Medoc Vineyard Cycle

6 days (Bordeaux)

Destinations visited: France, Bordeaux, World

Grading:

moderate

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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Cycle through the Medoc Vineyards to the ocean

This self-guided cycle will take you through the impressive Medoc in the famous Bordeaux wine region. The West section of the Medoc is shrouded in light and sun, and the Atlantic Ocean and its beaches are bordered with an immense forest. The East, located on the side of the Gironde Estuary, offers views of the winegrowing region. Beginning on the “wine road” cycle past well known chateaux and through the winegrowing boroughs which produce some of the most prestigious wines in the world. You will explore the diverse landscapes of the Medoc, visit superb Romanic Churches in the villages, and discover some unique Gallo-Romanic sites. This journey which follows a mixture of bicycle paths through forests and flat roads alongside streams and vineyards, will allow you to discover the exceptional natural and diverse surroundings of the region. After each days cycle you will be warmly welcomed in some of the regions best hotels and charming guest houses.

Highlights

Cycling through the stunning and diverse landscape of the Medoc region
Visiting the famous wine houses and discovering the little known vineyards and their wines
Soaking up the hospitality in small family run hotels
Cycling through vineyards and chateaux on your way to the coast of France

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Bordeaux and transfer to Pian Medoc

On arrival at Bordeaux's train station or airport you will be transferred to Pian Medoc and accommodated in a 3 star hotel. On arrival at the first hotel you will receive your welcome pack containing tourist information, maps and an itinerary. Overnight in a traditional 18 bedrooms house with pool and 6 acres of parkland. Fine, gastronomic cuisine with the specialities of the area and a wine cellar, containing several of the “grands crus” of the Medoc*. * Note that the accommodation description is for our first choice. If this hotel is not available we reserve the right to substitute with a similar quality hotel or B&B.

Day 2 Cycle through the heart of the "Medoc rouge" to Macau (40km)

Today's cycle to Macau takes you on the "Road of the Chateaux" along the Gironde toward Margaux, Saint-Estephe and Moulis, where wine and spirit houses await you. The cycle will take you across vineyards and past chateaux. Take the time to stop in the little harbours along the route, including St Julien. As you head toward the estuary you will encounter pleasant and diverse landscapes. Overnight charming guesthouse.

Day 3 Follow the "Road of the Chateaux" to your vineyard guesthouse (53km)

Today you will continue along the "Road of the Chateaux" which is well known for both its unusual chateaux and its wine. Cycle to the capital of the Medoc, Paulliac. Its 18 "Grand Crus Classes" and its charming harbour make this town and inescapable destination. In the late afternoon you will be welcomed in a charming guest house located in the middle of the vineyards.

Day 4 A circular cycle along the banks of the Gironde and estuary (40-50km)

Today's cycle is an easy route across the vineyards and marshes that will take you to a fascinating and charming part of the Medoc. This morning you will visit the longest estuary in Europe, Wilder Medoc where many fish and migrating birds find sanctuary. You should take some short stops along the banks of the estuary in small, charming harbour towns such as St Christoly or La Marechale. The lighthouse of Richard offers an outstanding view of the estuary. Take the time to visit Lesparre and its monument, as well as "Les Noisettines de Medoc," a small company that creates sweets with hazelnuts.

Day 5 Through pine forests, vineyards and by the ocean to your hotel (60 or 65km)

The cycle today will take you from the banks of the estuary to the ocean, across marshes and vineyards. Today's route offers the three components of the Medoc: water, pine and wine. Most of the cycle is along the cycle paths, but there are some sections on small roads and quiet paths. You will pass villages with pretty churches, the Windmill of Vensac (an authentic windmill that still produces flour) and the pine forests which border the ocean. You can enjoy a break at the beach of Montalivet-les-bains before returning to your accommodation.

Day 6 Taxi to airport or train station in Bordeaux, trip concludes

The trip concludes with a return transfer to Bordeaux's train station or airport.

Additional Information

Inclusions

5 breakfasts – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices.
5 dinners – usually 3 courses with regional specialties featured.
Table wine and coffee each night with dinner except day 5
5 nights in 3 star hotels and charming guesthouses with private facilities on a twinshare basis
Transfer of luggage from hotel to hotel
Maps and itineraries
Arrival and departure transfer from Bordeaux
Tasting tips and tourist information
Hybrid rental bike including lock, panniers and helmet
7 day emergency support service

Summary

HOTELS

Trip Main Activities

SELF GUIDED CYCLE

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

What You Carry

Helmet (provided locally), wet weather gear, jogging shoes, mobile phone, sunscreen and sun hat. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre departure information provided on booking.

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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

from
USD$1,390

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