Cycling in Tournon-sur-Rhône

Cycling guide to Tournon-sur-Rhône

Tournon-sur-Rhône sits at the start of a valley run that heads south along the Rhône, and the riding here is about distance rather than climbing. The route to Orange covers 140.9 km with just 178 m of elevation gain, crossing to Tain-l'Hermitage in the first kilometres and then working through Mauves, Glun and Cornas on the way to Valence and Guilherand-Granges. South of Valence the road strings together the riverside towns: Charmes-sur-Rhône, Beauchastel, La Voulte-sur-Rhône, Le Pouzin, Baix and Saulce-sur-Rhône, then Les Tourrettes, La Coucourde and Montélimar. Beyond Châteauneuf-du-Rhône come Viviers, Donzère, La Garde-Adhémar, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux and Saint-Restitut, before Suze-la-Rousse, Sainte-Cécile-les-Vignes, Travaillan and Camaret-sur-Aigues bring the ride to Orange, where the Colline Saint-Eutrope and the surrounding quarters of Le Jonquier and Les Arènes mark the finish. As a point-to-point, it needs a return plan by train or car.

Best time to ride

The route was recorded in September at around 25°C, which suits a long valley day; high summer in this part of the Rhône valley is hotter.

Terrain

The terrain is flat throughout: 178 m of gain across 140.9 km, with a high point of only 129 m. There are no significant climbs on the route, so pace and wind matter more than gradient.