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Recommendations where to base for Mt Ventoux & Gorges du Nesque Aug 19

by bfslxo
Thu, Sep 20, 2018 16:32
8

Hi,

Could I ask for some advice.

I am planning a 5 day trip for my 2 brothers & myself for late Aug 19 with 3 days cycling (2 travelling). Will be hiring car & intending to hire bikes locally.

I’m a regular club cyclist with good experience in the Alps, Pyrenees, Teide - Tenerife but either of my brothers are big cyclist’s albeit one is very fit, a big surfer & tennis player & the other rides a gravel bike regularly.

I intend to tick Ventoux off my list on one of the days, this will a solo ride by myself - then I’m thinking Gorges du Nesque & other spots for the other days with the brothers.

Would anyone have an idea where would be the best base for this – Bedoin?

Have been told L’isle sur la Sorgue is really nice but is it too far for cyclists who are not used to big cycle days?

And based on answers to the above, can anyone recommend decent B&B or gite, would really like to find somewhere like I have previously with B&B & dinner & wine with dinner that cater to cyclists.

We are hiring a car but not one that would be big enough to fit 3 bikes in.

& lastly, any suggestions on bike hire shops?

Appreciate this is a lot to ask so thank you for taking the time to read.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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bfslxo | 5 years ago
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Many thanks to everyone for their advice, very much appreicated.

Planning is coming along very nicely indeed 1

Avatar
mike the bike | 5 years ago
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I did a similar trip a few years ago and stayed at veloventoux, in the sleepy village of Faucon.  It's well run by Craig and Vicky and the rooms are basic but comfortable.  There's a restaurant in the village and it's a nice warm-up ride from the foot of the Giant.  They will pick you up from Avignon airport for a modest fee and can arrange bike hire for you.

Best of luck.

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stucolnago | 5 years ago
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As another alternative..

I stayed in a village called Mazan, quieter, less bike orientated than the likes of Bedoin.

Stayed in Chateau de Mazan.

Really good rooms and food in the restaurant excellent.

Secure storage of your bikes.

20km from the Ventoux climb, so a nice warm up/down distance.

 

Enjoy it!

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alansmurphy | 5 years ago
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I stayed at Chambres d'Hotes Aux Tournesols - basically a farm house with stable blocks converted to about 6 'flats' for 1-3 people. Shared big kitchen, fridges, dining room etc. They cooked breakfat for us in the morning too, fresh bread delivered etc.

 

It was cheap as chips (travel lodge prices) and everyone staying there was cycling so some group pasta cooking, shared experiences etc. Couple of outdoor pools and each 'flat' has a table and chairs outside.

 

We'd booked 2 of us in a room and another guest wanted to stay in the same room, just 20euro extra a night!

 

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CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
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I did a weeks tour last year, climbed Ventoux twice, but found the Gorge and the surrounding countryside just if not more interesting.

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Rapha Nadal | 5 years ago
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Some friends & I did the Cingles in May this year and had a great time.  We stayed roughly 2km outside of Bedoin so a nice little warm up before you start climbing Ventoux.  Also didn't take us too long to get to Gorges du Nesque either as well.

We stayed here and could not recommend it enough: https://www.bedoinvelolodge.com/

Ian was a great host who really looked after us. Nice Colnago too 3

Plenty of eating & drinking places in Bedoin along with a Carrefour for supplies.  A fair few bike shops too but can't comment on bike hire as we took our own bikes.

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Fluffed | 5 years ago
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Sault, Malaucene & Bedoin all have many bike hire shops/places to stay, and as nearby is pretty flat apart from the Mt, it doesn't really matter too much where your base is. I was based in Sault for my trip fwiw, but had my own bike. Also, I think Ventouxveloux do their tours from somwhere north of Malaucene.

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Griff500 replied to Fluffed | 5 years ago
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fluffed wrote:

Sault, Malaucene & Bedoin all have many bike hire shops/places to stay, and as nearby is pretty flat apart from the Mt, it doesn't really matter too much where your base is. I was based in Sault for my trip fwiw, but had my own bike. Also, I think Ventouxveloux do their tours from somwhere north of Malaucene.

Hilarious! I live in the Vaucluse, Ventoux in my back yard. Ventoux is obviously the big one, but an average non Ventoux ride I climb 1000ft per 10 miles over the full route, typical ride 50 miles 5000ft eg any 2 of col de murs, col de trois terms, col de Lagarde, col de line, no flatter than Ventoux, only shorter, and hit you one after another. Certainly not flat compared to UK conditions. This ain't Fenlands, or even Scotland!

Best base is Bedoin. Loads of bike rental in Bedoin. From there you can do the two hardest routes up Ventoux, plus Gorge de la Nesque. Sault rout is easy, unless like myself, you climb close to 1000m before you get to Sault, (over that "pretty flat" country!) In terms of scenery, the monts de vaucluse to the south are arguably more interesting than Ventoux, which is relatively featureless, and definitely worth a look. La Nesque is easy, but interesting.

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