Solo Cycle Trip- HELP!

If you are beginning cyclists with no touring experience. You need to join a local touring club that will teach you the basics of touring. You need to understand the gear and equipment needed, basic bike repair/.maintenance, etc. You need to go on a couple of outing with experienced cyclists who will assist you and you can learn form. There is a lot involved with touring that mean the difference between miserable and memorable.

Join a tour,, even if its just one that supports you( rather then accomapanies you with a guide). This covers them arranging to help you for breakdowns etc. If you get a flat in middle of nowhere( which when actually bike touring is more likely then not) you need to a) have the knowledge on how to dismantle tire and replace tube, and b) have the equipment on you! On a tour they often have a support van that does a "sweep " of the route,, making sure you arrive at your nightly destination, transferring your bags, and assisiting with repairs. Even experienced bikers would think twice before going solo. Are you sure you don't have a friend you can talk in to accompanying you?

Just sent you a PM. Hope it helps!

Hi Laura, like the others have mentioned, since this is your first cycling trip I recommend taking a tour. It will provide with what you desire especially the logistical aspect. I went with a company that is based in Paris and I'll PM you the website so you can look them up and maybe even visit with them, they have trips to just about all parts of Europe. The company name is Blue Marble.

Laura, I'm in the midst of planning/finalizing the booking of a self-guided bike trip for just myself, too. Fly into Paris on May 26, want to start biking on May 27. Anyway, like other posters, I also recommend you at least do a self-guided (although, as I've found out, the price of a "budget" self-guided trip quickly escalates after adding on the hotel/B&B singles supplement, and the solo supplement to the operator -- which most charge unless they already have other people leaving on same day/riding same itinerary). You might want to consider the Canal du Midi, if you're iffy about riding on backroads/feeling safe. I've found a handful of operators that are a great deal less expensive than the well-known U.S.-based tours that most Americans use. Since you're already in Paris (fluent in French?), you have access to a lot of the local trips/guides, and that should save you some $. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
Shelly

Laura: Biking is a great way to see and experience Europe. My wife and I have experienced several self-guided trips in Europe. You could easily just rent a proper touring bicycle and enjoy a trip with a little planning. European touring bicycles are more upright in nature, have multiple gears and often include suspension systems to cushion the ride over bumps. Seats (saddles) sometimes have gel inserts for even more comfort. Many routes are very well marked and consist of dedicated bike/pedestrian paths connecting delightful villages. Some of the easy routes follow rivers...slight downhill grade. Whether on your own or you book a self or guided tour, you can choose the level of difficulty that meets your requirements. The tours we have taken were all safe for single persons with plenty of folks capable of assisting if you have a mechanical issue or flat tire en route. The one trip that comes to mind that is somewhat close to you is the path along the Mosel River. You might wish to contact the Adventure Cycling Association in Missoula, Montana, for advice and to locate a travel partner. Send a private message if you wish further information. Have a wonderful trip.

I would recommend joining a tour. Check out the Cyclist Touring Club (England) www.ctc.org.uk/ Should you decide to do it on your own (I would only do that if you at least know how to change a flat tire), I would recommend the Danube trail in Austria. It also is in Germany but not all sections are paved (or well marked from what I have read) and it is not as well traveled as the Austrian section. See www.crazyguyonabike.com and read some Journals of trips in the area you select. In Germany, you might consider the Mosel and Rhine rivers. A good description of the bike paths (radweg) are in the journal at www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=1&doc_id=10142&v=eQ You can also consider in Germany staying at Bed and Bike hotels (www.bettundbike.de). They will transfer your luggage between hotels.