Cycling in europe

starfish90

Hi guys


Looking at doing a small bit of cycling in Europe this summer (possibly Austria - Slovenia sort of cycle, then staying in Slovenia for a few days) and was wondering about bike rental places which allow collection and drop off in two different countries??

One company I can find is this
http://www.rentalbikeitaly.com/

Anyone know these fellas or have any other recommendations?


Many thanks

Wishbone Ash

Would you not bring your own bike? Much nicer than a 'strange' bike if you're doing a bit of distance and cheaper than renting. A lot of rentals tend to be cheaper bikes of a lower quality or lower quality components.

starfish90

To be honest I haven't researched it all too much but would it not be cheaper to rent there rather than battle with ryanair to bring one over?! I'll definitely consider it though

Wishbone Ash

starfish90 wrote: »

To be honest I haven't researched it all too much but would it not be cheaper to rent there rather than battle with ryanair to bring one over?! I'll definitely consider it though

I have travelled with the bike several times and didn't really have any problems on this side. Ryanair are easier than Aer Lingus!

I did lose a few CO2 cartridges in Germany and a US official tried to charge me for 'sports equipment' on top of the bike fee. He backed down after a full onslaught of Mrs WA's wrath.

07Lapierre

starfish90 wrote: »

To be honest I haven't researched it all too much but would it not be cheaper to rent there rather than battle with ryanair to bring one over?! I'll definitely consider it though

Ryanair are fine when it comes to transporting bikes, Aer Lingus, on the other hand are a pain!

Raam

Ryanair limit is 30kg, Aerlingus is 23kg. I'd always bring my own bike once transporting it is a feasible option. If you are doing point to point then you won't have the luxury of a hard-case for your bike. Talk to a bike shop either end and they will give you a cardboard box if you rub them up the right way.

Raam

07Lapierre wrote: »

Ryanair are fine when it comes to transporting bikes, Aer Lingus, on the other hand are a pain!

Only had grief from EI once in Munich back in 08 I think. Other than that it has been fine. They recently increased the limit from 15kg to 23kg.

leecurlywurly

My bf & I are thinking of going somewhere in Europe for our first cycling holiday, a week or so.

Either being our own bikes or hire.

Any recommendations?

07Lapierre

Bring your own bike.

cdaly_

I had to hire a road bike for 10 days last year when my own got mashed boarding the ferry. Cost was about EUR180 (Ferry Co paid).

dewindygap

Gosh cdaly, sorry to hear that. I am weening myself off airlines (on the return journey because of the hassle received at airports) so last year, having flown with bike to France I ferried from France to England and then ferried from Holyhead to Dublin and found it so stress free. No worries regarding boxes and bags etc. My wife actually left a month earlier from Beauvais and such a bloody hassle she barely made the flight. It seems to get worse every year. Can you expand on what happened with your bike on the ferry?

dewindygap

leecurlywurly, you won't go far wrong cycling in France.Tremendous respect given by motorists to cyclists. Plenty of dedicated bike routes. I could go on but if you need specifics pm me or google voie vert. The west of France is relatively flat so tis very possible to plan a handy weeks route fed by airlines from and to Dublin ie Rennes, Brest, Nantes,La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Biarritz

07Lapierre

cdaly_ wrote: »

I had to hire a road bike for 10 days last year when my own got mashed boarding the ferry. Cost was about EUR180 (Ferry Co paid).

Was you bike on the roof of your car?

Koobcam

dewindygap wrote: »

leecurlywurly, you won't go far wrong cycling in France.Tremendous respect given by motorists to cyclists. Plenty of dedicated bike routes. I could go on but if you need specifics pm me or google voie vert. The west of France is relatively flat so tis very possible to plan a handy weeks route fed by airlines from and to Dublin ie Rennes, Brest, Nantes,La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Biarritz

Tremendous respect? Have you ever cycled around Bourg D'Oisans? There's a road that leads towards the Lauteret and Deux Alpes climbs and it's bloody dangerous-dark tunnels, trucks and drivers who think they are in a rally. Or try the last few ams of the circuit of Lake Geneva on the French side of the border, most fear I have ever felt on a bike.

cdaly_

dewindygap wrote: »

Can you expand on what happened with your bike on the ferry?

