Overview
This year's RCC Summit will be the best of Rapha. We will be bringing you to a place near and dear to our hearts – Provence, basing ourselves in the Luberon valley and Vaucluse. This promises to be a fully-supported cycling trip with curated routes in breath-taking scenery, culminating in a Queen stage pilgrimage to Mont Ventoux. This trip is exclusive to RCC members. Three nights accommodation and four days riding, socialising, and living the best cycling experience with full Rapha support from Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd September 2024. The total riding for the weekend ranges from 300km, 5600m to 380km, 6800m with an intermediate to advanced rider level required.
Gallery
Highlights
Getting Here
We suggest arriving to Marseille Airport or Avignon train station on Thursday morning, departing Sunday evening. We will arrange transfers from these locations at selected times once all guests are confirmed. We will facilitate other transfer requests where possible, along with extra nights accommodation. Guests can also arrive directly by car.
Provence on the Table
Capelongue is the special setting for this Summit. It boasts beautiful restaurants with world-class cuisine: La Bastide, Noël Bérard's Michelin star masterpiece; La Bergerie, Mathieu Guivarch's wood-fired restaurant reborn; the Capelongue Café, along with chic surroundings and facilities for you to enjoy.
Rapha Moments
It’s our 20th anniversary, so throughout the weekend we will make sure to give you some highlights on the past, present, and future of the brand to keep you excited and in the know.
Mont Ventoux
The iconic Mont Ventoux, featured in the Tour de France eighteen times, is revered throughout the road cycling community, especially the Bedouin ascent. This epic climb has been a challenge for many, and we are thrilled to bring the RCC here for Rapha's 20th anniversary.
Pista Cycling Café
We are proud to work with Pista Cycling Café during the RCC Summit. The café will be a worthwhile stop with coffee and cakes during the longest ride to prepare for the great climb ahead.
Evening Apéro
After long days of riding, we will be there with refreshments for our guests with house drinks from Capelongue. Cheers!
Mobile Cycling Club
Out on the road, the Rapha Mobile Clubhouse will be on hand with espressos and local delicacies alongside the best local boulangeries and roadside picnics to keep you fueled and motivated.
Hosts
We are delight to introduce you to some of your hosts for the weekend.
Simon Mottram – Rapha Founder
Simon Mottram is the founder and former Chief Executive of Rapha. Prior to launching Rapha in 2004, Simon worked for 15 years in brand consulting and marketing and as a partner at a number of agencies. Simon stepped down as Chief Executive in January 2022 but remains on the Rapha Board of Directors. Simon lives in London with his wife and three children.
Rob Lee – Chief Creative Director
With over two decades of experience in the athletic sector, Rob began his career at Reebok. After joining Adidas in 2008, he successfully led the brand expression and also headed up product design for the training, athletics, sportswear and basketball business units.
Aleda Fitzpatrick – Senior RCC Manager
Aleda joined Rapha in 2014, dedicating a decade to the brand across various functions from Clubhouse, to Club and marketing, Aleda now leads the RCC as Global Manager. She has designed this trip to bring you the best of Rapha, so expect hard riding in a supportive environment, with local gems, inspiring Rapha insights and memorable moments.
Schedule
This Summit is full of epic riding and sophisticated experiences to make this an adventure you'll never forget.
Previous
Next
Day One – Thursday 19 Sept
Welcome to the Summit! Day One is all about getting settled into Provence, loosening up the legs and getting ready for some epic riding.
- Transfers from 11.30
- Arrival from 12:30
- Light Lunch and Bike Builds
- Shakeout Rides from 14:00-16:00
- 32km, 550m climbing
- Roadside Support
- Room Check-In 16:00
- Welcome Drinks 18:00-20:00
- Orientation Dinner 20:00-22:00
Day Two – Friday 20 Sept
Our first full ride day towards the iconic village of Roussillon. We have two route options, great rest stops, and exciting reveals in the evening.
- Breakfast from 7:00
- Roll-out from 8:00
- Two Route Options:
- 89km, 1600m climbing
- 110km, 1700m climbing
- Roadside Support and Café Stop
- Unwind at Hotel from 15:00-17:30
- Apéro and Ride Briefing 18:00-20:00
- Dinner and Product Reveals 20:00-22:00
Day Three – Saturday 21 Sept
Okay, this is the big one. Day Three brings on the challenge of the Mont from the Bédoin side, with two route options, great support and celebration dinner afterward.
- Breakfast 7:00
- Roll-out 8:00
- Queen Stage Route Options:
- 140km, 2800m climbing with Transfer
- 190km, 3800m climbing
- Roadside Support and Café Stop
- Unwind at Hotel
- Apéro and Ride Briefing 18:00-20:00
- Dinner and Celebration 20:00-22:00
Day Four – Sunday 22 Sept
And to wind down the long weekend, one last ride on Day Four to the local Sunday market to cap off the whole trip.
- Breakfast 7:00
- Roll-out 8:30
- Market Ride:
- 45km, 600m climbing
- Extended Routes possible
- Roadside Support and Café Stop
- Hotel Checkout 11:00
- Picnic at Capelongue.
- Transfers
What's Included
What's Included
Three Nights Stay at Five-Star Hotel Capelongue
Four Days of Unbeatable Riding
Exclusive Welcome Pack
Breakfast
Apéro
House Drinks
Dinners
Roadside Support and Ride Guides
What's Not Included
Flights / Travel
Transfer (Add On)
Bike Hire (Add On)
Massage / Spa (Add On)
Non-House Drinks (Add On)
Extra Nights (Wednesday or Sunday)
Le Bon Endroit, Les Bons Moments
Capelongue Bonnieux: A Beaumier Destination
In the breath-taking landscape of Provence, Hotel Capelongue is a peaceful and beautiful retreat. This five-star hotel by Beaumier is a holiday village, and it invites you to relax, recharge, and enjoy. With the Michelin star restaurant, pools, spa, gardens, and more, this destination provides everything you need for a luxurious holiday.
