Tour Update - Bike About Tour of Paris

A Parisian Day Tour

Please excuse the fact that I have gone from the first part of our tour in the Alps and skipped ahead to the very end in Paris for this post, but I thought I'd do this as a way of letting everyone know that something has been added to the tour as a result of a request from Hamo.
By the time we get to Paris it will be time to slow down and enjoy the scenery now the mountain climbing and exhilarating descents are behind us, a leisurely paced bike tour of Paris will be the ideal way to wind down. There is no better way to get an overview of this amazing city, we have now booked the group onto a private Parisian Day Tour with Bike About Tours.
We will be joined on this tour by Hamo's sister and partner, should be a fun day!

Our PARISIAN DAY Bike Tour lets travelers experience Paris like a true Parisian! We’ll cruise through Europe’s most amazing city, tell you all the history & unknown stories, ride through charming back streets, stop on our favourite bakery street, and feel Paris come alive in the process!

We realize that most travelers will see the touristy areas on their own, so we focus our DAY bike tour on the back streets and local areas that we have discovered (don't worry, we see many famous sites too)! We’ll also recommend all of our favourite things to do at the end of the tour.

This tour lasts approximately 3 ½ hours - we ride at a very leisurely pace.

Cyclerides Private Tour details

Date : Saturday 26th July, 2014
Time : 9:30am
Meeting point : inside the underground 'Vinci Car Parking' on the corner of Rue de Rivoli & Rue de Lobau- just behind the Paris town hall (Hotel de Ville).

Please note that more detailed meeting instructions will be advised closer to the time.

Click here to check the updated full itinerary

Tour Update - No 1 - First stop The French Alps

To all the members of our Taste of the Tour d France 2014 tour :
It's now only 6 months until your cycling trip of a lifetime, although I must warn you that there have been many before you that start off with the intention of crossing the “cycling trip to France” off their bucket list as a once in a lifetime venture only to realize that you can’t do it just the once. This of course is not a bad thing although it may be a little difficult to justify/explain to your non cyclist partner.
I will be sending out a monthly update on your tour as a way of keeping you informed on any changes as well as sharing any useful information. I will try and cover everything you will need to know but I do ask that you don’t hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I have missed.
I will be using this blog for these updates, as well as the updates for this year’s tour this blog follows last year’s tour and will also be used to follow our tour this year. Group members can comment on the updates for all to see offering the opportunity for a group discussion and I encourage you to do this. This blog will also then convert to the live blog of your tour offering the opportunity for your envious friends and deserted partners to keep up with your exploits.

The Itinerary

So first up is the updated itinerary for our tour, please note we work on the basis of flexibility for our itinerary and the day to day routes may change due to the weather, road closures or even group requests. Click here to check out the latest itinerary for your tour

Here is the Tour de France route 

The French Alps

Our first stop is the mountain village of Venosc,  a beautiful village in the Oisans region of the French Alps riding distance from the base of the infamous Alpe d’ Huez. We have exclusive use of Chalet Morville for our 7 day stay, a luxury chalet that features 5 bedrooms all with ensuites, a cinema, an outdoor hot tub and an infrared sauna.

This is superb accommodation in a stunning location, you will be treated to a big breakfast every morning and a sumptuous 3 course dinner including wine on 6 of the evenings.
Click here to check out Chalet Morville.

Riding in the French Alps 

This region features some amazing cycling including many of the routes/climbs made famous by the Tour de France and there also plenty of other equaling amazing routes that are less famous but hidden gems. We’ll be doing a mixture of both.
Here is a link to 30 bicycle touring routes in Oisans, the routes are described as “The discreet”, “The iconic”  “The untamed”, I’ve got some hard copies of this guide which I will post out.

Some General Information and Tips

Some of things that you can start thinking about:

Passport: You can’t leave home without one, most importantly your passport will need to have a minimum validity of 6 months from the date that you depart Europe ie. The expiry date of your passport must be no earlier than 28^th January, 2015 if you are departing France on 28^th July, 2014. CHECK THIS NOW just in case you need to renew your passport to comply with this condition, it’s definitely not recommended to try and do this at the last minute I can assure you.

Travel Insurance: You should also take out travel insurance now to cover you for cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances (conditions apply, mostly health issues that prevent you travelling), your travel insurance should cover you for cancellation fees and most importantly UNLIMITED medical expenses whilst overseas.
We are able to offer QBE Travel Insurance at a 20% discount when taken out online, click here to take out QBE Travel Insurance. 

Travel Money : I would recommend getting a travel money card of some sort for the trip, there are numerous products out there, the best solution is to find one that you are able to load with foreign currency at the current rates and able to use for purchases without fees, you mostly have to pay a fee for withdrawing cash.

Here are some options:

CBATravel Money
Qantas Cash
AustraliaPost Travel Cards
CashPassport

Alternatively talk to whichever bank you currently deal with locally.

Global Roaming : You are able to set your phone to roam overseas but beware this can be very expensive and a rude shock when you get your bill on your return home (may also make it hard to justify your next trip with the partner you left behind).

