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Hi all. Has anyone got any advice on riding and/or bike hire (road or mtb) around Provence? I've never been to the south of France and can't take a bike with me but seeing as I'm going to be in the area in a couple of weeks time I thought it'd be rude not to squeeze in a day or two of riding. In particular the area around Eygalieres (which is S of Avignon, NW of Aix). Obviously Ventoux isn't a million miles away, but any local road or off road suggestions would be great – doesn't need to be insane riding just a good way to enjoy the country is fine . Has anyone hired a road/mtb over there? Any recommendations for places to try?
Cheers!
I've rented a road bike a couple of times from these people: http://www.francebikerentals.com/
Middle of Bedoin, on the start line cobbles for the Ventoux, nice people, good bikes. You may struggle from mid July though, they're always busy then.
Cheers 2tyred, that looks good - any recommended rides in the vicinity other than the blindingly obvious?
My parents live in Avignon so I get to ride around that area quite a bit. I'm afraid I don't have any recommendations where you can hire a bike, but as for riding in the area, it's fabulous. If you're pushed for time, I'd stay on the road. The area around Eygalieres is very pretty - stick to the hills. But if you cross the Rhone, the really great stuff is in the Luberon. Cross over to Cavaillon and head over to Bonnieux from Taillades via a disused road right along the top of the Petit Luberon. Anywhere on Google maps which is green is really very nice.
If you're going Ventoux way, I really enjoy riding down to Sault, then down the Nesques Gorges - fabulous day out. Distances are pretty great so you might want to make use of the local buses.
Cheers Olaf - I'll check that on a map later when I'm not "working", sounds good though. From the pics the singletrack looks good too, but finding a hire place might be trickier I imagine, and without the right maps or gps it could be a bit more hassle to sort out.
The road riding around the Gorge du Verdon / Lac St Croix is stunning, highly recommended. MTB has good potential but you'd need a good route guide.
http://librairie.vtopo.fr/vtt-provence-nord-experts.html
http://librairie.vtopo.fr/vtt-provence-nord-inities.html
There is loads of riding around apt, including the colorado provencal just to the north east (near st saturine d'apt). I am sure there will be shops in apt that rent bikes as well. I am pretty sure that there is a load of riding between apt and avignon as well.
Colorado Provencal:
http://www.pinkbike.com/video/303796/
I'd be surprised if there was nowhere around les Alpilles that didn't hire bikes, its quite tourist friendly. Although they would probably be Peugeot or Gitane BSOs if you were to hire a VTT.
Theres some nice but seriously pricey olive oil around those parts (AOC Vallées des baux)
You'd get better gear in Bédoin, but it's not going to be on your doorstep as you know
Ian, James, ocrider, thanks for all that - some interesting looking stuff. Wish I had managed to get my bike with me now. Really must get back to work but will keep checking this thread for distractions later.a
Another vote for MTB in les Baux / les Alpilles - around Fontvieille and St Remy is interesting. No idea about hiring a bike - maybe down the road in Arles?
Cheers Mike - will look into that suggestion.