Most of my cycling in France was done over 40 years ago with my loved one, on road bikes. I see that today, cyclists have so very many more protected routes, the roads are better, and the motorists are expert at accommodating cyclists. The French are fantastic, food incredible, and the experiences are really life-changing. Thank you for your series.

@TheBicycleTourists

15 күн бұрын

Thanks Frank, and you're so welcome. It's so nice to ride in a country that truly respects cycling, with their attitude and their infrastructure.

Hello Roland and Julianna! French bicycle adventurer here. I have made thousands of miles in France and I am always curious about what people that come here for bicycle tourism, are thinking. I couldn't do a better sum up than you. I encourage everyone that want to come to France to hear all your pros and cons. And also, to come with an open mind, exactly like you both did.

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

That's great to hear! Everyone's experience will be different of course. But could not recommend France more. It's a great country for bicycle touring, especially for relative lightweights like us.

What an accurate summary, I agree with all of it. French are nice people and very interested where you're from. Trains are where there are some problems here. more bikes than spaces. We've always managed to get on, although sometimes with no spaces left. The staff seem pretty relaxed about it, so far! The french expect to pay for good food and it still amazes us how expensive ingredients are compared to the reasonable price of a complete meal. The majority of rural France doesn't have a tipping culture. It's different in cities where around 10% is expected. You obviously put some time in planning the route and it saves being stuck with day after day of steep climbs. I enjoyed every episode and was sad when your tour ended. The time and effort in making a record of your tour is much appreciated. Hope you do another in the future. Love the cat, we've got 4 and my wife now wants a Maine Coon but the local dogs would be terrified!

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

That's a good point about the trains. As complicated as it can be to load, it is eased by the easy going attitudes. You figure out a way and the passengers seem to be okay with that... in Germany you'd get kicked off the train if there wasn't a rack for you! So glad you joined us on this little adventure. So appreciate it!

You guys are brilliant ! A big thanks to you for being so positive and thorough in sharing your wonderful trip through France. We are retired and just getting into cycle touring and France is our #1 destination. We have been travelling there almost annually for 30 years but usually move on highways and trains. Your travel there gave me a whole new appreciation for the 'slow movement' that really allows you to see things, but be more independent than travelling in a throng of pilgrims doing the Compostel....You have really opened our minds and made us believe we can do this! All the best....safe riding!

@TheBicycleTourists

5 ай бұрын

That is so awesome! You definitely can do it, and will be richly rewarded for it! Thank you for your kind words. And western Europe, especially, has a cycling infrastructure built for this kind of travel, so lots of choices. Happy trails!

I tried to do that route last spring, but only made it 5 weeks due to a family issue. It is great to see you guys on your trip and relive mine. I am going back to finish, but in the meantime thank you for the memories.

@TheBicycleTourists

2 ай бұрын

It seems to get harder and harder to find the time it takes to do one of these... best wishes on your return!

We came across your french cycling videos and we thoroughly enjoyed them all. My husband and I have been holidaying in france for the past few years and we enjoy the culture, food and way of life. We travel from the North east of Scotland on our motorbike and get a ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and make our way down to the loire area. Whilst there we hire bicycles and travel around finding lovely places to visit so it was nice to see you in some of the same places as ourselves. Look forward to watching some more of your adventures.

@TheBicycleTourists

3 ай бұрын

Sounds like a great way to travel! You kind of get the best of both worlds.

Regarding the trains, it's important to understand the distinction between the TER trains and the TGV trains. The former may or may not have places for bicycles, but if they do (it appears in the time table), it's on a first come first serve basis, like you described, and taking the bicycle on is free. On TGV, there may not be any places for bicycle, and if there are, you need to buy a ticket in order to reserve a spot for your bicycle. I had an SNCF Connect app on my phone, it made buying tickets for us and our bicycles easy - it also allows tracking delays and cancellations, of which there were plenty.