07Lapierre wrote: »

Was you bike on the roof of your car?

Yep. Got directed up the wrong ramp and handlebars fouled the deckhead. They were very helpful in sorting it all out...

dewindygap

Jeez, cdaly. Thats some damage to bikes and car. Were they write-offs? Great start to the holidays.

cdaly_

Nah, repaired and running well. Gave me the opportunity to try out a compact chainset and confirm that I much prefer my triple...

Seaswimmer

leecurlywurly wrote: »

My bf & I are thinking of going somewhere in Europe for our first cycling holiday, a week or so.

Either being our own bikes or hire.

Any recommendations?

For anyone doing a first cycling holiday in Europe I would recommend following the Camino route in Northern Spain or Portugal. Using the roads and not the trail.

Its well signposted, well serviced, accomodation is cheap and plentiful, and you can fly there cheaply.

Fly Ryanair to Biarritz and home Aer Lingus from Santiago. About 800kms in total so probably a bit long for a week unless you are an experienced cyclist but easily doable in 10 days. Good variety of hills, mountains and flat land.

Alternatively fly Ryanair to Faro and do the Portugese leg up to Santiago or Porto (fly home with Ryanair)if you dont want to go that far. About the same distance as Biarritz-Santiago but flatter and a choice of a coastal or inland route..

elchupanebrey

Seaswimmer wrote: »

For anyone doing a first cycling holiday in Europe I would recommend following the Camino route in Northern Spain or Portugal. Using the roads and not the trail.

Its well signposted, well serviced, accomodation is cheap and plentiful, and you can fly there cheaply.

Fly Ryanair to Biarritz and home Aer Lingus from Santiago. About 800kms in total so probably a bit long for a week unless you are an experienced cyclist but easily doable in 10 days. Good variety of hills, mountains and flat land.

Alternatively fly Ryanair to Faro and do the Portugese leg up to Santiago or Porto (fly home with Ryanair)if you dont want to go that far. About the same distance as Biarritz-Santiago but flatter and a choice of a coastal or inland route..

Apologies for going a bit OT but have you any idea what the road surface is like in Portugal when wet? Is it similar to here in that you can cycle on it sound with a bit of care, or is it like Majorcan roads where the rain makes the roads like glass. Heading to Portugal next week and the forecast is looking iffy for a few of the days!!!

Seaswimmer

elchupanebrey wrote: »

Apologies for going a bit OT but have you any idea what the road surface is like in Portugal when wet? Is it similar to here in that you can cycle on it sound with a bit of care, or is it like Majorcan roads where the rain makes the roads like glass. Heading to Portugal next week and the forecast is looking iffy for a few of the days!!!

Never had rain when I was there and have never cycled in Majorca but the roads looked "normal" to me. Lots of the roads have mica in them where it looks like its made from ground glass in the sunshine but not sure what this is like in the wet..Be sure and give us a report when you get back..

elchupanebrey

We had plenty of rain for the week. Have to say the roads felt a lot safer in the wet than Majorcan roads, although I wouldn't be a crazy decender at the best of times.

shamcfc

Anyone point me in the right direction, I have booked to go over and cycle the alpe de heuz in July, anyone know of a good bike rental shop around that area

andy69

shamcfc wrote: »

Anyone point me in the right direction, I have booked to go over and cycle the alpe de heuz in July, anyone know of a good bike rental shop around that area

I used these guys a couple of years ago. Right in the centre of huez just before the tunnel. English speaking and very helpful. Got a lovely Kuota off them...think it was about 30 per day but there's probably better deals to be found just these were handy and first to get back to me.....

Cycle Huez,
Place Joseph Paganon,
Quartier Le Vieil Alpe
38750 Alpe D'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)970405921
Fax: +33 (0)456809692
www.cyclehuez.com

shamcfc

andy69 wrote: »

I used these guys a couple of years ago. Right in the centre of huez just before the tunnel. English speaking and very helpful. Got a lovely Kuota off them...think it was about 30 per day but there's probably better deals to be found just these were handy and first to get back to me.....

Cycle Huez,
Place Joseph Paganon,
Quartier Le Vieil Alpe
38750 Alpe D'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)970405921
Fax: +33 (0)456809692
www.cyclehuez.com

Cheers for that, will get on to them, another job sorted