Road Cycling Holiday Itinerary
This holiday is designed for enthusiastic road cyclists with a good level of fitness. There are hills (gradients of 5-7% are typical and sometimes a little more) but there are nice rolling roads and descents too and the riding is sociable and fun. It suits groups of 4 or more and we can cater for up to 8. See below for a sample week.
Check out the itinerary page and our sample Strava route below for more on what to expect. We can also send you the GPX files for your Garmin before your holiday.
Bring your own bike or we can arrange hire locally.
Expect:
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Cycling: Fully guided with specially selected routes taking in the best roads, perfect for enthusiastic individuals or groups of road cyclists;
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Food: generous breakfasts and evening meals with wine (if required!);
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Accommodation: No dorms here! Bright and inviting double ensuites or twin rooms in our converted barn (see or yourself on our accommodation page).
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Emergency pick-up service/support vehicle if you need it.
Contact us if you want to know more about this tour or its suitability.
Day 1 - Arrival and settling in
On arrival at our accommodation - As Plos Heights - we’ll show around where you'll be staying and let you settle in and set up your bikes. Depending on your arrival time there may be a chance before the evening meal for a spin into the gorge as an appetiser of what’s in store for the rest of the week.
Day 2 - Vineyards and valleys
After a generous breakfast we’ll head out directly from base. Taking a gentle descent into the Aveyron gorge we’ll follow the river west to Penne and the first climb of the day up through the forest and past the quarry. A stunning descent through Gaillac's golden vineyards brings us to the Vére valley and our first lunch stop of the week providing the chance to discuss what the group would like to get out of the rest of the week's cycling.
After lunch you’ll enjoy fast, open roads south of the forest towards the bastide town of Bruniquel before climbing east out of the valley to finish with the fast descent into Saint Antonin de Noble Val and perhaps a post-ride drink in town.
98km / 60 miles / 1300m ascent
Day 3 - A tale of two rivers…and a castle
We start again directly from base, today heading north and climbing steadily along the causses. The rewards are views and a fast, winding descent into the Gorges d’Aveyron before arriving at the imposing village of Najac and the chance for pre-lunch coffee or just a photo stop. A short ride east brings us to our lunch stop above the Viaur valley.
The afternoon is less hilly with a nice descent to join the river Viaur heading west to Saint-Martin-Laguepie where the Aveyron and Viaur rivers converge. The rest of the ride is a gentle spin alongside the Aveyron river to Saint Antonin de Noble Val or to Espinas for a well-earned pre-dinner drink!
65km / 40 miles / 1200m ascent
Day 4 - A little bit about a Lot
Today is a longer and more challenging day - the Queen stage if you like - so, after filling up with plenty of breakfast, we’ll head north from the house, meandering our way over the Causses de Quercy eventually dropping into the stunning Lot Valley. A short ride east on fast valley roads will bring us to our lunch stop with a unique view of St Cirq Lapopie.
After lunch we’ll enjoy a bit more of the grandeur of the Lot before crossing back over the river and climbing for an alternative view of St Cirq. Dropping down through the town, we then head south on the rolling roads of the Causses de Quercy to a photo opportunity that should not be missed and finish with a fast winding descent into Caylus for a coffee, apero or just a gentle amble back to Espinas to relax before dinner.
112km / 70 miles / 1770m ascent
Day 5 - Rest day
Today is a chance for some down time, an optional trip to Toulouse or to just rest the legs after four consecutive days on the bike. For those who would like to ride or just spin to loosen the legs we have plenty of routes to recommend, or you could take a dip in the pool (if staying during our summer tours).
Day 6 - Vineyards to viaducts
Whilst we will climb overall today, few are significant and the route is perfect after a rest day. Starting with a climb up the gorge to the south, our route into the Gaillac vineyards gets easier as we reach gentle rolling roads along the tops. We pass under an impressive viaduct on our way to Cestayrols for lunch.
The second half of the ride takes us back north via Cordes Sur Ciel - a significant bastide town and a must-see in the area and then home after descending back into the Aveyron valley for a gentle finish.
107km / 66 miles / 1640m ascent
Day 7 - Hills and thrills
Today is our final day on the bikes, a chance to use the fitness built over the course of the week and maybe even to challenge some local Strava segments! Today we’ll be mixing up hills, descents and fast rolling roads - all within a 15 mile/24km radius of the house (though you would never know it).
We’ll begin by dropping down to Saint-Martin-Laguepie to pick up the smooth, fast roads to a little known climb on the south side of the gorge. A nice long descent then brings us to the valley again to bring us to a hidden gem of a road towering above the Aveyron and another great descent. We’ll wind our way up to the plateau above Saint Antonin de Noble Val for the exhilarating descent down the gorge road and into town for our final lunch.
The afternoon is equally as challenging with a series of climbs and descents as we make our way back to the house for celebratory drinks and our final evening meal.
104km / 64 miles / 1875m ascent