Showing posts with label Mont Ventoux. Show all posts

12 February 2014

Photo for the Day - Gigondas

Nice town, good wine, lots of green

This morning with the continuing cold and ice in Colorado I was in the mood to look at green. At first I thought about the green of Peter Sagan ...

Peter Sagan, in green again. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

But instead I settled on Gigondas. Not only because I like saying the name of this small town (commune) in the Vaucluse region of south-western France (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), but because it is one of those places you imagine might exist in France and actually does.

Gigondas has nice roads to cycle on, nice streets to stroll along, nice cafe patios to lunch upon, and good wine to put within. Plus Mont Ventoux is in the back yard and that is one well worth journey up a mountain.

Today I could do with a good meal on a warm patio. Instead these photos will bring back fond memories.

Photos of Gigondas: All photos by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer® click to enlarge

Recommended loop route (to ride or drive) click to enlarge

Pass through the cities or small villages of: Vaison-la-Romain, Seguret, Sablet, Gigondas, Beaumes-de-Venise, La Barroux, Malaucène, Vaison-la-Romain. That white capped hill to the right is Mont Ventoux.

Jace from In Situ Travel (bike tours) offers this alternative route between Vaison-la-Romain and Seguret/Gigondas. Jace wrote, "You're absolutely right, Gigondas is wonderful! And it's nice you included a route as well. Next time you're back there, check out this side road between Vaison La Romaine and Seguret. It's not the best pavement, but typically very quiet and has a nice little climb. It's also gets you off the main road for a little bit."

See Google Map: http://goo.gl/maps/st0no

On to the Tour de France

And then after spending time in this lovely town in France, I went to see a stage finish of the Tour de France in Annonay, a simple working town. Aesthetically is was a real shocker and not exactly the green I had in mind, but it was fun because I was deep into France, I heard no English spoken and saw no American, Dutch, or Australian flags as I typically see on the big mountain stages. The drive along the Rhone River to get to and from the stage finish was particularly beautiful.

Part of the famed Caravan of the TDF. Photo by Karen Rakestraw of Pedal Dancer®

Gigondas wine

You don't have to go to France to enjoy Gigondas wine (Châteauneuf's "little cousin", By Wine Spectator). You can find the wine at a good local wine shop. Or at Trader Joe's market, which will be opening it's first store in Colorado, just blocks away, in only two days. Yippee!

Read more about the area from a transplanted American couple who write of their travel and food adventures in the area (based in the nearby town of Sablet): Sablet House.blogspot

05 July 2013

Best Climbs in the 2013 Tour de France

Great climbs of Europe included in this year's TDF

If you love to ride a bike, chances are your pulse rises just thinking of the thrill of riding the big roads in France. Every year when the names of the climbs in the Tour de France are announced, there is an excited response, "Are you kidding me - L'Alpe d'Huez twice?" Or "What, no Tourmalet for the 100th year?" The beauty of the Tour de France is that every year they change up the inclusion or the order of the climbs on each stage.

This year you may see all the climbs (with profiles and ratings) in the 2013 Tour de France listed on this comprehensive page by Climb By Bike, but my post today is mostly about bucket list climbs.

A few years ago Pete Thomson of ThomsonBikeTours.com created a list of what he believed to be the best climbs in Europe. Pete would know - he gets to guide clients over these mountain every year (read: An Interview with Thomson Bike Tours By Pedal Dancer). If you would like to request a copy of this list, send an email request at this link: Yes I want to tick off the best cycling climbs in Europe (which has now grown to a list of 50!).

If you want to go to France to ride these climbs. I have attempted to organize the climbs by region for you so you will know which ones to tick off when you are in the area traveling. I have listed my favorites along with the ones on this list.

You gotta go climbs these mountains!

The best BIG climbs in the 2013 Tour de France

We know they are big, but where are they and which ones should we go climb?

#11 Col de Pailheres - featured in Stage #8
Climb Profile: (three approaches)

Col de Pailheres climb profile from Usson Les Bains (the direction of Stage 8 in 2013)

Col de Pailheres climb profile from Ax les Thermes (the direction of the descent of Stage 8 in 2013)

#26 Col de Peyresourde - featured in Stage #9
Pedal Dancer posts: Stage 17 on Peyregudes (TDF 2012), Images of France, Guess Where? #2, The Valleys of the Pyrenees.
Climb Profile:

Col de Peyresourde climb profile from Bagneres-du-Luchon

#6 Mont Ventoux - featured in Stage #15
Pedal Dancer posts: I love Mont Ventoux, Traveling to Mont Ventoux, Three Sides of Mont Ventoux, Recommended Ride: 100km around Mont Ventoux, Guess Where? #4.
Climb Profile:

