Cycling in Provence

No matter what time of year you visit Provence, there is a picture you can count on seeing – bike riders – sometimes in larger groups – sometimes just one or two – out enjoying the scenery and sightseeing in Provence their way.

Fun and fitness in the "plein air" of Provence

Since we have owned la Baume des Pelerins in Sablet, we have come to know many more of our guests who are in Provence for one, two and sometimes three weeks to enjoy all of the  spectacular scenery, charming villages and history, that a Provence bike riding vacation brings.

Even in the middle of winter, cyclists find Provence a very attractive venue for excursions

Why after la Baume? I asked myself the same question when I noticed the trend.  It’s because la Baume has a lockable space, the “baume”  in which bicycles and all the riding equipment can be securely stored and out of harms way, which can be something of  a rarity in Provence vacation rental homes, especially in small villages where the streets are narrow and garages are not common.

Bravo! This is quite a ride and quite an achievement

The Vaucluse has a lot to offer bike riders of all capabilities.  For riders like me, there’s  lots of “flat land” riding,  and for more ambitious riders, a mixture of flat and mildly hilly rides.  For experienced riders who are ready to tackle the more arduous outing, Sablet is within close proximity to Mt. Ventoux which has been included on the Tour de France circuit more than once!

Ready for a day on two wheels

Many of our guests have told me that they particularly enjoy planning their rides to take in sites they want to see, often stopping  to visit towns and villages, sometimes on market days, to pick up supplies for picnics, visiting points of interest, and often bringing back local specialties for a delicious and relaxing evening meal, in the cool and intimate space of the baume.

Spectacular Scenery

If a Provence Bike riding vacation is in your future …  here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, about rides that you may enjoy in the Vaucluse.

CYCLING ROUTES ….

This cycling route is one of the many preplanned routes prepared by Tourisme en Haute Vaucluse and available at the Office de Tourisme in Sablet and those throughout the Vaucluse.  These routes are centered around tourism themes such as "Landscapes of the Cote du Rhone" which gives the riders an opportunity to do some sightseeing in areas that interest them whilst enjoying the ride.

This ride will take you through the vineyards of Appellation d'Orignine Controllee Cotes du Rhone all with the backdrop of the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mt. Ventoux. You will visit many scenic villages such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Sablet and Beaumes de Venise

PARKING:  Place du Marche - Beaumes de Venise
DISTANCE:  33 kilometers/ 20.5 miles
DURATION:  3 hours
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY:  Intermediate riding
CIRCUIT IS SIGNPOSTED

Circuits re signposted

Each route shows the distance in kilometers, the riding time, the degree of difficulty of the ride, a vertical cross section graph that shows you the hills and flat areas, a guide on where to park the car once you have reached the beginning point and stage be stage directions.

TRANSPORTING YOUR BIKE...

If you plan to bring your own bike, your travel agent or Airline will advise you on specific requirements for transporting it. This will include details about proper packaging, how you will have to handle your bicycle if you have connecting flights and customs regulations.

Train Travel in France:  You can take your bicycle on any train in France, however if you plan to travel on the TGV (fast train), you will need to reserve a space for your bicycle as well as reserving a seat for yourself.

These bikes from "Velopop" are available for rental around certain towns and cities.  They are not suitable for a riding circuit in the countryside. Avignon has 17 stations where you can rent a bike to get around the city.

BIKE RENTAL...

You can also very easily rent bikes and other equipment at specialty Cycling stores in the area, especially if you wish to perhaps spend just a few days of your Provence vacation on two wheels.
IMPORTANT - If you plan to rent a bike, experienced riders tell me that it is advisable to bring your own REAR VISION MIRROR if you have one that you are used to using when riding.

Vaison-la-Romaine  84110

Hurricane

Rental and Repair

Location: 9, rue des Ormeaux

Tel: 0490 287 786

Need a break from your helmet?

