Irrespective of your fitness level, Villa Isabelle in Pézenas is perfectly located to enjoy the best cycling in France.
Whether you are a novice rider just discovering a passion for cycling, or a seasoned all rounder with years of pedaling and tens of thousands of kms in your legs, there's a road or route here for everyone.
There are two large clubs in the area - the local VCLL Pezenas: http://pezenasvcll.midiblogs.com/ , and the neighboring AC Montagnac about 6kms away http://montagnac-ac.com/index.php?choix=club&page=1
(Montagnac are the more active Racing Club).
VCLL Pezenas meet on Sunday mornings (usually at 8am) in the car park of the municipal stadium. (A one minute freewheel downhill ride away from the house). Going out on these group rides is a great way of enjoying the quiet backroads of the region. (These guys detest traffic!) Without doubt it's the best way to see Languedoc.
The Club also post their routes in advance (two routes usually) in the local bike stores:-Chabbert cycles and Planet Velo in town, and online on the club website.
I have always been made to feel welcome on these Sunday morning rides, where the mix of age and ability is varied. All in the group welcome you with a hand shake, and my very limited French has never been an issue.
As with all group rides the world over the same behavior and group etiquette apply, the universal calls are the same for danger /potholes/ obstacles.
There's usually a good number of cyclists anywhere from 20 to 60 can show up, and it typically splits into two after about an hour -many opting on a hot day for the shorter route. Don't be fooled - some of these guys in their sixties are in unbelievable shape, and can, and will, humiliate even the best of riders on some of the longer climbs!!! It's very encouraging to see their strength and agility.
Heading any direction north and you will encounter hills aplenty .. but don't be alarmed if they seem a little too hard; the group usually stop to regroup after the top of the climbs, and this gives everyone a chance to recover. As with any Sunday spin it usually splits a little near the end but as a rule it never goes past Madame's noon lunchtime deadline .. if it's really hot weather they may depart earlier. As a rule, the spin finishes back where it started in Pezenas.
The nearest climb and a favourite with the locals is at Neffies, where a 4km climb will test the best of legs - worth it though for the stunning panoramic view from the top, stretching all the way to the Mediterranean sea.
Here are some of the routes which you can find on the VCLL club website:-
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=724649 70 kms spin north of Pezenas towards Lac Salagou
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=724689 98 kms spin north of Pezenas towards Lac Salagou with a extra loop and more climbing
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=453557 70kms heading north east, returning back to Pezenas from Faugeres ..Wine and vines All the way, but no no major climbing.
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=453545 90kms figure of 8 loop km 30 to 50 with some climbing. Mostly flat or rolling otherwise..
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=605932 88kms first and last 10km flat .. pretty much the rest of this route is up an down short climbs .. a fantastic training ride
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=750106
70kms a little easier
All of these ride are done with a prevailing wind and climb profile in mind .....tailwind and flat or gentle decent home to Pezenas ...the best way to come home!
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=1285185 72kms steady. handy without many hill
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=1285185 58kms flat roads if your stuck for time under 2hrs
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=450153 70kms heading northeast back home through Caux
http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=1293869 87kms north of Claremont Herault home by Caux
No comments:
Post a Comment