Itinerary Include flights Expand all Day 1 Fly to Marseilles, transfer to Sault at the foot of Mont Ventoux. Upon arrival we will be met by an Exodus guide and transferred (2hrs) to the small town of Sault in the Vaucluse Mountains. Upon arrival there will be time to build bikes or set up hire bikes before heading out on a short ride around Sault and the surrounding area. Cycle approx. 25kmStandard accommodation Day 2 Cycle through the Gorges de la Nesque and climb Mont Ventoux from Bedoin on the 50th anniversary of Tom Simpson's death. After breakfast we get on the bikes and ride out of Sault towards the Gorges de la Nesque. After 5km of climbing we reach the top of the gorges where there are incredible views of Ventoux in the distance. From here we have a 25km descent on a fantastic road that literally cuts its way through the gorge as it gradually descends towards Bedoin. We will take a break in Bedoin for a coffee and to load up on any energy products or clothes that we might need for the ascent before starting the climb from the official start line in Bedoin town centre. From here it is up for the next 20km to the summit! 2km from the top we will pass the Tom Simpson memorial stone where there are guaranteed to be plenty of cyclists on the day. After reaching the summit of the climb we head back down the mountain and can stop off at the memorial to pay our respects before descending for 35km back to our hotel in Sault. Cycle approx. 105km with 2060m of ascentStandard accommodation Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 Bastille day! Cycle through lavender fields, hill top villages and over the Col de L'homme Mort. Today we have a slightly easier day on the bikes as we head to the north east of Ventoux. Our ride starts with a very scenic descent out of Sault through pretty hillside villages before reaching the bottom of the Col de Macuegne. This is one of the must do climbs in the area and tops out at 1068m of altitude. From here we get another great view of Mont Ventoux in the distance before continuing to climb over the Col de L’Homme Mort (1213m). From here it is mainly downhill through small towns and vast lavender fields as we make our way back to the hotel. Cycle approx. 87km with 1170m ascentStandard accommodation Meals included: Breakfast Day 4 Ride through the Toulourec valley before climbing Ventoux from Malaucene; descend to Sault. Today we take on Mont Ventoux for the second time, but this time via the challenging and winding ascent from Malaucene. Leaving our hotel we start our ride with a beautiful descent through the Toulourec Valley where we can see the summit of Ventoux in the distance. After a few small undulations we reach the town of Malaucene and from here it is up for the next 20km. This ascent is broken up with plenty of switchbacks and great views through the valley, at some points the road kicks up to over 13% so make sure you pace yourself! Once at the top we follow the same route down to Sault as on day 2 which means you get a second chance to enjoy one of the best descents in the area. Cycle approx. 98km with 2200m of ascentStandard accommodation Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 Cycle over the Plateau de Vaucluse before climbing through the Gorges de la Nesque; fly home. After breakfast we get on the bikes for the final time and ride out towards the small town of Methamis at the foot of the Gorges de la Nesque. This ride starts with a fantastic 25km long descent which has some great views from the south side of the gorge, once in Methamis we can stop for a coffee before climbing the gentle ascent up through the Nesque Gorges. Once back at the hotel we will have some free time to pack up bikes, clothes and kit before transferring to Marseilles airport and flying home. Cycle approx. 66km with 830m of ascent Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 Cycle over the Plateau de Vaucluse before climbing through the Gorges de la Nesque. After breakfast we get on the bikes for the final time and ride out towards the small town of Methamis at the foot of the Gorges de la Nesque. This ride starts with a fantastic 25km long descent which has some great views from the south side of the gorge, once in Methamis we can stop for a coffee before climbing the gentle ascent up through the Nesque Gorges. Once back at the hotel we will have some free time to pack up bikes, clothes and kit before the trip ends here. Cycle approx. 66km with 830m of ascent Meals included: Breakfast
Hotel We spend four nights in the charming family-run Hotel Albion in Sault. The hotel is situated right at the foot of Mont Ventoux, all rooms are en suite and the hotel has a great onsite bar and restaurant as well as an outside terrace area for post ride coffee and beers.
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