Cycling UK Forum

We've used this site a couple of times for L'Ardechoise in June.

http://camping-aubergedudoux.com/index.html

Added bonus of both swimming pool and bar. Can't remember how much we paid but I'm sure it wasn't too expensive. There is a another site nearby that is also on Google maps.

+1 for the CC Calais event. Their event has had a few names over the years but they are a very friendly bunch.

Look out for the event organised by St.Omer CC. It normally takes place on the first Sunday in September. If I remember correctly it's called the Randonee du Cap Gris Nez on account of the fact that the longest route goes from St.Omer to the coast and back again. They have a number of other distances as well as an offroad route. Much the same as the Calais event and well signed on quiet roads.

Is it easy to get to the Ridgeway from where you are based in London ? I haven't been there for years but I think some parts are still open to bikes.

If it's any help, I don't have to much experience on riding from Coquelles but have a look at the C C C website and their routes from Calais.

http://clubcyclocalais.blogspot.co.uk/

You might find something helpful/useful.

It was my third time this year. It's less than a day travelling by car from where I live so I share all the costs with a good mate and we make it a long weekend by travelling down on the Thursday, recover and register on Friday, ride on Saturday and return on Sunday. I can't say if it's the best event but the organisers have certainly made it a good event to take part in and the participation of all the villages on the individual routes really makes everything worthwhile. The feed stations always seem to come at the right time as well. I won't be going next year but I will definitely go back at some stage to take part again ( as long as they update their theme tune )...

I have to admit that I am a fan of the Eurotunnel but have only ever used their service when travelling by car. From what I can see their bike service only runs a couple of times each way every day and to meet it you need to roll up at a hotel near the Eurotunnel site and meet up with their driver before carrying on your journey. It seems to be the same for the return trip from France. So it does seem to restrict your travel times and I don't what would happen if anything went wrong or you're delayed for whatever reason and missed either the outward or return transfer. I am not a great fan of ferries but as Dover is nearer to home than Folkestone the ferry option has always been more convenient when travelling to France for a day ride. The sailings are frequent and there is no reliance on any other form of transport to get on board. Plus after a good days riding there is nothing like finding a quiet corner in the bar for a few pints. The record so far stands at five. The ten mile ride home after was a struggle.

+1 for Bourg d'Oisans as it is central to so many climbs. If you can, try some of the lesser known climbs which don't normally attract the attention of the well known cols in the area. Try the climb up to La Berarde which is basically a one way climb up into the middle of nowhere but with stunning views wherever you look. The last time we visited that area we also rode up the Col de Sarenne and then over to Alpe d'Huez. Apart from a small group of Germans in some very old BMW's we saw more bikes than cars on the whole climb. We were there in early September so it was still warm enough for shorts and jerseys but we did visit once in June and there was still snow on the Glandon and Galibier so be warned as it was very cold at altitude. Have a good trip.

I invested in the Michelin local map, number 301, for the Pas de Calais and Somme and found it good enough ( with the added assistance of Google Earth ) to plan rides in that area. If you want to take part in a local event you can also check the calendar on the FFCT website as the local cubs run events from throughout the year. For me the one organised in June by http://cccalais.blogspot.co.uk/always fits the bill as I can catch an early ferry, turn up and pay next to nothing for a signposted 100k in the French countryside. They normally have feedstations en route and they also have shorter routes. Better still there is always a beer and baguette at the finish. Don't worry about any language barriers, the members are a very friendly bunch, There is also one organised by a club in St.Omer in September which follows the same style but is a much bigger event with a longer route and even more riders. With the knowledge that I have got from those rides I can now catch a ferry, land in Calais and just head inland with a rough idea of where I want to go. With a map you will be able to find your way round fairly easily and not have to worry too much about getting lost. The local SPOKES group for South East Kent also organise a ride each year which follows the canal from Calais out to Ardres for lunch and then back in time for a late afternoon ferry. Most of that route is traffic free and very flat.. If my memory is correct there are also some routes posted on openrunner.com.

If your route takes you into Folkestone could I suggest that you make the climb out of Folkestone before you find somewhere to stay. All routes out of Folkestone involve a climb and I wouldn't want to do any of them at the beginning of the day. If you're following the old Dover road route there are a few places to stay in Capel Le Ferne but there is also a Travel Inn on the same route just outside Dover. The route from Capel Le Ferne to Dover is also mostly down hill and because of the new A20 is fairly quiet. Hope you have a good trip.

I drove that part of the road from Grenoble to Bourg d'Oisans last September. Although it passes through a couple of small towns before BDO it can get pretty busy for a single carriage road especially as EDF are doing a lot of work on their hydro electric plants in that area as there is also a river which runs by some parts of the road. After BDO there is a long straight stretch of road before the road veers to the left and you start climbing to the Col du Lauteret travelling through, if I remember correctly, at least three tunnels. They can be a bit intimidating as the traffic noise can be very loud and the road surface in parts isn't quite the best but I've travelled both ways on that part of the road and never had a problem. Best to use lights in the tunnels. Can't offer any information on the road after the Col du Lauteret but I think it's a downhill run to Briancon. Scenery is fantastic and there are quite a few places en route for refreshment breaks.

That stands looks very similar to the one that Edinburgh Bicycle Co sell under their own 'Revolution' brand. Have you checked their website to see if they have anything suitable ?

Have you looked at shipping your bike with a freight forwarder / haulier. There are numerous Companies thoughout the UK who run daily / weekly groupage services to depots throughout France. If you can deliver into a local UK depot and are then able to collect at the other end from the French depot you might be able to haggle a cheaper price than using a courier such as DHL / TNT. Just remember that even if your carbon framed masterpiece weighs say only 13kgs packed you may be charged on a volume basis if the packaging is very bulky and takes up floor space. As an example most operators charge 3 cbm as a chargeable weight of 1000kgs... I know that's a bit excessive but thats how they calculate their rates. Whatever you do make sure that you have adequate insurance.

There is a French website which gives up to date info on which cols are open or closed. I can't remember the exact address but I'm sure a quick Google search will be prove helpful. Check out:-

http://www.bike-oisans.com/oisans-parco ... lo-21.html

for some routes around Bourg d'Oisans. If you have to stick to the lower cols I would recomend route 12 on the link above and also the climb up to La Berarde. There is also the climb up to Villard Reculas which then leads onto the lower slopes of Alpe d'Huez.

http://www.grenoblecycling.com/index.htm

Is also a good source of info for cycling in that area.

Hope that helps a bit.

I don't know if they are the cheapest but I ordered my last lot of canisters from www.tyreinflators.co.uk. They had a reasonable assortment of canisters for sale and, if I remember correctly, the order arrived fairly quickly by normal post.

If you do go down the van hire route make sure you tell the hire company that you are taking it abroad, they can add all their surcharges for European use which can add a fair bit to the final price. You will also end paying more in tolls than you would if you were in a car / estate. I'm not a great fan of bike racks but I have seen estate cars loaded with a driver and two passengers with just the bike frames on the rear rack and everything else including wheels stuffed in the back of the car. We've always managed our trips to France with everything packed inside the car but that's only a driver and one passenger.