Route - Marseille to Lyon. (approx 240m)

Friday 20th September

Participants make their own way to Marseille Airport.

Overnight accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis at the Ibis which is a short walk from airport arrivals and it has an outdoor swimming pool:

Rates - ibis Marseille Provence Airport ALL - Accor Live Limitless

Marseillle to Carpentras

Saturday 21st September

We set off from the Ibis to Carpentras on this route:

57 Miles and only 1,572 feet of elevation so a largely flat day. There is a good escape away from Marseille airport and we are soon on nice country roads that are flat allowing good time to be made. Carpentras is an attractive market town with an old quarter that is only a minutes walk from our hotel.

We stay at Hotel Forum in the town centre with bed and breakfast, it has an outside patio and roof top terrace, and we will have dinner at a restaurant close by:

Hôtel du Forum Carpentras- Welcome (hotel-forum.fr)

Carpentras to Grignan

Sunday 22nd September

We make our way to stay just outside Grignan at a fabulous country hotel, La Bastide de Grignan, which has an outside swimming pool along with a lovely terrace and an area for boules, and we will have dinner at the hotel:

Hôtel de Charme 3 étoiles avec piscine, Drôme Provencale (labastidedegrignan.com)

Todays route is:

So it is 45 miles and 3,353 feet of elevation. Short with a couple of challenging sections but nothing too hard. Beautiful countryside. The first stop is at Bedoin which is at the foot of Le Mont Ventoux which can be seen in all its glory.  The hotel really is fabulous and will be thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Grignan to Valence

Monday 23rd September

We continue to move up the Rhone Valley 

It is 61 miles but only 1,700 feet elevation as we hug the Rhone. We jump around it but making use of the cycle network to avoid the busiest of the roads and the big city of Valence. Still good enjoyable cycling and fast due to it being so flat.

We stay in Tournon-sur-Rhone at the Hotel Azalees where we also have dinner:

∞ Logis hotel Azalées in Tournon/Rhone, Ardeche between Lyon & Valence (ardeche-hotel.com)

The town is a busy attractive town on the river.

Valence to Lyon

Tuesday 24th September

The last days cycling and the biggest challenge in terms of rolling countryside. The route takes us all the way to Lyon Airport without encountering significant traffic on the way and we spend the final night in the excellent  4 star NH Lyon Airport Hotel

Hotel NH Lyon Airport | Hotel in Lyon, France | nh-hotels.com

The route for this final day:

It is an undulating day but nothing too hard. Nice country cycling again and a great hotel to celebrate the finish in before a 30 yard walk to check in the next day.

Wednesday 25th September

Flights back to Edinburgh or whatever you have planned for after the cycle.

Cost is £350 including bike transfer to and from France, or £250 if you wish to transport your own bike.

The cost includes all meals (except the travel days), accomodation, cycle jersey

Recommended flights which are not included in the cost, so please book your own:

Flights from Edinburgh to Marseille.  Friday 20 September 2024. Ryanair Flight Number FR 1287. Depart Edinburgh 0920, arrive Marseille 12.55.

Flights from Lyon to Edinburgh.  Wednesday 25 September 2024. Easyjet Flight Number EZY 3520. Depart Lyon 1045, arrive Edinburgh 1200.

Fundraising target is £1950