tidy

Just thinking ahead about a biking trip with friends for 2015. We have talked about France but not an area yet. We would probably do. A tour for a week or so and then each go on our own . I was thinking of the Provence area but certainly would like to hear recommendations. Most of us are not hard core racers so would not want tons of hills. good food and wine of course would be important. Any recommendations for areas and or tour companies.

FrenchMystiqueTours

Here is a list of some of the most popular bike tour companies in France, both guided and self guided:

http://randovelo.fr/randovelo/-Anglais-
http://cyclomundo.com/
http://www.detours-in-france.com/
http://www.backroads.com/biking-trips
http://www.nicholexpeditions.com/france.htm
http://outfittertours.com/
http://www.diversedirections.net/
http://www.randonneetours.com/bydestination/france.htm
http://www.walkingfrance.com/selfguided.html
http://www.beauxvoyages.com/Self-Gui...rs-France.html
http://www.discoverfrance.com/
http://tinyurl.com/6hmv9mr
http://www.frenchcyclingholidays.com/

The other thing is that you could do everything yourself and if you look at this thread you'll see how that could be done. I use the Loire region as an example but the advice I give could be applied to any region. If you don't want hills and like wine then the Loire region would actually be a good region to consider. But even regions with hills have areas where you could avoid the hills but you'd need to study up on that. Your question is too broad to be specific (most of the country could theoretically fall within your parameters) so look over the info I've given you and you can start to narrow down your choices:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntre...96466#20796466

Robert2533

"Most of us are not hard core racers so would not want tons of hills." You will want to stay away from the Pyrenees and the Alps, but everything else should be fair game. The Loire valley would be nice, as would the vineyards around Bordeaux. Normandy and Brittany would also make for a great biking adventure in the late spring, early summer season.

http://www.westernfrancetouristboard.com/loire.html

J62

Hmmm. And for those of use hard core bikers??

How about Alpe d'Huez or Col du Tourmalet, both HC.

colduphere

FMT I am currently training in my basement for a run up Alpe d'Huez, hopefully this year. If I decide my time will be embarrassingly slow is there a second Alpe d'Huez somewhere that is shorter and flatter, but still gives out a certificate at the top?

Gretchen

The Loire is great for biking. And DS did some of the stages of the Tour de France one year. There's something for everyone.

J62

I had no idea you were into such hard core cold. Viva HC.

colduphere

Time is running out for me J62. The first few k of Alpe d'Huez worry me. I may start about a third of the way up, then do the bottom section in the middle of the night. Or fake an injury.

bigtyke

Loire and Normandy are nice. Alsace is interesting. Also consider Germany - great bike paths and the Danube in Austria is popular. Check out the journals at www.crazyguyonabike.com

nyleroy

Depends on what time of year you'll be doing this. Provence in the June/Jul/Aug is hot, so any biking should be done in the early morning. If you're not an early riser, forget it! If you are, then it's wonderful - sunflower fields, lavender, unforgettable blue skies...and you have all afternoon for relaxing and visiting vineyards etc.
The rest of the year can be pretty nice too.

tidy

We are early risers and we will probably go in late May. Provence sounds lovely. We are going to talk to a tour company out of ft Collins Colorado, Experience Plus bike tours. We know someone who used them and were pleased.

StCirq

The Vendée is also great biking territory.

bilboburgler

This site is designed around people who don't want big hills and do want back-up support by the use of trains, in case those knees give out on a day

http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/