@cyclistefroisse9267

10 ай бұрын

Absolutely, then there are these new « low-cost » TGVs and slower trains labeled Ouigo (We go, I kid you not). .... and finally, feet dragging French, per their commitment in the European Union, Marché Unique ( Single Market) and opening to fair and reciprocal competition between train operators within the 🇪🇺their rail network. TrenItalia operates their Fressiarossa between Paris and Milano with stops in Lyon, Chambéry, Torino. Spanish RENFE gives you a taste of their AVE between Lyon and Barcelona since July and now between Marseille-Barcelona-Madrid .... and their price policy is extremely aggressive (that might not last). Then, there must still be a few « Intercité » trains left ? SNCF finishes these 45 years of age once called « Corail » carriages, ever so unpractical for cyclists, let aside for people with mobility issues, shown in Roland video, gradually phased out or already gone in some regions.

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Yes, we dealt with some of that distinction, but not enough to get skilled or comfortable with it, I think we only used the trains between Zurich and our beginning and end points, so also confused by the more strict Swiss protocols. My sense is that in either case it's much easier the fewer people you have in your group and the fewer panniers you are carrying. And important to note that it's MUCH easier than in the U.S., which can be close to impossible to use the trains in this way.

Such a beautiful and helpful video! The route & trip are enviable. One day....one day....

@TheBicycleTourists

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! I hope you make it some day as well!

Bonjour et au revoir Roland et Julianna. Vous faites aimer la France, encore merci vous êtes très sympathiques ❤️

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Et merci Michele d'être restée avec nous dans notre petite aventure française. Vos commentaires nous apportent toujours autant de joie. Vous êtes du Québec si ma mémoire est bonne ? Peut-être qu'un jour bientôt nous nous poserons des questions sur la Route Verte. Au revoir pour l'instant !

@michelesauret7779

10 ай бұрын

@@TheBicycleTourists Non française de Troyes en Champagne 🍾

Did six months cycling France for the first few weeks we had rooms booked ahead and that was a mistake because they were tourist traps we found it was better to get to a destination then ask where the “ old town “ is where the old period B&Bs are. The hardest part was getting a meal around 6.00 , we had little kids and it was a nightmare trying to feed them early , early by their standards.

@TheBicycleTourists

8 ай бұрын

Yeah, you learn these things along the way. We also found that finding rooms the day of your stay allows a lot of flexibility with the weather as well.

Brilliant films, starting my second viewing of them

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Well, dang, thank you David! Hope you enjoy them as much the second time around.

Roland, Julianna, that was a great video, thanks for sharing that.

@TheBicycleTourists

5 ай бұрын

You're very welcome!

Thank you for the practical advice. You two are inspiration masters! My wife and I are headed to France this fall and can’t wait to start our adventure. Wishing you flat trails and the wind at your back, John

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Hello John, Terrapin Cyclist (slow is THE way to go!), thank you so much. I would love to hear how your French adventure turns out. Enjoy!

Thank you so much! I've traveled on my Brompton fold up bike all along La Loire for the last three summers. As you say so beautifully, each day brings unexpected delights and adventures. After watching your videos, now I'm planning new adventures on the Eurovelo 17 from Lyon to the Med. I'm 72 now and plan to ride, ride, ride in France! Merci beaucoup to you both!

@TheBicycleTourists

8 ай бұрын

Thank YOU for your comments. I'm sure you will love the Rhone, just pay attention to whatever app you want to use and the alternatives they provide. The only real "sketchy" part was the 20-30 km from Lyon south. Otherwise it's smooth sailing. good luck in your travels. It's always inspiring to meet and connect with people who keep on riding.

As always a great video! Thank you for this adventure!

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

The pleasure is all ours, Klas! It's great to connect with like-minded people!

Thanks for all your advice and sharing your journey and experiences. We’ve loved very adventure and look forward to the next! 💜

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

Thank you Linda, we so appreciate you!

This is amazing!

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

Thank you Randall!

Great information and the bow on top of a great series! All the best for the next adventure! Appreciate you both!👍

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Appreciate YOU two as well! And thank you for your support! Hope we manage to do something together someday!

