RIDES SELECTION AT OUR VILLA BASED TOURS.

The various zones you can visit.
The various zones you can visit.

You have the flexibility to choose a ride based on the sights that you want to see, and how hard or easy you want the ride to be. Choose from 30 rides in our Ride Directory.

STEP ONE - you choose a zone to visit:



We have grouped our rides into 6 different geographic zones around the villa. By choosing a zone you will get a full different day's cycling and sights each day, with very little repetition from one day to the next.

You'll will get to see beautiful old villages, countryside and some amazing sights on each day's ride (châteaux, museums, churches, Provençal markets, restaurants, vineyards, cafés etc).

Here are our 6 different bike zones:



STEP 2 - You then choose your ride within that zone:



Use our Ride Directory, along with help from us to choose the right daily rides for you. All of our rides are classified along two criteria:

Two things to remember - No 1 the above list of rides & distances are just a guide and are what the majority of our bikers are usually looking for. If, however, you would like extra homework we can always easily design you longer rides, using our knowledge of the area, sights, roads and hills. No 2 - Our tours normally last for 6 nights i.e. 5 full days of cycling, so of the 6 zones, zone E (around the Luberon hills) with its longer distances and hillier climbing is often the zone that gets left out.

So once your zone and self guided ride chosen, simply select the ride number on your Garmin GPS and off you go! Please note that all rides start and finish at the villa.

We will of course give you a run down on how the GPS works and we can take you out for a short 3 kms practice ride too - but don't worry it really is a simple and a great way to cycle! And as back-up, we will give you a carry card with all the basic functions of your GPS - there's no need to worry though as we haven't lost anyone yet.

Note the Garmin GPS fixes solidly onto your bike's handlebars, and comes off easily for when you are visiting on foot.

STEP 3 - Use our ride notes for guidance on your way around:




Part of a page from the Ride directory - we also include the relevant tourist & restaurant
		information.
Part of a page from the Ride directory - we also include the relevant tourist & restaurant
		information.

Each of our different daily rides has its own set of easy to use ride notes and cards that we recommend you take with you on each ride. They come in a format that is just the right size to fit into a bike jersey back pocket!

Each card contains: A map overview of your ride. This is not for navigation per se, as that's the job of the GPS (and it does a much better job!), what it does do though, is give you a picture of where you will be going during your day, thus enabling you to organise your day. Helping you to plan where to stop for lunch, cafe stops, visits etc...

Information and tips: Our aim here is to pass on to you the local knowledge that we have gained, having lived here for a long time, thus helping you get the most from your time here...

So from the start of your ride we list everything in sequential order that we and our bikers think is worth noting, as well as the km point at which you will find it.

This includes: Village Visits and Small Walks - along with directions in order to take in the best sights.
The Sights - monuments, farmers & resellers markets, châteaux, museums, churches etc...
Restaurants, Cafés & Ice Cream Parlours - there are lots of these, and unfortunately they are not all good! So we list our lunch & dinner favourites, where you should have a memorable or a decent light meal, depending on what you want.
Vineyards - the most popular ones and where you can do tasting.
Fun activities - e.g. canoeing, tree climbing etc...
Supermarkets, interesting shops etc...
Picnic spots.
Drinking fountains - important in Provence!

For all the above, where applicable, we provide: addresses, prices, tel nos, along with opening hours.

RIDES SELECTION AT OUR VILLA BASED TOURS.

The various zones you can visit.
The various zones you can visit.

You have the flexibility to choose a ride based on the sights that you want to see, and how hard or easy you want the ride to be. Choose from 30 rides in our Ride Directory.

STEP ONE - you choose a zone to visit:

We have grouped our rides into 6 different geographic zones around the villa. By choosing a zone you will get a full different day's cycling and sights each day, with very little repetition from one day to the next.

You'll will get to see beautiful old villages, countryside and some amazing sights on each day's ride (châteaux, museums, churches, Provençal markets, restaurants, vineyards, cafés etc).

Here are our 6 different bike zones:

STEP 2 - You then choose your ride within that zone:

Use our Ride Directory, along with help from us to choose the right daily rides for you. All of our rides are classified along two criteria:

Two things to remember - No 1 the above list of rides & distances are just a guide and are what the majority of our bikers are usually looking for. If, however, you would like extra homework we can always easily design you longer rides, using our knowledge of the area, sights, roads and hills. No 2 - Our tours normally last for 6 nights i.e. 5 full days of cycling, so of the 6 zones, zone E (around the Luberon hills) with its longer distances and hillier climbing is often the zone that gets left out.

So once your zone and self guided ride chosen, simply select the ride number on your Garmin GPS and off you go! Please note that all rides start and finish at the villa.

We will of course give you a run down on how the GPS works and we can take you out for a short 3 kms practice ride too - but don't worry it really is a simple and a great way to cycle! And as back-up, we will give you a carry card with all the basic functions of your GPS - there's no need to worry though as we haven't lost anyone yet.

