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Grand chateaux and quiet roads: A perfect introduction to biking in France

Bicycle in France's heartland: Frequently-Asked Questions about Big Loire, Little Loir

Bike through two sides of France: The enchanting villages, fields, and forests of the region known as "La Douce France" (Gentle France), followed by two of the Loire Valley's most famous chateaux: Chambord and Blois.

This FAQ page is intended to accompany other pages about this trip and about our company (see links at left). Some of the answers below may include links to other other sites; please use the BACK key of your browser to return to this page.

Contents:

• How do I get to Vendome?
  
• What's the train schedule from Paris?
  
• When does this bike trip start and end?
  
• What books would be enjoyable reading before a trip to the Loire Valley?
  
• What kind of bikes do you use?
  
• I want to bring a gel seat cover for my bike trip. What size is best?
  
• How does the van support work for cyclists?
  
• I like to bike but my partner isn't into it as much. Is this a good trip for us?
  
• I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
  
• What's the weather like in the Loire Valley?
  
• Do I need to speak French?
  
• I'm visiting Paris after the trip. Can you recommend a hotel there?
  
• How many days are there in a 5-day trip?
  
• Is a stationary bike a good way to get in shape?
  
• Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
  

How do I get to Vendome?
It's less than an hour from Paris by high-speed TGV train. (The station may show on your train schedule as "Vendome Villiers Sur Loir" or "Vendome Villiers")

If you are staying in Paris before the bike trip, you can take the Metro to the appropriate station (Montparnasse for TGV trains and Austerlitz for the infrequent local SNCF trains to the main Vendome station).

If you fly into Paris and want to head straight for Vendome, the following are options for getting from the Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport to the train station.

SHARED SHUTTLE VAN SERVICES: 26 euros (as of 2005) from CDG Airport to the train stations:

http://www.netcapricorn.com/clients/airportconnection/paris.htm#

RAPID TRANSIT FROM CDG AIRPORT / ROISSY STATION TO TRAIN STATION:

Note that the airport is in the village of Roissy, so this name may appear in the station name.

Website: www.RATP.fr (click on Plan du Metro for a detailed map)

TO MONTPARNASSE STATION FOR TGV TRAIN TO VENDOME:

Take the RER B train across the Seine to Denfert Rochereau station, where you change to a #6 train in the direction of Charles de Gaulle Etoile (this is a square, NOT the airport). Montparnasse-Bienvenue is the 3rd stop, then there's a bit of a walk to the "Gare" or train station. Look for the TGV platforms, and the train to Vendome Villiers sur Loir. High speed TGV Atlantique trains run to Vendome about once an hour, and take about 45 minutes.

TO AUSTERLITZ STATION FOR MAINLINE TRAIN TO VENDOME:

Take the RER B train just past the Seine to St. Michel / Notre Dame station, where you change to the southeast-bound RER C (toward Versailles). Take RER C to the next station, Gare Austerlitz. Note that there is only one direct train from here to Vendome Station in the evenings (taking over 2 hours), but there are additional bus connections via Chateaudun.

What's the train schedule from Paris?
You can get up-to-date rail schedules, as well as information about railpasses for France, and other European travel, from RailEurope. (In the U.S.: 888-794-7747.) Easier-to-read schedules have also appeared on Expedia.com. We don't put a link here because navigation on such sites seems to frequently change. At this writing you first click their international icon, then click on the French site. The British flag icon will take you to an English language version of the site and they will list connections from any little city all over France with the best itineraries at any time.

When does this bike trip start and end?
Each bike trip officially starts at 6:00 p.m. on the starting date given on our schedule and trip overview. We'll have a reception and briefing, followed by dinner. For those who arrive early, we offer an optional walking tour of town (along with a chance to meet other early arrivals). Finally, when our guides' schedule allows, you can give your bike a test ride at 3:00. On arrival at the hotel, please look for our sign in the lobby giving details.

Each trip ends after breakfast. There are no group activities on that day, so if you have tight travel connections, you can get up and leave as early as you wish. When your schedule allows it, you'll probably want to spend some time sightseeing in town, with others from the trip, before departing.

What books would be enjoyable reading before a trip to the Loire Valley?
A favorite of ours, and of nearly everyone who reads it, is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. He’s taken a subject in which he’s keenly interested (the building of cathedrals in the Middle Ages) and woven a compelling novel around the life of a master builder of that era. Another book we recommend is Travelers' Tales France. The editors have collected the best essays about life and travel in France from over a dozen writers, including Peter Mayle, M.F.K. Fisher, Alice Kaplan, and Jon Krakauer. The varied perspectives provide fascinating reading for anyone who's about to visit, or has visited, France.

