I'm trying to learn to adopt a more relaxed approach, while still ensuring we don't end up sleeping in a bus shelter.
There are worse places to sleep. And it would make a great story forever after.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
Non-epic cycle touring in France - advice needed
(52 posts)- Started 6 years ago by sallyhinch
- Latest reply from I were right about that saddle
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Posted 6 years ago #
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There is a bus shelter in Northumberland wit thatched roof (the audaxers will know of it). I hazard a guess several babies have been made in it.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Frenchy, that is really cool. Was aware of similar enclaves on the German-Dutch border, but not that one. Sadly too far west for this holiday, but mental note made.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I hope to be in france middle of may 2018 and would like to cycle in Menton, maybe i could do the infamous col- i would maybe hire a bike - has anyone does this in Menton ? there are about 4 bike shops. Advice greatly received.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Mercury, you cld also start in Nice. It's a nice loop, iirc, Nice - La Turbie - Menton via one of the small roads, then the madone and back downhill to Nice.
Posted 6 years ago # -
OK, so our original plan of overnight ferry + train to Nantes having been scuppered by the SNCF strike, we're now looking at Eurostar to Gare du Nord, and then train to Nantes from Gare Montparnasse. We've allowed about 3 hours to do this so if we have to walk the whole way we would be fine, but if anyone has advice on cycling through central Paris and not dying, that would be great
Posted 6 years ago # -
if anyone has advice on cycling through central Paris and not dying
Alas my experiences are all out of date. That journey would have been invariably fatal in my day, but it would appear that it's perfectly feasible these days.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@sallyhinch
Does it fit to try on a Sunday? Much of the city centre is off limits to cars then.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Unfortunately that's one of the strike days, so there won't be any trains. Would be nice otherwise!
Posted 6 years ago # -
i was thinking baout this and if you've time, then I would recommend something like this
https://goo.gl/maps/4ipGrAMwUdo
Which is a bit more of a sight seeing type of route with all the big bits, but still rather busy.
Alternate but this might be a bit more ambitious. It is an almost entirely quieter route with more segregated lanes. and amazing views of petanque playing old men, Bastille, The Seine, Pont Neuf, Notre Dam, etc
https://goo.gl/maps/xCKCJwFxoV92
This is basically what I'd ride if I had a few hours. It's far nicer than going straight through town. and navigation is a bit easier
"Head east till you hit the canal"
"Head south till you hit Bastille"
"Head South west till you hit the River + Cross"
"Go west till the eiffell tower"
"Aim for Tour Montparnasse" (massive black tower which stands up quite incredibly from that part of the city.Posted 6 years ago # -
That sounds fab and those are the sort of directions I need. I'll check the timings but it seems like it should be doable too. Thank you!
Posted 6 years ago # -
Handy map of how deadly the French cities are should you need to traverse them;
https://parisenselle.fr/barometre-des-villes-cyclables/
Same old same old;
80% rate segregation highly
92% fear bike theft
90% don't think it's safe for kids and old folks to cycle
20% think it's easy to lock up in stationsInteresting route planner;
https://www.geovelo.fr/france/itinerary/search?profile=MEDIAN&bikeType=TRADITIONAL
Posted 6 years ago # -
Posted 6 years ago #
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Right, the train part of the trip is booked (I'm averting my eyes from how much more expensive it is to go by train than it would have been to fly...)
So, 4 hours to cross Paris on the way out and two hours on the way back, which means both of ARobComp's routes will probably get used.
Roll on June ...
Posted 6 years ago # -
Back from this - we've had an amazing trip (and been super lucky with the weather too).
To answer some of my questions - in the end, trying to get a hotel on the day proved a bit optimistic (and expensive) but booking a day ahead or even on the day through booking.com provided a good balance between flexibility and non-bus-sheltering.
Cycling across Paris proves entirely possible if you arrange to do so on the day the whole city centre has been closed down for something (perhaps the Pride march?). Otherwise, it's not for the faint hearted, and it's a bit galling to be overtaken by a very chic girl on an electrified scooter (as in the children's style scooter, not a moped) in a bus lane as you cravenly stop at red lights like some kind of a newbie.
Taking bikes on French trains is just as stressful as taking them on British trains, which is to say it's possible but it doesn't make for a relaxing trip.
It's definitely worth paying extra for the premium sacrifice package to the weather gods, although we did forget to shell out for the headwind supplement.
All in all, a good time was had by all and the French economy is now richer to the tune of about several million euros.
Posted 6 years ago # -
That sounds like fun. I've rarely regretted money spent in France.
Apart from the emergency wheel bearing replacement on the car once.
Posted 6 years ago # -
More detail, if anyone's interested https://cityexile.wordpress.com/2018/07/03/five-things-i-have-learned-about-cycle-touring/
Posted 6 years ago # -
Very enjoyable write up Sally!
I tried many times in my student days to have a "cheap" ride through France, wild camping and trying to survive on budget camembert, pain suisse and baguette. It invariably goes horribly wrong and I return tanned, well fed, and completely broke. Always enjoyed it though and your pictures have piqued my interest in trying it again....
Budget baby pulling tour in the trailer? I have a week in september. Maybe I should try my luck at a bike tour with baby.
Posted 6 years ago # -
I'd be a bit cautious of the surfaces in France - the off road bits are mainly packed dirt tracks rather than tarmac which might make for a bumpy ride.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Just back from a very pleasant ride in the Dordogne with Mini-Greenroofer. 25 miles on an old railway. Completely traffic-free and smooth tarmac the whole way.
I may have inadvertently sent @sallyhinch a slack message inviting her to follow the ride live on Strava. This was finger trouble on my part rather than a passive aggressive attempt at one-upmanship.
Posted 6 years ago # -
@Greenroofer - that sounds amazing. We were in the Dordogne for the second half of the trip and flat routes were rather hard to come by... lots of welcome river swimming though as it was bakingly hot
Posted 6 years ago # -
Went by the back roads to get a baguette in Batz-sur-Mer on auntie Danielle's Trek folder and spotted that I was in fact on @sallyhinch's non-epic Vélocéan tour route, which pleased me hugely.
Came home off-piste across the fields in tribute.
Posted 6 years ago #
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