France Cycling Vacation FAQs |
Do I need to bring my own bicycle or do you rent bicycles?
Participants have always brought their own bicycles, but renting a bicycle can be an option. Most
individuals prefer riding their own bicycle for a number of reasons: fit, familiarity, and confidence being the
primary reasons. Experience the Tour does not rent bicycles, however we can recommend some companies
for you to contact about bike rental in France.
individuals prefer riding their own bicycle for a number of reasons: fit, familiarity, and confidence being the
primary reasons. Experience the Tour does not rent bicycles, however we can recommend some companies
for you to contact about bike rental in France.
How do I transport my bicycle to Europe?
We always check our bicycles as one of our two pieces of baggage on our flight.
Is there anything I should not pack in my checked baggage?
Yes, your cycling shoes are probably the most important. You don’t want to have to get
accustomed to a new pair of shoes on a serious bike trip. Other items we usually carry on
include our cycling rain jacket (hard to replace inexpensively), cycling helmet (sometimes
packed in our bike bag), camera, change of socks, underwear, and shirt (given the long
flight), critical phone numbers and contact information, toiletries, and a good book and
magazine!
accustomed to a new pair of shoes on a serious bike trip. Other items we usually carry on
include our cycling rain jacket (hard to replace inexpensively), cycling helmet (sometimes
packed in our bike bag), camera, change of socks, underwear, and shirt (given the long
flight), critical phone numbers and contact information, toiletries, and a good book and
magazine!
What type of bike carrier do you recommend?
We strongly suggest one of the sturdy and protective soft sided bike bags. Check with your local bicycle
shop, if you need the name of a bike shop, try Wheat Ridge Cyclery in Colorado, or go direct to www.
bikebag.com or contact us for other suggestions. Choose a bag that has wheels and a shoulder strap. Hard
cases are heavy, difficult to navigate up and down stairs, and our support vehicle can’t accommodate
them. Contact us about possible arrangements for storing your case in the Paris area during your trip.
shop, if you need the name of a bike shop, try Wheat Ridge Cyclery in Colorado, or go direct to www.
bikebag.com or contact us for other suggestions. Choose a bag that has wheels and a shoulder strap. Hard
cases are heavy, difficult to navigate up and down stairs, and our support vehicle can’t accommodate
them. Contact us about possible arrangements for storing your case in the Paris area during your trip.
How do we meet up with Experience the Tour?
Since we are following the stages of the TdF, each trip begins in a different location . Week one, for
example, begins in Paris and we meet people at the Charles De Gaulle (CDG) Airport outside of Paris (CDG is
located in Roissy-en-France and is sometimes referred to as Roissy). Week four begins in Grenoble and ends
in Paris. One travel plan is to fly round trip to Paris and take the train to Grenoble (or whatever city your
trip begins in). There is a train station in CDG airport, so taking the train is similar to changing planes for a
connecting flight. The train system is fabulous – timely, reliable, and the high speed trains (TGV) travel at
300 km/hr.! Paris to the Alps in under three hours. Contact us to discuss what would work best for your
trip.
example, begins in Paris and we meet people at the Charles De Gaulle (CDG) Airport outside of Paris (CDG is
located in Roissy-en-France and is sometimes referred to as Roissy). Week four begins in Grenoble and ends
in Paris. One travel plan is to fly round trip to Paris and take the train to Grenoble (or whatever city your
trip begins in). There is a train station in CDG airport, so taking the train is similar to changing planes for a
connecting flight. The train system is fabulous – timely, reliable, and the high speed trains (TGV) travel at
300 km/hr.! Paris to the Alps in under three hours. Contact us to discuss what would work best for your
trip.
Is there sag support?
