Internationale groepsreis Mont Ventoux Cycling Weekend

Amazing scenery plus BIG challenge!

I'd never been to Provence before but will definitely return after this first visit. Long, windy roads with very little traffic, perfect for cycling! Pretty villages perched on hilltops and varied terrain. Can cycle from hotel and back every day with mont ventoux in sight most of the time.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the summit of Mont Ventoux on a calm, sunny day and to share the experience with my fellow cyclists.

What did you think of your group leader?

Fantastic! Yves could not do more for us to try and ensure we had an enjoyable weekend and was as flexible as possible with cycling options. He was also very knowledgeable regarding the area and roads, history etc so was great to have on board!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bring your own energy drinks, gels, snacks etc as limited options in the village where you stay. We all hired bikes through exodus and they were all good quality and the bike shop flexible re putting on your choice of type of pedals etc

Is there anything else you would like to add?

We were lucky with weather as all 4 days were sunny and warm (April). Mont ventoux is definitely the highlight but the cycling over there is worth going for anyway.

MONT VENTOUX CYCLING WEEKEND

A great trip , good routes & flexibility over actual routes taken

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Reaching the top in the feezing cloud !

What did you think of your group leader?

Yves was excelllent , friendly & supportive

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bring your own bike

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Route best done Bedoin , Malacene , Sault

MONT VENTOUX CYCLING WEEKEND

A brilliant short cycling holiday. Certainly very challenging but organised in a manner where you could do as much or little of the climbs as suited you on the day

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Arriving back in Sault after completing the Triple Ventoux ascent

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent, although not a road cyclist Yves had a good understanding of our needs and was very organised, calm and helpful

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

If Exodus run this trip again, at the moment the option of the triple route ascent seems to have gone from the brochure, and your climbing legs are feeling good then go for it ! It's a beautiful part of France with wonderful scenery and gorgeous smells of Lavender even in October

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Ventoux

What a great short but extremely satisfying trip - the Ventoux is an absolute monster from the Bedouin route . It was one of the hardest things I have done ! and to that end one of the most satisfying . Go for it but get fit first !

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Getting to the top without stopping .

What did you think of your group leader?

He was great and kept me going on the tough sections.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Get fit

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Ventoux 2016

This was a short, well organised and thoroughly enjoyable trip. The cycling was wonderful, building us up nicely to tackle Ventoux and we enjoyed some glorious scenery along with smooth and quiet roads. This was the first organised cycling trip that I had been on and it was a fantastic introduction. The hire bikes were good quality and the routes superb. The tour leader positioned himself at strategic points along the route to ensure that we followed the correct route and offered tips and advice where necessary such as gravel hot spots. Overall this was a fantastic trip and my only dilemma is whether to do it again next year.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Completing Ventoux was obviously a highlight as it was why we all booked the trip but the warm up through the Gorges de la Nasque was perhaps the most enjoyable. A smooth winding fast but not too steep descent with fantastic scenery and very few cars. Only a few rocks and goats in the road to look out for!! It is the part of the trip that I keep thinking about to make being sat back behind a desk more bearable.

What did you think of your group leader?

Yves was wonderful. His knowledge of the route ensured that we paced ourselves well and knew where to turn and what hazards to look out for. He ensured that he was parked up where we might miss a turn so that we did not get lost and when we would likely need a refreshment break. He organised evening meals and left us to concentrate on the cycling. Top class chap.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Don't be intimidated - it is tough but achievable. Ensure that you get your nutrition right both before and during each ride. Running out of steam on Ventoux is not pleasant but plenty of carbs the night before and regularly eating whatever treats you prefer in the saddle should see you through.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Take plenty of your on bike nutrition. There is not really anywhere to buy locally.

Cycling up the Big Hill

Our trip was extra special as we were a small selected group being filmed for a documentary so we had TV crew with us as well but the itinerary was the same. I was thinking about doing it for a while so when the opportunity presented itself I decided to wrestle with the famous Mont Ventoux. And it was all it promised to be: stunning region, beautiful weather, picturesque villages and a beast of a climb.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Facing demons over the last 6km of the climb from Chalet Reynard. Everyone was saying to me - once you get to the Chalet you know you have got this but for me that is where the battle started.

What did you think of your group leader?

Thierry was great: knowledgeable, funny and understanding. He really loves what he does.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Layers, layers, layers. Leg warmers and arm warmers are god-sent. The descents are fast and freezing. if your shoes have a lot of mesh, bring the toe covers or whole shoe covers. Big winter gloves, full gloves but not too thick and mittens. Energy drinks and gels - make sure you have some.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

In our group we had some really savvy riders who think nothing of 1,000 miles per month, or 500m in a week but then there was me who only rides outside a few times a year - mainly with Exodus holidays. I do get training indoors though as a spin instructor and it was a great help. The climb itself is extremely challenging mentally and I had a few emotional moment as it is relentless.

Cycling Ventoux

Possibly one of my most memorable holidays yet! The Exodus team are absolutely amazing, making everyone feel welcome, comfortable and never needing for anything. Andy and Dave - just spot on, not a single negative comment to make from start to finish!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The entire group waiting at the top of Ventoux, cheering and clapping every single rider up - with some even riding back down to ride alongside those who took a little longer to get up. The team work and thoughtfulness of all riders was touching, no one was ever left behind.

What did you think of your group leader?

