A typical day starts with breakfast and a route briefing. Neil hands over a laminated crib sheet for the ride you have chosen: distance, elevation, where to stop for lunch, what to look at on the way. The route is already loaded on a Garmin Edge bike computer mounted to your handlebars, so navigation is a case of following the line rather than reading a map. You ride at your own speed, stop when you want, and let yourself into the pool when you get back.

The B&B week runs from the farmhouse in Coustellet, which the hosts describe as a 17th-century Provençal stone house with a pool and gardens. Breakfast is continental and served outside under a vine-covered trellis in good weather. Two of the six evenings include a three-course dinner cooked by Neil with wine and drinks included; on the other nights you walk into the village or take a restaurant recommendation, and the hosts will book it for you. The B&B takes one to eight bikers, and more than one group can be staying at once.

The villa week runs from a three-bedroom house in Taillades, built in 2016, with a pool and indoor and outdoor dining areas. It is self-catering, so you cook for yourselves in the fully equipped kitchen, and only one group books at a time — two to six bikers. Start day for the villa is Saturday. The daily briefing and the GPS routes come with this option too.

What separates this from a point-to-point tour is the single base. You are not moving luggage or checking in and out. The trade-off is that you ride loops rather than a linear route, which the hosts lean into by keeping a library of routes of different lengths and difficulties out of each property. Guests repeatedly mention the crib sheets and the Garmin routes as the thing that made the week easy.

The operation is run by Neil and Natalene, who live in the area all year, with their two teenagers helping host. They have been running these trips for close to two decades and hold a long run of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor. Bikes are Trek hybrids, well maintained, with helmets provided and breakdown support if something goes wrong on the road.

What's included

- 6 nights' accommodation (B&B farmhouse in Coustellet or self-catering villa in Taillades) - 6 continental breakfasts (B&B option) - 2 three-course dinners cooked by Neil, with complimentary wine and drinks (B&B option) - Well-maintained Trek hybrid bike hire - Helmet and all equipment needed - Pre-loaded Garmin GPS routes - Daily personal route briefing with laminated crib sheet - Bike breakdown support - Restaurant recommendations and bookings - Local knowledge from hosts who live in the area year-round

What's not included

- Travel to and from Provence - Travel insurance - Lunches and dinners not listed - E-bike, road bike or tandem hire (available on demand) - Personal expenses