Cycling the Tour de France Femmes Route with My Mom
Photographer Gretchen Powers shares a mother-daughter cycling adventure through Provence, from winding canyon roads to the excitement of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Cycling through Provence with my 71-year-old mother wasn't exactly how I imagined spending a vacation. But somewhere between climbing the winding roads of the Gorges de la Nesque and watching the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, I realized this was a pretty incredible way to experience France.
The pavement shimmered in the sunshine as cyclists passed beneath bridges carved into the rock, winding their way up the Gorges de la Nesque. I'm not a climber, but I love roads like this. The gradient is slight, and the views improve with every curve. Our group spread out into little clusters of cyclists, swapping stories about favorite rides and agreeing that this one might just make everyone's top five.
My mother said it reminded her of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana, which I'd shared with her earlier that summer, only with less dramatic mountains. What I loved most was how few cars passed us. It felt like those of us on two wheels owned the road.
At the overlook, a bright pink support van was waiting with Smurf Haribo gummies, salty pretzels, and Orangina. Riding with EF Adventures always makes me feel like a bit of a princess, and I love it.
A Family Connection to France
How did I end up cycling through France with my mother in tow? In some ways, this trip had been years in the making. I chose French in high school because my mom's family is French, and learning the language felt like a way to connect with my heritage. I hadn't had many opportunities to use it until recently.
My sister, Dominique Powers, has spent the past five years photographing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. Last year, I got to experience some of that excitement myself, capturing the final three stages with the support of EF Adventures.
Our mom, whose last name is famously very French, had been dreaming of seeing the Tour and watching Dominique in action. But making that happen wasn't simple. Between our jobs as photographers at the event and the logistics of getting to the parts of the country where we could watch the race, I wasn't sure how to make her dream come true.
So when another opportunity to join an EF Adventures Tour de France Femmes trip came up, I jumped at it. I just had one request: Could I bring my mom?
They readily said yes, and the plotting of how to surprise her began.
I spent much of the winter in Italy photographing the Olympics and Paralympics. Every time I spoke with my mom, she'd find a way to bring up France. "I really want to go. Can you help me plan something?"
Meanwhile, I already had something in the works with EF Adventures. I just had to keep the secret until I saw her in March. Watch her reaction to the surprise.
What It's Like to Cycle France with My Mom
So, what's it like to share an EF Adventures cycling trip with your 71-year-old mother?
Honestly, it's one of the best ways to travel with a parent. The logistics are taken care of, from thoughtfully planned cycling routes to having all our equipment ready and waiting. Helmets, bike computers, support vehicles: everything was there when we needed it. Many of our meals were included, and when they weren't, we had recommendations for where to find something to eat.
Breakfast, in particular, was a highlight. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, always. Breakfast in France is my favorite meal of the year.
When your days are filled with cycling and sightseeing, there's something wonderful about not having to think about making breakfast. My plate was quickly filled from the buffet with fromage blanc, a type of yogurt I dream about year-round, covered with a dusting of sugar. I'd boil my eggs in a little water boiler until they were just how I liked them, pour myself a hot cup of tea, and tuck a pain au chocolat into my pocket for the road.
And with three guides and a support van accompanying every ride, I never worried about Mom getting lost, even if she may have accidentally tried to a few times.
My mom is an animal on the bike and vivacious in life. Between the cycling, sightseeing, and everything else packed into our days, I think I dutifully wore her out.
Climbing Mont Ventoux Before the Tour de France Femmes
The highlight of the entire trip was the day we climbed Mont Ventoux before the pros. After reaching the summit on our bikes, I was grateful Mom still had enough energy to hike back up the road with me so I could capture more of the action. We then made our way to the VIP area to watch former EF-Oatly rider Allison Jackson race by.
After the race, we hopped back on our bikes, albeit a little gingerly, and rode toward our hotel.
The descent was pure bliss.
I felt good about my photos. I'd summited Mont Ventoux with my mom, hugged my sister and countless friends, and watched the race we'd traveled so far to see. And somehow, the day still had one more gift: a ride down some of the loveliest roads in France, with fields of lavender glowing in the late-afternoon sunshine.
It was one of those days when everything comes together. The riding, the people, the place, and the experience of sharing it all with someone you love. I'm not sure I could have planned a better way to experience France with my mom.
Ready to Experience the Tour de France Femmes?
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift returns in 2027, and our signature VIP Access tour is being announced soon. Get ready to experience the excitement of professional women's cycling with EF Adventures. Your First Look
Gretchen Powers is a filmmaker and photographer who has spent years capturing people's "why" and helping them share it with the world. Her work has taken her from the rocky coast of Kodiak to the sandy beaches of Kailua, and from the slopes of Denali to the shores of Lake Champlain. She calls Montana home, where you'll likely find her on a bicycle, on cross-country skis, or in a climbing harness, with a cup of tea and too many snacks.
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