South of France

Barn

Hello there i have been reading these forums for a while and been doing all the research on touruing,bikes,accomdation etc for a while and now decided to take the plunge and do a tour of my own.

I have bought a Cannondale T 2000 (pick it up next week )my plan is to do a tour of France in May this year,which gives me 5 months to prepair.I have been using the lonely planet France book as a guide but they are 5/6yrs old and havent been up dated but going to get michelin maps etc next week.

I am not new to France(but new to touring!!)owing to playing rugby league there for a while so kind of know the areas i want to cycle.This is my rough plan

1/ Arrive Paris cycle there 4-5 days early am Fontainbleu/Versailles etc

2/T.G.V (TRAIN)Avigion cycle provence and languadec for 2-3 weeks weeks retunn to Paris then back to Australia.

Now i would be totally apprciated if anyone out there that has done this trip(or similiar) or anybody in general could give me a few pointers.Lonley planet cycling guides good/bad?.I am going to stay in cheap hotels/hostels good for cyclists??I have been looking at Formule 1 hotels good??Taking my own bike also so any tips there!!!.Since i am not camping(but plan to next year)would i get away with i pannier filled(straped on rack)and a handle bar bag and wash cloths ever 2/3 days??.

I have allways loved travelling especially Europe but planning on doing heaps more a different country per year and a bit here in Aus as well.I imagine this will be a passion for me and i plan on camping etc later on but for my 1 st trip i think cheap hotels are the way,also what sort of budget per day can you get away with??.Thanks heaps who ever does reply and happy touring for all those out there!!!!

geoffs

Just came across this post. hows the planning going?
We rode around the Dordogne, caught the train from Cahors to Carcassonne.
Then cycled across to Avignon, through the Haute Provence and the Maritime Alps to Menton then back to Nice to catch the plane home. This took 5 weeks.
We used the Lonely planet guide and found it excellent for when we were there (2005). We also used the Michelin 1:200,000 maps.
There seemed to be plenty of accommodation available although we camped except for the **** hotel in Nice ).

If you want more info let me know.

Cheers

Geoff

Barn

Yeah mate all is good ,i am using the same guide and same maps.My plan has changed a few times but just little things here and there.Did you take your own bike?how did you fine trains with bikes? Owing to not camping i am really relying on the lonley planet for accomdation!!!

xilios

Hi, here is a link that my wife and I have used for camping sites in our previous tours, www.interhike.com they also have a good list of hostels.
Also that time of year (in case you have forgoten) it can get cold and wet, anywhere north of (latitude) Lyon, and can also get very windy. We had both on our tour last spring. As for carying panniers I would take two (small ish)rear bags, so I would have enough room to carry some food and water along, there is nothing beter than finding a real nice spot along your route and stoping for a picnic. Food and water can be difficult to find in many small villages in the afternoon hours.
We also use Michelin maps they are acurate enough for touring through France.
As for using trains we only had a lot of hassle in France, they would like you to put the bike in a box, we had to stay standing holding our bikes up in the small space between the carrieges. I would do some more research about bikes on trains before making any plans.
Hope this helps some cheers and safe travels

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