There are hundreds of organized cycling vacation options.  The problem with most of them is that they are either too tough or too slack for most spouses to enjoy together.  A 25mile/40 km max recreational cyclist (or non-cyclist) is not going to feel welcome on a grueling Trans Alp expedition or a serious Mallorca training camp.  A strong cyclist, however, who wants to get in 80 miles/100 km each day, is not going to be satisfied with a cushy slow-paced hotel bike trip.   

The solution is Ensemble Cycling, the only cycling vacation specifically designed to be shared by cyclists of all skill levels, even non-cyclists.  (Tongue in cheek, we call them “No Drop cycling vacations” because no one has to feel left out or left behind.)

Other advantages of a villa-based cycling trip like Ensemble Cycling include:

• Not having to repack your bags every other day,
  
• Privacy (with luxury hotel style and services); It's like having your own private boutique hotel,
  
• Cost effectiveness (usually half price or less compared to the best known hotel bike trips, but in the same high style.)
  
• Flexibility. Explore the entire region, not just a tour company's A-B-C straight line. And pick whatever dates your want,
  
• Customization. Each group's itinerary and package is custom designed to its specific preferences.

We recently hosted a group of six couples in Provence near the base of the Mont Ventoux.  Their accommodation was a fabulous fully-serviced 6-bedroom, 6-bathroom luxury villa (basically a private boutique hotel). 

Their typical day went like this: Seven strong riders took off early for a 60+ mile ride; our Ride Leader guide took the group's “Light” cyclists out for a shorter loop of nearby villages, for coffee, a market visit and sightseeing.  Some just stayed home by the pool, or car-toured with their Local Host (our non-cycling guide). They all then regrouped in the early afternoon, put the bikes away, cleaned up and spent the rest of the day together, off the bikes,  visiting the local sites, maybe doing a wine tasting or two.  In the evening our chef would prepare a gourmet dinner or we would reserve tables at one of the many excellent restaurants in the area.

Result: the “Performance” pack got their miles in, the recreational cyclists had relaxing mornings, and the whole group had a fabulous week – together. (Though we can also plan a training camp – albeit a luxurious one – for strong riders to just ride, ride, ride - all day, every day.)
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Ensemble Cycling draws on 25 years creating high end, general interest villa vacations in Europe. For the moment, Ensemble Cycling is for a private group, of family or friends. But we have villas that suit from 4 people to 12 and even as many as 18 in one villa.