Mont Ventoux climb profile from Bedoin

#19 L'Alpe d'Huez - featured in Stage #18
Pedal Dancer posts: My Ride up the Alpe d' Huez, "21 levels of hell", or 21 steps to heaven, Guess Where #3,
Climb Profile:

Alpe d'Huez climb profile (double this) from Bourg d'Oisans

Plus add in this climb, off the top of l'Alpe d'Huez

Col de Serene from Alpe d'Huez (9km)

#7 Col de la Madeleine - featured in Stage #19
Climb Profile:

Col de la Madeleine climb profile from La Chambre (The Tour will go up this side in 2013)

Col de la Madeleine climb profile from the D90/D97/D66 (Albertville) side

#10 Col du Glandon - featured in Stage #19
Pedal Dancer posts: Col du Glandon and Col de la Croix de Fer
Climb Profile:

Col du Glandon climb profile from Allemont side (The tour will go up this side in 2013)

The climbs of Col de la Croix de Fer and Col de la Croix Fry - both in the Alps

Note: the Col de la Croix de Fer (near the Col du Glandon) and the Col de la Croix Fry (featured in Stage #19 of the 2013 TDF) are two different climbs in two different areas. I remember it took me a while to find the de Fry climb. Which happens to be an absolutely gorgeous climb on the road through the village of Manigod, one of the most beautiful scenery I have ever ridden on a bike.

Location of Col de la Croix de Fer versus the Col de la Croix Fry:

Col de la Croix de Fer and Col de la Croix Fry: link to map

Pedal Dancer posts: Cycling in the Grand Bornand

Note: these last climbs are all climbed in the same day this year in the Tour on Stage 19. A day of 5 big climbs!

7/19/2013: Stage 19: Bourg d'Oisans - Le Grand Bornand - 204,5 km

Climbs grouped by region:

Some of the main cycling regions in France. Map by Pedal Dancer®

PYRENEES:
On the list and in the TDF: Col de Pailheres and Col de Peyresourde.

Other top climbs in the area on this list: Col d'Aubisque, Hautacam, Luz Ardiden, Col du Tourmalet, Col d' Aspin, Port de Bales, Superbagneres, Col du Portillon.

If you are in the neighborhood also climb in the Pyrenees (not on the list): Col de Marie Blanque, Col du Soulor, Horquette d'Ancizan (in the Tour this year), Col de Portet d'Aspet, and the gentle Col de Port.

For good information on climbs in the Pyrenees, please refer to: Velo Peloton in Saint Savin. Also my own posts: The Valleys of the Pyrenees and Valleys of Pyrenees in Pictures

Pedal Dancer favorite climbs in the Pyrenees link to google map by Pedal Dancer®

VAUCLUSE/PROVENCE:
On the list and in the TDF: Mont Ventoux

For good information on climbs in Languedoc and Provence, please refer to: Cycling Languedoc in Nimes.

Pedal Dancer favorite climb - Mont Ventoux link to google map by Pedal Dancer®

ALPS:
On the list and in the TDF: L'Alpe d'Huez, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Glandon, Col de la Croix de Fer.

Other top climbs in the area on this list: Col d'Izoard, Col de l'Iseran, Col du Galibier, Col de Joux Plane, Cormet de Roselend.

If you are in the neighborhood also climb in the Alps (not on the list): Col du Telegraphe, Col de Tamie (in the Tour this year), Col des Aravis, Col de la Croix Fry (Manigod) and Col de Colombiere.

For good information on climbs in the Alps, please refer to: Cycling the Alps.

Pedal Dancer favorite climbs in Alps. link to google map by Pedal Dancer®

Photos

The simple beauty of the Col de Peyresourde.
©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

The dramatic landscape of Mont Ventoux. ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

The long west side of Col du Glandon.
©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

Me, riding the fun no brakes needed descent of the gentle Col de Tamie (Featured in Stage 19 this year). ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

This is the Col de la Croix Fry - only a category 2 climb in the Grand Bornand (Featured in Stage 19 this year). ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

This was the friendly Col de la Croix Fry dog who had lunch with us at the cafe on the summit. ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®


Andy Hampsten's name is on Sign #5 of 21 on Alpe d'Huez ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

Looking down on the town of Bourg d'Oisans from Alpe d'Huez.
©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

Pete Thomson of Thomson Bike Tours. ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

Thomson Bike Tour Client's comfortably waiting for a stage of the tour on the Col de Peyresourde last year (2012 TDF). ©Photo by Karen at PedalDancer®

Climb by Bike lists their 10 most climbed Cols as:
1.   Mont Ventoux (Bédoin)
2.   Alpe d'Huez
3.   Angliru
4.   Mortirolo
5.   Col du Galibier
6.   Col du Tourmalet
7.   Passo dello Stelvio
8.   Monte Zoncolan
9.   Plateau de Beille
10. Côte de la Redoute

Related Pedal Dancer Guide Page:

FRANCE CYCLING (with lots of posts about climbs in France).
An Interview with Thomson Bike Tours
Recommended Reading: All About Col Signs

04 July 2013

Travel to Provence, France

So you are thinking of taking a trip to France?