FAQ
Do I have to be a RCC member to attend?
Yes. Summits are offered exclusively to RCC members. If you wish to join us and you are not already a member, you can purchase membership here.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Standard admission starts from £1850 with options for non-residential or upgraded stays. Transfers, treatments, and more available when booking. 3-month payment plans are available.
How difficult is the riding?
RCC Summits specifically are advanced riding trips designed for intermediate to advanced riders. This trip in particular is a difficult challenge with a minimum 300km-380km distance and 3800m-6800m of climbing across the weekend. If you are unsure whether this trip would be suitable for you, please reach out to us and we would be happy to guide you.
Can I see the routes for the Summit?
The provisional routes will be sent to all attendees at minimum six weeks before the start of the trip.
Can I update my booking details?
If you need to make any changes to your booking details eg. garment size, dietary restrictions, etc, please email summits@rapha.cc and quote your full name and booking reference number which is included in your confirmation email.
Can I upgrade my room/stay?
Room upgrades and additional extras such as massages are available for purchase with admission. You may purchase any extras at a later date, but it will be subject to availability. If your preference of room is sold out, please add your name to the waiting list here and we will adjust if something changes.
Can I book on behalf of someone else?
No. In order to guarantee accommodations for all of our guests, we ask that you book separately. If you wish to room with a specific person, please indicate so when you book. If you do purchase more than one place, we will cancel and refund your booking in full.
Can I get a refund?
Generally, no. However, refunds will be processed at Rapha's discretion in the case of any extenuating circumstances. There are no cancellations offered within 30 days of the event. Please ensure you have travel insurance. If you need to discuss, please contact us at summits@rapha.cc and quote your full name and booking reference number which is included in your confirmation email.
Do I need travel insurance and medical certificates for the trip?
Please take out travel insurance for the duration & to cover the price of the trip. Due to the nature of the riding, we do ask all members to be fit for the terrain, and to alert us of any health issues in advance.
Can I read the terms and conditions?
The RCC's standard Terms and Conditions will apply to this trip. You can read them here.
What happens if the event is sold out?
Please register your interest if there are cancellations or additional rooms are released here. We will be in touch on a first come, first serve basis.
Is there an option for non-riding guests?
As our pinnacle Club riding event, we don't currently offer a full programme for non-riding guests however, the hotel is in a brilliant location and equipped with treatment rooms, swimming pools, and a quick walk to Bonnieux village where there is a market day during the trip. Capelongue also has a superb team on hand to advise and organise local trips also and we are happy to support this. We will endeavour to accommodate any non-riding guests in the support cars each day as the routes are very beautiful, however it's important to understand that this is not guaranteed and we need to prioritise the riders during the rides as it will be a tough Summit. The alternative would be to either book a non-residential ticket and stay nearby. If you are interested in this, please contact us here to discuss further.
How do I share a room with my partner?
For couples who are both riding guests, you will still need to book two places (i.e. 2 x Sharing room) and both be active RCC members. When you receive the post-purchase information sheet, add your room preference names there. We can then organise the room to have a double bed. For members wishing to bring their non-riding partner, please contact us here to discuss further.
How are sharing rooms allocated?
All sharing rooms will be allocated based on your preference provided in the post-purchase questionnaire. There's a full programme of riding and socialsing each day so guests will be in the rooms for a minimal amount of time. Most sharing rooms have separate bathroom facilities, outdoor seating and an indoor seating area. There are also communal areas at the Capelongue cafe, gym, spa and swimming pool where you can also relax during the day. We will endeavour to make this as comfortable as possible for all guests. The alternative is to book a non-residential and stay nearby in Bonnieux or register interest in a single room, should it become available here.
What times are the shuttles for transfers?
Contact us for any transfer questions – summits@rapha.cc.
Marseille Airport
Wednesday: 11:00, 15:00, 19:00
Thursday: 11:00, 15:00
Sunday: 11:00, 15:00
Monday: 11:00, 15:00
Avignon TGV Station
Thursday: 11:15, 14:00
Sunday: 11:00, 15:00
If you need a transfer outside of these times, please contact us and we will help accommodate.
Is there a preferred rate at Capelongue if I arrive before Thursday and/or stay on afterwards?
Yes. Extra nights (Wednesday and Sunday) are available to purchase as an Extra. We will endeavour to keep you in the same room for the duration, but this is subject to availability at Capelongue. Beaumier hotel also have two other hotels in Loumarin nearby.
Reviews
“The Summit brought home to me everything that is great about our club. Incredible curated routes from local Ride Leaders in a gorgeous location with wonderful people around me. An honour to take part, make so many new friends from around the world, and chat to Simon and the CEO too. And Louis had my bike re-built before I got to my room and back - chapeau!”
James Windle, Mallorca Summit
“I’ve attended two Rapha summits and they’ve both been fantastic experiences. From a great collection of well curated routes to unique off bike experiences, I was well looked after from start to finish. I loved the variety of opportunities - iconic climbs for the days you wanted to push yourself and cafe rides for the more relaxed days. Above all, I really valued the opportunity to meet RCC members from around the world, many of whom became good friends. Fond memories!”
Christine O’Connell, Cote d'Azur Summit