Cycling wine tour of Provence & Rhone Valley, France: The Plan

From the ashes of neglect I am resurrecting this blog in order to coordinate via The Internets my maniacal plans for a cycling tour of the Provence and Rhone Valley regions of southern France. Why? Because I think it would be a fun thing to do for my 30th birthday :)

So who's with me? Let me know if you are interested by filling out my ridiculous survey.

Based on the responses so far (thanks!), here's a general idea of what is coming together:

• When: Sometime in late September (around week 39)
  
• How long: 5-7 days (I will build in options for those that need to leave early/join late)
• Base: Avignon, France (TGV train from Paris or train from Marseille)
  
• Transport: rent bikes (50-100 euro total, depending on the length of the rental) + carry our own gear OR rent bikes and hire a carrier service for gear OR rent bikes and have a 'sag wagon' for gear schlepping and baby transport (if K and D join)
• Lodging: maybe a combo of camping and hotels, or only hotels
• Who is interested: Ketil S., Paulina T., Laura L., Kate S., maybe Rachel P., maybe Julie R., maybe Karen L. and Drew S. (and Clara!), maybe Vicky B, maybe Mark L. & Rivka SE, maybe Emily F. Hmmm, where all the dudes at? :)
  

So, where will we go? And what will we see and do? Well, it seems that the adjoining Provence and Rhone Valley wine regions are the place to be, especially for me since I enjoy the red varietals from these places. Here's a map someone made of the region, which I borrowed from Wikipedia

So, here's a rough itinerary, which is definitely subject to change, especially once I get feedback from the people that want to go!

Day 1:
- everyone meets up in Avignon, get bikes
- stay overnight in Avignon at either a hotel or a campsite

Day 2:
- morning ride north to Chateauneuf du Papes (15-20 km), lots of wine tasting and lunch
- afternoon ride to Orange (15 km), see Ancient Theatre and Triumph Arc, wine tasting, snack
- ride to Jonquieres (10 km), stay at B&B

Day 3:
- morning ride to Vacqueyras (10 km), wine tasting
- hop over to Beaumes de Venise (5 km) for more wine tasting, lunch
- ride to Bedoin (15 km) to meet Ketil's friends, dinner, stay somewhere

Day 4:
- ride back towards Avignon, stopping at wineries along the way (~50 km), stay somewhere
[note: people that need to leave early could do so now, or folks joining late could arrive]

Day 5:
- morning ride west to Pont du Gard ancient Roman aqueduct (25 km), picnic on the river beach
- afternoon ride back to Avignon (25 km), with stop for wine along the way in Fournes or Remoilins, stay somewhere
[another option to leave early]

Day 6 option:
- 30 km loop ride to SW to visit vineyards in Caumont sur Durance, St. Saturnin, and Le Thor, then back to Avignon, stay somewhere

Day 7:
- leave

Stay tuned for updates with links to some of the wineries I would like to visit!

What do you think?