France·27 June - 3 July 2022
L'Impresa Occitane
L'Impresa goes to France. 540km in 5 stages, from Sète to Bordeaux, along the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Garonne
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Overview
A 540 km gravel bikepacking adventure from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The route will mainly follow the towpaths of the Canal du Midi, UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Canal de la Garonne, riding paths and dirt roads, trying to avoid asphalt and traffic. The route could change even at the very last. It’s an adventure designed for gravel bikes. We will leave Sète on June 28th to arrive on July 2nd, in five stages, to Bordeaux, sleeping in some little hotels or Chambres d'Hôtes, enjoying local food and wines.
Highlights
A bikepacking adventure with friends
L’Impresa Occitane is an adventure to live with friends, crossing hills, woods and nature reserves. It is not a competition and there will be no rankings. We will ride together, waiting, supporting and encouraging those who go slower. There is no external technical assistance service. We will have to help each other. We will take essential luggage with us, either in bikepacking or on panniers.
We will need to be healthy and fit
We will ride 540 km in 5 stages. An adequate training is required. Presenting yourself at the start in optimal fit is an essential and necessary condition to participate. We must provide a valid competitive cycling medical certificate and we must be healthy. ASD L’Impresa takes all the measures recommended by the local health authorities to fight against the spread of COVID-19. All participants must undertake to do the same and, if requested, to undergo an anti-COVID test.
Logistics
L'Impresa Occitane will start on June 28th early morning from Sète. The rendez-vous will be at dinner on June 27th. For all those that will arrive by plane, the closest airports are in Montpellier, Marseille and Nice. We will organize a bus from Marseille airport to Sète, leaving late afternoon. Eventually, upon request, the bus will also stop by Montpellier airport. For those that will drive to Sète, there will be the possibility to leave the cars at the hotel. All luggages and bike boxes will be transferred to Bordeaux on June 28th. We will find them again at the end of our adventure.
Accomodation, food and wine
Our goal is to share the journey with friends, enjoying nature, hospitality and food. The registration fee will include accomodation and food for the five stages. Also the dinner on June 27th will be included. We will have light lunches along the way, after having ridden approximately 60% of each stage, and we will end the day with good dinners. Overnight stays may be in single or double rooms, based on the availability of local structures.
Cycling equipment
All participants will have to use cycling equipment in excellent condition. Bicycles, groupset, drivetrain, chain, brakes, frame, saddle, seat post, handle bar, fork, wheels, tires and cycling bags must be checked with accuracy before arriving in Sète. Helmet and at two water bidons are mandatory. Each participants will be given with the official jersey and a cycling cap.
What's Included
What's Included
overnight stays on June 27-28-29-30 and July 1-2 (stays will be in single or double rooms, based on the availability of local structures)
lunches on June 28-29-30 and July 1-2
dinners on June 27-28-29-30 and July 1-2
breakfasts on June 28-29-30 and July 1-2-3
transfer from Marseille airport to Sète
luggage transportation from Sète directly to Bordeaux
the official technical jersey and a cycling cap
basic medical and civil liability insurance
What's Not Included
cycling equipment
repair or spare parts
helmet
water bidons
technical assistance
food supplements and medicines
Gallery
FAQs
Is it possible to sleep in single rooms?
Double occupancy is the standard. The overnight stays can however be in a single or double room, based on the availability of local facilities.
Could I rent a bicycle?
We will not be able to provide this service for L'Impresa Occitane. In the coming weeks we will share some advices on how to rent gravel bikes in France.
What should I pack?
All necessary (technical and not) equipment will be detailed and shared in the coming weeks. It will be very important to minimize the weight we will bring with us.
How can I get to Sète?
You can get to Sète by flying to Marseille. We will arrange a bus from the MRS airport to the hotel in Sète. It will start leave at 6:30 pm on June 27th. It will take 2.30 hours. Other ways to get there are: by plane to Montpellier (40 minutes from Sète), by train or by car. Eventually, on request, our bus will also stop at Montpellier airport.
I am an ASD L'Impresa registered athlete: how can I get the price reserved for members?
Please contact us and we will provide you with the dedicated voucher.
Can we know more about the stages?
Stages will be presented in details to all the participants starting from mid May.
Could I join later the ride or leave it before the end?
Please contact us and we will look for the most suitable solution. Of course we would give priority to participants that will join us for the entire adventure.