What are the best villages & cities to visit in Provence

Provence, and the wider region Languedoc are a sort of mid-way point for cyclists riding in the Alps and Pyrenees. A cyclist can base themselves in several key cities in the Alps or Pyrenees and take in many climbs from a central home base. But when it comes to Provence - you will want to travel around by car to best see the area.

Provence is where beauty and tourism, locals and visitors, cyclists and cars, sky and rolling terrain mix in one joint effort to assist the cycling tourist to enjoy oneself, and to rest and recover. Days of morning markets, picnics, wine, incredible vistas, smalls roads, fresh air, warm temperatures blend on a backdrop of Roman ruins.

There is a reason the Romans came to Provence and Languedoc - it is really nice here.

TRAVEL

I would recommend a nice break in between all that riding you will (or have done) in the Alps and Pyrenees and take a couple days to relax, refuel and enjoy this area of France. But where to visit? Leading travel guidebooks will take you to the most visited places and sites for tourists, but here I recommend our favorite villages.

Mike (his nickname is "Straw") and his wife Suz visit Provence every year. I refer to them a lot because they really know a lot about being an American tourist in France. Also their travel style is just right, they are at that tipping point where good accommodation and location make a difference, but a smart traveler never wants to sacrifice local hospitality or culture, or waste money. Also Mike is a bike rider, Suz is an artful cook. They tend to spend 3-weeks in an area, stay at gites, B&Bs and hotels, they picnic, cook and eat in cafes and get out and explore every day.

Straw and Suz's favorite villages & cities - include these places on your itinerary:

Cassis
Bonnieux
Montpellier
Uzes
St Remy
Lourmarin
Maulacene
Crestet
Saignon

Alright, how many of these villages had you heard of previously? The bigger cities of Avignon and Orange have their tourist sites (refer to aforementioned guide books for a quick visit), but visiting the villages and cities listed above will make your trip to France special. Staying overnight is an even better idea.

Mike mentioned to avoid Carpentras (couldn't agree more, I have never driven through this city without getting lost), Cavaillon, and Tarascon.

Where are these villages and cities located? click image to enlarge map

* LINK to Map of Best Cities in Provence *

What to do in Provence

Enjoy a 4-course meal outside on a patio.
Try the local wine, sip an afternoon Pastis.
See the lavender, poppy and hay fields. Taste the fresh cherries.
Visit a morning market to buy picnic supplies, and gifts.
Have a picnic.
Take lots of photographs of the hillside villages.
Visit the Pont du Gard
Ride Mont Ventoux
Ride the local Luberon bike paths on anything with 2-wheels

I am not big on recommending specific restaurants or sites, believing it is much better to discover on your own, plus you never know what you will find of interest or when your bike ride will begin or end. Spontaneity is a luxury as a tourist and encouraged while in Provence - a time when STRAVA should be turned off, but GARMIN should definitely be kept on. Although you will notice the roads are so small even your Garmin GPS unit will get completely confused.

You can read more about the leading tourist sites in your favorite guide books, including these attractions: Palais des Papes in Avignon, the Theater Antique and Roman Wall in Orange, hillside village of Les Beaux, Van Gogh's room in St-Remy, lots of Roman ruins and bridges scattered across the area, many other options and the Gorges du Verdon.

Also the Rhone River flows into this area and the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and many other well known varietals are nearby. I like a nice chilled rose in the heat of summer. Wine and olives are an integral part of this region of France. So too is the cicada, a symbol of Provence.

Cicadas on tableclothes in a morning market in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue

wine regions of Provence

The mistrals

mis-tral : A dry cold northerly wind that blows in squalls toward the Mediterranean coast of southern France.

In evidence today during Stage 6 of the 2013 Tour de France on the stage from Cagnes-sur-Mer to Montpellier, these winds can blow fast and hard. Did you know the wind can rage as fast as 320 km/h (200 mph) on the summit of nearby Mont Venttoux?

It can blow for days,
will chill your bones
and can turn people insane.
I am talking about the Mistral,
a fierce wind ruling over Provence.

Read: more information about the Mistrals.

Mont Ventoux

If you plan to ride Mont Ventoux or travel to Provence, please read these other related posts by Pedal Dancer with more details and photos from the area

For recommendations on accommodations, please see the list on the Pedal Dancer Guide Page: Recommendations and Resources

For more stories by Pedal Dancer please see:
FRANCE TRAVEL | FRANCE CYCLING | 2013 TOUR DE FRANCE

PEDAL DANCER GUIDE PAGES