Thank you!

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Of course! Thanks for watching, Tom! Appreciate you!

Great summary to a great series. I'm sorry that it's over. Never adieu, just au revoir.

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Ha. I had to look up the difference between the two. (Didn't I learn anything from the French?) Yes, indeed, there's a long bucket list but I sincerely hope that we have enough time and energy to get back, once we check off a few other boxes. Thank you for your kind words.

Fantastic. Sign me up.

@TheBicycleTourists

2 ай бұрын

Right? What's not to love about cycling in France?

Thank you! Very inspiring...

@TheBicycleTourists

Ай бұрын

Well, thanks and you're welcome!

That trip was wonderful, I felt like I was riding with you guys!! Cannot wait for the next adventure...

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Ahhh that makes our day! That's what we strive for, to include you in on the ride. It's too much fun not to share!

Really great information! Will help with planning our trip. :)

@TheBicycleTourists

8 ай бұрын

So glad it is of use to you! Happy travels!

Thank you.

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

You are, of course, so welcome, Don!

Bonjour Roland! Another great video! Thank you! I just realized it was a two months journey only ! whaoo, you covered so many different regions... whatching your videos makes me want to do the same trip! This year, summer has not been as hot as last year when you traveled through France. The bicycle paths along the Canal du Midi have been repaired where needed so its a more confortable ride now (some still need fixing). I hope to see you again in Ouveillan. Hello to Julianna... and to your adorable Moon :)

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Bonjour Catherine! Julianna and Moon say hello! When we come back to Ouveillan it will be to stay! We loved that part of our journey. We will never forget your warm hospitality and we both wish we'd had the time to stay longer. You are an inspiration!

Hi Roland, this is such an informative video. Just the kind I wished you made. So valuable. I have saved this video for my reference next near when I plan to go there. Currently I am in Vancouver, cycling through and around this beautiful city.. And by the way, my 14 hour flight magically turned into a 14 minute flight because I was binge watching all your videos that I have downloaded. Thanks again for taking the time and effort to make these videos. Deeply appreciate it. Atb, That Travelling Guy….

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Good morningTraveling Guy! Vancouver is a lovely city to cycle around, I'm jealous! It means a lot to know you were able to use our videos to keep you entertained. Those long flights are brutal! Enjoy your trip to France. Wherever you go, I'm sure you will love it!

I'm struggling with figuring out the bikes-on-trains thing. Thanks for the reality check. This has been a very helpful series. -H

@TheBicycleTourists

2 ай бұрын

So glad we could be of service. It seems the key to bikes on trains is flexibility. It seems a bit different every time!

@CityWalks

2 ай бұрын

@@TheBicycleTourists Haha. That's what I was afraid of. As much as I crave certainty, the adventure lies in the uncertainty. Thanks again. I really have been enjoying your channel. -H

@TheBicycleTourists

2 ай бұрын

thanks!

Great additional and useful episode. $80 a night for lodging is cheap, but that’s the magic of online booking, you can grab stuff. Hope you kept your REI touring bike, Roland. When yiu mentioned maybe getting something new and different, I thought no modern bike will be as good as what you have.

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

I am still riding the Safari and probably will for some time to come. It's a solid ride, reliable and familiar. I feel a certain loyalty to it! Thanks for watching!

Thanks for your videos, they have been very informative. My wife and I will be setting off in 2 weeks time to follow a similar route. Flying from Australia to UK, to catch up with family and then into Belgium, onto Paris, down to the Loire then who knows where. We will decide the remaining route on the fly.

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

That's a great way to roll. When we neared the end of the Loire we considered heading up through Brittany, an amazing part of the country which we sadly missed this time. You also picked a really good time to go. Enjoy!

