biking in france
12-08-06, 09:53 AM
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biking in france
I am going to France next summer for the TDF. I would like to bike the Alp D'huez, Mont Ventoux and Col du Tourmalet on mountain bike. I will be in France for a month starting and ending in Paris. Should I get a bike in Paris and get a bike rack on my rental car or try to get a bike at each town close to these mountain rides? I have decided not to ship my own bike over. Any advice would be appreciated.
12-08-06, 10:59 AM
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I'd get a bike in Paris and take it with you. I don't recall seeing obvious places to rent a MTB in any of the 3 areas you're mentioning. Besides, a lot easier to get one bike fitted, and set up with your seat and pedals, than repeating the process 3 times.
12-08-06, 05:33 PM
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Originally Posted by cc
I am going to France next summer for the TDF. I would like to bike the Alp D'huez, Mont Ventoux and Col du Tourmalet on mountain bike. I will be in France for a month starting and ending in Paris. Should I get a bike in Paris and get a bike rack on my rental car or try to get a bike at each town close to these mountain rides? I have decided not to ship my own bike over. Any advice would be appreciated.
are you really fixed upon Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux? I Think, the most interesting, fascinating and deciding stage will be that of Iseran, Télégraphe and Galibier in ONE day. Take this one instead of the others.
Don't try to get a bike close to the TDF events (there will be none). If you need some accomodation in this area, please ask via PM. If you visit my homepage (click translation flag) you will have a first impression of what you'll see on your way from the alpine region to the pyrennees.
marmotte
12-08-06, 05:45 PM
#4
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I suspect if you think it possible to rent the bike of your dreams at every stopping point, it would take extreme luck. My fear, your want the chosen bike, I'd rent it somewhere in Paris and lug it about on a bike rack.
12-10-06, 10:11 AM
#5
Descends Like Avalanche
I took my bike over in 2004, and went to the Tour as well as Germany, England, Belgium, and Holland. I took my own bike primarily because I'm really picky about how the position is set up. In your case, the cost of buying a rack and frequently renting a bike is money that could go towards purchasing a hard shell bike case for the flight. The airline allowed me to count the bike box as one piece of luggage, rather than charging extra. So, it might be worth reconsidering shipping it over. I will admit though, that I had a friend in Germany where I could leave the bike box instead of taking it with me. That made it easier to fit my bike inside my rental car.
If you still want to get a bike over there, I'd consider either renting one in Paris for the month, or buying one and bringing it back as a souvenir. You should be able to get a cardboard box from a bike shop for the flight back home. When I was at Alpe d'Huez, I did not see anywhere to rent bikes. In fact, driving there late at night, I wondered if I was indeed going the right direction - it's pretty much out in the middle of nowhere (in a good way). The view from the mountain at night is nice because there is not a lot of light pollution. But back to your topic, I think you'd spend a significant amount of time finding a place to rent, completing the paperwork, getting the bike set up, returning the bike, etc. every time you went from town to town.
Good luck, and be sure to post pictures when you get back!
If you still want to get a bike over there, I'd consider either renting one in Paris for the month, or buying one and bringing it back as a souvenir. You should be able to get a cardboard box from a bike shop for the flight back home. When I was at Alpe d'Huez, I did not see anywhere to rent bikes. In fact, driving there late at night, I wondered if I was indeed going the right direction - it's pretty much out in the middle of nowhere (in a good way). The view from the mountain at night is nice because there is not a lot of light pollution. But back to your topic, I think you'd spend a significant amount of time finding a place to rent, completing the paperwork, getting the bike set up, returning the bike, etc. every time you went from town to town.
Good luck, and be sure to post pictures when you get back!
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12-10-06, 07:32 PM
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one suggestion. I just took a flight from within Europe. Watch out for more strict weight standards if its within EU. You weight allowance between North America and Europe is almost double the European standard.
