Our event-based cycling trips are listed here >>
The Mont Sainte Victoire is a mountain overlooking Aix-en-provence, and is the subject of a number of paintings by Cézanne. Not surprisingly, therefore, this is an event in beautiful surroundings…at 135km and a little over 1,900m of climbing, this is not the toughest sportive on the calendar, but it is one of the most enjoyable, and there is a shorter 85km parcours for those who want a more relaxed ride.
On Saturday we can ride the stunning Gorges du Verdon, an astonishing natural phenomenon which draws cyclists from all over the world. One minute you are close to the bottom of the gorge looking up at sheer cliffs towering above you, the next you are climbing to stunning vantage points high above the river, looking down at the vivid blue-green water snaking through the gorge. The entire circuit is 115km long, but this can be easily shortened by missing out the 20km Route des Cretes loop (the loop includes one of the most challenging climbs of the day too), and because we’ll have the van, it’s possible to ride just one side of the gorge.
We continue on to Aix-en-Provence to sign on and stay locally overnight. On Sunday, we ride the sportive, returning to base later in the day.
Combine this event with an exploration of the fantastic cycling the Côte d’Azur has to offer, based in beautiful Beaulieu-sur-mer just down the coast near Nice…make it a long weekend to remember or extend to a full week of early-season training which will pay dividends for the rest of the year.