Le PAC ProvenceLe PAC ProvenceMay 17, 2008 Fly Into Paris
May 25, 2008 Fly Home From Paris
Tour Price:
May 2008 PAC Tour returns to Southern France. Rebecca Haldeman, our daughter will have just completed her year studying in Paris. Rebecca will help set up the tour and will ride with us during the tour. Lon will be riding and wrenching for us.
The route will be hilly and challenging, but allow time to have fun visiting the sites of the countryside. The climate of Provence is perfect for riding - average May temperature is 68 degrees with a slight chance of rain. It is a dry region with forests, vineyards and farms.
Provence, situated in the south of France, has richness; ancient history and quaint towns nestled by mountain ranges that have inspired Tour De France cyclists for decades. Le PAC Provence will take riders on a splendid journey via winding hilltop roads with spectacular views of vineyards, lavender fields and olive groves.
The highlight of the tour will be the opportunity to meet the challenge of climbing Mount Ventoux three times in one day. Riders who complete the three climbs in one day are eligible to become a member of the prestigious Club du Cingles du Mont-Ventoux. Upon registration they will be sent a medal and certificate from the club honoring their accomplishment.
In addition, riders will challenge themselves on climbs in the Petit Luberon and Grand Luberon mountain ranges. Take photos at the top of passes with names and elevations that will make you quiver, Col de Homme Mort (Dead Man's Pass) and Col de Font Belle at 1708 meters or 5,604 ft. Mileage will be 60 - 100 per day.
May 17 Tour begins from Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport
Plan to arrive on Saturday and stay at the convenient Ibis Hotel near the TGV-Charles De Gaulle Airport Station. The Bike Transfer Van will be located at the Ibis Hotel. We will transport your bike down to Avignon arriving there in time to meet your train. When you leave your bike case with Susan at the Bike Transfer Van - you will receive your TGV train ticket.
Bike Fridays or bikes with S & S couplers are strongly encouraged as there is limited case storage in Avignon. We recommend you bringing a Bike Friday/S&S coupled bike so that bike box storage is not a problem. You can use your (bike case) suitcase as your gear bag. We can store a few bike cases at the hotel in Avignon.
May 18 Charles De Gaulle Airport to Avignon
Riders will walk to the Airport TGV station and board the mid-morning TGV high-speed train from the Charles De Gaulle Airport to Avignon. Train tickets are included in your tour package. You must be able to handle your own PAC Tour gear bag.
Note: All riders should be in Avignon by 5:00 pm Sunday, May 18th. Travel time is approximately 3 hours on the TGV with train speeds in excess of 130 mph.
Upon Arrival In Avignon
Riders will take group taxis to the Novetel hotel, which is approximately 6 miles away from the TGV Station. At the hotel, they can assemble bikes and take a test ride south of Avignon. A route map will be provided so riders may visit the town of Les Baux de Provence.
Leaving Avignon on our first cycling day, we will travel northeast toward Sisteron and return to Avignon a week later, after doing a circle tour of Provence with Mont Ventoux as a focal point.
Return to Charles De Gaulle Airport on Saturday, May 24th
TGV departs at 9:30 a.m. from Avignon. Riders will share the taxis from the Novetel Hotel to the TGV station, which is approximately 6 miles away. Everyone should be in taxi¹s around 8 am as to not miss the TGV back to Paris. Lodging at the Ibis Hotel CDG Airport, is not included on Sunday, May 25th. Riders are free to go home or stay on in Paris for a few days.
Local trains run between Paris and the CDG airport frequently. Again, the large bike case is a difficult item to haul around. There are companies in Paris that will store your bike and case.
Tour Beginning Location Saturday, May 17, 2008
Ibis Hotel at Charles De Gaulle Airport Lodging included
Tour Finishing Location Sunday, May 25, 2008
Charles De Gaulle Airport No lodging included this night.
Le PAC Provence 2008| Saturday May 17th | Arrive in Paris at the Charles DeGaulle Airport Spend the night at Ibis Hotel near the Charles De Gaulle Airport |
| Sunday May 18th | Charles De Gaulle Airport to Avignon via TGV Taxi to Avignon hotel from TGV. Assemble bikes. Ride Avignon Les Baux Avignon Loop (30 miles) |
| Monday May 19th | Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon and Sault (60-100 miles) |
| Tuesday May 20th | Sault to Sisteron (60-100 miles) Option- Signal de Lure |
| Wednesday May 21st | Sisteron- Digne les Bains loop (60-100 miles) Option - Col de Font Belle |
| Thursday May 22nd | Sisteron to Bedoin over the eastern side of Mont Ventoux (68 miles) |
| Friday May 23rd | Bedoin The Mont Ventoux Challenge 3 climbs (74 miles) Shorter easier route available |
| Saturday May 24th | Bedoin to Avignon (41 miles) |
| Sunday May 25th | Avignon to Paris morning on TGV Afternoon Depart for home or stay over in Europe |
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance prior to making the commitment to travel to France. Call Travel Guard at 1-877-901-7599 or go to www.travelguard.com.