Just found your channel and love ! We’re also in CO. Good motivation to get out there. I’m interested in learning more about your handlebars and extra bar. I never have enough room on my road bike handlebars, but am considering buying a hybrid/gravel bike for more touring as I near my ‘80s. Maybe even with a motor😬. -Steve in Frisco

@TheBicycleTourists

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! I love the butterfly handlebars. They're not for everyone, but great to have options for your hands, I find them much less tiring, especially on long days in the saddle. I always think that some day I'll be switching to an eBike. No rush.

Well presented Roland (& Julianna), As a European, I tend to round up the bill in smaller family run establishments as it's staffed by family & neighbours and tip properly in the larger run establishment because the staff are often from Eastern Europe and the less well of parts of Europe and they are on minimum wage.

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

That's good advice, thanks! I would say that I get conflicting information on all this, but it's definitely less rigid than here in the states, where 20% is minimum no matter what...

Thanks for this post ride video, a very helpful addition to your series that I immensely enjoyed. I was supposed to be cycling in France right now but things happened but I should be there before the end of August and I'll stay for at least four weeks, dependent upon the weather. Thanks very much to you and Julianna 🇫🇷 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️👍

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Sorry about your delay. I feel like I've had an entire summer of complications which have hindered our travel and touring plans. Hope you get out there soon, wishing you the best on your journey!

@tonypaddler

10 ай бұрын

@@TheBicycleTourists thanks for your reply, and I'm very pleased that you eventually got out on your tour. I've done 4 mini trips of 3/4 days each around the Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway in the meantime and I'm going back up to Scotland next week for a few days/ a week, hopefully around the Isle of Mull if weather allows. Thanks again and I'll soon start with catching up on your other videos from the beginning of your KZread channel 🚴‍♂️🚴‍♀️😃

@cyclistefroisse9267

10 ай бұрын

Just as well that you couldn’t be in France, this week, yesterday in the little village of Puy St Martin (30ish km East of the southern section of the ViaRhôna,) the highest temperature ever recorded after the 15th of August was broken. New record temperature stands at 43.4 Celsius, that’s 110.12 Fahrenheit.

@tonypaddler

10 ай бұрын

@@cyclistefroisse9267 thanks very much for that information, it's reminded me to check again the weather forecast for France before I go as I find it very uncomfortable cycling in very hot weather! Cheers 🚴‍♂️👍☀️

@cyclistefroisse9267

10 ай бұрын

Wishing you the best possible time and weather in France ! Whilst at it, time is temps in French (silent p and silent s) and weather is also temps ( pronounced the same way, no difference). Here hope you’ll have lots of beau temps, nice/good weather, en Septembre. Depending upon where you will be in France, please do keep on checking the weather for potential « Alerte Orange » and definitely for « Alerte Rouge ». In a Red Warning situation, can be anything torrential rain resulting in flash floods in mountainous regions or forest fires (even in September by the Med) avoid by all means to find yourself trapped in the middle of nowhere. Either you wait out the Alerte Rouge or consider a short train ride (TER) away from the area, usually small areas are under Alerte Rouge, in Red Warning. Bienvenue en 🇫🇷

Thanks so much for this Roland and Julianna. The wrap up is very useful and interesting - even if we do not get there. As I have said before you folks are definitely an inspiration. Any idea where next?

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Hi Richard, I am heading out to do a small solo ride in the midwest as we speak. Nothing big this year. Well, not for Julianna and myself. My three grown children and I are doing a self-guided tour in Slovenia in September. That should be fun!

@RichardWright3450

10 ай бұрын

Sounds good Roland. My longest ride this year was a 3-day ride with 3 generations of family, from 12 year old grandson thru an Ironman rider grandson to me a very senior rider. A bit like herding cats but definitley memory building - which was my goal. Have fun in Slovenia!. @@TheBicycleTourists

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

That sounds awesome, Richard!

P.S. Loved Moon’s purring :-)

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Yeah, when he's happy he lets you know it!

Great follow up, thanks. One thing we've run into touring in Europe was bike security. Some hotels, Airbnb's etc. don't have space to securely store bikes. Did you guys have any issues with that?

