Riding Through France

There is a small British group (actually, only a couple - Andrew and Suzie) with whom I took 2-week
tours last summer and the summer before. The prices are low (now BP725, I think). The fitness (and
age) level of the riders ranged widely so both slow and fast riders felt comfortable. I took the
Bordeaux to Alpe d'Huez in '01 and the Pyrenees trip in '02. Beautiful scenery, very sociable. I'm
thinking about taking their Geneva-Verona trip this summer. Check out their web site at
www.wideopenroad.co.uk If you'd like more info about my experience of the tours, feel free to email
me directly.

Steve Juniper ([email hidden]) Berkeley, California

"The people can always be brought to do the bidding of the leaders... All you have to do is tell
them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the
country to danger. It works the same in any country." Hermann Goering before being sentenced to
death at Nuremberg.

"James" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]... Hello Everyone,

I am living in London at the moment. Though in April, I'm planning on doing some riding through
Belgium to the south of France (not sure of location yet - possible Montpelier).

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or links on recommended bike type for the trip,
routes, or estimated time to travel the distance. I've not done more than an overnight cycle trip
before, so assume I'm a bit of a novice on this front.

Oh, and I can speak french, so language is covered.

Cheers, James

James P-oz?

Quoted message said:

I am living in London at the moment. Though in April, I'm planning on doing some riding through
Belgium to the south of France (not sure of location yet - possible Montpelier).

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or links on recommended bike type for the
trip, routes, or estimated time to travel the distance. I've not done more than an overnight cycle
trip before, so assume I'm a bit of a novice on this front.

You might find some inspiration on routes to travel from ride reports on the Trento Bike Pages at:

www-math.science.unitn.itTour of the AlpsOpen ↗

Jobst Brandt [email hidden] Palo Alto CA

Lots of folks have traveled more extensively in France than I. I allowed four weeks, but when my
bike and gear didn't arrive in Brussels, I trimmed off 4 days at the start and finished with 3
days in Nice. I rode fully loaded, splitting time between camping (difficult in October) and
small hotels.

I headed through Dinant, Bouillon, Epernay, Troyes, Tonnerre, Dijon, Beaune, Lyon, Montelimar,
Malaucene (Mt Ventoux), Bonnieaux, Frejus. Easy riding along the Meuse, Burgundy Canal, Saone, and
Rhone. Plenty of hills along the way to balance out the easy riding. I took lots of time to
sightsee, and took rest days in Dijon and Frejus. I did the Ventoux loop (sans panniers) in a
morning, starting and finishing in Malaucene.

My experience is that this was a good relaxed pace. If self-contained, I would not want to try it
in less time

Good Luck-

Jed.

James said:

Hello Everyone,

I am living in London at the moment. Though in April, I'm planning on doing some riding through
Belgium to the south of France (not sure of location yet - possible Montpelier).

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or links on recommended bike type for the
trip, routes, or estimated time to travel the distance. I've not done more than an overnight cycle
trip before, so assume I'm a bit of a novice on this front.

Oh, and I can speak french, so language is covered.

Cheers, James

Quoted message said:

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or links on recommended bike type for the
trip, routes, or estimated time to

My only misstake when crossing france by bike was Paris. As always for long distance bikers: avoid
the big cities.

/Fredrik