Hey Kelowna Girl!

Great news that you're going there! You'll have a great time I'm sure.

Rental road bikes are very hard to come by if you are not with an organized tour.

In all of Grenoble - the biggest city near the Alpe d'Huez - I have found ONE place that rents bikes and it's the tiniest hole-in-the-wall shop, they were pricy and the bikes were not top. I could find the address again for you if needed, but frankly I recommend you don't count on walking in any city and finding a road bike for rent. I called EVERY bike shop in the greater Grenoble area and people usually were really puzzled when I asked for a road bike to rent. I would have been better buying an inexpensive one at GO Sport and selling it when I left, I think. (Or taking it with me back home!) However, in Bourg d'Oisans, there is one bike shop and they rent lots of bikes. It's a popular destination for people climbing the Alpe d'Huez. You will find them here: http://www.cyclesetsports.com/accueil_fr.html

(I read somewhere about bike shops in Paris where you can rent road bikes. That would be an option. I'd be afraid of getting them stolen, though, if you're going to keep them in your car for long... And there's not necessarily room for two bikes PLUS bags in a small European car... But if that option interests you let me know and I'll find my source again.)

This being said, there are many rides which might be more interesting than the Bourg d'Oisans, like the Croix de Fer and the Galibier etc. I have a book with 21 rides in the area, and it's in both English and French. Send me your address by private message and I'll mail a photocopy to you.

In a different area: the Cathare Castles are impressive structures. I have been to Carcassonne and although I wouldn't have stayed there for long if I hadn't been there on business, I thought it was an impressive sight.

Again, totally different area: the Bordeaux area (south west) is wonderful, easy to travel, has the best wines (for my taste at least), and is close to Spain. Nice cycling, too, less challenging but very beautiful too.

There would be lots to say...

Just a detail, assuming you've never been to France: rental cars always have standard transmission unless you ask for an automatic, and the numbers might be limited. Also expect car rentals to be much more expensive than they are in America, and gas is about twice the price. But for the type of trip you want to take I think it's worth it. I have wonderful memories of a road trip around Bordeaux...

Santé!