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

We had one hotel (a very modern one) that had a less than optimal bicycle storage "corral". Mostly, we either felt safe with them locked outside (out in the country) or we had them in our rooms (tight but doable) or they had good safe storage. Sometimes they say on AirBnB or BookingDotCom that they have secure storage for bikes. Since we were mainly on well-established cycling routes, it seemed that the custom was to provide accommodations for that.

Hey guys very informative, never been to France. Can't wait for you guys next adventure. Your kitty is soooo cute, he's got a loud purr. I lost three kitties in matter of 40 days. I'll be hanging here, waiting till then, good night

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Hey there Dennis, so sorry to hear about your cats. Sometimes when it rains it pours, we had a summer like that, but our cats survived unscathed fortunately. Take care, and have a good night as well.

@dennispiciullo8060

10 ай бұрын

@@TheBicycleTourists yw, it sucks, hard to get over that. Bad enough I was in NJ taking care of my dad, then this. I guess that's life. Any hints on what you guys will be up to in future?

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

Life has its ups and downs, no way around it. I just finished a week in the upper midwest along the Mississippi, and in a couple weeks I'm joining my three grown kids for two weeks riding in Slovenia. Next year we're hoping to do Amsterdam to Venice or thereabouts; still in planning stages. It's been a year since leaving for France, I'm itching for something a bit more epic!

@dennispiciullo8060

9 ай бұрын

Wow, sounds good, looking forward to it

Bonjour Roland et Julianna, Randomly... Weather, rather than in indulging in generalities, some real-time Météo, as say the French, information. For a start, US or Europe, France is no exception, unpredictable, unprecedented, « historical » (until next year), brutal weather events are becoming the rule and no longer the exception. As I write, there’s a heat wave on its way that will affect, counterintuitively, more place like Lyon or Toulouse, than the coastal cities by the Med. Temperatures are expected to peak, locally, between 105.8F and 107.6F. This will be only the 7th heatwave after the 15th of August, since 1947. Temperatures at the top of the Mt Blanc (15780ft) are expected to remain above ice melting point (0°Celsius) the next couple of nights. Surface température of the Mediterranean Sea broke a record @88.12F in July. One clever scientist (American ?) had the idea to express the amount of energy (surplus linked to raising temperatures) stored in oceans in Nuclear bombs (in Kilotons, A bomb, or is it H bombs in Megatons, Dunno ?) per second ... long story short, the Med is a pressure cooker. How violent the typical, if anything weather related is typical anymore (?), September storms which build up above the Med and hit, pushed by southerly winds, the coast and the Alps will be, is anyone’s guess. More about trains and multimodal bicycle/train rides later....

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

Yes, the weather is becoming increasingly worrisome, from a global, existential perspective as well as the more mundane travel planning perspective. We've had the loveliest summer here in Denver in memory while the rest of the world seems to be boiling or outright burning.

@cyclistefroisse9267

10 ай бұрын

Young American racer Timon Fish took advantage of this lovely summer and finished the Colorado Trail northbound route with an incredible time of just 3 days, 16 hours, and 13 minutes, setting a new fastest known time (FKT), 2 weeks ago. Ditto, Katya Rakhmatulina who won the Colorado Trail Race, yesterday, setting also a new women FKT in 5 days, 1 hour, and 53 minutes.

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

Insane. I can't imagine how athletic you have to be to do something like that. That route beats the hell out of even the most experienced mountain bikers.

Thank-you for this informative "what to expect while cycling in France" video. The entire video series, of your trip this year, was delightful, educational and inspiring. Although you didn't keep track of daily expenses, did you keep a record of the hotels, gites or BnB's you stayed at? I'm looking forward to your next adventure by bike. Salut!

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

I guess I have a record on my credit car and bank statements. On the first part of the trip we switched booking lodging between Nadia and I so I don't have all of that information. So glad you've enjoyed these! It makes it all worthwhile.

