Anyone researched this before?

[Simon_m]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone has looked into this before and has any advice?

Maybe next year or the following year, I am hoping to lead a group of friends on a tour through France for three weeks. After doing a tour where we had van support, I would like to do this again. (I know there are the hardcore travelers out there who will turn their noses up etc at this idea). I've planed the route, looked into costs of hiring a van, basically done everything. However, this is the big question. Who would drive the van!? It would have to be someone trustworthy, reliable, could speak some French etc. They would get paid of course. A friend would be good, but for most people, taking three weeks off is hard, unless we had shifts. So, has anyone done anything like this before? Thanks in advance.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Not much use but ... last year I went touring with a couple who had their own camper van. She rode, he drove. He would park up at strategic places on the route, get on his bike and join us for a bit, then ride back to the van and meet us at the end. Maybe you could take turns doing this? Throw in a few days with loop routes where you can all ride together and the van stays put?

 

[Simon_m]

Hi Dog! is that like Dog the Bounty Hunter? sorry. anyway. Thanks for the reply. Sounds like a good plan, with us, we are cycling from coast to coast, and most if not all want to do the whole millage by bike.

 

[steveindenmark]

It would be easier and cheaper if the group spelled the driving. You would probably find a couple of people wouldnt mind dropping out each day. There is no reason for the driver to speak French. You decide how you want to ride Simon. It makes no difference what anyone else thinks as your group enjoys their trip.

Steve

 

[Simon_m]

Might e true, but I know myself I want to do the whole trip by bike and I am pretty sure the rest of the group would do, that is part of the challenge and accomplishment. Speaking French would be very useful for when booking hotels, camp sites, going shopping, directions etc. Just like what we learnt at school. Yep it is my trip which I want to do, I guess I am inviting them along to do it too as I know it will be an amazing experience which I want to share with them again. Plus by having some of my mates along, it helps to do the ride supported with a van.

 

[rich p]

You probably need someone who is retired and wants to earn a few quid and enjoy the trip. Anyone employed is unlikely to want to use up 3 weeks leave.

 

[steveindenmark]

I dont speak French or Italian but I am often down there on a motorbike. I have never had any problems with communication.

In fact lack of communication is part of the fun.

Steve

 

[TheDoctor]

You probably need someone who is retired and wants to earn a few quid and enjoy the trip. Anyone employed is unlikely to want to use up 3 weeks leave.

This^^. Anyone with a job won't take most of their leave all in one lump to drive across France for three weeks.
I know I wouldn't.
Either find someone retired and pay them well, or MTFU and all of you take turns on the driving., or MTFU and do without the van.

 

[jay clock]

I might be up for it. Keen cyclist, decent mechanical skills, bilingual in French, done lots of short and long distance tours. Currently self employed so depends how busy I am work-wise (but if I commit I commit). Depends how much you are paying (which I am assuming will not be tons (!)) and could be a possibility to do half and swap with another person half way through?

See here for my touring credentials https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/directory/?o=1&user=julian&v=1b

I live near the south coast if that helps.....

 

[Brains]

We are doing something similar in Germany, what we are doing is to arrange a local taxi to pick up our bags from the last place and deliver to the next place, it will cost us about £5 each per day

 

[jay clock]

We are doing something similar in Germany, what we are doing is to arrange a local taxi to pick up our bags from the last place and deliver to the next place, it will cost us about £5 each per day

French taxis are pricey as hell. Assuming you do an 80-100k day that is 160-220k round trip. I would be pleasantly surprised if a French cab would do it for a fiver a head. And that would require them to unload for you. If there is a group of 10 that is £25 each way for a long trip. I have paid £50 in France for a fraction of that

 

[briantrumpet]

I suppose we were lucky when we did Paris to Rome last year to get a lovely couple with a big camper van to take our bikes to Paris, do our luggage each day, and bring back our bikes from Rome, all for just the diesel/tolls. That said, their two weeks of touring, with minimal bits of work either end of the day, was thusly reduced in cost to them by about £2000. And they got to see all the same beautiful places we saw too. Didn't seem like a bad bargain for either side.

 

[400bhp]

You probably need someone who is retired and wants to earn a few quid and enjoy the trip. Anyone employed is unlikely to want to use up 3 weeks leave.

My dad

 

[400bhp]

Thanks, you've just sparked a great plan for me next year.

 

[Simon_m]

You probably need someone who is retired and wants to earn a few quid and enjoy the trip. Anyone employed is unlikely to want to use up 3 weeks leave.

Yes that would be a good idea, younger people who work would not really want to take 3week off, or be able too. Unless they want to see France that way. There would be "light" work involved too