The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Spring in Provence

May 3rd to May 18th

Ride Director: Randy Glover
Ride Co-Director: Lucy Glover
Ride Driver: Jan Ciano
Report by: Denise Eckstein

Springtime in Provence is a tour that will tantalize your senses, challenge your body and feed your intellect. This two-week tour will leave you feeling that you must comeback to Provence for more.

The rides provided in this 1A tour will leave you enough time to explore all the interesting historical sites, have time for a wonderful lunch and leave you with a feeling of having had good exercise. If you want more mileage there are more routes to tackle. And, if you really want a challenge there is Mt. Ventoux to attempt. Some of our members rose to the challenge and summitted the 6,273-foot mountain. Well done!

Our intellect was stimulated by visiting the suggestions from our tour leader regarding historical sites. Roman ruins prevail in the area and there are several registered UNESCO World heritage sites to view. The Roman Theatre and Arch of triumph in Orange and the Historical Center in Avignon (to include the Papal Palace and Avignon Bridge). In Arles there are Roman Monuments and theatres. In Vaison-la romaine there are several ruins of Roman buildings and a Roman bridge built in the first century BC that spans the Ouvez River. And, of course the famous Pont Du Gard Bridge and Roman Aqueduct also built in the first century BC where our group had a picnic in the wonderful park that surrounds the area.

Our sense of sight was stimulated by viewing the beautiful vistas of the Luberon area from the hills to the valleys, the red ochre hills of the village of Roussilon, the changing color of light on rock formations, the colorful springtime green of the fields and vineyards, the wild flowers and, of course the ubiquitous poppy fields waving to us as we rode by. The exhilarating scents of the blooming jasmine, Scotch bloom, wild iris and the smell of freshly cut pine trees on the ride from Salon to Arles, left us with smiles on our faces.  Our hearing was rewarded with the chiming of church bells and the sounds of the local birds, including the cuckoo bird! This is Spring in Provence!

 Our taste buds were delighted with the fresh and fabulous food. Think French cheese, bread, in season vegetables such as artichokes and asparagus. We must not forget the fresh and delightful strawberries that were sold in all those wonderful road side stands and markets, not to mention the regional wine! Drinking the Rose wine in the Gordes area was happily consumed by many. Then there were the 3 course meals after our wonderful happy hours. At the Chateau de Mazan, which is a Michelin guide 4-star hotel, we enjoyed a 4-course meal during which the food just kept coming and getting better at each course! Really this tour could be billed as a gourmet food endeavor!

Our last sense, touch should be viewed in a two-fold manner. First the tactile part; each night we had wonderful hotel accommodations, with marvelous beds. But, I do not want to forget the warmth of the people of Provence. Everyone we encountered touched our hearts. From the women selling asparagus at the road side stand to the vendors at the outside markets to the staff of our hotels, everyone was gracious, friendly and sincere.

Lastly, this tour which is a 5-star endeavor that our trip leader marvelously executed was cemented by the members of the group. Caring camaraderie was plentiful, and kindness prevailed. Biking this tour will make you want to come back to Provence!