What kind of bikes do you use?
We supply 18- and 21-speed road bikes. We find them ideally suited for cycling trips of this sort. They have upright (rather than dropped) handlebars, and a low "granny" gear for hills. The brand and model can change from one location or season to another, and we cannot promise a brand name in advance.

We also supply a lock, spare tube and patch kit, and a handlebar bag or back rack for carrying a few small items.

I want to bring a gel seat cover for my bike trip. What size is best?
The seats on most bikes we use are a standard size, neither the narrow racing seat nor the wide touring seat. Therefore we recommend medium-sized gel seat covers if you wish to bring one along.

How does the van support work for cyclists?
The support van and driver fill several functions: Carrying your luggage to the next hotel; shopping and setting up a picnic lunch on selected days; and helping cyclists who have encountered unexpected problems, be it fatigue, a mechanical failure, or one too many pastries at lunch.

The specific van schedule varies day to day, based on a number of factors: the route, whether there's a picnic that day, and whether riders are all likely to be on the same road, or off on different options. Typically, the driver stays with or behind most of the group until about lunchtime (or earlier, if there's a picnic to set up), then drives ahead to deliver luggage into your rooms.

If most of the group is likely to be on the same road, the driver may then circle back to see if anyone needs the van. However, we suggest various optional routes each day, and many people on our trips like to explore independently. That means cyclists may be spread out over many miles, and over several routes. In most cases, we find that a cyclist who needs help will get it fastest by calling the driver at the hotel or calling their cell phone, rather than waiting for the van to patrol all the spots where cyclists could be riding.

We'll go over the details in more depth at the briefing when the trip starts. On paper (or on a computer screen) the system can seem uncertain because so many variables are involved. In practice, it works out well. There are many weeks when no one ever needs the van. If you do need assistance, generally you're able to get to a cafe or other comfortable spot while you wait for help.

I like to bike but my partner isn't into it as much. Is this a good trip for us?
This trip is well-suited for that kind of situation. The terrain is largely flat and very gently rolling. Its shorter (5-day) length also means you'll have more time on your vacation for Paris, or whatever is highest on your partner's list of places to go.

Another trip the two of you would enjoy is The Provencal, in the south of France. It has relatively short biking days for your partner, but magnificent longer options for avid cyclists like yourself.

I'm traveling alone. Will everyone else be in couples?
Most of our trips draw more single travelers than couples. When couples do join us, it's usually because they're looking forward to interacting with a gay group; if they wanted a holiday by themselves, they wouldn't have signed up to travel with us. Furthermore, the activities included with our trips serve as natural ice-breakers. Within a day, you'll be traveling with friends.

You don't need to pay the single supplement if you're traveling alone. We'll be happy to match you with a roommate. Pay the single supplement only if you want a bedroom to yourself.

What's the weather like in the Loire Valley?
Typically you can expect daytime temperatures to hit the high 60s and 70s in May, June, and September. Early October often stays in that range, but can dip into the lower 60s. Some days are likely to be in the 80s in July and August. In mid- and late-June, you'll also find that daylight lasts until almost 11 pm!

June through August are the driest months, but it's unusual for us to have more than one or two days of rain at other times in the spring or fall. On a majority of our bike trips in the Loire Valley, we've had no more than one day of rain, often less. Of course, we can't promise anything about the weather. You can have a great time even if conditions turn out to be a little warmer, colder, or wetter than usual, as long as you bring suitable clothing. We'll send some suggestions well in advance of the trip.

Do I need to speak French?
No. Most people who travel abroad with us don't speak the language. But if you do know a little French, we urge you to brush up on it; you'll enjoy the trip more.

I'm visiting Paris after the trip. Can you recommend a hotel there?
We sponsor a website called "Gay France" with information of interest to gay and lesbian travelers. The Paris Hotels page gives some suggestions.

How many days are there in a 5-day trip?
Our trip officially begins at 6:00 p.m., with a reception and orientation, followed by dinner. We officially end after breakfast on the last day, although you can leave as early as you like. Or stay around all day, for sightseeing with your new friends.

Our "5-day" trip thus consists of 4 full days and two partial days. Some companies call this a 6-day trip; we feel it's more accurate to refer to it as 5 days.

Is a stationary bike a good way to get in shape?
It's a good start -- but it won't get you fully prepared. This and other more general questions about biking are addressed on our biking FAQs page.

Can I talk to someone who's been on this trip?
We encourage you to do so. Outside magazine says that talking to people who have taken a trip previously is one of the best ways to evaluate whether it will be right for you, and we agree.

Our website includes a full page of comments from past travelers. Most of them have volunteered to talk about their experiences with future potential travelers. Please call for the names and phone numbers of references in your area.

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