Cycling in the Dordogne and Gironde departments.
First and foremost this cycling vacation at the Chateau de Pitray is about riding your bike through the fantastic Dordogne countryside. Imagine pedaling away on small picturesque roads with little to no traffic, imagine a rolling countryside with vineyards, fields and woods, imagine riding through old villages with buildings that date back hundreds of years. I have been riding in this area every summer since 1997, and I know the region like the back of my hand. It is without a doubt a paradise for cyclists. The fact that the Tour de France is such a success is in large part due to beautiful regions like the southwest.
The countryside is a region of rolling hills, with countless well paved small backroads and very litte car traffic. It's an area that lends itself to all cycling skill levels and fitness. Tempo of course is difference for fitness, and since this isn't big mountain country, the climbs are short - 1 to 2 miles. How fast you ride them determines the challenge.
There is maybe no better way to explore this region than by bike, and if by serendipity the network of small and little trafficked roads is perfectly suited to the desires of an enthusiastic cyclist. What more could an avid cyclist want than undulated curving roads that crisscross the countryside with almost no car traffic. I have spent the better part of every summer for the past 15 years cycling in this region, and it seems as though I have only discovered the "tip of the iceberg," as there are countless country lane roads that I have yet to ride, and each one of these roads offers glimpses of history and hidden sites. This past summer one of my clients professed to me that on a scale of 1 to 10, this place and region for cycling rates as a 9. Why a 9, because per his logic there is no such thing as a 10, otherwise he would rate it as 10. He was in heaven and so was I.
The goal of this bike vacation is to leave you grinning from ear to ear. Therefore, each day you will ride a different loop that begins and ends at the Chateau de Pitray. The rides will be guided by me, Allan Reeves. If you prefer to opt out of the daily ride you can ride on your own by using a map or Garmin computer. The roads are very well marked, and with some guidance from me and the use of a map you can make your way around easily and enjoyably. If you bring a Garmin computer then I can download a custom route, and you can follow it at your own pace.
Chateau Pitray sits on the eastern edge of the Gironde department, which borders with the west end of the Dordogne department. From a cyclist perspective this allows for a wide variety of agriculture and landscapes, as the Gironde is primarily a wine growing region, while the Dordogne has vineyards but also many other agricultural crops as well as livestock and forests.
The length and tempo of the rides depends on the overall profile of the group. However, the basics are as follows: you should be physically capable to ride for 2 to 3 hours if you are riding with the group. You should also be capable of handling various ride tempos of 14 to 20 mph. Typically speaking the rides won't exceed distances of 50 miles, unless the group is "hardcore" and wants to do more. The terrain consists of small rolling hills so you should also be capable of handling hilly terrain. Lastly, this is your vacation so if you want to ride on your own or with another friend you are more than welcome to do so. Again, I will provide you with all the "know-how" to get around comfortably and enjoy yourself thoroughly.
Here is an example of livestock grazing in a field with the edge of a forested area in the background.
The light at the end of the day in the southwest of France is magical.
The 16th century Chateau de Montbadon, one of the many buildings and properties that speak to the depth of the history in the region.
