Bike to Work and Reap the Benefits

Ask anyone who cycles and they’ll tell you it’s more than just a sport or a form of exercise.  For true cycling enthusiasts, riding is a way of life.  And biking doesn’t just have to be for fun – it’s also an excellent alternative to get you where you need to go. Biking has a number of benefits not only for you personally, but also for the environment! It is so beneficial that May has been dubbed Bike Month. There are different activities throughout the month, which bicyclists around the world can participate in bringing the community closer no matter the geographical distance of its members. One such event is Bike to Work Day and this year it falls on May 18^th (May 14^th to 18^th is Bike to Work Week, if one day isn’t enough for you). So dust off those seats, pump up your tires and join the thousands who will be biking to work. Make sure to wear your helmet, give a wave to fellow riders and have fun!

To get in the spirit, here are a few reasons why 2 wheels is the way to go.

Environmentally friendly

In this day and age, it’s important that everyone do their part to reduce the carbon footprint they are leaving on the earth.  Our environment is suffering from all the pollution and fuel consumption.  Cycling is the most energy efficient mode of transportation.  No fuel means no noise and no pollution.  If you want to make a difference in the world around you, biking is a simple way to do so.

Stay fit and healthy

Cycling is one of the best ways to stay in shape because it works so many muscles in your body.  It’s especially beneficial while traveling because it lets you taste all the delicious (but fattening) cuisine without worrying about gaining weight.  Biking is also much easier on your joints than other forms of exercise, like walking or jogging.  Plus, it’s been proven to release stress making it good for both spirit and mind.

Easier to see the sites

Ever try to stop and see the sites while riding in a car or a taxi?  There’s the hassle of finding a place to park, avoiding other traffic and just stopping and going in general.  When you’re on a bike, you have the freedom to stop anywhere you’d like, for as long as you want.  You can also explore areas you couldn’t in a vehicle since with bikes you don’t necessarily need a road, just a path and some ambition.  You don’t have to worry about parking and you’ll never find yourself stuck in a miserable traffic jam.

Cheaper

Renting a vehicle can be pretty expensive, as can the cost to maintain it during use.  From insurance to fuel to parking fees, when all is said and done a car rental can really eat into your travel budget.  Cycling is an excellent alternative because it’s inexpensive and doesn’t cost anything to maintain.  You don’t need to worry about the cost of fueling up.  You are the fuel!

Fun

What’s more fun than hitting the trails, getting your blood and adrenaline pumping and feeling the wind in your face?  Cycling is gratifying and something that can be done just about anywhere your travel takes you.  It’s also a great activity to do as a family or with a group of friends.  And, as any cyclist knows, meeting another biker on the road creates an atmosphere of instant camaraderie.  Biking allows you to experience spontaneity and adventure that you could never achieve in the confines of a vehicle.

5 Things to Know Before Traveling to France

1.  Watch the Signs
The French drive on the right-hand side of the road and some major road signs resemble those in North America. Stop signs say “STOP.” Remember that any measurements will use the metric system (France being its birthplace thus kilometers). There may be some that you don’t recognize but as a cyclist many of these won’t concern you anyway. Signs can be confusing sometimes when following road numbers; in that case, just stick to following the name of the town. Note: blue signs indicate auto routes – avoid that color! Red signs indicate national roads – avoid those too if they tell you how to get to a town. Yellow/white signs are smaller roads – so follow that color with the town name when in doubt.

2.  Road Rules
Roads in France are generally well marked, paved and maintained. That said, the traffic you encounter can be horrendous if you happen to find yourself on the wrong road. As a cyclist you should make every effort to put yourself on the best cycling roads, even if they take you a little out of your way. Far better to take a little longer to get on a route that is safer and scenic. After all, you’re there to enjoy yourself!

Avoid all “A” (Autoroute / toll roads) and as much as possible all “N” (national highway) roads. “D” (departmental) roads are smaller and well suited to cyclists but look carefully at your map; some can be busy. Even smaller are “C” roads and “D” roads and their subsets like D213a, for example, which would be a branch of D213.

3.  Garçon,..? Service?
Breakdowns happen. On a cycle trip of any considerable length, this is something that you may have to contend with. Even if you don’t end up snapping a chain or bending a derailleur out of shape, you may want a quick performance tune up while you stop to have lunch. Keep an eye out for the velociste or a magasin de vélo. Note that many bike shops also service motorcycles and mopeds or scooters.

4.  Myriad Maps
The word cartography, the science or practice of drawing maps, comes from the French word carte (for map). As a cyclist you may be overwhelmed with your choice of maps — there are tons! Whichever ones you choose, be sure to go with a scale size of no more than 1:250,000. IGN, France’s equivalent of the UK’s Ordnance Survey, makes some really exceptional maps at 1:100,000 and 1:50,000 that are perfect for cyclists.

 
5.  Lock It Up
Unless you plan on never letting your bike out of your sight, a top quality lock is an absolute must. Don’t skimp here on a cheap chain or wire lock. Spend the extra money and get something sturdy. Petty theft is rampant in France and an estimated 400,000 bicycles are stolen every year. Your shiny, unlocked bike won’t be sitting there very long if left unlocked and unattended.

