Ensemble Cycling Vacations

Road biking has boomed in popularity in the last ten years. For cyclists of all stripes -- from high performance triathlete to round-the-block Sunday pedalers -- biking in Europe should definitely be on their bucket list.

One of the best (and easiest) ways for a group of friends – whether strong, moderate or not-at-all cyclists -- to experience the joys of cycling in Europe is from a home base in a luxury private villa. Ensemble Cycling started out under the Butterfield & Robinson umbrella and  brings more than 20 years experience in General Interest European villa vacations to their new cycling program based in our luxurious private villas in France, Italy and Spain.

An Ensemble Cycling stay works for all skill levels. Keen cyclists can do 100 miles before meeting up with the 35 mile group for lunch. And the Ensemble Cycling  "Local Leader" makes sure that everyone enjoys the non-cycling side of Europe – the markets, historic sites, best restaurants...

Just pick your dates, speak to a Cycling Specialist at Ensemble Cycling to choose the perfect region and villa (from 3 bedrooms to 15 bedrooms). As European travel experts, we do the rest – arrange excellent rental road bikes (or shipping of your own), chefs, transfers, routes and maps, cycling guides, non-cycling activities. You just have to show up ready to ride.

To set the cycling scene, in this newsletter we talk about why cycling in Europe is so great. We also highlight three villas popular with cyclists, in three regions.
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Why bike in Europe?
For the best sushi in the world, you go to Japan; the best surfing, Hawaii; the best golf, Scotland.

And if you are a cyclist there is nothing like road riding in Europe, and especially in France, Spain and Italy. The roads are quiet and scenic. The drivers are respectful. And every few miles there is a shop, cafe or restaurant where you can get supplies or a bite to eat.
Why ride with EnsembleCycling?
• Everyone's Welcome. For 20 years our speciality has been general interest, non-cycling villa vacations so Light- or Non-Cycling spouses and partners will have a great time too. It's the perfect No Drop cycling vacation

• Better than a hotel. Why be just another hotel guest when you and your friends can enjoy the intimacy, privacy, comfort and value of a boutique hotel-standard private villa.

• Flexibility. Self-Guided or full-on with riding guides, rental road bikes, a chef, masseur, minibus and chauffeur - we’ll custom design your cycling stay to suit your group’s specific needs. Do it exactly when and how you'd like it.

• Local knowledge. We've lived, traveled and cycled in Europe for more than two decades. We’ve ridden and scouted thousands of miles of the quietest back roads. We know the local bike shops, cycling clubs, performance trainers, and have access to high-end rentals and ancillary cycling services.

• Good Value. Our luxury cycling stays cost far less (from approx. $2,500 per person) than a comparable organized luxury bike tour.

• In brief, Picture Postcard Bike Routes + Luxury Villa + Local Leader + Local Knowledge + Personalized Service + Fine Amenities = a memorable vacation for cyclists of all levels.
Sample Cycling Routes
Each cycling group receives a customized Ride Guide with a week's worth of our favorite Performance (60-100m, hilly) and Recreational (25-50miles, flatter) routes with maps, elevations and instructions.

One of our favorites in Provence is the out and back over the Col du Murs, from the foot of the Ventoux to the Luberon Valley and back. Here it is excerpted from the Ventoux area Ride Guide.
Our Favorite Villas for Cycling
While there are many options, here are just three of our favorite villas for a cycling stay, one each in the Dordogne and Provence in France, and in Italy.
Bastide du Ventoux (Provence, France )
There are few better cycling bases than Bastide de Ventoux, set as it is between the two entry villages for the renowned Mont Ventoux climb. But Bastide de Ventoux is also at the center of some of Provence's other exhilarating cycling routes -- from Beaumes de Venise over the Dentelles to Vaison or the the scenic "anyone-can-do-it" Gorges de la Nesque slow climb. Easy, hilly, rolling, flat, short, long -- cyclists of all levels will find the lightly-trafficked countryside around Bastide de Ventoux appealing.

This outstanding property can sleep up to 12 in 6 bedrooms each of which has a private bathroom. The Bastide is located on the edge of a small village which while quiet still has a cafe and general store and a several excellent restaurants. 
(approx. $2,000 per person per week based on 12; flights, food, drink, car and bike rentals extra)
Château de Queynac (Dordogne, SW France)
The cycling around this picture-postcard four-bedroom four-bathroom château is as varied as the Dordogne region itself. You can follow the flat meandering river valleys or head up through shady wooded escarpments to stretch your legs and get your cardio up. Whatever your route, a bakery or cafe is never far away and a new ever so charming village welcomes you every few miles.

Non-cyclists will enjoy Queynac's 19 acres of grounds, the scenic pool area and the tennis court. Your whole group should be sure to take a day off to visit historic Sarlat and France’s most famous prehistory sites.
(approx. $1875 pp pw based on 8)
Campo Dell Amato (Southeast Tuscany, Italy )
Famous sprinter Mario Cipollini was from northwest Tuscany. But it's the iconic cypress-lined backroads and rolling hills of southeastern Tuscany that makeup our picture postcard cycling fantasies.

From Campo dell Amato (7 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms) you can ride the dream on a network of tranquil country roads that allow a wide variety of routes and cappuccino breaks in one charming village after another.

Best of all, this villa is walking distance to town so everyone can enjoy a bit of independence.
(approx $2,000 pp pw based on 14)
For all cycling inquiries please contact:
Peter Stock
bike@hostedcycling.com
+1 416-849-8123
www.hostedcycling.com