Cycling in France or Spain

[Gunzo]

Sorry for reposting here, but with the new layouts I think I'll get more eyes here.

 

How many of you have been to France?

I'm going alone for a week from the 20th of August, after a week I'm going to Spain where I'll meet up with my fiancée and her family.

 

What I want to do, is go to Mont Ventoux, and cycle this epic climb.

But maybe some of you have better suggestions? Where should I go and what should I do?

I'm a bit of cycling junkie at this stage, so want to plan a trip around a great cycling venture in France.

(Note that I am not bound to France, and other countries can also be considered. But hey, it's France!)

 

I'm on a tight budget, so I will probably be camping, is this advisable?

 

Another question: Should I hire the bike, or rather take my bike with.

 

Do any of you have any contacts in France? Maybe someone I can visit, or borrow a road bike from and so forth.

 

Please help me with any ideas and suggestions.

 

Thanks

[Ispeed_V]

Not so sure about France, but I would immagine that most European countries are the same. Switzerland is very accomodating to cyclists with you be able to hire bikes by the dozen. Best option is a tourer which is almost a combination between a MTB bike and road bike. When in doubt the internet is always a good source of info. If I had a choice of region in France, Provence is stunning.

[LeTurbo]

Lucky bugger. But now, if you're going to camp, how're you gonna schlep all the stuff around? Maybe look into Youth Hostels, at least you only have to carry some clothes instead of sleeping bag, tent, etc. You can't ride with a huge backpack, it's impractical and, even on a rear carrier, it unsettles the bike's weighting so you have a very light front wheel. Believe me, I tried it briefly in Holland. Also, consider how much colder it can be on a bike than if you're just walking.

[Gunzo]

Youth Hostels sounds like a better idea.

 

I'm not going to cycle the whole way, just want to do something memorable, like climbing Mont Ventoux. But then how's the best way to get from say Marseilles to Bedoin? Public transport in France?

 

I believe I will be able to hire a bike @ Bedoin, because cycling Mont Ventoux is a tourist attraction.

 

Please keep on giving your inputs.

Much appreciated.

[Thor Buttox]

I went with great ambition to hire bikes and the like. Ended up driving up Mont Ventoux, Alpe d'Huez and Col du Galibier, etc. Phenomenal trip.

 

Went in late May and it was still freezing (<0C at Alpe d'Huez and I had none of the right clothing). Also you better take your own bike, cos hiring one is extremely expensive.

 

My suggestion is to base yourself in Grenoble - stunning city. Then most of the major climbs are within reach. Hire a car and drive through to Avignon if you want to do Mont Ventoux. And prepare for one helluva climb!! none of the guys at the top had taken less than 2:30 from the bottom and they were fairly serious looking cyclists

[Gunzo]

Bump

[Mr Legs]

I went up Ventoux in a Toyota, we stayed in Orange or Avignon, still some way to travel to Bedouin if you are going to cycle. Friend of a friend took his own bike and camped and toured Provence, camping was fairly cheap, 10-15 Euro, always good ablution facilities and small shop or bar at the camp site. It is a bit of a pain to lug your bike and camping gear from SA, and also to look after it when you hit the bigger cities and make use of other forms of transport, so maybe an option to google for rental bikes in the area. Check out car rentals as well, compare it with cost of train travel. You can get all the info from your friends at google. Trains in Western Europe are good, second class is much more luxurious than our standard of first class, ok I havent been on the Gautrain!

 

Saw lots of people who took their bikes on the trains in Italy and to a lesser extent in France. The Dutch are the kings of two wheel commuting, even their metro have space to store your bike. They do however ride those awfull black sit up and begs.

[straatvark]

If you do Mont Ventoux and are on a budget - this campsite is cheap and bathrooms was clean. Go for the area under the pine trees. There is basically everything you would need (washing machines, barbecue area etc) except a pool: Le Pastory

Map: Map

The area to the South, eg Gordes is nice to cycle.

 

EDIT: beware of the nudist campsite outside Bedouin

 

 

For Spain, MTB the Al Camino with the other half. (Only from Leon to Santiago De Compostella if you have 4-5 days) Best holiday ever with my wife in terms of relaxing and quality time - and it is cheap to sleep, eat and drink red wine.

Edited April 17, 2011 by straatvark

[Hawk]

Start in San Sebastian, France and do the trans pyrenees into Barcelona, Spain. That will take you a week.

 

Col du Tourmalet - 1270m 17.2km 7.4%

Col de Bagargui - 1018m 21.2km 4.8%

Col d'Aubisque - 865m 20.9km 4.1%

Col de Peyresourde - 938m 15.3km 6.1%

Col d'Aspin - 778m 12km 6.5%

Port de la Bonaigua - 1121m 23km 4.9%

Col de Marie Blanque - 615m 14km 4.1%

Col de Portillon - 582m 8.5km 6.8%

Col d'Ichere - 326m 5.3km 6.1%

[Gunzo]

Thanks everyone for the input,

 

Hawk, you have only confused me. Now I have more options to decide from, it's going to be tough!

Edited April 18, 2011 by Gunzo

[Mr Legs]

Just remember to make your appointment for the visa application in time, Just came back from the Italian Consulate in Cape Town, they are fully booked until the end of next month, was very fortunate to secure an appointment after a cancellation. The position is the same at the other consulates.

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

Just remember to make your appointment for the visa application in time, Just came back from the Italian Consulate in Cape Town, they are fully booked until the end of next month, was very fortunate to secure an appointment after a cancellation. The position is the same at the other consulates.

 

Know that consulate well! Had to renew my passport a few months ago and my word, what a painnnnn in the aaaaaaaaaa........

[Velouria]

Just got back from a holiday in France. Took my bike with and did some fantastic riding, including Mont Ventoux (what a mountain) and some of the climbs in the Pyrenees. I can't recommend such a holiday enough.

 

Blog post here