hi all, I am interested in taking a bike tour in France. The tour groups Backroads and VBT look really good and I heard a lot of good things about them but they are pricey for me. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of other groups. I am looking for a group where the cycling is fairly strenuous and where higher end bikes and gear is required. I would appreciate any suggestions of any groups even a local group that may cater to people for a day or two. The big tour groups are usually for 5 or more days but if I could find a group that was less that would be fine-that way I may be able to have a home base and take the tour from there. I am most interested in Provence. Last year I stayed in Annecy for a few days and rented a bike and rode the trail that started by the lake and extended for miles and it was really great. Thank you very much for your time, consideration, and any suggestions.
Posted by
San Diego, CA
638 posts
My first trip to Europe was a cycling trip, I went with a company called Blue Marble, they are based out of Paris. Their trips span from a few days to just about as long as one would want to go. They also have self guided tours if that is what one is looking for. They have a travel philosophy that is similar to mine and the company comes across as low key. http://www.bluemarble.org
Posted by
Gettysburg, PA
1589 posts
Greg, Try: www.martyjemison.com/ Marty & Jill run a great program.
Posted by
Laguna Niguel
31 posts
We have gone on tours with Thomson Bike Tours for the past 4 years (Italy, Switzerland, France and Spain). Although the tours last a week, they are very strenuous; my husband, the cyclist, looks forward to these tours all year. They don't ride in Provence; however they have a tour of Lombardy and Lake Como which is wonderful. You can rent an Orbea bike from them. The tours are extremely well organized and supported; the hotels are wonderful and in out of the way places you probably wouldn't find on your own. The staff is great! Their website is:
www.thomsonbiketours.com
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
We were going to do a Provence tour with this company in May, but job changes kept us home. http://www.detours-in-france.com/france-bike-tour.html We've used European based tour companies with great success so far, wonderful tours. I suggest that you contact a tour company and see if they can do shorter tours for you....I've found them to be very receptive to this idea. I have found the European companies in most cases to be better value than the US companies.....