5 Essentials Every Cyclist Should Remember

Ask any cycling enthusiast and they’ll tell you that enjoying a good ride is one of the most incredible and exhilarating experiences on earth.  The challenge of a good route, the feel of the wind on your face, your adrenaline pumping, and the opportunity to see fantastic sights and landscapes along the way.  True cyclists know that biking isn’t just a recreational activity; it’s a way of life.  They’ll also tell you there are certain important things to always keep in mind in order to remain safe and enjoy a comfortable, healthy ride.  That said, here are 5 essentials that every cyclist should remember.

Safety – Road ID and Cell Phone

As with any sport, your safety and wellbeing should be your first priority when cycling.  It’s certainly our number one concern.  As such, every rider should carry a cell phone with them while riding.  If riding in a different country, such as France, and you don’t have international cell phone access, be sure to carry a list of emergency phone numbers on you.  Road ID is an excellent way to carry your information.  This is an accessory that can be worn on your wrist, ankle or shoe and is engraved with whatever pertinent information you choose.

Comfort – Seat and Pedals

Next to safety, your second most important concern when riding (especially long distances or rough terrain) is your comfort.  Use a familiar, comfortable seat that has been broken in and is suited for your body.  Believe us – your behind with thank you!  You’ll also want to be sure to use pedals and shoes that you are used to.  Some people prefer clip less, cages or flat pedals – and to each his own.  Go with what you like and what makes riding most comfortable for you.  Our tours allow you the flexibility of bringing your own saddles and pedals, making the rides even more customized to your needs.

Maintenance – Tools

In a perfect world every ride would go off without a hitch.  You’d never get a flat tire or experience mechanical issues with your bike and you’d always reach your destination without incident.  Unfortunately, things may go wrong during your ride so you have to be prepared to handle problems as they arise.  For instance, flats are common but are easy to fix with the right tools.  Be sure you pack the following items in your seat bag, just in case:

• Patch kit
• Spare tube
• CO2 inflator
• Presta-Schrader Adapter

It may also be a good idea to bring a mini multi-tool that functions as a screwdriver and a wrench just in case you need to make adjustments to your bike.

Health – Water and Snacks

The key to a good ride is staying hydrated and energized.  Carrying an ample supply of water with you during your ride is essential as is bringing along a few snacks.  We recommend bringing a nutrition bar or a GU pack to keep you energized during your ride.  Nutrition and hydration are important and can give you that extra boost you need to make it up that tough climb or over challenging terrain.  Conversely, it can break you if ignored so don’t forget to bring the fuel your body needs.

Navigation – GPS or Road Book

We provide detailed route/road books on all of our tours, which include color coded information, color maps, highlighted routes, orientation points and easy to follow directions.  Everything you need to keep you on the right track.  Additionally, we also provide GPS units which can give even more detailed information such as turn by turn directions, vertical profile, distance, and speed.  Simply hopping on your bike and seeing where it takes you can certainly be an exciting adventure, but if you have a specific destination in mind or want to make sure you can find your way back, road books and GPS units are great tools to have.  We certainly think so, which is why we provide both on all of our tours.

Of all the outdoor activity choices in the world, cycling is by far one of the most invigorating and enjoyable.  It allows you to enjoy nature, exercise your body, challenge yourself and experience a variety of sights and destinations in a way that simply can’t be matched.  If you’re planning a cycling adventure, be sure to consider the above tips so that your ride will be safe, comfortable and memorable for all the right reasons.

Feel Like a Pro on the Real Race Course

Over the years, more and more people have wanted to ride the routes of the Grand Tours and feel the exhilaration the pros experience when reaching the top of a 2000 meter col. For this reason, we have been seeing an increase of cyclosportive, which Wikipedia describes as a long distance, organized, mass-participation cycling event typically held annually. One of the most popular is the Etape du Tour, covering a different stage of the Tour de France each year. ASO, Amaury Sport Organization, has added another Etape for 2011, since the number of attendees has been dramatically increasing since the first event in 1993.

The Etape du Tour, though the most popular, is not the only cyclosportive event amateurs can participate in. More are being added every year in different locations.

Paris-Roubaix

April 9, 2011

For the first time in history, amateurs get to ride the famous cobblestones of France in the Paris-Roubaix cyclosportive. This race, nicknamed “A Sunday in Hell,” originally started in Paris and ended in Roubaix, the course has been modified over the years, but one thing that doesn’t change is the strenuous kilometers of cobblestones you must endure to reach the finish. Discover France is offering a VIP Guided Paris-Roubaix Tour for those up to the challenge.

Haute Route

August 21-27, 2011

The Haute Route is the highest and one of the most difficult cyclosportive bike races in Europe, challenging riders over 14 legendary Alpine Cols. This event is stretched out over the course of 7 days, cycling 720 km, including 17,000 meters of climbing. Riders can race it individually, as a pair, or as a team (minimum 4 members, maximum of 9). The course starts in Geneva, Switzerland and finishes in Nice, France. The route will provide beautiful views, exciting rides through Europe, and bragging rights to last a lifetime.

La Roue d’Or des Pyrenees

May 22, 2011

Cycle the Hautes-Pyrenees with legendary champs in your slipstream. Roger Walkowiak, Eddy Merckx – Bernard Thevenet, Bernard Hinault, Pedro Delgado, and Miguel Indurain will be present at the event. The race in Argeles-Gazost will have 3 courses to better serve participants cycling ability. The Torny is 129 km, The Surprising is 86 km, and The Sweet is 52km. The passes include Col des Bordères, Col du Soulor, and Col de Spandelles. Although these climbs are not as renowned as Tourmalet or Alpe d’Huez, their difficulties, environment and landscapes will not leave riders disappointed.