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Cycling Weekend Holidays French Alps, Provence & Mont Ventoux
Past Group Photos
Northern Alps – Sept 2023
4 days of autumnal riding in the sunshine (mainly) of Annecy and the Aravis mountains. Many of the classic Tour de France cols ticked off on this open weekend with a group including guests from USA, Switzerland, Australia as well as UK.
Provence and Ventoux – June 2023
Another returning group looking for new challenges. And what better than Provence and Mont Ventoux, making the most of the stunning scenery and with the lavendar in full bloom too. 1 slightly grey day didn’t dampen spirits, and the sunshine and warmth was soon back.
Provence and Ventoux – May 2023
A customised trip for a returning group looking for new challenges. Mont Ventoux provides this, and with stunning scenery too. Add in some early season sunshine and it’s a perfect way to start the season.
Custom Northern Alps – October 2022
A customised trip for a group returning to the Northern Alps. Cooler days, but some stunning autumnal colours in the mountains and a good weekend of ticking off some new cols.
Custom Northern Alps – September 2022
A customised group trip for the “Bangers” covering our regular great routes in the Northern Alps. It started well, but the weather finally broke on Day 2 – so the views were not as special as usual! But plenty of cols, great food and a few beers made for a fun weekend.
Custom Best of the Alps – September 2022
A customised group trip covering routes in the Northern and Southern Alps. A twin-centre trip based at the Aravis Lodge and Bour d’Oisans – with some big climbs and stunning scenery over 4 days of great riding.
Biggest and Best of the Alps – August 2022
A fully customised trip for a group of Australian triathletes. During 6 days, we rode the best cols, climbs and routes in the Northern and Southern Alps. A twin-centre trip – based at the Aravis Lodge and La Grave – with some big rides and stunning scenery.
Classic Northern Alps – July 2022
After a damp start, another stunning weekend in the Northern Alps & Annecy.
Fun weekend, and great views all round as we covered all of our great local Tour de France Cols and routes with this mixed group from all around the world .
Custom Northern Alps – July 2022
Another stunning weekend in the Alps for a group of 12 riding buddies from Cardiff.
Warm days, great views and plenty of sunshine all round on all of our great local rides.
Classic Southern Alps – June 2022
Based in the stunning village of La Grave it was a weekend of cycling in the big mountains. Climbing Alpe d’Huez of course, but also the Col d’Izoard, Col de Galibier and the Col de la Confession. Great views all round!
Now to watch the pros tackle them in the Tour de France…
Classic Northern Alps – June 2022
After the heatwave of mid-June it was a wet first day in the Alps – but the sunshine was soon back for some great days in the mountains. 4 days of great riding in the Annecy and Aravis Mountains.
Strong riders ticking off Tour de France cols a plenty…
Dolomites Italy – June 2022
A custom weekend for a returning group looking for a new challenge. The Dolomites presents stunning views and climbs – and of course the famous Italian food experience too!
A big 4 days of riding over many of the famous passes in the Dolomites.
Northern Alps and Annecy – June 2022
A weekend riding the quietest routes of “our backyard” for a returning group – keen to get stunning views and plenty of challenge. We certainly delivered both!
A sunny 4 days of riding including the finish of the Dauphine bike race on the Plateau de Solaison.
Provence and Mont Ventoux – May 2022
A superb cycling weekend in Provence with quiet roads, stunning views and plenty of challenge and climbs – even more so for a group from Norfolk!
Perfect conditions (if a little hot) and a sunny 4 days of riding including the ascent of Mont Ventoux from Bedoin and plenty of other classic Provence rides.
Provence and Mont Ventoux Custom – May 2022
What a way to start the season in Provence – including some of the group acheiving the challenge of “3 sides of Ventoux in one day”.
Perfect conditions for cycling – warm and sunny – so we enjoyed 4 days of great riding including the ascent of Mont Ventoux from Bedoin and plenty of other great rides in classic Provence countryside.
