Spring Training Camps
Build your fitness where spring starts early.
Highlights
✓ Quiet spring roads and ideal riding conditions in Provence.
✓ Improve your fitness ahead of the cycling season.
✓ Practise group riding, pace lines and smooth through-and-off techniques.
✓ Training, pacing and nutrition advice from our experienced coaches and guides.
✓ Opportunity to ride with a local French racing club.
✓ Fully supported with vehicle assistance and experienced ride leaders.
✓ Can be combined with La Corima Drôme Provençale for the perfect early-season challenge.
Introduction
Escape the long winter and enjoy a week of focused riding on the quiet roads of Provence. Running from mid-March until the end of April, our Spring Training Camps are designed for cyclists preparing for sportives, Gran Fondos and the summer cycling season.
Based at our VeloVentoux accommodation, you’ll ride some of the finest roads around Mont Ventoux, the Baronnies and the Luberon. Expect longer rides, more climbing and a slightly faster pace than our regular cycling holidays, while still enjoying the friendly atmosphere and full support that VeloVentoux is known for.
Whether you’re building fitness for the Étape du Tour, Marmotte, a local sportive or simply want an early-season training block in the sun, our Spring Training Camps provide the perfect environment to ride, recover and return home stronger.
Our Spring Training Camps are designed for riders who enjoy a purposeful week on the bike. The pace is a little quicker than our regular cycling holidays, with an emphasis on building fitness while still riding as a friendly, supportive group.
Most days will cover 100–150 km, depending on the terrain, with a café or lunch stop along the way. We’ll include one bigger mountain day during the week, together with an easier recovery ride for anyone who wants to take things a little more gently.
On flatter and rolling terrain, the group will typically average 30–32 km/h, while hillier routes average around 27–29 km/h. Stronger riders are always welcome to ride at their own pace on the climbs, but we always regroup at the summit, ensuring nobody gets left behind.
Where the roads are suitable, we’ll ride efficiently in a smooth double pace line, giving everyone the opportunity to take a turn on the front. And, of course, there’ll be the occasional village sprint for anyone who fancies a bit of friendly competition!
Dates
Saturday 13th March to Saturday 1st April
Join us for as little as 3 nights, or stay longer and tailor your training camp to suit your schedule. Arrive on any day during the camp period and enjoy the flexibility to build your own early-season riding programme.
Cost
From £390.00 per person(3 nights)
Single Supplement £55.00 per night
What's included
✓ Bed and breakfast accommodation.
✓ Fully guided and fully supported daily training rides.
✓ One optional recovery ride or rest day mid-week.
✓ GPX files for all training routes.
✓ Secure bike storage and bike wash facilities.
✓ Training, pacing and nutrition advice from our experienced coaches and guides.
✓ Opportunity to ride with a local French cycling club.
✓ Experienced VeloVentoux hosts on hand throughout your stay.
Not included
✓ Flights.
✓ Lunches during the day.
✓ Evening meals, unless stated.
✓ Travel insurance.
✓ Personal spending and refreshments.
Typical Itinerary - 7 nights
Saturday: Travel day / short ride
Arrive at our VeloVentoux base in Provence. After settling in and assembling your bike, there’s the option of a short afternoon ride to check everything is running smoothly and stretch the legs before the week ahead.
Sunday: Endurance Ride
A steady endurance ride on the quiet roads of Provence to get the week underway. Expect rolling terrain, smooth pace-line riding and plenty of opportunities to practise group riding techniques.
Distance: 100–120 km
Monday: Hills and Climbing
Today’s route heads into the Baronnies with longer climbs and spectacular scenery. Stronger riders can push the pace on the climbs, but we’ll always regroup at the summit before continuing together.
Distance: 120–140 km
Tuesday: Recovery Ride or Rest Day
Choose between a shorter recovery ride at an easy pace or take the day off to relax, recover and prepare for the second half of the week.
Distance: 50–70 km (optional)
Wednesday: Big Mountain Day
Today is the biggest ride of the week. Depending on the group and the weather, we’ll tackle one of Provence’s classic mountain routes. The first choice is usually Mont Ventoux, climbing from either Sault or Bédoin, while on windy days we’ll head for the quieter Col d’Homme Mort, one of the region’s hidden gems.
Whichever route we choose, expect a rewarding day of climbing, spectacular scenery and the satisfaction of completing one of Provence’s great rides.
Distance: 130–150 km
Climbing: 2,000–3,000 m
Thursday: Fast Group Ride
A faster-paced ride across the rolling roads of Provence, practising smooth through-and-off riding and efficient group techniques. Expect a few friendly village sprints along the way!
Distance: 100–130 km
Friday: Final Ride
Our final ride of the week takes us along some of our favourite quiet roads through the vineyards and rolling countryside of Provence before finishing in Bédoin for coffee and cake at our favourite cycling café, Pista Café.
It’s the perfect way to round off a fantastic week of riding before returning to our VeloVentoux base to pack the bikes and reflect on the miles, climbs and friendships made along the way.
Distance: 80–100 km
Climbing: 800–1,200 m
Saturday: Departure Day
After breakfast, it’s time to head home. We’ll say goodbye to Provence and hope you leave with stronger legs, renewed confidence and enough fitness to surprise your club mates on next week’s ride.
Transfer time to Marseille Airport is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
sample maps
Are these camps for me?
Our Spring Training Camps are designed for cyclists who want to build fitness, improve their riding and enjoy a focused week on the bike before the season gets underway. The pace is quicker than our regular cycling holidays, but the atmosphere remains friendly and supportive, with no pressure to race.
You’ll need to be comfortable riding in a group and able to cover 100–150 km on consecutive days. Stronger riders are welcome to push the pace on the climbs, but we always regroup at the top, ensuring everyone enjoys the week together.
These camps are ideal if you:
✓ Want to arrive at the start of the season fitter and stronger.
✓ Regularly ride 100 km or more.
✓ Enjoy riding in a group and improving your pace-line skills.
✓ Are training for sportives, Gran Fondos or summer cycling holidays.
✓ Want expert local guidance on some of Provence’s best cycling routes.
✓ Prefer a small, friendly group with full vehicle support.