Bicycling France-2019

Our Original plan for 2019 was to cycle the Rhone River Route from south to north.  The Rhone River Route is mostly easy to moderate and follows a lot of paved bicycle paths. But, we met a French couple in Montelimar who lived in the French Alps east of Grenoble. They told us about the special beauty of the area and gave us specific information where to go. We changed our plans.

Our French advisors recommended two areas in particular: Vassieux-en-Vercours, a mountainous area west of Grenoble, and Bourg d’Oisans, an alpine area famous for an abundance of cycling routes including many Tour de France routes. 

Our Equipment

We were primed and ready for the excitement of riding Tour de France routes.  The year before, we added electric assist to our bikes so we could enjoy the great mountain passes while still carrying all our baggage for camping. We had chosen Bafang BBSO2 mid-drive motor and 500 watt lithium batteries to provide pedal assistance on demand. 

Anne’s Azub TriCon Trike

Anne rides an Azub TriCon trike with electric assist added. The trike is built in the Czech Republic. It is by far the best trike she has ever ridden. Stable at high speeds, tough and rugged, it carries a ton of equipment without blinking. The trike folds into a small enough package for air travel.

Mike’s new Tern 20″ Foldable

Mike purchased a new bike this year. He was having difficulty dismounting the standard 26″ wheel upright bike. At 78 years old and 5’4″ tall, the heel of his bike shoe kept catching on the bar. Balancing the heavily loaded bike was becoming dangerous. So, he shopped around for a 20″ wheel upright bike designed for touring. He settled on the Tern Folding 20″ bike. We added the Bafang mid-drive motor and 500 watt battery. It performed flawlessly throughout the summer. 

Mike is 78, Anne is now 75. It was time for a tent that we could stand up in instead of crawl in and out of. With electric assist, we no longer cared about weight. So…we splurged.

We chose Lone Rider, a tent designed for motorcyclists. It had a large, separate walk in sleeping area and a fully enclosable patio area big enough for a motorcycle.  It weighs 12 pounds. 

One more new item we had found for 2019. All these years past, we were very disappointed with the various navigating systems we used for planning and for navigation while under way.

At the end of 2018, we discovered Komoot.

Check out Komoot.com. It is a planning and navigating app where you can design and plan your routes on your computer before your trip and send them to your phone to call up without live internet. It is by far the best app we have ever used. No need for a separate GPS unit. The phone screen is bigger anyway. Great planning and navigating. It even tells you what the road conditions are…paved vs dirt. 

 

 

 

A highlight of this section of the river is Avignon.

This beautiful city served as the home of the

Papacy between 1309 to 1377. Recognized for its

architectural beauty and historic importance, the centre of

Avignon was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995.

 

 

Perhaps Pont D’Avignon is the most famous landmark. The beautiful bridge was built between 1177 and 1185. It has been destroyed many times…by wars and by floods. Read the facinating history and stories of Pont D’Avignon on this website: https://travelnotesandbeyond.com/avignon-bridge-pont-saint-benezet/

Leaving Avignon

It is flat, easy riding most of the way to Montelimar.

There are long sections of quiet bicycle paths through natural surroundings. 

Small villages with historic buildings abound along the route.

Link to Details-1

Link to Details-2

The route from Montelimar to Grenoble follows a lovely river valley before climbing the long, winding Col de Rousset and entering a mountainous area known as the Vercours. The fantastic Col de La Machine hangs on a cliff edge before descending to the wider valleys of St Nazaire-en-Royans. There is one more long ascent to Villard-de-Lans before finally dropping down to Grenoble.  it was an easy 22 mile climb to Bourg d’Oisans and the heart of our Alps tour for stage 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Montelimar to Crest

This is a lovely valley ride through an area of wineries and lavendar farms. It climbs gently to the charming town of Crest. 

Link to Details

 

 

The central plaza in Die is small but interesting…especially the food!

After summiting Col de Rousset, the terrain opens up into beautiful valleys surrounded by mountains.

We pass through small villages.

There is no traffic.

Our destination for the night is a tiny village named Vassieux-en-Vercours.

Link to Details

6 day rides we rode starting from Bourg d’Oisans

Ride along side Lac du Chambon, passing through several tunnels

Bike lights recommended

This entire ride between Bourg d’Oisans and La Grave is on a beautiful, wide road