Do it yourself

TRAVEL The nearest airports are Nimes or Montpellier, both served by flights from the UK. From either it’s a two-hour journey to Meyrueis, with limited public transport options, so you’ll either have to hire a car or book an airport transfer with 445 Cycling Tours (see below).

ACCOMMODATION Cyclist travelled with 445 Cycling Tours, which offers fully supported tours from one day to two weeks in France, Girona and Mallorca, including the ‘Tour du Mont Aigoual’ route. The company provides airport transfers, luxury accommodation, gourmet meals and bike rental if required. Full details at 445cyclingtours.com.

Our hotel was the Chateau d’ayres, a stunning, ivy-clad former monastery on a hill above Meyrueis. It boasts leafy gardens and two swimming pools, as well as an excellent restaurant. We can also recommend the Hotel Mont Aigoual in Meyrueis for a goodvalue, fixed-price dinner menu, and the pizzeria next to the river for a cheap, filling lunch.

BIKE HIRE Our bike was provided by Cyrpeo, just two minutes from Montpellier Airport. It offers a range of Scott and Trek bikes for rental. Ours was expertly set up – including checking the telemetry of the gearing via a laptop computer – by former pro mechanic Marc Boyer. A Scott Addict 15 Ultegra Di2 costs from €56 (£48) per day. Details at cyrpeo.com.

THANKS Thanks to John Helmkampf and Gerry Patterson of 445 Cycling Tours for helping to plan our trip. John also drove our photographer and supplied valuable local knowledge on wine. Thanks also to Café du Cycliste, which provided us with a Colnago V1-r on which to explore the local roads during a stopover in Nice. Go to cafeducycliste.com.