OTHER ROUTES IN SOUTH WEST FRANCE

1 CAHORS AND ROCAMADOUR

Start/finish: Cahors Distance: 145 miles Riding time: 4 hours From the historic heart of this sunny wine region, looping out to the magnificent village of Rocamadour, carved into a cliff. Hotel tip: Hotel Chartreuse (hotel-la-chartreuse.com)

2 HISTORIC VILLAGES OF LOT ET GARONNE

Start/finish: Villeneuve-sur-lot Distance: 110 miles Riding time: 3 hours A sight-seeing spectacular, visiting the gorgeous historic villages of the Lot-et-garonne region. The modest mileage allows plenty of time to explore. Hotel tip: Le Moulin de Madame (moulindemadame.com)

3 LANDES – AND SEA

Start/finish: Dax Distance: 210 miles Riding time: 6 hours A relaxed ride through the quaint villages and sleepy forests of Les Landes, to the sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. Hotel tip: Hostellerie du Clos Pité, Pontonx-sur-l’ardour (hotel-clos-pite.com)

4 AUCH, AYE

Start/finish: Auch Distance: 180 miles Riding time: 5 hours Rolling hills, empty roads, charming old villages adn crystalclear air– this route shows off the Midi-pyrenees at their laid-back best. Hotel tip: Le Domaine de Baulieu, Auch (ledomainedebaulieu.com)

5 MONTAGNE NOIRE

Start/finish: Albi Distance: 210 miles Riding time: 6 hours Between the high peaks of the Pyrenees and the deep gorges of the Tarn lies the Montagne Noire – and miles of mind-blowing riding on super-twisty roads.

Hotel tip: Grand Hôtel d’orléans, Albi (hotel-orleans-albi.com)

A coffee stop is never too far away, even here on the Col d’aubisque