The « Causses » are limestone plateaus, and theres 7 of them in total to discover on this 5 day loop from our Base Camp in Millau. You’ll find the area of Aveyron is rich and diverse in geography and culture, and provides a great test of your gravel bike skills to top it all off.
HURRY UP!
Until August 1, 2022: enjoy our "Pre-SEASON" rate: €1,500 (instead of €1,750)
Want to ride with your mates?
We offer you a proportional discount depending on the number of people in your group. Contact us on +33 6 52 39 58 79 or bonjour@gravelup.earth for more information.
By booking with us, you also do good for our planet!
A program 100% created by Gravel Up
The discovery of the Grands Causses bikepacking, that's the program!
The appointment is given at our base camp, on the heights of Millau. Ideally located at the crossroads of the Tarn and Durbie valleys, but above all with a direct access to the different limestone plateaus called Causses - there are 7 in all! But we promise not to do them all... not this time!
Handling of the Gravel the 1st afternoon with our local partner Wish One which manufactures the bikes on the spot! We take the time, we prepare ourselves physically and mentally for the next 4 days which are going to be rich as well sporty as culturally! It doesn't look like that but the physical challenge will be there, we promise you that!
Each Causse is different: forests, windy plateau or ancient templar cities, we promise you a total change of scenery. You will discover the people who make this territory alive, as authentic as welcoming, and whose culinary specialties will not leave you indifferent.
After having crossed the Black Causses and the Larzac, we will take you to the heart of the Rougiers de Camarès. There, it is not the great American spaces but rather the Australian red center which awaits you. An incredible ochre earth awaits you and historical villages of all beauty will make you travel in time.
We will close the adventure with a superb moment of sharing to realize the experience lived on the bike and the strong links that we have built together.
We promise you the discovery of a breathtaking "Land of Gravel", a truly ideal playground that makes us understand why the International Cycling Union (ICU) has decided to organize the French round of the next World Gravel Championships here!
Date range:
April - October 2022
Duration:
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
Daily distance:
50 - 80 km
Daily elevation:
1000 - 1500 M+
Difficulty:
6 / 10
Gravel Up benefits
This is included
At the camp
Return transfer from Montpellier train station
Accommodation 4 nights in a double room (single option at extra cost)
Travel insurance for repatriation and civil liability
Personal drinks and other souvenir purchases
Anything not specified in "What's Included"
Gravel bike rental (60 eur/day)
Preparation & equipment
Guide
We select for you local guides, passionate about their territory.
Bike mechanic, bike shop manager and even eco-guard on the Larzac plateau, our guide is the best person to help you discover Grands Causses. Anecdotes, encounters and sharing of experiences, he/she will make sure that you have an unforgettable stay and above all that you soak up as much as possible of this fabulous territory.
Spoken languages: French, English
State certified for bike guiding (BPJEPS), he/she will make sure you are safe and will share with you various tips and tricks on how to ride the Larzac or Causse Noir trails.
Gravel Bike
In this destination, you will be able to ride the SUB Gravel from our partner brand Wish One.
The Wish One SUB is the brands first Sport Utility Bicycle. That’s a gravel bike to you and me. But it’s a moniker that we think covers the gravel bike genre better than ‘Gravel Bike’. No matter where you ride, perfect asphalted roads, smooth or dirty roads, gravel sections… the Wish One SUB is developed for ultimate performance.
Handmade in France by Cyfac International using lightweight Columbus HSS Spirit tubing, the Race Type Geometry of the SUB claims to deliver quick and direct handling. It is no relaxed and slack angled gravel cruiser, the SUB is a scalpel sharp race machine designed for dropping lap times and opponents.
Physical preparation
You are about to experience an Explorer expedition. This is our red trail but the territories we cross offer an environment that can sometimes be demanding depending on the weather conditions. We evolve in a mountainous landscape where the cumulative difference in altitude can quickly be important.
You need a certain technical / cycling background or a strong experience in an endurance sport like running.
To get the most out of this expedition, we recommend that you practice an endurance sport such as jogging, swimming or cycling several times a week.
Having already done long bike rides of at least 4 hours will allow you to feel more comfortable and better enjoy the breathtaking landscapes you will cross.
At least 2 days in a row of cycling experience is a plus.
Use of automatic pedals is mandatory, ability to maneuver the bike on all types of terrain and good braking technique.
Equipment
The complete list will be sent to you a few weeks before your expedition.
You will find here the few essential items that you may not have at home:
Cycling shorts with chamois to be more comfortable
Bike gloves to avoid blisters
Cycling shoes
How to get there ?
By car : Meet us directly at our base camp "Domaine de St Estève".
By train : Montpellier train station
As soon as you arrive, our teams will take care of you and drive you directly to our base camp where the beyond biking experience takes its full meaning. The disconnection can begin, do not worry about anything, we take care of everything!
On your first day, we will meet you at 3pm.
For the last day, plan a departure on Sunday at the end of the morning, the time to enjoy a well deserved rest.
You have the choice between a standard gravel bike or an e gravel bike, depending on the destination you choose. You can find more information in each page of the tour you are interested in.
What is the average speed of your expeditions?
Level
Our expeditions are adventures, not races. We start together and we finish together, it's the GravelUp speed.
It is difficult to give a precise average speed as the surfaces make a big difference, as well as admiring the views! Average speeds are normally between 15 and 18 km/h.
Excellent organisation and atmosphere which allowed me to discover gravel biking with high level sporting and cultural guides. The landscapes of the Causses are breathtaking!
Guillaume L. - May 2022
Gravel Up in Grands Causses was awesome ! Unforgettable experience and guaranteed change of scenery in this French region, off the beaten tracks. The organization of the trip was perfect and the team very professional and always there to make sure we had an amazing time. Looking forward to my next trip with GravelUp!
Olivier H - October 2021
To ride in the Causses with GravelUp is to take paths from oneself to oneself through others, and to return with new eyes.
Discover the gravel riding heaven that it is Les Grands Causses regional park with us, all from our Base Camp in Millau. Perfect for seeing for yourself what gravel riding is all about (its not just gravel tracks !) and explore this beautiful area of France.
Loosely following the « Grand Traverse of the Massif Central », an iconic route crossing the central area of France, come and discover the regional parks of Les Grands Causses and L’Aubrac. Exploring here with us will be a challenge physically that will enable you to discover another world and pace of life.