Mag 2 Roues                                                                    

Rental and Repair

Location: Cours Taulignan

Tel: 0490 288 046

Orange  84100

Cycles Dupont

Rental and Repair

Location: 23,avenue Frédéric-Mistral

Tel: 0490 341 560

Cycles Olivier Trousse

Rental and Repair

Location: 176, rue de l'Irlande

Tel: 0490 517 161

Cycles Picca

Rental and Repair

Location: 544, avenue de Verdun

Tel: 0490 516 953

MBK

Rental and Repair

Location: 571, boulevard ƒdouard-Daladier

Tel: 0490 341 651

Provence Rent Bike

Bike tours, journeys, rentals. Tours include Around the Ventoux, wine, olive oil, antiques, markets of Provence.

Location: Sport Aventure; 1 Place de la République

Tel: 0490 347 508

Email: info@provence-rent-bike.com

Web: www.provence-rent-bike.com

Carpentras  84200

Automne, Michel                                                                 

 Yikes!

Rental and Repair

Location: 14, rue Vieil-Hôpital

Tel: 0490 633 712

Espace Deux Roues

Rental and Repair

Location: 258, avenue Notre-Dame-de-la-Santé

Tel: 0490 600 225

Evasion

Rental and Repair

Location: 233, avenue du Mont-Ventoux

Tel: 0490 600 024

Le Route de Ventoux

Rents a limited number of high-end bikes.

Location: 293 av. Victor Hugo

Tel: 0490 670 740; Fax: 04 90 60 39 84

Web: www.route-du-ventoux.com

Thorn Bikes

Rental and Repair

Location: Chemin Saint-Gens

Tel: 0490 635 077

Gigondas  84190

Gîte d'étape de Gigondas

Rental.

Tel: 0490 658 085

Ubiquitous in Provence

Bonne Route!

For More on Bike Riding in Provence: Tour de Sablet

Tour de Sablet AKA Relais Americain

 I'm afraid it isn't a picture of our Tour of Sablet ...but ....doesn't it say everything about 

Bicycling and Provence?  

This is a picture of a picture that hangs in Maison des Pelerins our vacation rental home in Sablet.  Bike riding is a favorite past time of many, many visitors to Provence each year and it is quite a common site to see riders where ever you visit when in Provence.

A few weeks ago on a Sunday morning, the village of Roaix invited all future cycling champions to join them in the Roaixois VTT - a bike race on a 10kilometer circuit in and around the village. Although bicyclists on "les Velos Tout Terrain" (mountain bikes), are not an uncommon sight in any part of Provence, and this is certainly true of Sablet in early August, especially when the village hosts its own VTT race called the Relais Americain.
So .... move over Lance Armstrong, our future Tour de France riders are on their way!

 On a warm Sunday afternoon at the beginning of August, the teams line up at the Place de la Croix and wait for the signal to start.

As the race starts, and the riders head out around the village, beginning the race on the Rue des Barrys - past the Fountain and up to Grande Rue, then climbing the steep Rue de l'Eglise. 

 

Along the narrow passage between very old village houses to the front of the Eglise St. Nazaire.........

........ then down a stairway of approximately twenty-five steps that connect Place de l'Eglise back to Grande Rue!   Back out through the Petit Portail (which connects Grande Rue to the Boulevard des Remparts and the main square, then a tour of  the (Boulevard des Remparts (the road that follows the Remparts) and out into the newer part of the village - riding through every neighborhood.

In every part of the village, from the beginning to the end, in the smallest of Ruelles and the main village square, Sabletains and visitors gather to cheer on the riders.  The race directors and commentator are right there bringing everyone the most up to the minute information.  You will see many "voisins" (neighbors), set up chairs and tables in front of their houses to enjoy the race with a cool drink,  as do the many patrons of the Cafe des Sports in the village square.  It folds in beautifully as one of the daytime activities that take place during the five day long Fete Votive, and gets everyone involved - whether you are a bike riding enthusiast or not!

The video below shows a little bit of the race and some of the hurdles that the riders face - with great fun and good spirit - the spectators are always helpful with their encouraging cheers of, "allez! allez! allez!"