Yup, my wife and I used DiscoverFrance in 2004 for a five day cycling jaunt in Provence. Good company, took good care of us. It was a wonderful adventure, and we had a memorable time.

I am mainly replying to flag this post.

I would like to bike tour in Normandy.

Keith

We plan to do much the same this year, but this time with our teenagers in tow. I'd considered Normandy and Brittany, but ended up settling for the Dordogne...the Hundred Years War history and architecture appeals.

I have no complaints about Discover France (well, maybe just a tiny one...a supposedly reserved hotel room turned out to be not available, and we ended up having to spend a night in Fontveille instead of our scheduled stop in Arles...not a huge matter. Arles would have been a lot more interesting, but frankly we were so damned tired after a hard day of cycling that we didn't care that much)but this year have elected to use another agency, largely on the basis of cost...about two thirds that of Discover France. I have no personal experience of 'Detours in France', Florent LeRoux, proprietor, but he comes well recommended.

Jeffrey,
Is the website for Detours in France titled Bourgognes Randonees?
How strenuous was the biking on your earlier trip? How were the accomodations?

what are your biking skills? How able are you to plan a trip? Consider doing it on your own.

I am within hours of signing with EEI for our tour of thre Dordogne. Almost went with Discover, but I liked EEI's itinerary better - the rides look easier, and as first timers also, of average fitness, I wanted to keep it easy the first time. I am concerned about EEI, however, because they are a travel agency, not bikers per se. Anyone know anything about them?

But, Jace, do you know where you want to go? Would your destination affect your choice of outfitter? Did for us...

I am soo excited about our tour, I can't wait! Do you bike much? In our group, there are a few people that I am a little concerned about, one that I hope will be able to keep up. I wonder what will happen if she can't as ours is self guided also.

Good luck and have fun!

Jeffrey,
Is the website for Detours in France titled Bourgognes Randonees?

Same people. Bourgognes Randonees seems to be the bike-rental half of the business....www.detours-in-France.com is the travel agent side.

How strenuous was the biking on your earlier trip? How were the accomodations?

I wouldn't consider it terribly strenuous to a person of average cycling ability...I certainly ain't no Lance, and my bride is even less so. We did spend some time in the saddle prior to the trip, trying to get ourselves into some kind of shape. Not enough, though...we were pretty sore by the end of it! If I may make a suggestion or two...if you're considering such an adventure, and I recommend it highly, hang the expense and invest in the best quality biking shorts you can find...two pairs should be enough. And also in an anti-chapping product called 'Glide', or something similar, for application to a particularily sensitive area. A couple of days of sixty to eighty kilometers per can make you absolutely miserable, if you're unused to it. My best suggestion is, however, to GET used to it...do some riding before you go and toughen up a bit. Bear in mind that there are a fair number of hills in Provence, if that's where you're going, and you should practice a bit of low-gear hill climbing before you go.

If you're given the option, splurge a bit, pass over the usual 'touring' bike and rent the highest quality road bike they offer. It's worth it, especially if you're not an especially experienced cyclist. Pedalling a Trek or a Mercx up a steep incline is a piece of cake compared to attacking the same hill on a Schwinn.

Communicate with your agent and explain your level of ability...they'll generally organize the route to be as compatible as possible with that. They don't want you to hate the experience, after all...bad for future business!

Accomodations were two and three star...not luxurious but perfectly pleasant. We had no complaints there, but for the unscheduled night in a ...disappointing note! ... Best Western in Fontveille.

But, in sum, my wife and I consider the cycling part of the trip to be the high point of the best vacation of our lives, and we're counting the days until we can once again climb onto a bicycle in France. We're planning on this June, the Dordogne this time, and our three teenagers in tow. Should be an interesting trip!