Northern Alps Classic – September 2021
A superb Classic Northern Alps Weekend with quiet roads, stunning views and plenty of challenge from famous Tour de France cols and climbs.
Over 4 days they conquered the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière, Col d’Arpettaz, Montee de Glieres, Col de Romme, Col de la Croix Fry and Semnoz – all having featured in the Tour de France recently.
Mercantour Custom Tour – June 2021
Whilst Covid restrictions kept our UK guests at home, we were pleased to pull together a group of guys living in France who wanted to ride some big cols!
The Mercantour certainly delivered and 3 days of great riding, including the Col de la Cayolle, Col d’Allos and Col de la Bonette – topping out at over 2,800m and the highest paved road in Europe!
Northern Alps Custom – September 2019
A group of 6 Norwegian guys joined us for a Custom weeklong break in the Northern Alps, with a central base at the Aravis Lodge in order to maximise riding time as well as to make the most of the excellent riding in the area.
Over 6 days they rode nearly 600km, with 16,000+m of climbing, including Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière, Col de Romme, Col du Pré and Cormet de Roselend.
Tour de France Watch and Ride – Northern Alps – July 2019
A fully-supported cycling weekend at the Aravis Lodge where guests could watch a live Alpine stage of the Tour de France and then ride many of the cols in the area made famous by the Tour in recent years.
Those included Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière, Col de la Forclaz and Cormet de Roselend, along with a local favourite of ours the Col de l’Arpettaz.
Northern Alps – Aravis & Annecy – July 2019
A fully-supported cycling weekend at our Aravis Lodge base in La Clusaz and Le Grand Bornand – with the famous cols of the Tour de France on the agenda!
During the course of the 4 days of cycling we ticked off the Col de la Forclaz, Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière and the stunning Lake Annecy!
Southern Alps – Alpe d’Huez – June 2019
We had 2 custom trips running in the Southern Alps at the same time, as this region grows in popularity with our guests, all wanting to tick off these well-loved climbs.
This group of 6 friends also tackled many of the great iconic cols in the Southern Alps, including Col du Galibier, Col du Telegraph, Col de la Croix de Fer and the infamous Alpe d’Huez.
Southern Alps – Alpe d’Huez – June 2019
Another group of 6 friends, most of whom had already joined us in 2018 for a Northern Alps trip, returned to see what the Southern Alps had to offer.
They were able to tick off a number of climbs made famous by the Tour de France, including Col du Galibier, Col du Telegraph, Col de la Croix de Fer and the infamous Alpe d’Huez.
Annecy and Aravis – June 2019
A group of 6 friends, most back on their 2nd visit to the Northern Alps, along with 3 other guests here for the first time, to enjoy all that this scenic region has to offer.
We circle Lake Annecy, including the spectacular Col de Forclaz with expansive views over the lake, followed by the little-known Col de l’Arpettaz with its 42 switchbacks, the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière and several other beautiful climbs nearby.
Provence and Mont Ventoux – June 2019
Our first 4-day weekend cycling break to Provence and Ventoux for 2019, with a large group of friends who were determined to tackle the best the area had to offer, including the mighty Ventoux itself.
In addition to that was a glorious ride around the stunning Gorges de la Nesque, the Luberon National Park and several ancient hilltop villages the area is reknowned for.
Tour de France week – July 2018
With the Tour passing through our village and finishing only 2km away in Le Grand Bornand, it was the ideal week for our guests to watch some stages of the Tour, as well as ride some cols made famous by the event at the same time.
These included the Col de Croix Fry, Col de la Colombière, Col des Saisies and the Col des Aravis. A good time was had by all.
Etape du Tour – July 2018
Some courageous souls decided to brave the Etape du Tour, a sportive held annually where 15,000 cyclists get to experience one of the stages of the Tour de France for themselves on closed roads.
They rode over the Plateau de Glières, the Col de Croix Fry, Col de Romme and the Col de la Colombière, on a very hot day. Well done to all!
