Our first day of riding in the Pyrenees. After breakfast, we will head out and over the col de Peyresourde, before tackling the Azet and Portet climbs. This is the same route that the pros will have raced the previous day, only we will also tackle the course in reverse. We will stop for lunch in Genos before climbing the Azet and Peyresourde climbs in reverse. A big day with options to shorten as required. Stunning scenery, the highest roads in the Pyrenees. 144km. Dinner tonight will be at your leisure in Luchon.
Day Eight After yesterdays epic ride, today sees the group tackle a slightly more sedate route. Although this loop is not overly long, it is packed full of beauty and quality. Heading out from Luchon, we will take a few side roads so that we can visit the true charm of the Pyrenees on our way to the base of the Port de Bales. This is a climb that has appeared many times in the TDF and it is truly stunning. On return to Luchon, you will have a little spare time (perhaps a massage?) before dinner which will be a group meal surprise and one you will not forget quickly. 75km.
Day Nine After another lovely breakfast in Luchon, we are off to Spain (briefly). Heading up and over the col de Portillon, down into Spain, back to France and then over the col de Mente. After descending the Mente, we will climb the shortish but steep col de Portet d Aspet before returning to Luchon via a series of small villages, main rd deviations and classic Pyrenean charm. Lunch will be on our route, in one of the many small towns we pass through. 117km. Tonight s evening meal is at your leisure in town.
Day Ten This is our final riding day on tour and for the most part we will be staying close to home. After breakfast we will climb to the ski resort of Superbagneres, where on a clear day, you have the best view in all of the Pyrenees. On the descent, we take a side road up to the hidden treasure of the Hospice de France. Finally, for those with a little energy left, we will climb up to the delightful hamlet of Artigues. A stunning finish to a remarkable tour. 85km, three incredible climbs. After a little free time in town, we will meet at the hotel for a stroll into the village and our final group meal.
Day Eleven Sadly, all good things must come to an end and today we leave the beautiful town of Luchon. Bubba s Cycling Tours will transfer you to Toulouse airport, so that you may return home or head off on for the next stage of your travels. We know you will have had the most amazing time exploring Provence and the Pyrenees and we hope that at some time in the future, you will choose to take another cycling tour with us.