You are able to buy a local sim on arrival but this can be a very stressful process as you will need to try and work out the instructions that are also in the local language. A much better option is to buy a glocal roaming sim before you leave, I have had success with the Woolworths Global Roaming card, this card allows you to:
·       Add a local Australian number so your friends can contact you for the price of a local call
·       Add a bundle that includes data so you can use email and internet (this is much much cheaper than paying Telstra overseas rates)
·       Track your credit and usage
·       Top up easily online.
There are other options out there but I’ve only tested this, here is a link to WoolworthsGlobal Roaming

Well I’m thinking that’s enough to get everyone started, please feel free to leave your comments for all to see especially if you find something that is useful that I have missed.

final days of the tour

The final days of the trip have suddenly arrived. Everyone has the feeling that it's a long time since they were home with family, yet the time here has flown by and we are suddenly preparing to pack and move on, home for some (ie me) or onto Paris for the Tour finish and a brief extension of their holiday.
Yesterday was the final day in the Alps and an opportunity to have a look at Le Tour's stage start in Boug d Oisans. Most were content to have an easy ride into town and take in the atmosphere of a Tour sign on and rollout- team buses, riders, parade, sign on etc. Town was absolutely packed. To the extent that Adam and I opted for a brief ride up to Villard Notre Dam, a spectacular climb  over 9 km on a narrow road cut into the cliff side, including a few unlit tunnels (more like caves), forest and ultimately Villard Notre Dam overlooking the valley some 800 metres below.
The tour rolled out at 11:00 after which we battled through the mayhem back to Venosc for a final lunch and then bike packing.
The evening meal became a bit of a final celebration including a few extra wines and some exhibition of Michael Jacksons better steps.

The road from Villard Notre Dame

Woke next morning to the above view from the lounge for departure at 8:00.

Farewells, photos and it's all but over.

The final should be from home in Aus.

BB





life is good

Nearly tired of saying it, but today was another good day.
Tour de France stage ??? featuring a double ascent of Alp d Huez,...  and we were there in the midst of the excitement and mayhem of the day.

A fairly early start to join the masses heading up the hill to find a good viewing point amongst the numerous pilgrams converging on Alp d Huez. The estimated mass of spectators congregating on this 14 km section of hill was in the order of 2 million.

A reasonable vantage point was selected and we settled in a for a few hours of people watching as the crowds streamed in and  the parade of sponsors started flowing through.

We were well set up thanks to a combined effort of all the crew, stacks of food, beers, chairs and enthusiasm to grab whatever trinckets may be thrown from the advertisers parade.

Ultimately leading up the passage of the tour riders.

 

Another hour to recoup as the race progressed up the Alp, over Col de Sarenne and around for a second ascent. The boys' got pretty comfortable with the atmosphere of the event plus a few more beers.

 

A second passing of the riders, heaps of photos and time to descend with the masses. The trip home was not to bad, walked for 1/2 an hour or so, but eventually Arnaud picked us up in the van and back to Chalet Morville for dinner R & R.

And that's about it, we enjoyed being part of the tour, avoided the rain yet again and will soon be off to bed tired to recharge for tomorrow - the final day.

Bon nuit

BB

another day, more cols and more food

Big day today, early start and onwards towards Croix de Fer.

Solid climb, once again a success for all, then a minor diversion to get a few pics of the Col de Glandon as the clouds roll in with a bit of drizzle and the temp drops prompting some urgency to head back down the hill .

The descent is the usual 20 km downhill "hoot" and then along the valley floor and back to Chalet Morville.

A bit of afternoon R & R, some shopping for tomorrow's stage viewing (Borg d' Oisans is getting insanely busy) and it's tome for dinner. Today is George and Michelle's rest day so we go to the Dolly Loo for dinner. Pretty traditional French cuisine for dinner, enjoyed by all, ..... well I really liked it. and now it's late and past my bed time hence the brevity of todays blog.

Another good day, ... can't imagine going back to normal routine.... I'm still not sure what day it is.

Bon Noir

BB 

Rest day - rafting for most, cruise to La Berade for some

The possible rest day mentioned previously turned out be a very popular option. A sleep in, breakfast at 8:30 and a casual prep for the days activities.
7 weary bodies jumped at the chance to go white water rafting. By all reports it was a "hoot", everyone enjoyed the break, the icy water and rafting is just good fun.
Arnoud then backed the event with a picnic lunch - which was reported by Cos "Arnoud spoiled us", fresh breads, salad, cheese, herbs all good stuff which we have come to expect.
As for the rest of us, being Adam and myself (BB) we had a casual morning and then opted for the ride out to La Berade. Love this one, a couple of relatively short steep climbs up to St Christophe and then a more gradual meander up the valley on narrow roads carved into the side of the valley wall. Have to wait to see the video.
The arvo comprised a quick visit to Bourg d Oisans for a little shopping and haircuts then back to the chalet to view the final of "Le Tour" followed by spas, beers games room for some and computer downloads for others and very soon dinner.  -- what a life, needless to say all is well.
BB

Cycling to new heights - Galibier 2,640 metres



 Today is Monday the tell me, so we ride to Col de Galibier  at something close to 2,640 metres above sea level.
An early start as the day will be warm and the road to Galibier is 50 km long and at least 35 km of this will be uphill. The crew is enthusiastic, though there are signs of wear and perhaps a rest day coming up for some. The ride was however, once again a success for all, 4.5 to 5.5 hours in the saddle, plenty of photo ops, spectacular scenery, 35 km of descent on hot mix roads, chances to throw a snowball and more Jambon and Fromage to keep us going.
Arrived back at Chalet Morville by 3:30 ready settle into the luxuries, some to the spa, others in the sauna and the boys to the games room.
Dinner is now being served, it will be outstanding and this blog must be signed off.
Yet another good day cycling, eating enjoying holidays in France.
BB