Conference noted::bicycle

	If you are who I think you are then you work somewhere in the
the "Greater Maynard Area" and could easily get to Lincoln Guide
Service.  They have the CTC guide books and can tell you over the
phone which ones they have in stock.  If you have any tendency toward
buying new bikes while you are in France ask Kathy Norton about their
experiences last year. 

	Reg

 I've taken #2 bike on airplanes twice. Both trips were successful, but the
bike was stressed close to breaking each time.  For a long trip, I'd plan
on buying a bike set up for your vacation needs at your destination, and
selling it before you return or bringing it back with you.  Landing in a
new place with a bent bike is a fear of mine. (I'd never put #1 bike on
a plane!)  Chris

We went to Europe in September, and while we were in Switzerland, my husband
made a mad dash to Paris to buy a bike.  He ended up buying a VITUS frame
for a lot less than he'd pay over here.  Getting the frame home was a whole
different story, mostly because the Swiss post offices won't mail anything
much bigger than a shoe box.  Chris's idea of buying and selling while over
there is good - but I think it depends on how long you'll be there.  You
don't want to spend your whole vacation playing the French version of the
Want Advertiser.

If you're interested in buying over there, I'll get the info on what bike
shop he went to.  He found the people there very helpful.

If you decide to bring your own bike, Dave Gabbe put together some instructions
on how to pack a bike to take it on a plane.  If that sounds interesting,
let me know and I'll send you a copy.

Kathy
                

My wife and I recently took our expensive racing bikes to Hawaii and back. 
We took 3 diffrent planes out and 3 back for a total of about 7500 miles.
We were happy to find that there was no damage to either bike. Airlines will
insure your bike up to a certain figure for no charge. The problem is that if
you take more than one airline to get to your destination and something
bad happens, each airline will blame the other and they won't pay. In that
case, if you have home owners insurance they will probably pay. Before we 
went on our trip we checked with our agent and he asured us that we were
covered. You'll probably  be better off buying a bike over there. However you 
should know that the dollar is losing ground against foreign currencies and that
makes a bike more expensive over there and here since they mostly use
foreign components. If you buy a bike over there, I would bring it back
because I think it is worth the chance. Get a box that bikes are delivered
to dealers in. You can get one from a local bike shop at no cost. You'll
have to take the handle bars, pedals and front wheel off. You may also have
to disconnect the brake cables. Pack the bike carefully with the front fork
pointed backwards and use lots of scrunched up paper or insulation. Good 
luck and have fun, it sounds like a great trip.

                                     Keith

There are several French notes file participants, among whom PRSIS3::DTL 
(Didier) is perhaps the most loquacious.  You might try sending him 
mail.  He can probably put you in touch with some French bicyclists 
who could help you with planning.  You might also put a note in the (VAX 
Notes) conference PRSIS4::FAR_AWAY, which is a sort of general-purpose 
file over in France.  You might also stick this into EXIT26::ASKENET, 
either the NOTES-11 or VAX Notes version; you might draw responses from 
folks who don't yet realize this file is here.

Good biking!  It sounds like a great experience.

Tom

Didier Trarieux-Lumiere is now on the PRSIS4 node, I believe, and yes, he
can be very helpful.

Another question:  instead of shipping or buying, is it possible or 
practical to rent bicycles in France, especially if the trip isn't *too*
long and the proposed route describes a loop?

Mac.

			I've bicycled Bavaria.  I hope you enjoy France as much!
				<_Jym_>

    I'm an Englishman who, together with wife, has cycled several times
    in France.  Basically, you can't go wrong if you follow the Loire
    valley and avoid the North of France and Paris.  The south of France,
    Canne, St Tropez tends to be inhabited by large Germans driving
    BMWs and Golf GTIs with windsurfs on board, best avoided unless,
    a) you can afford the drinks and b) you want a good sun-tan.
    
    I'd recommend Beune, Sancerre and Hornfleure as good places, I've
    been to them all and they're wonderfull.  Normandy in general is
    good.
    
    The one great thing about the French is that they love cycling,
    the drivers take great care to avoid hitting cyclists.  On the
    back roads, in the small villages, people tend to be even
    more friendly.  There's also a lot of very good campsites around
    if you're camping, try the Michelin guide.
    
    Also, make sure that you take the right spares along, French wheel
    sizes are different from the English, maybe they're different from
    the American.
    
    Cheers,	Dave
    
    

    I've done three touring trips through europe, two with my own bike.
     I bought a Bike Carrier box which is expensive for a single trip,
    but which has more than paid for itself in trouble free touring.
    
    The wine road north and south of Beaune is great for touring, but
    you'd better speak french.  the people are very friendly and helpful,
    but communication can be difficult.
    
    check to make sure that you can replace tires in france, else a
    torn tire could end your trip prematurely -  i dont think that 27"
    tires are available in France. Hence you may have to bring spokes
    along as well.  I always use the rule that I can expect to find
    no parts on the tour, hence I bring a spare tire, chain links, spokes,
    toe straps, screws/nuts/etc. there aren't many bike shops in France,
    at least not like the US or Holland.  
    
    If you chose to pack your bike in a bike shop box, get two boxes
    per bike.  Cut the narrow sides out of one box, and roll it into
    several tubes (more triangular than round Tape them to your bike
    laterally (left to right) so that they act as spacers holding the
    left and right side of the box appart in those areas where the bike
    is most vulnerable.  more later if you are interested.