I'm off to sunny Provence next month by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, RER/Metro to Gare de Lyon and then TGV to Aix-en-provence. I'll be takin a large backpack and my bike in a soft Velox bike bag which measures less than 120cm long. I think it should be alright on the Eurostar -- I've spoken to people who've done this -- and the TGV site says bikes in bags can go at the end of the carriage, but what about the RER/Metro? It'd be awful to get to Paris and find I can't make it between stations in time because I can't take the RER/Metro. I'm also planning to take a local bus from Aix TGV to Aix itself, then on to the town I'm staying in (see below). Has anyone tried taking a bike on a bus in France? I'm sure it'll be a disaster.
Next up, Ventoux. I'm staying Lambesc, about 25km south east of Aix and want to ride the big mountain. Bedoin (the foot of the classic TdF ascent) is 70km from Lambesc by road; a bit far to ride there and back especially as I don't know how far north crossing Ventoux will take me. Any recommendations for making a shorter journey by using train, etc?
Lastly: other good riding in Provence. I expect it's chock-full of decent roads but this isn't specifically a cycling holiday so I'll probably only make it out on a couple of longish rides and a few 1 or 2 hour trips. Suggestions, please!
I'm off to sunny Provence next month by Eurostar to Paris Gare du Nord, RER/Metro to Gare de Lyon and then TGV to Aix-en-provence. I'll be takin a large backpack and my bike in a soft Velox bike bag which measures less than 120cm long. I think it should be alright on the Eurostar -- I've spoken to people who've done this -- and the TGV site says bikes in bags can go at the end of the carriage, but what about the RER/Metro? It'd be awful to get to Paris and find I can't make it between stations in time because I can't take the RER/Metro. I'm also planning to take a local bus from Aix TGV to Aix itself, then on to the town I'm staying in (see below). Has anyone tried taking a bike on a bus in France? I'm sure it'll be a disaster.
This won't help much but I did get told off for taking a Brompton on the Metro in Paris (even though I had a free metro pass donated by the mayor, having been a delegate at velo-city.) As a rule of thumb the ordinary staff on french PT will do their best to help you, whilst the guys with gold braid on their caps will do their best to hinder. RER is a normal train so bikes out of rush hour shouldn't be a problem - the metro barriers are likely to be your biggest obstacle. A taxi might be an option.
This won't help much but I did get told off for taking a Brompton on the Metro in Paris (even though I had a free metro pass donated by the
Quoted message said:
RER is a normal train so bikes out of rush hour shouldn't be a problem
Between Gare du Nord and Gare de Lyon, there is the RER D. The bikes (even when not in a bag) are explicitely allowed on the RER except at rush hours, which are defined as 6:30-9 and 16:30-19 on week days.
SNCF (which operates the RER D and main lines) has a website for bikes on trains: http://www.velo.sncf.com/ (in French)
In article <[email hidden]>, Mark <mark@JUNKTHISB ITmir.stevecole.org> writes
Quoted message said:
Lastly: other good riding in Provence. I expect it's chock-full of decent roads but this isn't specifically a cycling holiday so I'll probably only make it out on a couple of longish rides and a few 1 or 2 hour trips. Suggestions, please!
A few years ago | bought a small book in the Office de Tourisme in Vaison-la-Romaine. It was put out by a local cycle club and detailed lots of rides of varying length and difficulty, including Ventoux. They were based around Vaison, but maybe the same sort of thing is available in other towns in Provence? -- Peter Grange
In article <[email hidden]>, Mark <mark@JUNKTHISB ITmir.stevecole.org> writes
Quoted message said:
Lastly: other good riding in Provence. I expect it's chock-full of decent roads but this isn't specifically a cycling holiday so I'll probably only make it out on a couple of longish rides and a few 1 or 2 hour trips. Suggestions, please!
A few years ago | bought a small book in the Office de Tourisme in Vaison-la-Romaine. It was put out by a local cycle club and detailed lots of rides of varying length and difficulty, including Ventoux. They were based around Vaison, but maybe the same sort of thing is available in other towns in Provence?
