May 2009 - Group from Australia– Provence and Languedoc
Type of group:  Affinity group
Type of tour: Challenging with guide
Group size: 7

Looking for the trip of a lifetime, this group of 7 happy cyclists combined their passion for cycling with ours.  We designed a 12 night 13 day adventure through Provence and Languedoc that took them to see Pont-du-Gard, Roussillon, Les Baux, Gordes, Saint-Guilhem du Desert, and the Cirque de Navacelles.  The trip was sculpted from a dialogue with the group leader into the eventual route which can only be described as an interactive work of art. Ever the cyclist, Bruno accompanied the group as their guide and had almost as much fun as the group did!

They got the vacation of a lifetime and we got to share the best of what Provence and Languedoc had to offer.  Their feedback says it all.  “I would like to thank you for organising such a wonderful trip for us …The planning, routes and overall organisation were wonderful.  It was a fabulous ‘holiday’, even if it was ‘a little bit tougher’ than lying on a beach drinking cocktails.”  Couldn’t have said it better myself. 

October 2008 - Group from Ireland – Andalucia
Type of group:  Affinity group
Type of tour: Challenging with support vehicle
Group size: 10

Andalucia is an extraordinary land for cycling - as have discovered this group of 10 Irish cyclists who traveled with us on a supported basis. 

Following a challenging route—as requested—they saw it all:  Alhambra, Granada, Antequera, Ronda, and the extraordinary village of Vejer. The program was again tailored to fit the lads’ needs, desires, and agenda. Time off the saddle allowed them to explore some of Andalucia’s extraordinary treasures. 

Accommodations were provided in small, quaint properties “of character” such as Hotel Poeta in Ronda, Casa del Conde de Pinofiel in Antequera or La Botica de Vejer in breathtaking Vejer de la Frontera.

The leader of this group contacted us in December 2007. Via telephone and e-mail exchanges we initially narrowed down the region choice to 3 possible areas:  Bordeaux, Provence, and Dordogne. Taking into consideration that wine was the central theme, with a splash of cycling thrown in for good measure, Bordeaux was selected as the preferred destination.

Over time, the program was finalized to satisfy this multi-national group of 20, made up of non-riders and riders of various fitness levels. Our 4-day program included accommodation amidst the vines at the prestigious 4-star spa hotel, “Les Sources des Caudalies”, and was designed to give everyone exposure to the wine-growing areas of Sauternes, Medoc, and Saint-Emilion. The cycling routes took place on small roads through these wine areas with the guidance of Didier, our local bilingual cycling guide and wine expert.

To top it all off, the trip was a gastronomic delight with visits and tastings at some remarkable wineries, as well as delicious dining. Meals took place in a wide range of restaurants, from country-style to star-rated. Participant feedback has been very positive and we look forward to working with them on another project.

For their fourth custom tour with us (after Provence, Riviera, and Dordogne), Patrick, our local contact concocted an “expert route” that took them all around Normandy. In a matter of 8 days they saw it all - Honfleur, the Flowery coast, Bayeux, the D-Day landing beaches, Mont-Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo, to name a few.

As usual in all our custom tours, hotels were chosen based on specific group requirements, and the itinerary was designed to accommodate the group fitness levels, etc. met them before the trip and explained the trip in length. Cider tastings and restaurants were recommended. Racing bikes were provided. The result – coming back for a 5th time in 2009?  This time in Spain (Andalucia or Catalonia)

Best of all, they experienced blue skies while cycling in Normandy, which goes to show that Patrick is really connected!

For their second trip with us, this relaxed group of riders wanted to link Ventoux to Alpe d’Huez on a self-guided basis. The route we chose for them was tailored to their requirements: challenging, but not over-the-top, and primarily scenic!  Kodak moments were many along the Gorges de la Nesque, the Gorges de la Meouge, and Lake Serre-Ponçon, before reaching their final destination!

We hope to see this fun-loving group again in 2009!

Note that linking Ventoux to Alpe d'Huez is a popular request. We've catered to many groups adapting the route to their fitness level and time constraints.

Due to the fact these smiling riders were accompanied by their non-riding spouses, they opted for a supported tour in Tuscany. The customized itinerary was based on riders’ ability and fitness levels. While the guys rode, their wives were driven to small towns for shopping and admiring fields of sunflowers!

Accommodations were provided in small, often hidden, gems that one would have difficulty locating if they weren’t in the know! One of the noteworthy included a guesthouse in Radda with extraordinary views over the Chianti vineyards. Bliss! 

Not only have we appreciated their feedback and extraordinary gift, but we are quite sure they will be back with us! 

