Easy cycling in France

[lowgear]

I have to go to France at end of June and would like to tack on a week's cycling holiday while I am there. Thinking of easy, relaxed cycling as opposed to doing the Alps. Would prefer cycling through Greenways and country lanes and steering clear of cities. Have anyone done a similar route that they can recommend. Currently focussing on Dordogne, Loire or Burgandy area.

[johannrissik]

Google "Eurovelo"......problem is that you might end up at the Black Sea

 

Enjoy

[lechatnoir]

Find a canal to follow and ride the tow path. Not sure what they are like from a cycling perspective, but have barged on canals. PM me if you need more info

[shaper]

Have a look at around Mont Ventoux, easy bike hire, lots of routes and if you do feel like an alps day, tackle Ventoux itself !!  Just google Ventoux Cycling

[lowgear]

Thanks everybody for your advice!

[Duane_Bosch]

I have to go to France at end of June 

Gee that sucks to HAVE to go to France!!!

 

I've done 6 trips (Alps) and loved every second of it. Can only advise on the Alps I'm afraid. What sort of riding are you looking at doing? MTB, Road? There's lots of easy riding in the Alps. some of the resorts even have road books with suggested routes and distance, elevations in them. I took my Fiance last year and she wasn't strong and was on flat pedals (Road bike) and she was fine. There are some heavy duty climbs but you can avoid those or take your time. You aren't racing so there's lots of time. The scenery is EPIC and the cars don't treat you like road vermin.

 

If you are looking at MTB I'd go to the Alps for sure. Morzine specifically. It's the biggest linked riding area in the world. A definite first timers destination. There's AMAZING riding for all abilities. The trails start on the ridge lines so you'd get a lift pass. You CAN ride up an Alp but.... Ski Lift. All the trails are technically graded by color. Green = Easy right u to Black = Scary as ****! A rider of OK technical ability could easily ride the greens & blues. In fact these are the most fun trails IMO. 

 

I'd suggest taking your own bike. Rentals are expensive. Think 50 Euro for a road bike and 60 Euro+ for a decent MTB. Just check out the ts & cs of your airline. 

[geomark]

My 2c, I haven't been to Burgundy but of the other 2;

 

Scenery wise I would say the Dordogne as it has beautiful limestone scenery with flat bottom valleys overlooked by high cliffs dotted with castles, chateaus and medieval villages.  So hills if you go cross country between river valleys but nothing real hectic and no mountains.  Hundreds of thousands of years of occupation from prehistoric cave paintings through stone age troglodites to medieval castles and fortified villages and monasteries make for awesome exploring.

 

The Loire Valley is champagne country and lots of beautiful Chateaus, all the Parisienne noble's "weekend retreat" and is super flat.  Will be much less variation though because of this.

 

I have only been under my own steam so can't recommend any specific tour companies etc but there are lots of options on the web.

 

Burgundy is a fantastic area as well by all accounts so I don't think you can really go too far wrong.  Maybe you should make the call based on what you like to drink.

[lowgear]

Thanks both for your advice. Geomark, like the idea of letting the wines be the decisive factor! Duane, is that 60 Euro per day for a mountain bike?

[Thor Buttox]

Thanks both for your advice. Geomark, like the idea of letting the wines be the decisive factor! Duane, is that 60 Euro per day for a mountain bike?

It was Eu80 per day for me back in 2009 already. But around Ventoux is awesome if you don't want the hills. Take a ride to Fontaine de Vaucluse. It is gorgeous in May when I was there.

[Duane_Bosch]

Thanks both for your advice. Geomark, like the idea of letting the wines be the decisive factor! Duane, is that 60 Euro per day for a mountain bike?

I'm talking Morzine here but the pricing is more or less as follows. Shops do vary but not by much. Figure on around about the following pricing. This was Torico in Morz

 

50 Euro Scott Addict road bike

65 Euro Devinci Spartan Trail Bike

85 Euro Devinci DH bike.

 

If anything breaks. You pay.

 

My advice is to take your own bike. Yes it is a hassle but you'll have something you are familiar with. And it's MUCH cheaper.

[Duane_Bosch]

This is giving me MAJOR fomo!!!! France is an amazing place to be on a bike. Wherever you go you'll love it.

 

Maybe hook up with a touring company. I did a little internetting a while ago and there are companies that will transport your gear to the next town/hotel while you ride your bike there. The one I looked at they basically give you a road book and get your stuff to the next town. It's not accompanied but you aren't hacking your own gear. The problem with the ones I saw was the distances. Some companies have 20km per day route plan and then others seem to have a plan that takes in 5 cols and 250km per day. I was looking for 50-80km per day.

[lowgear]

That is a fat lot of money for bike hire. Will definitely take my own bike instead. Thans again, all!

[capediver]

Duane, only one way to get rid of FOMO, you know what to do....

[Duane_Bosch]

Duane, only one way to get rid of FOMO, you know what to do....

Ja. Sell my motorbike to raise the cash. Totally worth it.

[Maila]

I'm curious to know how easy transporting a bike will be especially in a case where you're travelling with colleagues.

[Duane_Bosch]

I'm curious to know how easy transporting a bike will be especially in a case where you're travelling with colleagues.

Make no mistake. It's a hassle. But not a huge one.

 

These are my travelling with bike tips

 

• Don't bother buying a bike box/bag unless you travel regularly with a bike. A cardboard box works fine
• Get a bike shop to pack it for you. They tend to do a better job than you can
• Tell them to leave the top open
• Check that they didn't forget your pedals on the counter and not pack them in
• try to pack some soft goodies (clothing) around your precious in the box
• Buy 2 rolls of packing tape. 1 for the trip there. 1 for on the way back
• reinforce the corners of the box with the packing tape. Force yourself to use the entire roll.
• Write your name and contact details on the box with a sharpie
• Pack (not in your hand luggage) the necessary tools to rebuild your bike
• no CO2 canisters
• NB!! Get to the airport early It's a hassle for them to check a bike in
• Smile nicely for the check in lady
• You'll have to take the bike to oversized luggage once checked in. So like I said. Get there early.
• On the other side unpack your bike carefully and take note of how they packed it so you can do the same on the way back.