Note the Garmin GPS fixes solidly onto your bike's handlebars, and comes off easily for when you are visiting on foot.

STEP 3 - Use our ride notes for guidance on your way around:

Part of a page from the Ride directory - we also include the relevant tourist & restaurant
		information.
Part of a page from the Ride directory - we also include the relevant tourist & restaurant
		information.

Each of our different daily rides has its own set of easy to use ride notes and cards that we recommend you take with you on each ride. They come in a format that is just the right size to fit into a bike jersey back pocket!

Each card contains: A map overview of your ride. This is not for navigation per se, as that's the job of the GPS (and it does a much better job!), what it does do though, is give you a picture of where you will be going during your day, thus enabling you to organise your day. Helping you to plan where to stop for lunch, cafe stops, visits etc...

Information and tips: Our aim here is to pass on to you the local knowledge that we have gained, having lived here for a long time, thus helping you get the most from your time here...

So from the start of your ride we list everything in sequential order that we and our bikers think is worth noting, as well as the km point at which you will find it.

This includes: Village Visits and Small Walks - along with directions in order to take in the best sights.
The Sights - monuments, farmers & resellers markets, châteaux, museums, churches etc...
Restaurants, Cafés & Ice Cream Parlours - there are lots of these, and unfortunately they are not all good! So we list our lunch & dinner favourites, where you should have a memorable or a decent light meal, depending on what you want.
Vineyards - the most popular ones and where you can do tasting.
Fun activities - e.g. canoeing, tree climbing etc...
Supermarkets, interesting shops etc...
Picnic spots.
Drinking fountains - important in Provence!

For all the above, where applicable, we provide: addresses, prices, tel nos, along with opening hours.

SOME TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS FOR OUR VILLA BASED PROVENCE BIKE TRIPS:

SOME TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS FOR OUR VILLA BASED PROVENCE BIKE TRIPS:

SOME TRIPADVISOR REVIEWS FOR OUR VILLA BASED PROVENCE BIKE TRIPS:

"The information provided in the "Villa Ride Directory" is comprehensive and enjoyable to read at the end of each day to plan our next ride. Each day, Neil you came to explain in even greater detail the sites to see and the quirkes of each individual ride and villages."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Stefania & Paul - NZ - Aug 2019 - 5* Guestbook review.
Choosing from the 30 odd self ride routes Neil has designed ensured we always rode on quiet picturesque country lanes and paths, while Nat would book us in for a fabulous lunch at a hilltop village that we never would have discovered ourselves. Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Leigh & family - Aus - Sept 18 - 5* Guestbook review.
"The huge variety of cycle routes meant that we could take our pick according to how lively we felt each day. The garmin route guides took us on quiet tracks and roads that we would never have found ourselves, and were real bonus as there was map reading required."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Julia - UK - June 17 - 5* Guestbook review.
"We had a high standard of cycle planning from Neil. He would visit and ensure that we had the bike routes we required. There was a "route menu” on a blackboard in the living area with the corresponding route numbers for the garmin. We would mostly choose from this, but Neil was more than happy to tailor a route to our needs."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Oli & Sabina - UK - Sept 16 - 5* Guestbook review.

SOME CUSTOMER QUOTES ON OUR SELF-GUIDED TOUR SET UP



SOME CUSTOMER QUOTES ON OUR SELF-GUIDED TOUR SET UP

SOME CUSTOMER QUOTES ON OUR SELF-GUIDED TOUR SET UP

"As first time cyclists we knew nothing about organising a cycling holiday. We didn't need to worry as Neil took care of everything. A huge selection of self-guided tours all pre-programmed into a GPS that attaches to your bike."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Sarah - US - July 13 - 5* B&B Tripadvisor review.
Thumbs up from us!
"The cycling is easy to moderate, though can be made a bit challenging by increasing the distance to as much as you would like. The GPS guidance is truly splendid and the scenery is first-class."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - D. July 12 - 5* B&B Tripadvisor review.
"Choose from 60+ routes that accommodate a spectrum of skill and fitness levels, all programmed into a bar-mount Garmin instrument that guides you along the back roads of Provence. "
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - P. Sanders - US - May 12 - 5* B&B Tripadvisor review.
"Our cycling experience couldn't have been better. Neil was able to customized our daily rides and knew just where to send us for a day of riding through lavender fields, olive and cherry orchards to hill top castles with fabulous views of the Luberon region."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Nancy - US - July 11 - 5* B&B Tripadvisor review.
"Multiple rides with really wide ranging lengths/climbs/variations, and really good information to accompany each ride, i.e. maps, climbs, sights of interest along the way and ideas for how to make the most of the ride. We didn't miss anything."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Richard & Annette - UK - June 2010 - 5* B&B Tripadvisor review.
"Neil has a complete menu of different rides to choose from, depending on the kind of challenge you want. Or he can create a route for you right on the spot."
Provence Cycling Holidays - France - Donna - US - June 2010 - 5* B&B Tripadvisor review.
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