Ride Director: Syd Smoot
Ride Co-Director: Ken Keeler
Report by: Rosemary Otto
We previously participated in this ride the first-time Syd Smoot, the ride director, organized it, in May 2012. Recently, when friends asked us if we would consider repeating this ride with them, we jumped at the chance. However, in the back of my mind, I wondered if we would be swept away with the same sheer delight we experienced in 2012? The short answer is: yes, the experience was as wonderful the second time as the first!
The trip begins at the train station in Avignon. There, participants converge and a tour bus loads everyone up for the one hour ride to Vaison La Romaine. Upon arrival in Vaison, we exit the bus and walk up a hill on the ancient cobblestone streets of the “old city” toward our lodging for the next ten days.
Checking into the Hostellerie Le Beffroi, it is hard to believe that we get to spend a whole ten days at this charming hotel located in this ancient site. Perched above the river, the views are stunning. Every morning we eat a buffet breakfast in the rose garden overlooking the town below. In the afternoons, after our challenging bike rides, we go for a dip and read by the pool which shares the same view of the town below and the hills beyond the town. In the evenings, we meet again in the rose garden for a “happy hour” and learn the details of the next day’s ride. After the happy hour, we move to the courtyard area of the hotel for our three-course dinner, supplemented by wine and conversation. Eat, sleep, repeat.
The main focus most days, of course, is the bike ride. In the months prior to arriving in France, Syd and co- leader, Ken, have kept everyone abreast of the trip logistics through a very informative website. The site includes links to bike ride maps and GPS coordinates. However, the evening before each ride, Syd and Ken provide supplemental information about the particular ride for the following day.
The six suggested bike routes vary from flat to hilly to climbing the Tour de France perennial, Mt. Ventoux. (Don’t worry—no shame in choosing not to climb Ventoux or to sit out any other ride for that matter!) The ride mileages vary from about 40 to 70 miles each. All are scenic and all include the mandatory stop for coffee in a picturesque village along the route. The rides can be adjusted to allow for lower mileages or riders can strike out on their own and develop new routes. Three days have no scheduled rides, providing a great opportunity to repeat your favorites or enjoy the local market or visit the Roman ruins in the town of Vaison or take a hike in the surrounding hills or otherwise indulge in the excellent French culture surrounding you.
Ten days pass quickly in this land of color and light where the most difficult decision of the day is which direction to point my bike and how much time to spend by the pool. Without hesitation, I can say, it was just as wonderful and magical the second time around, as it was the first time!
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org