Questions about cycling in France

[yello]

Speed limits are sensible: 110kph/130kph on the A / E roads,

Not sure the OP needs concerns themselves about that... on their cycling holiday!

A personal note on priorite a doite; it took me a while but in time I actually saw the sense of it. It's a default; a clear and unambiguous rule that applies to all junctions unless countermanded by specific road signs or markings. When you consider that, at one time, many/most/all rural intersections were NOT controlled, then 'priorite a doite' made a great deal of sense even if (in practice, at times) it seems odd to us Brits! I can get my head around it and, it must be said, I rather like it!

 

[sazzaa]

Some do tend to drive a little complacent i agree. But on another note, if you are driving in or through France, they do have some of the best roads i driven on.
Speed limits are sensible: 110kph/130kph on the A / E roads, and have very frequent (park like) lay-by stops with good WC facilities, telephones and shielded from the road by trees, about every 20k iirc.
It's a shame though, as they don't know how to make a decent cuppa!

Have you been to Austria? Smoothest roads I've driven on, must be a dream to cycle! I thought the roads were a bit of a mess in France, but that's up in the Alps.

Also, tea in France? What were you thinking, it's the home of amazing coffee! (Besides Italy...)

 

[yello]

Road quality is one of those rose-tinted perceptions people have of France. Yes, some of the motorways are top notch (funded by tolls) and, generally speaking, they are in better condition than UK roads.... BUT believe me there are some dreadful roads here too!

 

[Dave Davenport]

You don't say which way you're heading from the ferry port, but if it's the D168 over the Barrage be aware that it's a fast dual carraigway. It's ok to ride but I'd want some decent lights if I was riding it in the dark.
They're some lovely cycling in that part of Brittany, eight of us are going for a few days in September, have a great time.

 

[sight-pin]

Have you been to Austria? Smoothest roads I've driven on, must be a dream to cycle! I thought the roads were a bit of a mess in France, but that's up in the Alps.

Also, tea in France? What were you thinking, it's the home of amazing coffee! (Besides Italy...)

No never been to Austria, It sounds cool though.
Yes they do make a nice coffee but i only drink tea, i love the smell of it but not the taste,lol

 

[sight-pin]

Road quality is one of those rose-tinted perceptions people have of France. Yes, some of the motorways are top notch (funded by tolls) and, generally speaking, they are in better condition than UK roads.... BUT believe me there are some dreadful roads here too!

Most of the major roads there seem to be toll, and some of the long A roads was around the 40 euros. Some what expensive, But still worth it, as it cuts the drive time down enormously.
Apologies to @coffeejo for going off topic.

 

[Himal]

At night and out of urban area you should wear a reflective jacket (sleeves aren't compulsory).
Your bike should have a bell, two brakes, front and rear reflectors and lights, reflectors on each wheel and on pedals.
When they overtake, cars should leave between them and you 1 meter in urban area, and 1.5 meter out of urban area, but that's the theory...
Of course I would recommend to avoid cycling at night as much as possible.
Have a nice trip.
NB : there isn't any toll on roads in Britain (they are rebels, they don't like tolls), hence they are limited to 110 km/h.
Elsewhere, highways limited to 130 km/h have toll (except around big cities).

 

[doog]

beware sunday afternoons

 

[Berties]

You don't say which way you're heading from the ferry port, but if it's the D168 over the Barrage be aware that it's a fast dual carraigway. It's ok to ride but I'd want some decent lights if I was riding it in the dark.
They're some lovely cycling in that part of Brittany, eight of us are going for a few days in September, have a great time.

Absolutely , the road over the estuary to Dinard is fast up to the top of the hill,good lights and care needed
But going east to cancale happy days

 

[TheDoctor]

Try and have kouign amann during your trip. Gateau Breton is also very good - it's a very buttery shortbready sort of thing. Cider, calvados and mead (hydromel) are good for enhancing cognitive dysfunction.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Maps
We've got various paper maps but I want something to stick on a SD card for the Garmin. Any recommendations? I don't mind paying, just want something up to date and accurate which shows contour lines and differentiates between major and minor roads. Oh, and that doesn't require a PhD to download and install

I use www.velomap.org for French maps. I have a Garmin 60CSx. As far as I remember the download process was relatively painless - not hassle free but quite easy. I ended up with a file called garmin.img or some such which I copied to the micro SD card. I can't remember if it has contours. I'll have a look and let you know tomorrow

I had a look at my maps and they don't show contours. I never missed them. I checked the site and it says

Contourlines based on the best free (as in beer) data – viewfinderpanoramas.org – as separate download for most countries. Much higher quality in mountainous regions than the mostly used void filled SRTM3".

So if you want contours, the download may start to approach PhD levels, as that does not a great deal of sense to me..

 

[yello]

No lorries on the roads on Sundays

Except for the ones carrying perishable foodstuffs! (or summat like that anyway)

But, yes, you're right. Roads, and motorways particularly, are much more pleasant on a Sunday.

Someone will doubtless put me straight but I think they can hit the road again late in the evening, or maybe 10pm-ish. It's quite cool seeing all the lorries parked up in services etc for the day. I've often wondered if come the legal hour they're all gunning their engines ready for the off! Like the start of some grand prix!

 

[coffeejo]

Thanks everyone, especially for confirmation of the requirements re: reflective vests.

Yes, @Dave Davenport, we are going over the barrage but everyone will have lights and we'll be riding in a (slow) peleton so the traffic will just have to put up with us.

Can someone explain the priorite a droite thing in simple terms? Glad I put this post up now!

 

[Andy_R]

dont forget to cycle on the wrong side

 

[coffeejo]

I'm already practising looking over my left shoulder.