@cyclistefroisse9267

10 ай бұрын

is « Gîte » a familiar French word for Americans ? Genuine question. Ditto, « Chambre d’Hôte » ? Currently doing some preparations in anticipation of riding the Canal des deux Mer (Garonne+Midi) they are, filed under « Hébergements insolites » (unusual accommodations in English ?) a number of very stylish alternatives listed in Gîtes de France or Chambredhote *rg at affordable prices. For instance, in Bram, R&J could have slept in a cosy, one cabin, riverboat for 75€ breakfast included. A few kilometers off route, when they cycled the ViaRhôna, they could have slept in a privately owned castle which has, fully refurbished in France to its original beauty, a shiny US imported 1950 Airstream. There’s also that « Maison éclusière », a former Compagnie du Canal du Midi purposely built house in order to accommodate the employees who manually operated 24/7 the lock (écluse) before automation became a word. Gîtes, which rightfully so, you mentioned, Chambres d’Hôte, also « Hébergement à la ferme », grape harvesters made pickers superfluous to requirement, rustic but stylish traditional buildings, as in with thick stone walls keeping them naturally cool in summer, have been heavily refurbished to the highest standards into BnBs by farmers in touristic areas. They offer very good value for money alternatives Off-season, with optional/ on request « Table d’Hôte » (diner). Some places offer also a Pack-lunch option (presumably food that’ll keep for a couple of hours in your panniers) such « all-inclusive » formulas, Room+ Dîner+ Breakfast+ a tasty pack lunch, all things equal, works out much cheaper than a room+ breakfast +diner in a restaurant + buying food for a picnic at lunch time, in particular off the beaten tracks and away from tourist traps.

Well done - this “how to” and the series both. How did you accomplish the purple progress line on the map of France, if I might ask?

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

I took photo of the map, drew the line in Photoshop and then animated it with a mask in Premiere Pro. I can assure you there are better ways...

@vandermint

9 ай бұрын

Looked great. Lots of work "behind the scenes". @@TheBicycleTourists

I loved watching your trek across the U.S. and also France. So, what’s next?

@TheBicycleTourists

10 ай бұрын

I'm so glad you've enjoyed these! I'm trying to get a way for a short solo trip, and I'm riding with my three grown kids in Slovenia next month for a couple of weeks. But it has not been an eventful summer on the bike touring front, many other things have taken priority for now. In the thumbnail stage of an Amsterdam to Italy ride next year but we'll see how that all plays out. I'm hopeful!

@cyclistefroisse9267

10 ай бұрын

Please check : Slovenia Flood 2023 - DREF Operation (MDRSI003) Situation Report Source IFRC RC stands for Red Cross.

@TheBicycleTourists

9 ай бұрын

I think we're gonna be okay, I checked that out when it was happening. It's getting harder and harder to plan trips with all this inconvenient climtae change going on.

My wife and I cycled from Belgium to Bretagne, we had the same experience with ter trains...12 bikes and only 4 bike hooks left...😅😅, I'm still stressed out now...

@TheBicycleTourists

23 күн бұрын

It's awesome that there are accommodations for bikes on European trains, but unless you have a reserved place for it, there are definitely no guarantees, and, yeah, can be pretty stressful!

Hi Roland and Julianna, thanks for your very informative video's, they are great:) I'm planning a much shorter trip later this year - 6 day bike ride along the Canal de Garonne which is semi organised & am hiring a bike from a tour company. I have a different question (more for Julianna) - are there public toilets? If not, how did you cope with that? I need to go every couple of hours... so I am keen to know the answer to this one.

@TheBicycleTourists

22 күн бұрын

Hello Moya, I didn't always have facilities near so I did the only thing I could. Step off the trail into the woods and pee. I never left any paper or trash behind. It is the only option available when you are away from services.

@moyacalvert3033

17 күн бұрын

@@TheBicycleTourists Good to know...

Forget the trains - just get on your bikes and go! Buy Michelin maps for small roads and voie vertes - life is an adventure, not an ideal.

@TheBicycleTourists

Ай бұрын

I hear you.

wow.satsadiq

@TheBicycleTourists

Ай бұрын

!