I am looking for something fun. I have done a bike tour through Tuscany before and it was awesome. I was really fit then. Now not so much. But my thing this year is to have fun getting fit. Does anyone have ideas on a fun bike tour, preferably in France ? I am looking for something more casual than out (more flat than hilly), that includes touristy stuff, but still gets like 30-50 miles a day.
sent a pm
.
I have traveled with these guys before: http://www.bluemarble.org/
Fairly inexpensive but TONS of fun. Not pretentious, but totally quality. Highly recommended!
Thanks Monica! There is so much to look at on that site! How old was the crowd?
The crowd ranged from high-20’s to 50’s in the two tours I did with them. Totally fun group. All different levels of difficulty as well. And the group leaders know awesome restaurants in the towns they visit. The perfect blend of great rides, fantastic food and yummy wine 
Which ones did you do? Do most people go by themselves?
It was a few years back, but I did a week in Umbria and a week in Provence. I went with a friend, but I’d say half the people were there with a buddy and half went alone.
I was looking at Provence. Is it super hilly?
I work for WWW.BikeToursDirect.com
Great company that offers really great deals on bike tours in Europe.
Sending this from my phone. I will pm you in the morning with specifics on France if you like.
Heather
As I can recall, it was somewhat hilly, but not too bad. There was one day that had a route through the Alpilles, but there were alternative routes for those that didn’t feel like doing the climbing. I was not in great bike shape at the time, though, and had no trouble handling the terrain.
Thanks for all the info! Between this and Facebook, I have so much info:-)
I work for http://WWW.BikeToursDirect.com
Great company that offers really great deals on bike tours in Europe.
Sending this from my phone. I will pm you in the morning with specifics on France if you like.
Heather
I looked at your site, most of your tours are self guided right? I want more a group I can join
There are a variety of self guided and guided tours to choose from. If you go to the “tour finder” page you will be able to select your specifications (Country, month, guided option, price range, etc). The guided options are a little more expensive, but there are 50/50 as far as guided and self guided.
Ok, I see , Thanks. The ones that come up look more leisure, like with recreational bikes:-)
If you were interested in using a single place as base (and being a triathlete have other opportunities to swim and run too) you can do a lot worse (and would struggle to do a lot better) than visiting Lee and Sam Thomas at TriTopia in the Brenne National Park. Lee is an accomplished triathlete and both he and his wife Sam run an incredible place with an amazing welcome. You can use it simply as a base to work from doing your own thing with all of your meals covered, or if you wanted something more serious they can put together a scheduled week of training. It is entirely up to you.
I stayed with them last year after winning a week’s holiday at a show here in the UK and will be going back again this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQyDXC_hPQ
Amazing roads, beautiful countryside, plenty of places to stop for coffee and you can use a map or hire a garmin. The world (or France) is your oyster as the saying goes.
If you give them a call or send them an email, tell them that Wojj (Roger) pointed you in their direction.
Enjoy your trip! :o)
Backroads also does awesome trips. All over Europe.
www.backroads.com
I’m about to do my 8th trip with them in Hawaii. They’re good for vacation and touring around, and also for a little training if you want that.
I’ve done 4 trips with them without a travel partner, and have had no problem meeting fun people (obviously with a shared interest) and being part of the group. You tend to figure out who rides the same speed as you and end up more or less together, as you please. Or can ride on your own.
They have good bikes to ride…can do roadie style or upright. And usually 2 or 3 options for how much mileage each day. And fabulous food.
I stayed with them last year after winning a week’s holiday at a show here in the UK and will be going back again this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQyDXC_hPQ
Amazing roads, beautiful countryside, plenty of places to stop for coffee and you can use a map or hire a garmin. The world (or France) is your oyster as the saying goes.
If you give them a call or send them an email, tell them that Wojj (Roger) pointed you in their direction.
Enjoy your trip! :o)
Thanks! Sounds fun:-) I am not sure I am looking for a tri camp this year. But sounds like I need to keep this in mind, it’s very interesting!
Backroads also does awesome trips. All over Europe.
www.backroads.com
.
Oh yeah, they look like they have AWESOME trips. If I can come up with 5K PLUS the airfare:-) Trek looks like they have similar trips/prices…
It really depends where you go in Provence. It ranges from extremely hilly (think Mont Ventoux) to rolling hills…
I have a couple of contacts, in case you’re interested. You may want to look into Corsica also. Amazing island (yes…part of France,
although the locals may disagree… 
)
Avoid the Alpes de Haute Provence, and Hautes Alpes, which are the hilliest areas of Provence. Bouches du Rhone, Vaucluse, Alpes Maritimes,
and Var will have flatter rides. I’d choose the area around Aix en Provence. Or the Luberon.
Francois, my sister recommended Normandie and Bretagne. Thoughts on that?