Annecy and Aravis – June 2018
Two groups of riders who mostly ride together back in the UK, plus an additional guest who flew in from New Zealand on a 4-day break in the Northern Alps.
We circle Lake Annecy, including the spectacular Col de Forclaz with expansive views over the lake, followed by the little-known Col de l’Arpettaz with its 42 switchbacks, the Col des Aravis, Col de la Colombière and several other beautiful climbs nearby.
Provence and Mont Ventoux – June 2018
A 4-day trip to Provence and Ventoux with a group of friends who returned for another Bike Weekender adventure, having joined us in the Aravis summer 2017.
Two different routes up Ventoux, followed by a loop around the Toulourenc valley, with a final day exploring the pretty hilltop villages of the Luberon. A great weekend was had by all.
Provence and Mont Ventoux – May 2018
A 4-day trip to Provence and Mount Baldy, otherwise known as Mont Ventoux.
Slightly foggy up Ventoux, but a beautiful ride around Gorge du Nesque in the southern Alpine sunshine.
Aravis and Annecy – September 2017
A 4-day break in Aravis and Annecy region, in conjunction with Queen of the Mountains.
The weekend included many of our local favourites including as Col des Aravis, Col de l’Arpettaz, Col de la Forclaz, Col de la Colombière and the Col des Saisies, as well as a jaunt around Lake Annecy in the sunshine.
Aravis and Annecy – September 2017
A 4 day break in the Northern Alps, doing all our favourite rides in the Aravis mountains…
The weekend included all the classic local climbs such as Col des Aravis, Col de l’Arpettaz, Col de la Forclaz, Col de la Colombière, Col des Saisies and the Cormet de Roselend.
Aravis and Cormet de Roselend – Late July 2017
A small group of guests on a 3 day break in the Northern Alps, doing some big rides in the Aravis mountains.
We ride out over Col des Aravis, through La Giettaz to tackle the 42 switchbacks of the Col de l’Arpettaz, then up the Cormet de Roselend, with its lake and stunning views.
Annecy & Aravis – July 2017
A group of riders from the UK and Norway on a 3 day break around Annecy and the Aravis.
We visit Lake Annecy, and the Col de Forclaz, followed by the little-known Col de l’Arpettaz with its 42 switchbacks, the Col des Aravis and the Col de la Colombière.
Aravis – June 2017
A small, friendly group ride out to the Col de la Colombière on a sunny June day, to test the early season legs.
We ascend the col, then some brave souls go down the thrilling descent to Le Reposoir, before coming back up again and an exciting ride back down to the Lodge.
Ventoux – Provence – May 2017
An early season 3-day trip to Provence in sunny and warm weather – just perfect for some great cycling with over 300km ridden in 3 days by this keen group of friends.
We cover the imposing Gorges de Nesque, Mont Ventoux summit & a loop around the Toulourenc valley, with a final day exploring the pretty hilltop villages of the Luberon.
Southern Alps & Ventoux – June 2016
A custom trip and two centre break starting in La Grave – riding the Col de Galibier, Col d’Izoard as well as the iconic Alpe d’Huez.
Then we head south for the open roads of Provence and of course a climb up to the summit of the impressive Mont Ventoux.
Pyrenées Explorer – July 2016
A private group trip across to the Pyrenées – based out of Saint-Lary-Soulan.
Ideally located to climb the famous Tour de France climbs such as Col de Peyresourde, Col de Aspin and the mighty Tourmalet as well as the picturesque Lac de Cap de Long.
Southern & Northern Alps – June 2016
This group of regular riders wanted to explore the Northern French Alps together, but also to pit themselves against the Alpe d’Huez and the Col de Glandon.
With one night based in Bourg en Oisans we were able to achieve this within a 4 day weekend with convenient flights in and out of Geneva.
Looking to cycle the French Alps, Provence or Ventoux... ?
Just email us at info@bikeweekender.com , call us on +44 (0) 845 557 5983 or
