Hello,
I've previously been on a few short tours, most lengthy being 10 days through Normandy & Brittany - but this year I fancy a bit more of a challenge and some decent weather. With this in mind (and having got the leave) I quite like the idea of 17 days cycling through Provence & Languedoc Roussillon from first week of September.The reason for my post is how do I get there?
I'm not well rehearsed on travelling with a bicycle & related luggage and so i'm seeking advice from anybody that has done this area of France or similar? I understand that Eurostar are introducing new direct routes to Marseille this year which would have been ideal however from their website appears would not be possible with a bicycle (they do not allow large bike box and associated luggage) and suggest on their website to use a company 'First Luggage'. However I don't really like the idea of this and it's not cheap. Likewise, I don't like the idea of flying with my bike and putting its safety in the hands of airline staff...
Seen as I don't mind driving, I came up with the following plan... Get the channel tunnel, drive to Marseille, leave car in airport/long term parking for the duration, head off on bike and return some time later after having looped through earlier stated provinces. Having got the quotes, total cost of return crossing, petrol & long term parking would be around £430. Only other expenses would be campsites (for tent) although plan to stay at Municipals and previous experience shows this can be inexpensive and of course plenty of food along the way.
1 of the reasons I love cycle touring is the low cost associated with it, so this is always in my mind. Does my plan seem daft/ or reasonable and do you have any alternatives or suggestions?
Thank you!
I've previously been on a few short tours, most lengthy being 10 days through Normandy & Brittany - but this year I fancy a bit more of a challenge and some decent weather. With this in mind (and having got the leave) I quite like the idea of 17 days cycling through Provence & Languedoc Roussillon from first week of September.The reason for my post is how do I get there?
I'm not well rehearsed on travelling with a bicycle & related luggage and so i'm seeking advice from anybody that has done this area of France or similar? I understand that Eurostar are introducing new direct routes to Marseille this year which would have been ideal however from their website appears would not be possible with a bicycle (they do not allow large bike box and associated luggage) and suggest on their website to use a company 'First Luggage'. However I don't really like the idea of this and it's not cheap. Likewise, I don't like the idea of flying with my bike and putting its safety in the hands of airline staff...
Seen as I don't mind driving, I came up with the following plan... Get the channel tunnel, drive to Marseille, leave car in airport/long term parking for the duration, head off on bike and return some time later after having looped through earlier stated provinces. Having got the quotes, total cost of return crossing, petrol & long term parking would be around £430. Only other expenses would be campsites (for tent) although plan to stay at Municipals and previous experience shows this can be inexpensive and of course plenty of food along the way.
1 of the reasons I love cycle touring is the low cost associated with it, so this is always in my mind. Does my plan seem daft/ or reasonable and do you have any alternatives or suggestions?
Thank you!