About this trip.
The Giant of Provence to begin
Mont Ventoux is the kind of mountain that does most of the work before you've even started pedalling — a pale, treeless summit visible for miles across the Vaucluse, looming over whichever village you've chosen as your base. Saddle Skedaddle starts you in Bedoin, the busiest of the three Ventoux gateway villages and the access point to the "classic" Tour de France ascent: the hardest of the three routes up, and the one where Tom Simpson died during the Tour. It's a demanding way to begin a holiday, and entirely the point. From there the trip works east through Provençal countryside — lavender fields, hilltop villages — into the steeper, more dramatic terrain of the southern Alps, where the valleys narrow, waterfalls plunge off the walls, and peaks push close to 4,000 metres.
The route over eight days
The headline pairing is Ventoux on day two and Alpe d'Huez at the end: bookends of French cycling folklore. In between come the Col de Vars, the Glandon, the Izoard and the Galibier — most of the cols you'd want to tick off on a single trip, dispatched at a fairly relentless pace. The Bedoin to Cruis stage is 62 miles (100 km) with 2,300 metres of climbing, which sets the tone. The finish is the pilgrimage up Alpe d'Huez: 21 numbered hairpins, 14 km, an average gradient of 8.3%. Days are long and the climbing is constant; this isn't a tour where you get an easy stage to recover.
The riding and who it suits
Saddle Skedaddle grade this 4 out of 5, which feels honest. You'll want a fair amount of climbing in your legs before arriving — long, sustained efforts at moderate gradients on Ventoux, then the steeper ramps and altitude of the Alpine cols. It's guided, with a support vehicle, which means you can ride at your own pace, get fed and watered properly, and not worry about navigation when the weather turns on a high col. The catering reputation is one of the things repeat Skedaddle riders mention most often.
Logistics and bookings
Eight days from £2,595 per person. You fly into Marseille, where a Skedaddle rep meets you and transfers you to Bedoin for the first night; bikes are built that evening and the guides walk you through the week ahead at dinner. Breakfasts and most lunches are included, with the group eating together. The trip notes PDF on the Skedaddle site has the full day-by-day breakdown, climb-by-climb ascent figures and the precise inclusions, and is the right place to look before booking. Reviewers score it 9 out of 10, which tracks: this is a serious cycling holiday for people who already know they want to climb the cols, not a gentle introduction to the Alps.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
