Cycling and wine tasting - Mont Ventoux region

The region surrounding the iconic cycling peak of Mont Ventoux know as the Vaucluse includes the famous cycling towns of Bédoin and Malaucène. These towns provide two of the starting points to attempt the climb accessible from three different directions. Mont Ventoux sticking out at 1912 meters is visible from miles around and has earned the nickname as the 'Beast of Provence' The name Mont Ventoux derives from the French word for windy, which suitably describes the 'Mistral' wind that frequently blows down the Rhone Valley.

However the region provides a host of other cycling and mountain bike routes to explore such as the Baronnies Hills or the Toulourenc Valley with climbs such as the Col d'Ey at 718m, the Col de Soubeyrand at 996m, the Col de Perty at 1330m, or regions second highest mountain, Montagne de Lure at 1800m. 

Of course, the region is also famous for the wines of the Rhone Valley, which is the second largest quality wine producing area of France. It is also the oldest since there has been winemaking here since 500BC. Probably the best known wine village is Chateauneuf du Pape, the wine of the Popes when they lived here in medieval times. Many of the same families are still making fabulous wine here today.

Winemaking not only provides more jobs than any other industry in the Rhone, but the extensive vineyards on undulating hills and valleys make for a visual delight when cycling the area. There are over 6000 wine growers in the region making red, white and rose wines from predominantly Grenache and Syrah grapes.  

Should you dream of combining a cycling holiday to the region with the chance to taste and learn about the different wines of the region Gite du Vin is the perfect option.

Here surrounded by fields of vineyards with spectacular views over the Mont Ventoux, the Gite provides the perfect location to explore the region by bike and unwind at the end of the day in their large pool and immaculate gardens. Linda Field the Gite owner and qualified wine teacher can help you make sense of it all while you taste some of the regions best wines. Over 2-3 hours you will understand more about the geography, the history and the wines of the region, and taste several different examples of the wine styles the region offers.

For more details about this property, or others in the region, visit us at Bike Lodging.

Gite du Vin

Bourg d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez road cycling

This cycling route is arguably the most legendary and famous cycling route in the world. Although challenging and relentless, it is far from the hardest, making it achievable to almost anyone with a basic level of fitness.

The climb itself can be split into four sections with their own milestones. It is important to warm up properly, because the first section from Bourg to La Garde and is arguably the most difficult, with the climb going instantly from flat to an average of 11%. Between Garde and the pretty hamlet of Ribot, the gradient drops of briefly before cranking up to 9%. This gradient now remains pretty constant, with no notable flatter sections, except for the briefest of rest-bites during the transitions in the hairpin bends. Between Ribot and Huez is the longest section which climbs quickly through a number of hairpin
bends, passing through the Dutch corner, made famous by the huge sea of orange clad Dutch supporters camped out here during each Tour du France. The final section form Huez to the resort of Alpe d’Huez passes through the lowest ski slopes of the resort and picturesque meadows.

As you arrive into the resort the unofficial and more popular finish line is close to the tourist office. However be aware, that the official Tour du France finish line continues up through the tunnel and another couple of bends and roundabouts through the resort. This finish line, which is located along side the ski slopes is slightly understated, with just a small banner, plaque and a line on the road. Which ever line you chose to finish at, don’t forget your stopwatch, so you can compare your effort against the times of the professionals.

Most people, after a rewarding treat in a local café chose to return to the valley by the same route, but anotable circular return option is possible via the Col de Sarenne, made famous in the 2013 Tour du France, when after climbing the 21 bends, competitors returned to the valley over the Col de Sarenne before climbing the Alpe d’Huez for a second time. Thankfully the event has resulted in vast improvements to the road surface over this col, although this is still a very technical descent with loose gravely corners.

The climb was first used in the Tour du France in 1952 and has been used 28 times up until it was climbed twice in one day in 2013.

It is also the final climb for the grueling Marmotte cycling event, which welcomes 8,000 amateur cyclists to compete in this cyclosportive. The race, which starts in Bourg d'Oisans, passes over the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, before finishing in Alpe d’Huez, a total of 174km and 5180m of climbing.

This climb is also the location for the Dutch charity cycling event the Alpe d’Huzes in early June, where teams of cyclists aim to climb the Alpe d’Huez six times in a day.

Depart altitude Le Bourg d'Oisans 2350ft/715m

Arrival altitude Alpe d'Huez 6100ft/1800m

Height gain 3750ft/1145m

Length 14km/8.8miles

Steepest gradient 13.5%

Average gradient 8.1%

Record 37min 35 Marco Pantani 1997

View Alpe d`Huez in a larger map

Accommodation options in Le Bourg d’Oisans

Mountain Biking and Cycling in Alpe d'Huez And Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes

For years the French Alps have been the home of the winter ski crowd, leaving the summer to a handful of hikers, climbers and serious mountaineers. Even popular summer resorts such as Chamonix and Zermatt with such draw cards as the Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn have recently realised that thanks to competition from smaller resorts opening their lift systems in the summer, they too will have to modernise and adapt to current trends, to keep visitors interested. 

