finding my ride in France?

[latelatebloomer]

Fortune smiles upon us! My husband has been awarded an art residency - 4 weeks of pure creative time in Brittany this summer, in the town of Rochefort-en-Terre. The residency provides housing w/ kitchen, and a studio in the ol' Chateau for him. (We need to cover airfare, car rental, meals, etc., so we must be clever with our money, as usual.)These things do not usually include significant others, but this residency does! The joy of that is that I need the writing time for my novel almost more than he needs the painting time. And we haven't had a special trip like this since our honeymoon almost 19 years ago.

Now, the thing is, I've also signed up for the 2010 Southern Tier Ride w/ Womantours to celebrate turning 50. (I have no idea how we artists are gonna finance that past the partial scholarship they gave me, but my life approach is just work hard, prepare, and believe in miracles.) So, I need to be riding while I'm in Brittany. Any tips on the best way to do that, and what gear is worth bringing? I will bring my helmet - I hear the French don't wear them and my guys at the brain injury rehab make me promise to wear the lid at all times. Shall I just plan on renting some kind of touring bike as available and add in as much hiking and calisthenics as possible? I wouldn't think that bringing my road bike with me is feasible.

What has worked/not worked for you? Thanks for your help! lg

[Grog]

Hey LLB, good for you two! It sounds like a fabulous opportunity!

My experience has been that many road riders in France do wear a helmet. Definitely not all, but they are not hard to come by.

Road bikes, however, are a different story. When in Grenoble (not in Brittany at all), I had a very hard time finding a road bike to rent. At the foot of the Alpe d'Huez 100 km from there it would have been easy, but in Grenoble, no luck at all. I finally found a hole-in-the-wall shop that rented an older road bike that was not really my size but worked okay for Euro 25 a day. Not really a deal, but allowed me to visit the surrounding area. "VTT" (mountain bikes) were really easy to come by. Grenoble is a very athletic city compared to most other French places I have visited over the years, so I was quite surprised.

I have read of one company that rents bikes and ships them to your hotel all over France, but I can't remember the name, and I don't know if they are for real.

If I was you, I'd be in touch with Womantours to see if they can help you find a bike. I think that tour organizers have access to services that individuals cannot easily find on their own. I would also seriously consider bringing your own. That's what I'll be doing this year. Alternatively, renting a mountain bike or hybrid is probably easier, but I'd look into it before leaving home.

Good luck!

[Pedal Wench]

I just was reading this moments before reading your post: http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/05/03...3journeys.html

For that period of time, I would consider bringing my own bike.

[maillotpois]

(stifling my jealousy...)

I would definitely bring my bike if I were going to be there that long. Should be amazing!

[tantrumbean]

Remember you will have to wear a hi viz vest/gilet with retro-reflective stripes outside of towns at night and in poor visibility!!!

And not just any - it needs to meet EU standards...apparently they are quite easy to come by tho!

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfr...g-triangl.html

[Triskeliongirl]

We visited Brittany and its absolutely beautiful and perfect for cycling. Its one of France's best kept secrets. The seafood is so amazing. If I were you I would bring my own bike. Different airlines charge different amounts, so consider this when purchasing tickets (european carriers tend to have more liberal policies regarding bicycle transportation).

[shootingstar]

Remember you will have to wear a hi viz vest/gilet with retro-reflective stripes outside of towns at night and in poor visibility!!!

And not just any - it needs to meet EU standards...apparently they are quite easy to come by tho!

http://www.thisfrenchlife.com/thisfr...g-triangl.html

Wonder if there were alot of cycling accidents at night that is causing them to have this new law. Am intrigued, if helmets are not yet mandatory for everyone in France/other EU countries.

[kelownagirl]

We rented from http://www.bikerentalsplus.com/ and had great service. You can rent cheaper locally in many cases but if you want to be sure to have a good reliable bike you may want to check them out. They have Cannondale Hybrids and road bikes and they deliver and set you up.

[Trekhawk]

Fortune smiles upon us! My husband has been awarded an art residency - 4 weeks of pure creative time in Brittany this summer, in the town of Rochefort-en-Terre. The residency provides housing w/ kitchen, and a studio in the ol' Chateau for him. (We need to cover airfare, car rental, meals, etc., so we must be clever with our money, as usual.)These things do not usually include significant others, but this residency does! The joy of that is that I need the writing time for my novel almost more than he needs the painting time. And we haven't had a special trip like this since our honeymoon almost 19 years ago.

Now, the thing is, I've also signed up for the 2010 Southern Tier Ride w/ Womantours to celebrate turning 50. (I have no idea how we artists are gonna finance that past the partial scholarship they gave me, but my life approach is just work hard, prepare, and believe in miracles.) So, I need to be riding while I'm in Brittany. Any tips on the best way to do that, and what gear is worth bringing? I will bring my helmet - I hear the French don't wear them and my guys at the brain injury rehab make me promise to wear the lid at all times. Shall I just plan on renting some kind of touring bike as available and add in as much hiking and calisthenics as possible? I wouldn't think that bringing my road bike with me is feasible.

What has worked/not worked for you? Thanks for your help! lg

I have no advice for you about bike rentals but I just wanted to say have a fabulous time. You deserve it.

Novel? Is this for children or something for us big kids. My boys just adored your other books. Either way I look forward to reading it.

[Caroline]

Decathlon sport shops are great for bikes bits, clothing, accessories and are really good value. I am originally from the south of France, and I always make sure i stop by a decathlon when i am over there.

[papaver]

Decathlon sport shops are great for bikes bits, clothing, accessories and are really good value. I am originally from the south of France, and I always make sure i stop by a decathlon when i am over there.

Their bikes are quite good too.

[tulip]

What a great opportunity. I am quite familiar with most of Brittany. Rochefort-en-Terre is in a beautiful area, and the chateau is spectacular. I've only been there once, as most of my time in Brittany has been spent in the north (Le Tregor), the far west (Finisterre), and the plumb middle (Carhaix).

Brittany is my favorite part of France, and of the world, really. My first ever bicycling trip was a through Brittany when I was 15 years old, and that sealed the deal. I always thought I would end up living there, but so far it has not panned out. So far .

If I were you, I'd get a detailed Michelin map and just meander the roads that are yellow and white on the map. You'll end up discovering hidden villages and lost country roads. I'm envious of you!

Although I have traveled to Brittany countless times, I have only brought my bike twice. Once was when I was 15, and once was about a year ago. The other times I did not ride because I was traveling with and visiting family members who did not ride. These days, however, I bring my bike whenever I go. Of course, I have a folding bike so that makes things easier.

When I lived in an area north of Bordeaux (Charentes-Maritimes) for a few months, I rented a 3-speed bike and took it on long rides, up to 50 miles. I was not speedy on that bike, but speed was not my intent. That was 15 years ago, so I bet local bike shops have a better selection now. You might want to see if there are rentals in Vannes, which is the closest larger city to Rochefort-en-Terre.

Of course, you could just bring your own bike. The airlines will charge upwards of $100+ each way extra for the bike, and you should keep your box for the return trip. Either way, you will not regret having a bike in Brittany!

Best of luck and have a wonderful time!

[Triskeliongirl]

I looked at the posted rates on that rental site, and I think it will be more expensive than bringing your own. Just shop around for airlines and carefully read their policies and fees regarding bicycle transport.

[papaver]

Brittany is my favorite part of France, and of the world, really.

I couldn't agree more. It's magnificent! You're going to love every second of it.