It is one of our favourite events of the year, we were expecting it like children before Christmas : we received the new bikes !

Every year, we renew 80% of our stock. The 20% left are changed the year after, so none of the bikes used during our tours are more than 2 years old.
New this year : the bikes are equiped with disc brakes, because safety, as well as comfort, are two of our top concerns!
Pictures speak better than words, so here they are :

The hybrid bikes are still Scott’s.

The SCOTT Sportster X40

SCOTT Sportster X40 Lady Bike

SCOTT Sportster X40 Men Bike

The Sportster X40 emphasizes comfort and convenience for touring and transportation. The frame design offers the user a smooth ride and plenty of standover clearance for safety and confidence.

For those who would like a little assistance, we are equiped with electric bikes:

SCOTT E-Sportster 10 Lady Bike

SCOTT E-Sportster 20 Men Bike

The E-Sportster 10 / 20 focuses on comfort and ease. Its geometry allows a pleasant position when touring or for everyday use. These bikes are compatible with the Urban-Kit, SCOTT’s very practical rack and mudguard system.

If you’re afraid of the little difficulties of the ride, or would like to book a tour one level above what you think you’re capable of, an electric bike can be the solution. Like on a hybrid bike, you can enjoy the quietness of nature, go at your pace, but you are not slowed down or stopped by a hill or just tiredness. For an experience with nothing but pleasure and fun!

At the opposite end, if you look for a more physical experience, you can ride on our road bikes :

LOOK’s 566

LOOK 566: A comfortable an efficient bike, ideal for long distance cycling ports.

Every bike is checked and tested by our team in France, in our own workshop, that allows us a great ability to react to any issue. During the tours, assistance is available 24/7.

And because we love accessories, here are the bags you can find on the bikes!

Road Master Front	Road I

Discover France provides you everything that you need to make your adventure unforgettable!
And now… let us check the bikes one more time… just to be sure… We think we are going to test them again… safety first, you know! if someone is looking for the Discovery France Team, tell him that we are out for a ride a meeting!

It’s Time to Celebrate!

Crowds flock to Normandy during the summer not only for its stunning castles and museums in quaint towns, but also for its rich history and festivals, which celebrate its past. Bayeux, located in lower Normandy 30 km west of Cean, is home to the Bayeux Tapestry, has a proud medieval heritage and was the first city of the Battle of Normandy to be liberated. With reasons like that, why wouldn’t the city through a few festivals for locals and tourists alike to come celebrate. Here are a few festivals no one will want to miss this summer.

D-Day Festival Normandy

June 2-9, 2012

From the beaches troops first arrived on to the buildings that were destroyed during battle, Normandy is widely known for the role it had in shaping the world’s future during the Second World War, which is why the Bayeux Tourist office organizes and festival to commemorate the arrival of the liberators. The 68^th anniversary of the WWII landings will be one not soon forgotten. Beginning in Bayeux and travelling to Sainte-Mere-Eglise, spectators will enjoy parachute landings, a musical fireworks display, a picnic and parade of military vehicles, a concert, and more.

Medieval Festival in Bayeux

July 7 – 8, 2012

Next up is Bayeaux 26^th edition of its Medieval Festival. Take a step back in time to the Middle Ages while you enjoy demonstrations by knights, stalls with jugglers, jesters and minstrels, as well as a street parade and book fair. Located all around the Cathedral and in the paved streets on the old town, this is sure to be a spectacle you won’t want to miss. Make sure you stop by the Medieval Tavern for lunch or dinner!

Rendez-vous a la Cathedrale

July 17 – September 1, 2012

Bayeux has numerous architectural highlights to boast about, and in the summertime it does just that with a show of architectural projections. Thanks to ultra modern des techniques in video-projection and sound management, the polychromatic highlighting of architectural details, and a projection of giant pictures relating the history of Bayeux and Bessin are visible the Cathedral and in the courtyard of Hôtel du Doyen. These free shows should not be missed so rendezvous at dusk every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for a magnificent event.

July shows: 11:00 PM and 11:30 PM

August shows:  10:30 PM, 11:00 PM and 11:30 PM

These illustrate only a couple events and experiences the region of Normandy has to offer. There are hundreds of places to visit throughout the region, which are just as enticing and capturing as the city of Bayeux. Whatever part you plan to visit with its remarkable history, peaceful scenery, and magnificent architecture anywhere in Normandy guarantees a worthwhile trip.

