Planning Basics

 

Many followers of our previous trips have asked about the planning methods we use. We will be traveling for six weeks so the logistics becomes critical that everything is dealt with before we leave. 

Locations and lodging: Once we select the general area we use Google Maps and various biking sites to insure that we can find rides that fit our criteria such as road quality, scenic value, and terrain suitable for our aging biking legs. We also try to incorporate local attractions that we can either access along our biking routes or drive to on non-biking days.

We use Airbnb exclusively to locate the houses. This is a tedious process finding the ones that meet our criteria including King bed or twins we can move together. Since European bed classifications (King, Queen, Twin) are variable we confirm the actual measurements with the host. Additionally we want a toilet on the same level as the bedroom. The house must have a  washer (dryer optional but a plus), dishwasher, and well equipped kitchen. No spiral staircase for us. We try to avoid a lot of outside stairs. 

Price is a minor consideration since we are comfortable with the smaller places with most rentals in the range of $150-$200 per night. 

Our modus operandi is to eat breakfast and dinner in. This is because we are mostly in remote rural locations which requires limiting night driving. The narrow and windy roads are  challenging for my aging eyes. This also precludes drinking and driving which conflicts with our five o'clock ritual of cocktails and munchies - a daily absolute. Dinners are simple especially if we have indulged in our passion for charcuterie with baguette accompaniment to our happy hour ritual. We try to enjoy lunch out on our rides.     

Bikes: The most challenging aspect is traveling with our own bikes. This guarantees that we have bikes that are comfortable and reliable. Renting would be a logistical nightmare which would require that we could find comparable bikes at a convenient pick up and drop off location. Also, it would be a disaster if we got to the rental shop only to find out that the bikes we requested we not available. Lastly, the daily cost for comparable bikes would be close to the cost of buying a new bike over there. 

Transporting: The trick to this task is to get these:

Alan's Bike

Kim's Bike

 into one of these. 

Bike Box Collapsed

Bike wrapped in foam and placed in box

Which looks like this when fully packed.
 

Bike Boxes Packed for Transport

We have been using these cardboard boxes from BikeShipper.com. Their major advantage over extruded hard sided plastic carriers is that we can break them down and easily transport them from location to location in the back of the vehicle. Like origami they unfold into a rigid box which is as sturdy as traditional carriers as long as the baggage handlers keep them upright and don't run over them with a forklift. 

 

You will notice all the tape the TSA used to seal the box after inspection. They have opened both boxes on each flight and left a love note stating "TSA Has Been Here". We are careful not to pack any contraband only newspaper and assorted clothing. 

 

Before putting the bike in we turn the handle bars, remove the pedals, the seat post, both wheels, and wrap the frame with foam plumbing insulation. The wheels go in the box but the seat and seat posts are shipped in another bag. After four round trip shipments we use new boxes- boxes are inexpensive and new bikes are not. 

 

Car rental: 

An essential factor in making the whole process work is transportation. Unlike bike touring where you, your bike, and all your stuff travel together we transport ourselves by car. On our first trip back in 2016 we were introduced to a fantastic car rental service. It is available in most countries in western Europe, especially France and Italy. The service is an outgrowth of Peugeot.  Actually, you purchase a vehicle that is delivered to you at the airport with only 5 KM. The only requirement is that the rental period is 21 days or longer. Even though you are presented with an ownership title the only money that is paid is the daily charges. Our first four rentals were a minivan which is no longer available so this trip we selected a seven passenger SUV. It will not be as versatile but spacious enough to transport all our bags and two fully assembled bikes. Transit days traveling between locations poses the greatest challenge and  requires taking all four wheels off in order to get the bikes in. Driving from our houses to a ride starting point is easier without the luggage but still requires a bit of finagling. Oh well, it is all part of the adventure. 

 

The rental rate this year is about $68 per day which is still much less than other options and we get a new car to boot. Here is the link for the service: https://www.autofrance.net/

  

Food & Libations: France is an eating and drinking paradise. It is hard to decide which keeps us coming back. The food or the riding. In the end "we ride to eat, not eat to ride". This means that we are passionate about pastries, bread, wine and bubbly, an endless variety of pate, cheese, salami, sausage, and everything in between. Beyond the beautiful scenery and pastoral cycling routes is the ability to indulge and keep our weight under control. A perfect combination to extend our health span and enjoy the pleasures that eating provides. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are about to embark on our sixth European biking trip this century. This will be our fifth to France since 2016. This trip we will revisit two of our previous favorites: the eastern Dordogne, and Provence. 

Our itinerary (44 nights) will be:

02 Sept: Denver to Frankfurt - overnight flight

03 Sept: Frankfurt to Toulouse - morning flight then drive to Castelnaud 

03 – 24 Sept: Location 1 - Castelnaud, Dordogne (21 Nights)

24 Sept – 15 Oct.: Location 2 - Sablet, Provence (21 Nights)

15 Oct: - Toulouse  (1 Night)

16 Oct: Toulouse to Frankfort, Frankfort to Denver - Home

Our first location is in the eastern side of the Dordogne valley where we spent one week in 2023. Castelnaud-la-chapelle is nestled along the river at the base of a towering hillside where the castel is perched. Getting to the castle is a grueling climb which we navigated by car last year on a rain day. Unfortunately it was engulfed in clouds so we saw little of the actual castle or commanding view. Our AirBNB is down at river level a short walk to the town and boulangerie and restaurants and great starting point for our rides from home. 
The second location is in Provence not far from our previous visit in 2016. Sablet is a typical French countryside town and the house is less than 1 KM from shops, restaurants, and the essential boulangerie and patisserie. This is a more traditional French weekend retreat owned by a family from Lyon. It is on a quiet road with lovely gardens and swimming pool - which is a must for the hot summers in Provence. Not as important in mid-fall in southern France.