Alpe d'Huez

One of those emerging trends started in North America is the growth of mountain biking in the French Alps. Resorts such as Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez have realized for some time now, the potential of a summer season and in particular the downhill and cross country mountain bike scene. Les Deux Alpes in particular has the advantage of already opening its lifts in the summer to access the largest summer ski system in Europe. Opening to the growing downhill mountain bike scene meant simply adapting a few of the lifts and getting to the serious business of creating a network of specific trails, northshore and bike park. An advantage over other resorts is the sheer length of runs. With lifts open up to the glacier for skiing, riders can descend from over 3200 metres starting in the snow, through the lunar landscape of the midlevel slopes, into the fast grassy meadows on the approach to the resort before heading down the switchbacks of the run into the valley and Venosc at 700 metres. Just over the valley riders can tackle the legendary mountain bike marathon course of the mega avalanche with over 30km of almost continual downhill.

In addition the region which is traditionally known for road cycling boasts an extensive network of cross country trails for all levels. Those looking for an easy ride will enjoy the valley floor trails around Le Bourg d'Oisans, or the loop up to Venosc. For more challenging terrain the meadows of Alpe d'Huez are perfect and for those looking for the ultimate challenge, try the Traverse de l'Oisans, a three day circular routr, spending a couple of nights in mountain refuges. During this tour of the region you will take in various stunning and interesting sites such as the Lake du Vernay from Vaujany, the famous 21 hairpin climb to Alpe d'Huez, the impressive Plateau d'Emparis with views over the glaciers above La Grave and the tumbling waters of the Veneon Valley.

It is suggested that mountain biking and cycling are Britain's biggest growth sports and resorts of the Oisans region are adapting fast to encourage more and more people to the region. Combined with the growth of specialist biking accommodations such as the Ribot Lodge, improved road links and more budget airline flights into the nearby Lyon airport, it couldn't be easier to book a biking holiday to explore the region. Those interested in more information on  biking accommodation around the region should look at Bike Lodging.

La Marmotte - Le Bourg d'Oisnas, Alpe d'Huez

La Marmotte Le Bourg d'Oisans - Alpe d'Huez

Start line in Le Bourg d'Oisans

The Marmotte is the signature annual cycling event of the summer in the Oisans region, welcoming 8,000 amateur cyclists to compete in this gruelling cyclosportive. The race, which starts in Bourg d'Oisans, passes over the Col du Glandon, Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier, before finishin in Alpe d’Huez, a total of 174km and 5180m of climbing.

Descent of the Col du Galibier 

Registration for this event opens in early November after which there is a flurry of activity for competitors to find accommodation. Thankfully more and more cycling friendly businesses like Hotel Rondpoint are opening up locally, to help meet the demand. Unfortunately many of these properties will ask for a minimum of a 7 night booking.

For more information, visit the official website for the Marmotte

Cycling Le Bourg d'Oisans to La Berarde

 

Road Cycling - Le Bourg d'Oisans to La Berarde. 

Most people come to climb classic routes such as the Alpe d'Huez, the col du Galibier or the Col du Glandon. However our area futures loads of other lesser known but routes which should not be missed. In 2013 the Tour du France firmly put the Col du Serrene on the map, by featuring this challenging decent off the back of the Alpe d'Huez before climbing the Alpe for a second time. Thankfully this had two impacts. The first, to showcase this beautiful valley, which turns the alpe d'Huez climb into a circular route and secondly to force the local authorities to upgrade the road surface which historically had been in pretty bad shape.

However other beautiful rides are plentiful, like the climb to Huez via Villard Reculas and the balcony route from Gard to Freney, or the alternate climb to Les Deux Alpes via the Bois du Roy and Bons.

But of all these, in my experience as a cycling chalet owner in the area, the hidden gem really is the route from Le Bourg d'Oisans to La Berarde. It's only draw back it that it is not a circular route, as it ends at one for the more popular entrances to the Ecrins Nationa Park. However this works in its favour as it remains particularly quiet to car traffic and has the back drop of the National park to accompany you all the way.

The route starts easily up the valley from Bourg, before turning right at Le Clapier into the Veneon Valley (D530) towards Venosc. Prior to this village are a couple of short climbs to get the legs going. Venosc, a short branch off the main road is an old medieval village and well worth a visit with cobbled streets and local craft shops. From here there is a tougher climb up to Pan du Lac where you will find a popular bar restaurant for cyclists owned by a lovely couple Monique and Angelo. The final and toughest significant climb, is up to St Cristophe and other beautiful hamlet with an impressive church. From here the climb levels out a little and even descends slightly towards the end. However the views become more and more stunning as you rise out of the valley, with tumbling waterfalls, wild rivers and more picturesque mountain hamlets. 

The ride ends at La Berarde where you will find a number of local mountain restaurants.

For accommodation along this route you could try the Chalet Bourg d'Arud located in the tranquil hamlet of Bourg d’Arud (Commune de Venosc). The chalet can comfortably accommodate up to 14 people across 4 floors and 400m2 of living space. It has 14 bedrooms (many with balconies) and a total of 10 double and 11 single beds, 6 WCs and 4 bathrooms. The ground floor is composed of a fully outfitted chef’s kitchen, an expansive dining area where the restaurant used to be situated and a newly refurbished lounge area.

The living room is ideal for relaxing after a day in the mountains with its 50” plasma screen TV, multi-region DVD player with large DVD collection, and high-end hi-fi system.

The property has a large garden with table and chairs. It's also equipped with wi-fi internet and parking for up to 15 vehicles.

For the summer season, the property is very close to various campsites, hotels and restaurants, an open air swimming pool, impressive children's playground and tree-top adventure trail.