Bike Touring in Europe (France)

[sonyboy]

Hubbers,

 

we are planning to follow the last week of the Tour da France 2013.

Do part of the mountain stages and then stand aside and watch how the peleton

show how it should be done.

 

Now, require travel tips and tips on the following:

1. Bike rentals are available in France, has anyone done this?

2. Taking own bike! Hard case or carton box?

3. Pedals, taking own set over

4. Rental or taking own bike

 

Sure someone has done this before...your tips will be helpful.

[Joe Low]

Ok, not comprehensive but gets the ball rolling.

Take your own pedals regardless (if you're taking your shoes!)

If your bike is worth something go hardcase; carton to and fro and during is a risk.

 

Andy249 and Ian J have both ridden in France recently. You could pm them if they dont come on here.

Edited January 13, 2013 by Joe Low

[HappyMartin]

My wife did a tour in France last year. It was well organized but the bikes were hired and not great. Real hybrid tourer type of things. She took her saddle and pedals. Also took key fit measurements with her.

 

We are going to Italy this year and will be taking her own bikes. Hard cases

[DIPSLICK]

I would so like to do a cycle in Europe , wife would be shopping but I would love to do some rides, would be great if a organized group could put something together someone who has done it from this side!! I am sure it would work out cheaper than some of the multistage races entry fees

[SupremeLady]

As far as I know there are some good bikes that you can hire in France... My Dad did the Alpe D'huez there a few times and said he had quite decent help there. Obviously everyone feels most comfortable on their own bike, it's just the matter of how much you are prepared to spend.

['Dale]

Contact Capcha Photography, a forum member here.

He has done it.

[hopefield]

I did an event in France in 2011. I took my own bike packed in a cardboard box. Must add that it was an aliminium bike with a carbon fork. Had a bunch of fragile stickers on the box. Bike traveled there and back without any damage. I flew Air France and it cost me R1000 for the extra piece of luggage.

[Guest Omega Man]

I've done 2 mountain bike trips to the Alps so slightly different but these are my tips.

 

1. Take your own bike. Rental bikes are typically ridiculously expensive and the bikes have been hammered like a street prostitute.

2. Cardboard box. The regular boxes are too heavy. I see you live in Cape Town. I use Speedy cycles in Wynberg to pack my box. Speak to Kurt. He charges about R100 plus the box (R50) He'll do a much better job than you can. 021 797 5674.

3. Go Emirates or Turkish. They both have 30kg checked baggage limits. you should be able to get your bike and quite a lot of kit, clothing into your box to get it up to the 30kg limit.

4. DON'T go over your baggage limit. You'll get nailed

5. You can take 7kg of carry on luggage. Make sure your riding shoes, pedals and at least 1 riding kit are in your carry on just in case your bike arrives 2 days after you. Then you can at least rent a bike wherever you are for a day and still ride.

6. If you are going with mates communicate with each other on what tools and spare to take. You don't want to be over there with 5 pumps and no allen keys.

[Natural Defender]

I did a ride from Italy to Holland last year.

 

I took my own bike. Was going to take a cardboard box, but Dunkeld Cycles kindly lent me a bike bag. Flew on Air France. The cost of the bike was R1700 each direction. It was expensive but worth it. Not difficult to put the bike together.

 

You need to consider if you are moving around. Bike boxes take up big space. You are in unfamiliar territory. There are no bike shops in the Alps, so you need to be self sufficient.

 

Ride the mountain passes. They are amazing. You will not experience anything like them in South Africa. The roads are full of people riding them all day long..........without helmets I must add....................crazy, as the decents are fast and can be very dangerous.

 

Many cars give you space, but like here, I had a few narrow misses.

 

Have a blast.

 

Cheers

[Guest Omega Man]

You need to consider if you are moving around. Bike boxes take up big space. You are in unfamiliar territory. There are no bike shops in the Alps, so you need to be self sufficient.

 

Huh? There are loads of bike shops in the Alps. Morzine, Les Gets, Chatel, Morgins all have multiple bike shops. I guess where you were didn't have bike shops. And to be fair the bike shops in the places i've mentioned are primarily MTB orientated.

Edited January 14, 2013 by Omega Man

[Guest Omega Man]

Ride the mountain passes. They are amazing. You will not experience anything like them in South Africa. The roads are full of people riding them all day long..........without helmets I must add....................crazy, as the decents are fast and can be very dangerous.

I've done 2 mtb trips to Morzine. Rode (down) the Col de Joux Plane, Down from Avoriaz to Morzine, down the du Vuerte. Whole heartedly agree with you. The passes are stunning. The whole setup is just AMAZING. I love it so much I'm going back in July. And again every year until i die.

Edited January 14, 2013 by Omega Man

[Guest Omega Man]

Flew on Air France. The cost of the bike was R1700 each direction. It was expensive but worth it. Not difficult to put the bike together.

I think Swiss Air have a similar thing. They charge 150 Euro each way and will even lend you a box. BA have a policy where you can buy and extra 23kg of luggage (more than enough for a bike) up front for 35 pounds each way.