Richard

April 26, we leave DFW for CDG, bikes secure in the belly of the plane. Arrive 4/27, drive to St. Marcan. Day trips with car to Fougeres and Dinan. 4/30 car turned in, set off for Mont St. Michel, Cotentin peninsula and the Channel coast. 5/12 attempt to take train from Deauville to Paris, end up renting car because of difficulties getting bikes on the train. 5/14, 07:00 Sunday morning ride bikes from Place de Madeleine to Place de la Concorde, up the Champs to the Etoile, to the Trocadero and along the Seine to Notre Dame. 5/15, CDG to DFW and home to our Tex-Mex fix.

elvira

Aidez-moi! I'm trying to convince the Loons to do a bike trip: <BR> <BR>1) Why did you take your bikes instead of renting in France, and do you recommend it? <BR> <BR>2) How many miles a day did you travel on the bikes? <BR> <BR>3) What sort of difficulties kept you off the train in Deauville? <BR> <BR>4) In Paris, did the cars respect the bikepaths? <BR> <BR>5) Any heartstopping moments of fear? <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Richard

Elvira: <BR>1. We took our bikes because we travel with all our gear on the bikes so they are fitted with the appropriate racks and fastening devices. <BR>2. We average 30 miles per day, we travel at a leisurely pace, no lodging reservations so when we come to an interesting town, we find a 2star hotel and stay. We usually end the days ride about 15:00-16:00 so we can walk the town we're staying in. <BR>3. When we checked at the Gare, we were told we needed bags to put the bikes in or they wouldn't be accepted on the train. Asked the agent where we find these bags and he had no idea. After trying 3 bike shops, a large discount store and in desperation Monoprix, we gave up and rented a car and drove into Paris. <BR>4. In Paris, as well as rural France, cyclists are well respected, when climbing hills we had cars and even trucks lined up behind us until they could overtake safely (people here in Dallas could learn a few rules of courtesy). <BR>5. No fear, we took large scale Michelin maps and so for the most part avoided busy roads. <BR>Thanks for your interest, email if you would like more info.

Beth Anderson

Hi Elvira, <BR> <BR>I am leaving next Friday for a bike trip on the west coast of Ireland. I will give you an update if you like. (or I'll just post a note with the details for all). <BR> <BR>It is REALLY cheap - 650 for the week, new touring/hybrid bikes, all support, lodging, and breakfasts included. We are stopping for a day in the middle for a rest day (I'll likely hike) and then the last day - boat trip for the day to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands. <BR> <BR>I have heard that May and June are the sunniest months over there. I'll let you know my experience on that! It should be about 65-70 or so - to me, PERFECT biking weather. Let's face it, when you are biking 30-40 miles a day, you don't want even high seventies weather. <BR> <BR>Beth

steve

The French train stations used to have a cardboard that folded over the frame of the bike to protect it. Don't know if they still have those. It has been awhile, but I transported my bike several places around France without any trouble, other than haveing to send it a day in advance