We provide a sag vehicle with bike rack and a staff member to carry your single piece of luggage (carry-on
size). The sag vehicle is available for urgent needs or emergencies. Riders are expected to be self
contained while riding. Riders should either use a bike rack and panniers or a backpack to ensure they
have all they need for the day. Each person should be prepared for weather changes; rain, cold, heat,
minor repairs, hydration and nutrition. Of course most days we’ll stop for lunch at a café, but during
critical mountain stages we will be on the mountain all day, possibly without access to a restaurant. We’ll
simply buy food for a day long picnic. The other consideration for making sure you can be self-contained is
those days when we will be on the race course which is closed to car traffic.
size). The sag vehicle is available for urgent needs or emergencies. Riders are expected to be self
contained while riding. Riders should either use a bike rack and panniers or a backpack to ensure they
have all they need for the day. Each person should be prepared for weather changes; rain, cold, heat,
minor repairs, hydration and nutrition. Of course most days we’ll stop for lunch at a café, but during
critical mountain stages we will be on the mountain all day, possibly without access to a restaurant. We’ll
simply buy food for a day long picnic. The other consideration for making sure you can be self-contained is
those days when we will be on the race course which is closed to car traffic.
What will the weather be like?
In the mountains the weather is much like the weather in Colorado’s mountains for those that are familiar
with the Colorado climate. It is often 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit with plenty of sunshine. Afternoon clouds
can roll in and the weather can change to a cold rain or the thermometer can climb to 90! In the non-
mountainous areas the summer weather can be very hot or a bit cool. Evenings are often cool.
with the Colorado climate. It is often 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit with plenty of sunshine. Afternoon clouds
can roll in and the weather can change to a cold rain or the thermometer can climb to 90! In the non-
mountainous areas the summer weather can be very hot or a bit cool. Evenings are often cool.
How large are the groups?
To achieve our goal of providing a quality and affordable bike trip groups are limited to no more than 8.
This provides us access to a greater range of affordable lodging. The small group size also creates more
opportunities to meet people from outside the group. Our group size is one of the real advantages of
Experience the Tour as other bike trips typically target groups of 20-30 people.
This provides us access to a greater range of affordable lodging. The small group size also creates more
opportunities to meet people from outside the group. Our group size is one of the real advantages of
Experience the Tour as other bike trips typically target groups of 20-30 people.
How do people train for an Experience the Tour bike trip?
We ride as often as possible. You need to be comfortable riding 60 – 80 miles per day over multiple days.
What is included in the price of the vacation?
- Access to the biggest spectator sporting event in the world with front row, premier viewing!
- Great bicycle touring and riding through the beautiful countryside of France, including the
mountains of the Alpes and Pyrenees, wine country in different regions of France, beautiful farm
country, rolling hills, quaint villages and interesting people from many different countries. - Riding the famous routes and climbs such as Col d’Izoard, the Col du Lauteret, Col du Galibier, Col
de la Croix-de Fry and L'Alpe d'Huez. - All lodging accommodations in specially selected guest houses.
- All breakfasts and most group dinners.
- Gratuities, taxes, and fees for all hotels, provided meals, and porter services.
- Daily riding on recommended routes, with alternative routes possible on a number of days. This
includes the actual race route as well as roads from past classic races. - Detailed maps for riding routes, accommodation locations and of course, the Tour de France race
routes.
What is not included in the price of my vacation?
- Airfare to and from France
- transportation to the city(s) of your tour's start and end
- lunches and two dinners
- souvenirs, and incidentals
What is the critical cycling gear I should bring?
Bring your bike, cycling shoes, plenty of cycling socks, cycling shorts and jerseys, leg warmers or tights,
rain jacket, rain pants or poly pro bottoms, cycling gloves, waterproof booties/shoe covers and full finger
gloves in case it rains, long sleeve poly-pro shirt for layering, 1-2 bike tubes, basic tools (we’ll have a more
extensive set), sunglasses, water bottles, drink mix, a few preferred gels and energy bars, lip balm, and
sunscreen.
rain jacket, rain pants or poly pro bottoms, cycling gloves, waterproof booties/shoe covers and full finger
gloves in case it rains, long sleeve poly-pro shirt for layering, 1-2 bike tubes, basic tools (we’ll have a more
extensive set), sunglasses, water bottles, drink mix, a few preferred gels and energy bars, lip balm, and
sunscreen.
| Copyright © 2007 Experience the Tour. All rights reserved. Revised: 12/16/07. |
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