12-12-06, 09:38 PM
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DO NOT RENT A BIKE THERE. I went to france this summer intending to do alot of riding. I drove all around france looking for good road bikes to rent. They do not exist. I emailed 10 places that all said they carried good road bikes. To my absolute horror all any place had were touring bikes or rusted out mountain bikes. I might cost you some serious cash but, bring your bike if you possibly can.
12-13-06, 03:36 PM
#8
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If you travel frequently, another option is to pick up a coupled travel bike or folding bike.
Bikes with couplers are usually 700c wheels, and can be touring or road bikes. Co-Motion makes some good travel bikes. You can also retrofit a bike with S&S couplers (unless it's made out of aluminum).
Folding bikes typically use 20" wheels, and are easier to transport. You do not need a car rack, as you can just fold it down and toss it in the trunk. The best manufacturer for travel bikes is Bike Friday, which does fully customizable bikes (both geometry/setup and components). If you're on a budget, get a Xootr Swift and change the gearing to suit the hills.
Bikes with couplers are usually 700c wheels, and can be touring or road bikes. Co-Motion makes some good travel bikes. You can also retrofit a bike with S&S couplers (unless it's made out of aluminum).
Folding bikes typically use 20" wheels, and are easier to transport. You do not need a car rack, as you can just fold it down and toss it in the trunk. The best manufacturer for travel bikes is Bike Friday, which does fully customizable bikes (both geometry/setup and components). If you're on a budget, get a Xootr Swift and change the gearing to suit the hills.
12-14-06, 01:19 PM
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We brought our bikes for the '04 Tour and borrowed/rented soft carrying cases for them from a local bike shop. There's a better chance a soft carrying case will fit in your rental car than a hard case. Better yet, find a place you can leave the case during your stay, if you'll be returning to that spot. If you do this, practice your packing and re-assembly before you go to iron out any bugs and to have a firm grasp on what tools you need. For instance, my threadless headset would not adjust properly once I re-assembled it in France. I found a work-around, but it was a hassle. I don't recall seeing any places to rent bicycles either, but then I wasn't really looking. Wrap all your bike's tubes in inexpensive foam house pipe insulation when packing. The bagage handlers beat the bajesus out of those cases. Have fun.
12-20-06, 03:52 PM
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I rented a nice road bike in Saint Lary-Soulan in 05. Rented it the day before even. You just have to look hard. I'm not sure why the OP wants a Mtn Bike though. Getting a road bike with a triple is pretty easy, its lighter and you'll have way less rolling resistance for the 15% grades....
12-21-06, 09:05 AM
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Originally Posted by AtlAllez
DO NOT RENT A BIKE THERE. I went to france this summer intending to do alot of riding. I drove all around france looking for good road bikes to rent. They do not exist. I emailed 10 places that all said they carried good road bikes. To my absolute horror all any place had were touring bikes or rusted out mountain bikes. I might cost you some serious cash but, bring your bike if you possibly can.
12-30-06, 12:42 AM
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I know for a fact that you can rent pretty classy road bikes in Bourg d'Oisans, just at the foot of L'Alpe d'Huez, in that bike store in town in the pedestrian zone. You might have to reserve, though.
12-30-06, 05:12 AM
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I know for sure you can rent a road bike in Valloire just at the foot of Galibier and a short drive to Alpe d'Huez. We didn't rent and got bikes the day after the tour went thru last year. Good luck!
01-02-07, 07:10 AM
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Personally I'd take mine with me, a month on a bike that isn't yours is a long time and a lot of pain.
If you're looking for places to stay around Le tour - good luck. If you want to see Le tour I'd contact sportingtours.co.uk - they take coaches out to the race, will carry your bike and will book all the hotel rooms for you - all you need to do is turn up.
If you're looking for places to stay around Le tour - good luck. If you want to see Le tour I'd contact sportingtours.co.uk - they take coaches out to the race, will carry your bike and will book all the hotel rooms for you - all you need to do is turn up.