France’s Unique and Delectable Wineries

When it comes to wine, we’ve all heard of such famous regions as Tuscany and Napa Valley.  But these aren’t the only areas that produce exquisite wine.  In fact, there are 3 surprisingly lesser known regions that happen to offer everything a wine aficionado could ask – from robust flavors to distinct styles to earthy aromas and everything in between.  These 3 regions include Alsace, Languedoc and Cote d’Azur – each featuring their own unique and delectable wine products.

Alsace

The Alsace region of France features a varied geology of soil types and a climate and altitude that is ideal for wine production.  Vineyards are sheltered from excess rain by the Vosges mountain range, creating a warm, dry and sunny atmosphere.  The seven grape varieties used to produce Alsace wines include Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Muscat d’Alsace and Pinot Noir.

The wines produced in Alsace are predominantly of the white variety, with the exception of Pinot Noir.  Most of the white wines from Alsace feature the distinct characteristics of being floral, spicy and aromatic, particularly due to the use of aromatic grapes in their production.  Some are dry, others are sweet.  Sparkling wines, referred to as Crémant d’Alsace, are also produced in this lovely French region.

Languedoc

Given its massive production volume, it’s surprising that the French region of Languedoc is not more widely known.  In fact, the region is home to approximately 700,000 acres of vineyards and is the single largest wine-producing region in the world, responsible for more than a third of France’s total wine production.  And it’s been this way for quite some time, with the earliest known vineyards of the area having been planted in the 5^th century BC by the Greeks.  This mass production of high quality wines is due in large part to the region’s Mediterranean climate, which creates ideal growing conditions.

The most common grape varieties of the Languedoc region include Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.  White varieties also include Mauzac and Chenin Blanc.  Reds of Languedoc include Syrah, Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre and Cinsault.  There are an enormous number of names, blends and varieties found throughout the region, many of which have earned the highest honor of achieving appellation or sub-appellation status.  All of the wines of Languedoc feature exquisite aromas and distinct flavors and are renowned among wine connoisseurs the world over.

Cote d’Azur

The Cote d’Azur includes the French region of Provence, which is known for its production of rosé wine.  Contrary to popular belief, rosé wines are not made from a combination of white and red, but are a unique variety in and of themselves.  In fact, it’s one of the earliest wines ever produced as well as one of the most difficult.  Some rosé wines of the Cote d’Azur regions feature light, fruity flavors, while others are more bold and robust.

Another fine variety of the Cote d’Azur area is Bandol wine, one of the most internationally recognized Provencal varieties.  Bandol wine is dominated by the Mourvedre grape, which has different characteristics depending on the particular “terroir” it is produced in.  Most Bandols feature flavors that are more on the spicy side with earthy undertones.

These three regions, while not as well-known as some others, are considered to be among the best places to grow and produce wine in France (and perhaps the world), particularly due to the perfect weather and ideal conditions.  Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just enjoy a sip of vino every once in a while, the wines produced throughout these three regions are among the best in the world and make these destinations well worth a visit (or two).  Cheers!

Why Not Include the Whole Family?

Traveling as a family can be one of the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences.  It can also be one of the most challenging, particularly when that family includes young children or teenagers.  The good news is, it doesn’t have to be!  Here are some simple tips that will help ensure your vacation goes smoothly and is enjoyable for everyone involved.

Involve your kids in the planning process

Children love to feel like they are a part of everything.  It empowers them and gives them a sense of accomplishment and confidence.  Involve your kids in the whole process, from deciding on a destination to choosing different activities to include in the itinerary.  The more involved your children are in the planning and decision making process, the more cooperative and content they will be during the trip.

Pack less

Keep in mind that no matter where you go, your kids are probably going to end up with a bunch of souvenirs.  You’ll want to be sure to leave enough room to pack them for the trip home.  A good way to do this is to pack once, and then remove half of what you’ve packed.  Remember – you only need to bring just enough clothes to last the length of your trip.  Stick to the essentials and you won’t have to deal with any headaches for the trip home.

Invite a friend

Kids always have more fun when they can play with others, so if possible, consider allowing your children to each bring a friend with them on your next trip.  It will give them someone to interact with and help them to not feel so disconnected from their normal, everyday life.  This is especially true for teenagers. Test the waters first by letting your child bring their friend along on shorter trips like weekend getaways, to make sure everyone is compatible.

