Cycle touring in Provence around Mont Ventoux

Every time we go to France I notice the growth in cycle routes and cycle touring facilities. Gone are the days when the only technique, which was a good one, for the cycle tourist was to follow the white roads on the Michelin maps. It still is a good way for cyclists to get about, because France is a big largely empty country, but these days there are many cycle circuits and  signposted long distance routes available to the cyclist.
We were in Malaucène recently. This village sits at the start of one of the routes up Mont Ventoux often a make or break climb on the Tour de France.  Its bars, shops and streets are filled with the Lycra® clad. We did, by chance, have our Bromptons with us in the back of the car, but since the hill has been conquered by not just one, but several dozen Bromptoneers

(e.g. http://www.freewheelingfrance.com/where-to-go/cycling-ventoux-brompton.html, 

http://velojanaway.co.uk/velojanaway/bromptoux/mont-ventoux-brompton-queen-stage/), 

and because we were visiting non-cycling friends, we decided not to bother shocking the Lycra®-clad and spent our time travelling about the area, eating large meals, etc. The kind of thing many of us do in France.
As conscientious bloggers we investigated the cycling possibilities of the area in various tourist offices and found piles of pamphlets describing circuits on the south side of Mont Ventoux. These are available in digital form on the Provence Cycling website: (http://www.provence-cycling.co.uk).

A sunny day near Mont Ventoux

Cycling Tours up, and around Mont Ventoux

By chance we were stopping in the excellent Domaine des Tilleuls Hotel de Charme in Malaucene, one of the hotels of the Ventoux Club Hôtelier association (www.ventoux-hotel.fr) last weekend and met a group travelling with Forever Holidays Ltd. I was impressed with the friendly but clear, professional way the guide prepared the customers, a group of road bike men, for their trip around  Mont Ventoux. If you are interested in pulling on the Lycra and pushing aluminium or carbon fibre bikes up some serious hills in France with sag wagon backup, but are worried about not having any French or travelling around an area without any noticeable public transport then check the company out. You do not have to be male to travel with the company, this particular group was all male, but the female of the species is obviously welcome too. The company also offers bike hire and self guided tours.

Mont Ventoux, again!

We went to the CMT caravanning and tourism exhibition in Stuttgart today. It is the reputedly the biggest tourism exhibition in the world. During the first weekend one hall has stands on cycling and walking. There are a lot of bikes to be seen and ridden on, which we largely ignored and checked out walking and cycling routes.
We discovered by chance the Ventoux Club Hôtelier (www.ventoux-hotel.fr), an association of  nine small independent hotels around Mont Ventoux:

• H La Garance, Bedoin, www.lagarance.fr
• H des Pins, Bedoin, www.hotel-des-pins.fr
• Safari H, Carpentras, www.safarihotel.fr
• H Montmirail, Vacqueyras, www.hotelmontmirail.com
• H Domaine des Tilleuls, Malaucène, www.hotel-domaindestilleuls.com
• H Villa Elaia, Puyméras, www.hotel-villaelaia.fr
• H le Saint-Marc, Mollans sur Ouvèze, www.santmarc.com
• L'oustau de la Font, Reilhanette, www.oustaudelafont.com
• H Le Louvre, Sault, www.hotel-restaurant-le-louvre.fr

The club offers you online booking in English. There are bike shops, bike hire stations, bike routes, baggage transfer and walking routes all over the area. If you are feeling brave enough you can even try Mont Ventoux by bike. We had a long talk with the proprietor of one of the hotels. The hotels look delightful and the prices seem reasonable. It's France so the food should be good. The only fly in the ointment would appear to be public transport. You might well have to get picked up from Orange or Avignon station or take a cab. I think the weather in October could well be quite pleasant and you might well meet us then.

Bike Hire in Provence (France) near Mont Ventoux

If you are planning a holiday in Provence and would like to cycle up Mont Ventoux or wander round the lanes thinking about climbing the hill, rather than taking a bike with you, you could hire one from VELO RELAX DU VENTOUX, T: 04 90 11 72 65 / 06 27 33 05 55,  N°2 Le cours, 84570 VILLE SUR AUZON (FRANCE),    www.velorelaxduventoux.com (in French)

The shop offers e-bikes, road bikes, touring bikes and children's seats for hire, has a repair shop and sells bicycles and accessories. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 12 am and 2 pm to 6 pm. It is open Sunday mornings. Bikes can be reserved but only if you are hiring for more than one day. There are reductions for groups. The shop will deliver to local hotels and holiday flats at a cost of €1 per km.

• E-bikes (v.a.e) cost €35 per day and €180 per week. Returnable deposit is €750.
• Road bikes (Route) cost €30 per day and €170 per week. Returnable deposit is €300.
• Touring bikes (v.t.c.) cost €20 per day and €80 per week.  Returnable deposit is €200.