82 | Cycling World
French Cycling Holidays tours are designed to showcase the best of
each region. The bilingual guides have been riding these trips and
refining them each year as we discover new itineraries, restaurants,
hotels and visits. Each tour is accompanied by two guides, one
riding, one driving the support minibus which as well as delivering
your luggage so that it is waiting in your hotel room at the end
of the day’s ride, is on hand to refill your complimentary water
bottle and to keep you fuelled up with bananas, cakes and energy
snacks. The guides are also charged with creating the awesome
picnics (there is usually a competition for which guide has created
the week’s best picnic!)
The bikes of choice for the quiet roads and cycle tracks are the
aluminium/carbon Trek FX hybrids which are provided – light and
fast with a riding position ideally suited to making progress while
still appreciating the spectacular countryside. For the mountain
tours (Alps, Pyrenees) many riders want to bring their own bikes
(nothing like a picture of you aboard your trusty steed at the top
of the Col du Galibier!) but local rental of high-end carbon road
bikes is possible. For groups or couples of mixed ability or cycling
experience, the recent development and increasing popularity of the
e-cycle has made it possible for groups to pick a trip which will
be an enjoyable challenge for the more advanced members while
allowing the less experienced to enjoy the holiday without feeling
they have been on a training camp. E-bikes are available on most
tours, so choice of route need not be a compromise.
The tours (with exception of the mountain tours) are all of similar
daily length (30 to 40 miles / 50 to 65 kilometres) – the difference in
the cycle ratings is the terrain and the length and frequency of hills.
A tour rated 1 or 2 will be predominantly flat, whilst a 5 or 6 might
have three or four significant climbs each day, but don’t worry, the
minibus is always around to pick up riders who have had enough
climbing!
At the end of the riding day, the accommodation is always
top notch. The hotels are mostly 4*, and are always chosen
for their charm and individuality. You will be staying in 16th
century châteaux, 18th century-coaching inns, converted
farmhouses and townhouses. Nearly all have swimming
pools. A buffet breakfast of croissants, bread, jams, cheeses,
cold meats and juices will set you up for the cycling ahead.
Three- or four-course gourmet dinners with wine and coffee
are enjoyed either in the hotel’s own restaurant or at a nearby
one recommended by the locals and always taking in the
regional specialities.
At the end of the week, you will be delivered to the local
airport or train station, having had a stress-free week of the
cycling in the country that does cycling best!