Provence

The Intermediate ride starts with a van transfer to Châteauneuf-du-Pape; a charming village at the center of one of the world's greatest wine-growing regions. From here you ride through the Rhône Valley past famous wineries to the market town of Orange with its Roman ruins — both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Leisure riders will be transferred to Orange or a little further along the route.

Challenge riders will start west of Avignon at the stunning Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct, riding through the twisting lanes of the Malmont Forest before joining the regular route at Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

The terrain varies constantly today as you ride past rolling vineyards, through wooded forests, alongside rivers, and across a plateau with sweeping views down to the Rhône plain.

The Intermediate ride takes a large arc via the Dentelles de Montmirail — a jagged chain of limestone mountains famous for their scenery and vineyards. Caromb is a particularly pretty town for lunch.

The Leisure ride takes a more direct route via the attractive market town of Malaucène.

The Challenge ride takes you around the flanks of the mighty Mont Ventoux via Sault.

The Epic ride is similar to the Challenge but goes via the summit of Mont Ventoux, climbing over 5,000 feet.

The highlight of today's Intermediate ride is the spectacular Gorges de la Nesque. The road through this sheer-walled valley sits high above the River Nesque and affords breathtaking views as you twist through a series of tight turns and tunnels.

Leisure riders do a shorter loop via the village of Flassan and onto Villes-sur-Auzon for lunch.

The first Challenge option is a direct assault up Mont Ventoux — expect to climb over 5,000 feet in less than 14 miles.

The Epic ride follows the Challenge route but returns to Bédoin via Sault and the stunning Gorges de la Nesque.

The Intermediate ride passes through rolling vineyards until it reaches Venasque: a medieval village that clings to a rocky outcrop. After Venasque you climb up a gorge carved deep into the craggy limestone before emerging to stunning views atop the Plateau de Vaucluse. After a twisting descent, you reach the isolated Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque. Set in a hollow among fields of lavender, the abbey is one of the iconic views of Provence.

The Leisure ride joins the above route at Venasque.

For a Challenge ride, you head east from Bédoin to the mountain town of Sault, climbing past lavender fields up to the Plateau de Vaucluse before a final push up to the dramatically-sited hilltop town of Gordes.

The Intermediate ride heads south to the forests and rural farms of the Petit Luberon — an area made famous by Peter Mayle in his memoir A Year in Provence. Four outstanding hilltop villages punctuate the route: Ménerbes, Lacoste, Bonnieux, and Roussillon.

The Challenge ride departs from the above route at Bonnieux and heads into the Luberon Mountains — stunningly beautiful mountain riding through villages that served as film locations for Manon des Sources.

The Leisure ride is a shorter loop that visits the charming hamlet of Goult before arcing east to the ochre town of Roussillon.

You could spend several contented days in and around Gordes. The town itself is worth taking time to explore and, for a rest from the bike, there is a forested hike to the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Sénanque.

Today's Intermediate route heads west to L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue — the Venice of Provence — complete with numerous canals and 300 antique dealers. After L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue you head back east up a U-shaped valley to Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Challenge riders continue north from L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue to the delightfully sleepy town of Pernes-les-Fontaines.

Leisure riders enjoy an in-and-out ride to the spectacular Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.