Split up

One of the biggest reasons traveling as a family can be challenging is the fact that it involves long stretches of time spent all together.  Too much time together can be overwhelming for both parents and children. Try to organize your trip so that you are able to split up for some activities – even if it’s just for dinner.  Many of the hotels featured on our tours have pools or offer other activities that allow kids who are old enough the chance to explore a little.  Teens can enjoy a little taste of freedom and parents get the chance to relax and enjoy some alone time.

Keep it exciting

Remember that children may not enjoy things like sightseeing or appreciate culture as much as adults do, so try your best to make these types of activities as exciting and fun as possible.  Multisport tours are excellent options for families with kids because they offer a wide variety of activities for different ages, abilities and skill levels.  For instance, our multisport tours offer things like canoeing, treasure hunts, hiking, biking and trips to adventure parks, just to name a few.

Also keep in mind that when you’re participating in activities like hiking or biking, your children probably aren’t thinking about just getting from point A to point B, but rather they see the activity as a chance to explore.  Allow ample time to make it an adventure and choose routes that are interesting, such as alongside a river.  You may be surprised at what you discover along the way.

Make it memorable

There are plenty of ways to make memories on a trip besides taking pictures.  Think of creative ways to commemorate your journey, like purchasing a post card at each destination and having your children write the date, their age and a single memory of that stop on the back.  Or, give each child a new journal and encourage them to write down their thoughts, feelings and memories during the trip.  Did they try a new food?  Perhaps they learned a new word in another language.  These are things that can’t be learned in a textbook or captured in a photograph, but that make a lasting impression on a child.  Encourage them to jot them down so they’ll always have those special memories of their trip.

Traveling as a family doesn’t have to be a hassle. In fact, if you follow these tips, you can create an indelible bond and experience unforgettable adventures that you and your children will remember forever.

It’s Not Just Wheels, Pedals, Handlebars and a Seat

If you ask the weekend bike rider to name the different parts of a bike you may get a response like tires, chain, handlebars, seat, pedals, brakes, etc. If you ask an avid cyclist the same question they may start spitting out words like derailleur, fork, rims, crankset, etc. Don’t be discouraged if your face is making a confused look while reading those terms. Mine used to do the same thing until…

Welcome to BIKE PARTS 101:

Many parts go into making your bike operate smoothly, so you can enjoy the ride.

Picture from http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/bicycle_parts_labeled.jpg

Frame = This is the main component of a bicycle, the wheels and other components are attached to the frame. It consists of:

• Seat tube = the roughly vertical tube in a bicycle frame running from the seat to the bottom bracket
• Down tube = tube on a bicycle frame that runs from the head tube to the bottom bracket
• Top tube = frame member leading from steerer tube to seat tube
• Head tube = the tube of a bicycle frame that contains the headset
• Fork = a mechanical assembly that integrates a bicycle’s frame to its front wheel and handlebars, allowing steering by virtue of its steerer tube.
• Seat stay = small tubes running from top of seat tube to rear dropouts.
• Chain stay = pair of tubes that runs from the bottom bracket to the rear fork ends

Wheel:

• Front/Rear Hub = center part of a bicycle wheel. It consists of an axle, bearings and a hub shell.
• Spokes = rods connecting the center of a wheel to the rim
• Rim = a large hoop attached to the outer ends of the spokes of the wheel that holds the tire and tube
• Valve Stem = port for adding or releasing air from the inner tube.

Chain = It consists of interlinking pins, plates and rollers that transmits power from the pedals to the rear wheel, thus propelling it

Chain ring = It allows the chain to transfer power to the wheel. They usually have teeth spaced to engage every link of the chain as it passes over.

Crankset = It consists of one or more chain rings attached to the crankarm that allows the rider’s leg motion to move the chain therefore making the back wheel spin and the bike to move

Front/Rear Derailleur = These consist of a chain, multiple chain rings (sprockets/gears) of different sizes, and a device to move the chain from one ring to another. When a rider changes gears using their levers while pedaling, the change in cable tension moves the chain-guide from side to side, “derailing” the chain onto different rings, known commonly as changing gears.

Brake = It is used to slow down or stop a bicycle. Most bike brake systems contain of three main components: an instrument for the rider to apply the brakes, like the brake levers; another device for transmitting that signal, such as brake cables; and the brake mechanism itself to press against the rear wheel creating friction and allowing the bike to come to a stop.

When I found out all the instruments that went into making my bike move, I no longer looked at it as a device that got me from point A to B, but an exceptional intricate machine. How about you?