July 2008 - Group from Barbados & UK - From Alpe d’Huez to Ventoux
Type of ride: Charity challenge with support vehicle
Type of group/client: Affinity group/Charity challenge
Group size: 5
Note: 4th trip with Cyclomundo

Have a look at these 5 cyclists and then have respect! They’ve accomplished a challenge that for many just the mere thought is

painful! Imagine - they started with the challenging cyclo sportive “La Marmotte”, which they finished more than honorably, then they kept going for two weeks before tackling “Les Galériens du Ventoux” challenge on their last day. What that means is that they climbed Ventoux 4 times - from the 3 sides most people know of and from a 4th way over an unpaved forest road! Oops! We forgot to add that in between they climbed no less than 100 cols!

This customized cycling trip was done on a supported basis. Our dedicated guide, Manuel, provided them with unmatched support from sunrise to sunset!

You may view the group's website at www.barbadoscyclesforcharity.org/index.html

June 2008 - Multi-national group - Ride around Geneva
Type of group/client:  Charity ride for Get Up for Ghana
Type of ride: Guided and supported - leisurely
Group size: 30

The Geneva representative for Get Up for Ghana contacted us to organize a one-day charity ride. The goal of this Paris-based organization is to help Ghana orphans.

Escorted by our dedicated Geneva guides, Lucile, Manuel, and Bruno, this multi-national group of 30 was taken on a leisure tour of the Geneva area, on quiet roads, to discover some amazing views over Lake Geneva. 

For some participants, who had very rarely biked before, this day was a revelation and they re-discovered our 2-wheel toys capable of taking people far, far away…even when the tour takes place only a few steps from home! 

This New-Zealand-based travel agency asked us to organize a 2-week tour in Burgundy and Provence on a self-guided basis. In addition to their requirement for providing exposure to “authenticity,” they also wanted two daily cycling options, in order to cater to riders of various levels.  The toughest option included Mont-Ventoux "the classic way" from Bedoin.

The tour itinerary took them to all the jewels of both regions - Beaune, Chateauneuf-de-Pape, Dijon, Cluny, Avignon, Gordes, Arles, etc… They saw them all!

Pleased with our services, our client is coming back in 2009, this time to visit the Veneto region and along the Loire Valley.

For his second trip with Cyclomundo, the trip leader wanted his group to experience rural France while tackling some of France’s toughest climbs! 

The final cycling itinerary allowed them to experience the Dordogne’s extraordinary countryside, and its medieval and prehistoric treasures, before going to the Pyrenees and submitting themselves to a daily regimen of 2 or 3 passes! 

To meet this group leader’s criteria, we found “out-of-the ordinary” accommodations, such as the exquisite Moulin de la Beune and La Maison Jeanne, in the quiet "Vallee d'Oueil," a few kilometers from Luchon.

They liked it and they’re coming back for a third trip in 2009!

June 2007 - Multi-national group - 2-day Escape from Geneva
Type of client/group: Community website (glocals.com)
Type of ride:  leisurely, guided and supported
Group size: 15

Approached by Glocals, Geneva’s international community site, Cyclomundo organized and operated a 2-day week-end trip for a group of 15. This tour was guided and supported by our detail-oriented guides – Bruno, Tina, and Damien – and packed with activities and sites, including wine-tastings, delicious regional meals, and a short cruise between Switzerland and the lovely village of Yvoire, on the French shore of Lake Geneva.

The feedback was unanimously positive. As a result, other customized tours are in the works, including a 2-day chocolate-themed tour, as well as various wine-tasting week-ends. 

This group’s third custom trip requirements were simple:  maximize cycling, wine-tasting, and exposure to “authenticity.”  We think we managed it - they’re coming back for a fourth time in 2009!

The cycling itinerary was designed on quiet roads through vineyards from village to village linking Medoc, Saint-Emilion, and Sauternes.  Accommodation was arranged in real wine-making guesthouses, such as the Chateau Loudenne, where everyone had the joy of experiencing what it’s like to own a Chateau! 

As usual, our support vehicle was there to carry all the daily purchase of wine. 

Photo courtesy of client (Bonnie Swenby)

A group of 12 israeli cyclists wanted to see and do it all... Ventoux,the Verdon Canyon, Saint-Paul de Vence, the Riviera, the Alpilles, the Luberon, etc... They did it all. Our 8-day trip took them from Marseille to Marseille via Cavaillon, Sault, Moustiers, Castellane, Vence, Le Paradou.

Cyclomundo organized the whole logistics for the group:routes, support vehicles, luggage transfers, etc..

Photo courtesy of client Shlomo Urbach)