Cyling trip to Italy or France

billyhead

Thinking of heading off for a weeks cycling in the late summer to either Italy or France. Was intending to head by myself but go on one of those group trips. Obviously want to go on an active/strenous group tour and was just looking for suggestions by other folks who have gone on such a trip and if so who did they travel with i.e is there a website for such a thing were I could book it.

8119tm

http://www.hiberniacyclingtours.ie/
Have a look at this web site look good

8119tm

Also kilometres for kids (fundraising for crumlin) are going to Stephen roach cycling academy in Spain this year details on cmrf web site over seas events

el Bastardo

billyhead wrote: »

Thinking of heading off for a weeks cycling in the late summer to either Italy or France. Was intending to head by myself but go on one of those group trips. Obviously want to go on an active/strenous group tour and was just looking for suggestions by other folks who have gone on such a trip and if so who did they travel with i.e is there a website for such a thing were I could book it.

How strenuous are we talkin' (in terms of distance, speed, climb etc)?

Captain Havoc

Ferry ride to Cherbourg, base yourself there, nice routes.

SomeFool

http://www.thealpinechallenge.com/

letape

I spent a week in the Pyrenees a few years back. Stayed in Bagneres-de-Luchon. Same place l'etape finishes this year.

If you like climbing its a great place to be based with Col d'Aspin, the Peyresourde, Port de Bales and the Col du Tourmalet all close by.

Accomodation is very reasonable in the area.

ednwireland

you could always try our own http://www.velopeloton.com/

DeadMan1

a thumbs up for velopeloton, stunning place

Sally cyclist

Hi guys, I am new to this and couldn't find out how to start a thread , so just getting in on this one if that's ok. Any advice would be appreciated. We would like to go on a simple low cost cycle holiday in France. We have been camping there for the last few years. Now we would like to either fly and cycle or go on ferry and cycle. Not too strenuous, kids 12' 15' and 16 plus parents. But would prob just cycle 30 to 60 km a day so wouldn't get too far!would like a change from campsites, so maybe b and b. must be low cost. Could we bring enough gear on our bikes? How light can you travel? And we don't even know how to fix a puncture....yet! On the plus side we are quit fit. Thanks,
Sally cyclist:D:D

Chris O Donoghue

I've cycled in most parts of France and generally it's ideal; the drivers are courteous, the roads are well maintained and there is usually a bike shop in each town.

We headed to the Alps and Pyrenees initially, to tackle cols, but with younger kids you might think about going somewhere a bit less challenging and a bit quieter. The area near Clermon-Ferrand is lovely; there are small towns and villages a few miles apart, and a mixture of hilly routes to make things interesting.

The villages near Lac Chambon would make a good base; there is a good campsite there with chalets to let. The scenery is not as dramatics as the Alps but there are hundreds of extinct volcanoes covered in almost black forest, very dramatic. The villages are dusty and quiet, the place really feels like authentic France.

Along the west coast is easier to get to from here; take a look at the area near the Gironde/Dordogne between Bordeaux and La Rochelle. Little half-deserted villages like Mortagne sur Gironde are beautiful; there are nice quiet roads that go through miles of fieldsof sunflowers.

My favourite area in the west is along the coast of the Vendee, from St Nazaire south to Les Sables d'Olonne. There is a brilliant cycling network of signposted coastal paths and roads which take you into the old fishing villages. it's so flat you can see the steeples of the village churches from miles away.
Have fun!

Captain Havoc

I usually stay in F1 (Formule 1) hotels. They're very basic but you'll get them for about €30 per room, each room has a double bed and a bunk single (3 people). If you wanted a nice touring type holiday you could do something like cycle around lake Geneva, the scenery is absolutely stunning. For a simple holiday you could take the ferry to Cherbourg and visit the WWII things. I still haven't done Brittany but really want to.

sy

Chris O Donoghue wrote: »

Little half-deserted villages like Mortagne sur Gironde are beautiful;

Call in the next time you visit!

cdaly_

Sally cyclist wrote: »

Hi guys, I am new to this and couldn't find out how to start a thread , so just getting in on this one if that's ok. Any advice would be appreciated. We would like to go on a simple low cost cycle holiday in France. We have been camping there for the last few years. Now we would like to either fly and cycle or go on ferry and cycle. Not too strenuous, kids 12' 15' and 16 plus parents. But would prob just cycle 30 to 60 km a day so wouldn't get too far!would like a change from campsites, so maybe b and b. must be low cost. Could we bring enough gear on our bikes? How light can you travel? And we don't even know how to fix a puncture....yet! On the plus side we are quit fit. Thanks,
Sally cyclist:D:D

It's possible to travel fairly light but, if you're doing short daily distances, you'll end up with a lot of off-bike time and are therefore more likely to 'need' other gear. My lot are congenitally unable to travel without taking half the house with them! It might be worth borrowing a trailer (a covered child trailer can be stuffed with bulky light stuff) to reduce the weight on the bikes. The pulling could be shared out between the stronger riders.

+1 on the Vendee off-road cycle network, ranges from paved former railway lines to sanded pathways to forest trails. No stretch too long between town/villages.

There was somebody here did a roscoff to cherbourg holiday a year or so ago again using canal-side car-free routes.

Dunno how the Formule1 hotels are for bike parking, campsites may be handier from that POV 'cos you can keep the bikes on your pitch.

Have fun!

Fatbiker

I found this website but have not used them. Appeals to me though. Might look into Sept trip, nice and easy...www.bretonbikes.com