PERFECT!!! He couldn't have been better. Everything was sorted for us, we only had to get ourselves to and from the airport.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take a camera of some sort - GoPro or similar to attach to the bars/your helmet - the views are out of this world!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I can't thank Exodus enough for giving me this trip of a lifetime - riding with Dave, Andy, Ned Boulting and the rest of the competition winners was like a dream :) I had an amazing time and wish it didn't have to come to an end!! I'll be staying in touch with the other riders and can't wait for the pictures and footage to come out.

Mont Ventoux

This trip was simply incredible! The Exodus staff were amazing. They accommodated our every need and had thought of and planned for every eventuality. The routes were fabulous and although challenging, did exactly what it said on the tin. If you enjoy riding a bike, this is quite simply a must do trip.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Cycling up Ventoux trying to soak it all in was just incredible - a must do journey for any cycling fan!

What did you think of your group leader?

Andy and David were fantastic. They had a good working knowledge of the routes and the locality. All our needs were anticipated and taken care of. They were very friendly and very welcome company on the rides.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Definitely - book this trip immediately!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to say a huge thank you to all the Exodus staff that made this trip possible. It was quite simply incredible and something I will bore my friends and family about for years to come!!

Cycling up the beast of Mont Ventoux

Thank you to Exodus for a truly fantastic trip. Climbing Mont Ventoux is of course the highlight of this trip but there is so much more! Every day you are cycling beautifully planned routes, climbing and descending in stunning Alpine scenery, through rocky gorges and pretty Provence villages, past vineyards and lavender fields. The road surfaces are really smooth, traffic minimal and courteous. The food was delicious and accommodation excellent. It was my first trip to the Alps and will not be my last! Climbing Mont Ventoux was just thrilling, you certainly need to be fit, but not at pro cyclist level to get up the big hill-determination plays a massive part too. Believe you can do it and you will-I did and without stopping!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Climbing Ventoux was the most amazing and inspirational experience that I won't ever forget-as you cycle up through the forest you see all the famous rider names from the Tour written on the road, as you reach the barren white rocks, you see the famous red and white tower getting gradually closer, then near the top you pass Tom Simpsons memorial (I stopped to pay my respects on the way back down). I was really emotional as I reached the top! The group camaraderie was really amazing, a lovely bunch, one of our group, having cycled his way in record time to the summit of Ventoux, then cycled back down just to keep me company up the final 6km-that was pretty inspirational! Descending through Gorge de la Nesque was amazing too-its the most stunning scenery-you start really high and the road gradually winds down through the gorge. Every day the views were inspirational, a feast for the eyes.

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader was excellent. Actually I can't praise Andy, Dave and Thierry from Exodus highly enough! They could not have done more to look after everyone in the group, whatever level cyclist they were. Support, encouragement, bike maintenance, superb routes, planning-they were all just excellent. Thierry also provided delicious picnics en route and was always there in the support vehicle at key points at road junctions so you knew where to go. He knew the best coffee stops and pointed out things of interest along the way such as old churches so you could enjoy a bit of local history too!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

My advice is to book this trip! It's a truly incredible and memorable experience. One of the best trips I have done, you get such a massive sense of achievement! I loved it so much I am thinking of doing it all over again! -Don't be frightened to take your own bike, I took my own (a light carbon bike with compact chainset) and it was just perfect for getting me up Ventoux, but you can also borrow a bike out there if required; everyone who borrowed bikes was really pleased with their quality. -You don't need to know anything about bike maintenance either, the Exodus crew are highly knowledgable on anything mechanical which was reassuring. -Take plenty of warm layers-arm warmers, leg warmers, gilet, windproof and waterproof jackets, long gloves, toe warmers, buff-it's freezing on the descents and at the top of Ventoux and the support vehicle carries everything for you, so you can take any layers off before the climbs. It can be quite hot in the valley and several degrees lower at the top of Ventoux. -Take your own energy drink, bars and gels (take lots) there is nowhere to buy anything like that locally!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I'd like to thank Exodus for a superbly planned trip, I highly recommend it. If you are thinking about booking....do it! Make sure you are fit then go and have the experience of a lifetime!

Mont Ventoux Cycling Weekend

A four day trip. Day 1 - flight, transfer to hotel, bike fit, dinner. Day 2 - a glorious 87km ride with as much descent as ascent. Day 3 - Mont Ventoux Day!! 105km, total ascents 2060m. We all made it! Celebratory dinner at hotel. Day 4 - gentler ride (still 75km, 1000m ascent), transfer to Marseille airport for evening flight home.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

We all made it to the summit of Ventoux without seeing the inside of the support vehicle, and without walking a single metre. Some cycled to the top without a stop (and in very impressive times). Some found it gruelling and stopped many times (and at the cafe half way up) to gather breath before re-starting. It didn't matter which category you fell into, it was a challenge to everyone and we each celebrated the achievement of the others as well as our own.

What did you think of your group leader?

Very French, very charming. Helpful, experienced, professional.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Perhaps drink a little too much alcohol in the evening to deal with those nerves!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

As to the cycling, it was superb. Of course it's a challenging trip, but as we stayed in the same hotel throughout, the total daily descent was the same as the aggregate climb for the day. The descents were glorious, on good tarmac with little traffic. I whooped with joie de vivre! (Well, it was France.) As to everything else, don't forget that the scenery in Provence is stunning - wooded mountains, dramatic hillsides, ancient churches, fortified towns, lavender fields, village squares with pavement cafes and colour-washed buildings. Good hotel, excellent (and plentiful) food.