Cycling UK Forum

Hi

I am going on a 5 week trip through France to Italy and simply can't decide on the regions to cycle through- opinions needed!

I am leaving in 3 weeks flying into Paris, and was thinking about doing the following, however I would appreciate opinions on this and if I should miss parts out, as I kind of feel like I might be cramming too much in.

~ Train from Paris to Alsace, possibly coinciding with the tour de france, then cycle down to Dijon.
~ Train Dijon to Blois and cycle up the loire to Angers (may miss this out- is it worth doing?)
~ Then get the train to Perigueux (Dordogne) then south west to Bordeaux and loop round to Toulouse,
~ Cycle canal du Midi and head west to Avignon.
~ Then do mount Ventoux, Nice and head to Tuscany. If I am struggling for time here I will get the train to tuscany from nice.
~ 5-7 days in tuscany then fly home from florence

I originally intended doing a north-south trip down the rhone but I quite fancy bordeaux & dordogne from what I've read. What are these areas like for cycling through?

I am cycle camping, and looking to go to beautiful areas with good wine and food and where there will likely be other people to meet.

Many thanks

What a great trip, I cant comment really as I've only cycled a few places in France. I can say that the Route Napoleon from Cannes to Grenoble is spectacular but never done it on a bicycle, but can confirm from my younger and fitter years there are some good hills around Cannes and Nice to keep your sweat pores open but good views and lovely villages.

I was in the Loire just a few weeks ago did a small loop from Saumur, we stayed at the old municiple campsite, now run by a company called Flowers on the island at Saumur, lovely place. Also when cycling up the Loire towards the sea the wind was blowing a gale and made for slow going but the return leg on the other side of the river we flew, averaging about 25mph, not bad for an old mountain bike with knobblies. Dont miss out on Ackermans for a sparkling wine tasting at Saumur if you get there. Earlier in the trip I was down at La Rochelle, stayed at a campsite AU PETIT PORT DE L'HOUMEAU just north of La Rochelle, from here you can cycle into the town, maybe 5km, or do what we didnt do and go to ile de re, which is meant to be a lovely place to cycle. If you do head for the Loire keep an eye out for the weather, it was good a few weeks ago but they are getting the same changable weather as the UK. Italy I've only cycled around Lake Garda up north not really on your route, here again I can recommend the hills for flushing the body out, watch out for the tunnels on the west of lake Garda heading up to Riva, life in your hands comes to mind, but this was a few years ago things might have improved. Have a great trip. Terry

Ps if you do do the Canal de Midi, would be interested to hear how you got on as this is on my list for next year.
Terry

The cycle paths on the Ile de Re are lovely especially once you get past St Martins but the roads are extremely busy, I was amazed how much traffic there was mid week in late May.

At the risk of being acussed of blatant plugging, a short account of cycling from Nice to Mt Ventoux and then on to Avignon can be found here: http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1 ... =9638&v=9r I guess it will be pretty hot when you do this region so plenty of sun protection and water needed I suspect.

Did a tour some years ago starting at Avignon, over Mont Ventoux west to east (the southern road is very steep, the eastern is comparatively gentle, west side in between), then via St Andre les Alps towards Nice, following the metre gauge railway that runs from Digne to Nice. Digne - Nice involves a few climbs but nothing as challenging as the Cols the Tour de France goes over.

Municipal campsires are generally very good, but can be very busy in July and August. A much nicer time to go is September.

Bon Voyage !