Tour Price includes:
Detailed Daily Tour Description
B=Breakfast included, L= Lunch included, D= Dinner included
Day One
Paris, Motel accommodation at the Charles de Gaulle Ibis Hotel
Day Two (B)
Breakfast at the Ibis, plan to buy lunch for the journey on the TGV. In Avignon, assemble bicycles and then take a warm up ride. The route will take cyclists down the tree-lined streets of St. Remy and Les Baux de Provence. The area is famous for its classic architecture; dating back to the 10th century. Walk to local restaurants for dinner or taxi into old town Avignon.
Day Three (B & D)
Monday, our tour leaves Avignon heading east through the historic towns of Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes, Roussillon and finally into Sault. An optional climb before the town of Gordes, will take riders to the Abbaye de Sénanque, built by the 12th century monks. You will love Roussillon¹s narrow main thoroughfare. Have lunch in one of the small outdoor restaurants when you get hungry. Glimpses of Mont Ventoux due north will be visible most of the day. Our hotel in Sault is situated with Mont Ventoux to the west. The indescribable views of Mont Ventoux (at 6265ft or 1909 meters) from the Sault cafes will inspire you for the journey up it¹s steep climbs. Dining out on the patio with Mont Ventoux silhouetted in the sunset will be a sight you will never forget.
Day Four (B & D)
From Sault, our route takes us into the farmland and hillsides going northeast toward the Alpes de Haute Provence Region. The easy route still climbs over the Col de Homme Morte, at 1212 meters, then winds down a river valley toward Sisteron. The pass option is just beyond the town of Noyers and takes riders up a wild climb that will last more than two hours. Stuff your pockets with food! The Signal de Lure, with its collection of radio and microwave towers stands at 1826 meters. Coasting down the pass takes the cyclist near the ski lodges on the southern slopes of Montagne de Lure. It is an enjoyable ride through St Ettienne and into Sisteron. The tour is hosted at the Grand Hotel Du Cours, located in the center of Sisteron, with its 19th century citadel perched high above the Durance River Valley. Sisteron has nightlife, a swimming area, pedestrian-only cobblestone streets lined with quaint shops, great restaurants and unique history.
Day Five (B & L)
Our Sisteron day loop follows the Durance River south toward Volonne and along the Route Napoleon into the city of Digne les Bains. In the town center of Digne, there is a hot springs pool if riders want to relax in the healing waters. The return route options are adventuresome or pleasant. The adventuresome route takes cyclists over the Col de Font Belle at 1,708 meters. The pleasant ride back to Sisteron simply retraces its route. Dine at one of the fine restaurants in Sisterson.
Day Six (B & D)
Departing from Sisteron, the route travels northeast and winds it¹s way through Ribiers and along the Meouge River continuing west into the town of Sederon, where a fine bakery is located. Then into Montburn les Baines and Sault. Leaving Sault we will make the eastern climb up Mont Ventoux (weather permitting) and descend the winding road into Bedoin
.
Day Seven (B & L)
The great adventure begins, weather permitting! Riders will have the opportunity to climb up all the sides of Mont Ventoux in one day. This would place them in an elite group of cyclists who have accomplished this feat. The challenge of doing the ascent three times in one day will provide riders the opportunity to join the elite Club du Cingles du Mont-Ventoux. (http://les.cingles.du.mont-ventoux.club.fr/menu.htm) or (http://www.cyclingclassics.com/montventoux_club_des_cingles.php for an interesting article on a similar adventure) Mont Ventoux is one of the most famous mountains routes used in the Tour de France. Leaving Bedoin early, we will begin on the steepest route with a 1,610m vertical gain up Mont Ventoux then quickly descend into Malaucene. After a short rest and nourishment, riders will again ascend Mont Ventoux from Malaucene to the summit (1,570 verticle gain). Our sag truck will be at the summit from 8 am to 4 pm checking off the success of each rider! Once more riders descend the mountain this time into Sault. After a brief rest in Sault, riders will again ascend to the summit of Mont Ventoux with a vertical climb of 1,220m. Once at the top, make sure you have your photo taken to commemorate this tremendous physical accomplishment. Riders that complete this assault on the Mont Ventoux are eligible to join the prestigious Club du Cingles du Mont-Ventoux. They will receive a metal and certificate from the Club du Cingles once they are register. After rejoicing, we all return to our hotel in Bedoin. Riders not wishing to attempt the 3 climb assault on Mt. Ventoux in one day, may choose to do the climb to the summit of Mt. Ventoux and then return to Bedoin for relaxing and soaking up the local color.
Bedoin to Malaucene 42 KM
Malaucene to Sault 47 KM
Sault to Bedoin 30 KM
Day Eight (B & D)
This is our final day to ride. This will be a scenic ride retracing routes to Avignon in this beautiful part of France. We will travel through Mormorion, Gordes, Fontain de Vacluse, Isle de Sorgue then into Avignon. Upon arrival at Avignon, riders will pack up bikes and enjoy our final dinner together, toasting our accomplishments. Bikes will be loaded in the Bike Transfer Van before dinner, for transporting back to Paris.
Day Nine (B)
Gather around 8 am to get a taxi back to the TGV Station. Riders will leave on the 9:30 a.m. TGV back to Charles De Gaulle Airport. Relax and relive the past week among friends on the trip back to Paris. Riders have the option of staying longer in Paris to do some sightseeing or return to their home on this day. Lodging on this night is not covered in the cost of the tour. Susan will assist you in making a reservation to make on line if you choose to stay over another day in Paris.