Just like spring, summer is a great time to discover France by bike. With pleasant temperatures, blooming landscapes and roads that go from nature to villages, you can fully enjoy your bike rides while helping to preserve the environment. In this article, we are going to present you the bike rides that can punctuate your beautiful days of the beautiful season.
Why discover France by bike?
France is a beautiful country with varied landscapes, a rich gastronomy and a fascinating history. Discovering France by bike allows you to discover all these treasures in a different way. You can go at your own pace, stop wherever you want, admire the landscapes, taste the local specialties and soak up the history and culture of the different regions of France. Moreover, the bicycle is an ecological and economical way of transportation, ideal to discover France in a sustainable way.
Prepare your bike rides
Before going on a bike ride, it is important to prepare your trip to get the most out of your experience. Here are some tips:
Choose your route
France is full of beautiful regions to discover by bike. Whether you want to ride by the sea, in the mountains or through the fields, you are bound to find a route that suits your desires. To help you in your choice, you can consult specialized websites such as veloenfrance.fr, which offers cycling tours throughout France. You can also consult maps or travel guides to discover new routes.
Prepare your equipment
Before leaving for a bike ride, it is important to have the right equipment. Check that your bike is in good condition and that it is appropriate for your activity (road bike, mountain bike, electric bike, gravel). Also, bring clothes adapted to the weather (jacket, cap, sunglasses, etc.) and safety accessories (helmet, reflective vest, lighting, etc.). Don't forget to bring water and food for the ride.
Plan your day
To get the most out of your bike ride, it's important to plan your day. Determine your route and the points of interest you want to visit. Also plan regular breaks for rest and food. Don't hesitate to ask about the opening hours of tourist sites and restaurants to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Respect the safety rules
Finally, it is important to respect the safety rules to avoid accidents. Ride on bike paths or on roads that are suitable for cycling. Wear a helmet and a reflective vest to be visible. Respect the Highway Code and other road users.
Presentation of veloenfrance.fr and its 4,000 free tours to download
veloenfrance.fr, a unique and interactive platform, entirely managed by the French Cycling Federation, provides free access to more than 4,000 circuits throughout France. Everyone can search for the name of a specific circuit or geolocate to explore the nearest geographical area. The search filter allows you to choose your tour according to the type of bike, altitude difference, distance, travel time and level of difficulty. Exportable on a GPS or to be saved in PDF format on a computer, all the tours are at your fingertips. But also:
● THE MAJOR ITINERARIES such as the Vélodyssée, the ViaRhôna, the Véloscénie, the Grande traversée du Jura, the Vélomaritime, the Flow Vélo... In short, you will have understood, they are all there!
● The 3,000 clubs of the Federation accessible from the homepage.
● THE "GOOD ADDRESSES": a network of professionals offering a specific quality welcome for cycling enthusiasts; we will thus find around each circuit, hotels, gites, campsites, vacation villages, repairers or bike rental companies..
● BICYCLE TRAVELS: about sixty short and long stays in France and abroad with luggage transport; all these destinations are elaborated and organized by the volunteers of the Federation, passionate about bicycle travel..
● THE LABELS of the Federation divided into three main families:
- The "Mountain Bike Bases": 80 places of welcome for all the amateurs, where specific services and marked out circuits are listed.
- The "Cycling territories": through this label, the Federation supports the actions of the territories offering to the cyclists a reception, services and equipment adapted to their activity as well as animations. There are currently 50 communities with this label.
- The 500"Most beautiful sites in France": six tourist highlights per department to be pointed out to discover France by bike.
TOP 10 bike tours on veloenfrance.fr
veloenfrance.fr invites bike lovers to discover the 10 most beautiful bike tours in France. Click on the following links to get all the information you need.
2. The loop of Villars-en-Pons
7. Circuit 2 Local loop of the Great Ways
An invitation to discover France by bike
In conclusion, summer is an ideal season to get away and explore France by bike. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist, alone or in a group, there is always an option that will suit you. If you're looking for a friendly setting to start out, or if you prefer to ride in a group for more conviviality, you may want to consider joining a bicycle touring club. The latter will be able to help you plan your outings, advise you on the best points of interest so that you can fully enjoy your hobby! On the veloenfrance.fr website you can find local clubs in your area, as well as information on the different bike touring options throughout the country.
Finally, don't forget that bike touring is an activity that can be practiced all year round. In addition to summer, you can discover the beauty of France in spring, fall and even winter. So, why not embark on a new cycling adventure and explore the diverse landscapes of France? Enjoy the ride!
