wildroadie_v2 Posted February 9, 2011 Posted February 9, 2011 Start point - DecathlonCareful you'll spend far more than you expect too. It's normally slightly out of town but just ask the guys at work to point you in the right direction.At Decathlon you will find all the clothes you need - it might not be the brand names but trust me it's good stuff. Got the best winter gloves for 3euros in the summer sale.There you may also cast your eyes on a deal or two in the bike section. If not - next stop - Go Sport. My colleague just bought a full carbon Go Sport branded bike with 105 components for 800euros. If no bike takes your fancy then start looking for a bike shop. You may just find one that does rentals. And, yes, make sure you introduce yourself, something along the lines of Bonjour Monsieur Je vien d'Afrique du Sud. Parlez vous anglais? Trust me, it's true, tell them you're anything but english and they'll be the friendliest people. Next step - get a map. Actually you should get that at Decathlon. There are SO many roads here in France you won't know where to begin. But it is cycling heaven. You will see so much more than just the town centre. And even Mercure hotels can handle strange people in lycra walking through reception with a bike - speaking from experience. If all else fails. Just sit back relax - La Vie est Belle. Figure out the meaning of that and you're made for life!!!
BigGuy Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Speak Afrikaans to them. The french will think you are elitist dutch and treat you like royalty.
trekpostal Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 genade, wat 'n gedagte op 'n nugter maag
Dsan Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 2nd-hand bikes in Europe are nice and cheap, so do yourself a flava and go and buy one, ride the hell out of it and bring it back here and sell it.
DaLoCo Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 I am trying to figure if you are whinging about not having a bike, or boasting about being in France.....
gummibear Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 It's not the bike that is going to cost you a fortune as second hand bikes go for next to nothing.It's the cold weather clothing that you need to ride now as it's still freezing. Deccathlon are very good with prices though and have everything you will need.
Mojoman Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 We were once stuck in France without petrol (bikes would have been better!). Went over to Rotterdam for a friends wedding somewhere near Paris. Drove there the day before, what a complete nightmare! The French also suffer from road rage, my friends GPS had issues near Paris and we got lost. Wound up in the middle of nowhere in the Bordeaux region I think it is, almost out of petrol. Stopped at a petrol station and the French weasel wouldn't sell us any petrol, he said they don't take, wait for it,...CASH!!! I think it may have had something to do with us speaking the anglaise!
Andyr249 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Nip up to Paris and go take a look at Cycles Laurent. Great shop. As for the French just start talking French and they will reply in English because your accent will be so terrible that they will know you aren't French. They also friendlier if you do that.
Andyr249 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Nip up to Paris and go take a look at Cycles Laurent. Great shop. As for the French just start talking French and they will reply in English because your accent will be so terrible that they will know you aren't French. They also friendlier if you do that.
RudoJ Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 (edited) DAMN, to be stuck in France,,,,you poor thing... anywaysLike some hubbers said, the trick of speaking afrikaans first and then ask if you could try english, works like a charm. Damn this brings back good memories, southern France, Duffel Beer, cosy little hotel, winter, seeing snow on the Pyrenees Mountain tops... Edited February 10, 2011 by RudoJ
firewolf Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 eat cheese and drink wine for faaaaarks sake!
Stray Cat Posted February 10, 2011 Author Posted February 10, 2011 thanks for the advice guys Will go have a look for some bikes tomorrow Not gonna lie..... the beer here is AWESOME... really good but gives a bad hangover Cheese and pastries are also awesome, just hope I dont pick up to much weight cos a managed to loose a bucket load last year
wildroadie_v2 Posted February 10, 2011 Posted February 10, 2011 Mojoman - how the hell did you end up in the Bordeaux region when you were aiming for Paris!? There are a HELL of a lot of kilometres between the two!
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