Seek Travel Ride Newsletter September Edition

As our site continues to expand we are delighted to say we now have two new ride and destination guides available for you to discover. The first of these is the Provence and Luberon region. Whilst many cyclists will head to this area with a view of tackling the ‘Giant of Provence’ which is Mont Ventoux; there is more to the region than this famous Tour de France climb. Whether it is a ride circuit taking in several of the ‘perched villages’ of Provence, or a stunning route through the Gorges de la Nesque, we are certain a cycling holiday to this part of France will be memorable for you. We have mapped out ten different cycling routes for you to explore whilst in this area. Discover more about this region here.

The second expansion on the site is that of the Bearn Pyrenees. This region in the French Pyrenees sits within the department of the Pyrenees Atlantique and is only an hour away from the Atlantic coast and resort areas such as Biarritz and Bayonne. Here you will find the gastronomy of the region take a distinct Basque theme. Famous climbs in the area of course include the peaks of the Col d’Aubisque and that of the Col de Marie Blanque which was recently climbed in this years edition of the Tour de France just a couple of weeks ago. As with all the French regions you will see there is more to the area than the cycling itself. The Bearn Pyrenees are a veritable playground for the outdoor enthusiast and there is loads to discover here and keep you occupied. Discover more about this region here.

As with all our destination and ride guides we have also included a list of practical information about where to stay, cycling specific providers and non cycling specific activities to explore while holidaying in this region. Discover more here.

• We continuing to update our COVID-19 page as new developments arise in relation to travel to France.

• We have recently posted an article which outlines all you need to consider when planning a cycling trip to the Pyrenees. If you have never visited this area of France before then working out where exactly you should base yourself to ride specific climbs can be confusing. The Pyrenees region is vast and so we have compiled a helpful guide which outlines the five distinct areas located within the Pyrenees mountain range. The guide lists the cycling climbs which are accessible from each area, suggestions of the best towns to use as a base for your holiday and also the main transport hubs of the area. Check out the article here.

2021 French cycling holidays

If like us watching the Tour de France has you excited about planning a cycling holiday in France, than now is definitely the time to start thinking about that 2021 trip. As a direct result of the COVID-19 restrictions, many cycle tour operators have reported the trend of people deferring their original 2020 bookings to next year. This means there is limited availability for both accommodation as well spots on next years cycle tours already.

If you are considering booking a trip for next year then check out our listings of both cycling specific accommodation providers as well as cycle tour operators. There are a wide range of offerings for you to explore to suit all budgets.

Cyclosportifs

Unfortunately many cycling events continue to be cancelled in France this year due to COVID-19. We have updated the list below to show the current status. There are still some that will be going ahead. Click on the name for the event website.

• GranFondo Vosges – Scheduled for 27 September
• Haute Route – running a 3 day Mont Ventoux tour starting 2 October. Their usual Haute route events for the Pyrenees and French Alps have been cancelled for 2020
• Viking 76 – Scheduled for 04 October