ttt (going to come back, but have a few hours work to get out the way)
Tom do your team like climbs or flat work? Will you carry own luggage or just road bikes? Are you hiring or bringing?

Tom,

I'd say Avignon would be an especially bad base for this type of trip. While it is generally a nice small city, which I like a lot, the surroundings in just about any direction are unfortunately urban/suburban sprawl which is unpleasant enough to drive through, but would be a real drag on a bicycle. Also, keep in mind that July is festival time in Avignon, so it will be hot and very, very crowded, making for even less pleasant cycling conditions.

You'd be much better off, IMO, somewhere int he countryside - either Les Alpilles around St. Remy, or the Luberon, or the Dentelles region near the Mont Ventoux. The latter two especially, offer loads of great biking options.

- Kevin

Have you considered a tour company, maybe especially since you will be there during the Tour? Sort of along the questions Bilboburger is asking. Our son and wife did a wonderful tour (and expensive!!) with maybe Abercrombie and Kent. Son cycled to the top of one of the Tour's peaks that year--I've forgotten which one--maybe Col d'Aspin. Good luck. It was an unforgettable experience for them.

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. We like both climbs and flat work. Not cycling everyday, but on most days with a goal of 80 to 100 kms per day. We were hoping to take the train with our luggage and our bikes, and arrange short transportation to and from where we arrange to stay. (flats, Apts. or B&B's). Would love to stay in the countryside, but don't want to be too far off train stations (10 to 20 minutes?). Plus it would be great to stay close to a nice town or city with a little nightlife.. ,ie.restaurants, cafes/bars. Interesting to read Kevin's suggestion of not using Avignon. I'll have to look into the other options. Any other helpful ideas would be welcome.

Thanks,

Tom

Gretchen,

I'd love the convenience of a tour company to help with luggage, lodging etc...However, the gentlemen I'm with are somewhat independent and adventurous, biking anywhere on a whim?
Thanks for your post!

Tom

Hi Tomville,

I'll agree that in general cities like Avignon and Lyon don't make good bases to cycle simply because there is so much sprawl around them that it takes a while to get through that and out into the countryside where the cycling is best.

Instead of Avignon you might instead choose The Luberon although it will be crowded in the summer months there. Have a look at the link below. It's from another travel forum and the poster spent a few weeks this summer cycling the Luberon and made a blog about their journeys describing various routes they took. I also gave advice in this thread about how to use Michelin maps to find good cycling routes anywhere in France:

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/3956056284/m/724007517001?r=160005617001#160005617001

You might also want to check other forums dedicated to cycling to get ideas. Start with these two websites:

www.freewheelingfrance.com

www.crazyguyonabike.com

Some basic google searches with the right key words will get you lots of results. I'm sure you can find excellent books on cycling in France so check Amazon.com and see what you can come up with. Also, tourist office websites here in France often have sections devoted to cycling.

Well "Cycling in France" from Lonely planet is a good guide. Good maps come from IGN and Michelin. If Avignon is too big then maybe Arles or Orange might do, but it does depend on where you find accomodation as to how much town is in the way

www.seat61.com gives a good overview of train travel in France. I tend to use http://www.ter-sncf.com/ to get down to the local maps for where trains run. You start by clicking on the french map and work from there.

I gave up on hills years ago as the knees couldn't make it and I cannot recommend the area around Auxerre enough. http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Yonne_Guide.php gives an overview of this but by the sound of it you need something more stretching.

Even if you don't use a tour company you might look at their itineraries for ideas.

I'd suggest you base yourself around Carpentras in Provence, instead of Avignon. It is smaller and near Mt Ventoux and the city doesn't sprawl that far, you are on the D roads pretty quickly outside it. Plus it will be a lot cheaper, also.

I don't really know how you should get there if you don't have a car. They do have buses, but no train station. I think it would be perfect for you, but logisitics are a problem. see http://www.carpentras-ventoux.com/fr/plan/itineraire-route-train-avion-carpentras-vaucluse.cfm?p=80-vaucluse-venir-carpentras-route-train-avion

You can get the train to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue if you must be on a train line, although not direct. For cyclists, it would be a better place to stay than Avignon.

I have biked all around this part of Provence several times and it is one of Europe's sweetest places to cycle.

Tips - get a detailed Michelin map and stick to road in white or yellow on the map - yellow are departmental ('D") road and except in the vicinity of yes hectic traffic-wise cities like Avignon are basically untravelled and well paved asphalt road meandering thru tiny untouched lost in time villages - by all means stay off red colored roads and 'N' or National roads that are often plagued by speeding trucks and tons of traffic - cars avoiding the very expensive Peage or toll roads.

I have based with my bike in Avignon and yes there is traffic around it but veteran bikers will find it not too much a hassle and I like the trappings of a larger city at night - smaller towns often roll up the sidewalks at night - so it depends on what you are looking for - quiet or things open at night - many restaurants, pubs, streets with strollers out, etc.

Arles would also be a nice base and a bit smaller than Avignon.

But Avignon is a great base for one key reason - many interesting sites are located around it and it is at the epicenter of going to places like Les Baux quite a climb here too!), St-Remy-de-Provence Van Gogh's insane asylum is there - Arles, Uzes neat neat old town - may favorite in the area) and Nimes and the Pont du Gard for starters - and with your distances a poke down to the fabled iconic Camargue is within easy range.

As for putting bikes on trains - not possible on many TGVS but look at posted schedules for local trains with a V in a circle - meaning the you can take your 'velo' or bike on board free - often in some dedicated baggage/bike car. Not nearly all trains offer this though so taking bikes on trains could be a hassle sometimes.

Note that in July temps here can be boiling hot - an early start hitting the road in early morning might be in order.

Appreciate all the helpful advice and good links! Do welcome any other suggestions.

Will have to consider some of the smaller centres that have been suggested.
Hopefully some are logistically within easy access? Really excited about cycling in such a beautiful region! Thanks again...Tom

Tomville, here's a great cycling resource on the tourism website for the Vaucluse (departement that includes Avignon and areas to the east): http://www.provenceguide.co.uk/home/vaucluse-in-provence/what-to-do-and-see/outdoor-activities/cycling.aspx. This includes the Luberon and the area around Mont Ventoux, both of which have been suggested by others.

I'm a hiker, not a cyclist, but you see lots of hikers in this area. It will be hot in July, so you'll want to get going early-- and maybe look for accommodations with a pool.

Kathy

Sorry... meant to say that you'll see lots of cyclists in this area (hikers too, though not in July).

Kathy

If you are staying Saturday to Saturday and will be ok with staying in one place, then check out
http://en.gites-de-france.com/

I agree that the journals at Crazyguyonabike.com provide a wealth of information

Thanks again, for the replies. Another question...would it make sense to use Nice as a base for cycling instead of busier Lyon? Is there better cycling options there? Still considering the Avignon area for a second stop. Seems to be lots of great roads to ride on, in that area of Provence?

If you base in Nice then you'd better like mountains because as soon as you move away from the coast it is all mountains there. The coastal roads are flat but mobbed with traffic and not much fun for bikers. I still say basing in a larger town is better than basing in a city like Nice or Lyon but that's your choice.

Nice is slightly smaller than Lyon (especially with the environs), but not enough to make that much difference, they are huge cities. Nice population is about 350K and Lyon around 450K.