Savoring France Bike Excursion
One of the excursion choices on the Savoring France river cruise is described as:
"This escorted cycling tour around Arles has you pedaling your way through approximately 14 miles (23 km) of gorgeous Provençal countryside from the unique hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence. You'll ride through landscapes featuring hedgerows, vineyards, olive groves, Roman aqueducts, and other Provençal villages like Maussane. With its beautiful medieval houses, narrow streets and lush fields surrounding it, Arles has long attracted artists and painters including Picasso, Gauguin, and of course, Vincent van Gogh; the area inspired a newfound creativity in the Dutch artist, who produced over 300 paintings and drawings during his time in Arles… including famous works like The Night Café, The Yellow House, Starry Night Over the Rhone, and L'Arlésienne. Most of the terrain is on paved routes, but conditions may vary. Cyclists should feel comfortable on some gravel surfaces."
We would like to choose this excursion, but 14 miles is long for us on mostly flat ground, and the area around Les Baux looks quite hilly. Has anyone taken this ride? How was it? E-bikes or standard?
Comments
RickS,
I thought I would provide some input since on one else has. I took this trip in 2019 but did not partake in the ride, nor do I recall any comments from those who did. I can tell you from prior riverboat bicycle excursions, however, that the bicycles are standard, well maintained and comfortable. These are not racing bikes. Depending on the demand, you might be broken up into two groups: one slower paced and the other perhaps somewhat faster. I was in the former group on the banks of the Rhine when I was 75 and had no problem. There will be plenty of rest stops with refreshments.
Arles is very picturesque and a nice place to stroll and people watch. Overall, this was one of our favorite Tauck tours. I hope I have been of some help and will try to answer any additional questions you might have. Enjoy!
I too had hoped that someone who had knowledge of the bike ride might have some info but alas I guess not. You're right it's a hilly area. We took this cruise back when it was called French Waterways (same stops, less food tasting) and there wasn't a 14 mile bike ride offered. Not sure when they added that. The TD did offer a relaxed ride when we were docked in Avignon using the on-board bicycles. We have done rides on the Seine and the Danube with Tauck. They weren't ebikes sadly as I'd wanted to try one out. On the Danube they hired the bikes and helmets from a local company.
I know Tauck frequently asks you to name which excursion you want months before the tour but not to worry. They will likely ask again once you get there. At that point you can talk to the TD and get a better idea what the choices are and pick something you're happy with.
I am also interested in feedback on this ride. I’ve been to Arles and Les Baux and both are hilly, especially Les Baux but it is flat in-between. I’m fine with hills but the hillmto Les Baux is daunting and my husband’s bike skills might not be up to snuff. Hoping to hear from someone who has done this ride.
We took this bike tour in 2018. There were stops along the way and from what I can recall, it didn’t seem too hard of a ride. We stopped at an olive oil store and one of my favorite stops was by a Roman aqueduct and ruins where we enjoyed some wine provided by the guides. Not too much though! We still had a little bit of the ride left.
The countryside was lovely and I imagined Van Gogh admiring the same views.
The only negative was then see the town of Arles, my husband and I quickly took our own walking tour before we had to return to the riverboat.