My tips for cycling in France

[ThompsonCrowley]

Excellent information. Thanks for posting this! I did a trip in France a couple of years ago, entering through Belgium on La Meuse (have you ever done this route? It is beautiful and very easy to follow). We finished our trip in Charleville, but now I am driving through France to Spain, your writing has been very useful. Can't wait to get hold of a bike out here and start exploring!
All the best,
Tom

 

[Goggs]

What a fantastic thread. Many thanks to the OP & all subsequent contributors. My wife & I have just moved to France 5 weeks ago & I'm waiting for my new bike to be delivered as I type. I'm really looking forward to biking along the wee country single-track roads around here (Sain-Remy-de-Provence).

I've only read the first few pages of this thread so far but does anyone know where I can find an explanation of the French Highway Code in English? That would be very handy.

 

[s7ephanie]

Goggs, french highway code - your having a laugh

 

[psmiffy]

I'm sure somewhere there is a translation of the Code Napoleon amended 2016

 

[briantrumpet]

There's the following regulation in there:

In hot weather, passengers in the front seat MUST remove their shoes and put their feet on the dashboard. If the temperatures are above 30C, they SHOULD put at least one foot out of the window.

 

[psmiffy]

Ive cycled on and off for the last 25 years hundreds of km on more French canal towpaths than I can remember and never been challenged - I think unless it is specifically not allowed by a sign or more probably a gate - Ive never seen either - then it is OK

 

[Goggs]

Do any of the francophiles know how I would go about asking a mechanic in France to true my wheels? I'm guessing they have a different term but I have no idea what it might be. He might understand what I mean anyway but it would be nice to get it right in the first place.

 

[Poacher]

Here's a translation of a Sheldon Brown article on wheel truing. On the main site there's also a potentially useful English / French cycle dictionary.
Hope this helps.

PS I'm sure I came across a more comprehensive dictionary somewhere. I'll try to relocate it tomorrow if I remember.

 

[s7ephanie]

Do any of the francophiles know how I would go about asking a mechanic in France to true my wheels? I'm guessing they have a different term but I have no idea what it might be. He might understand what I mean anyway but it would be nice to get it right in the first place.

I took mine into cycle shop and mimed (wonky) as soon as he turned wheel he could see what i meant x

 

[Alex H]

Do any of the francophiles know how I would go about asking a mechanic in France to true my wheels? I'm guessing they have a different term but I have no idea what it might be. He might understand what I mean anyway but it would be nice to get it right in the first place.

"Dévoilage de roue"

This is a link to French Decathlon's workshop and the services it offers for cycles http://www.decathlon.fr/atelier-cycle-prestation.html#cycle-presta

(Just put the words into your favourite online translator and Robert is your Father's brother )

 

[Goggs]

Here's a translation of a Sheldon Brown article on wheel truing. On the main site there's also a potentially useful English / French cycle dictionary.
Hope this helps.

PS I'm sure I came across a more comprehensive dictionary somewhere. I'll try to relocate it tomorrow if I remember.

Excellent, thanks. I'm going to use that dictionary.

I took mine into cycle shop and mimed (wonky) as soon as he turned wheel he could see what i meant x

Haha, that's what I'm trying to avoid. If it comes to that though..

 

[Goggs]

"Dévoilage de roue"

This is a link to French Decathlon's workshop and the services it offers for cycles http://www.decathlon.fr/atelier-cycle-prestation.html#cycle-presta

(Just put the words into your favourite online translator and Robert is your Father's brother )

Now that is lateral thinking. Excellent idea.

 

[glenn forger]

I took mine into cycle shop and mimed (wonky) as soon as he turned wheel he could see what i meant x

Ha ha! Me too, in Tarbes. My French is awful, just embarrassing. I said hello, obviously, then just showed him where the wheel was rubbing.

 

[gavroche]

I must admit that even I, sometimes need a dictionary cos I have been over here for so long that I tend to forget some of my French. Sad really.

 

[Dayvo]

I must admit that even I, sometimes need a dictionary cos I have been over here for so long that I tend to forget some of my French. Sad really.

That's why the Tour of France commentary is in English these days: to help peeps like you!