Pics from my solo May 2024 ping-pong around France tour. Started in Strasbourg and was planning to go into Germany and Switzerland, but the 10 day forecast had rain for every day. The only sun was in the far south of France, so booked two TER trains to Avignon and started up the Via Rhona, which was great all the way to Valence. Then a train to Chambery and ride to Annecy for a few days of sun. The municipal campground had cold beer and great hosts!
MORE rain was coming to the Haute-Savoie, so I headed south again via train to Toulouse and rode the Canal du Garonne in more sunshine. A detour to the 'Piste Roger Lapebie' was beautiful all the way to Bordeaux. Then up to ride the Velodyssee on the western coast from La Rochelle to Nantes. No rain the entire way, and enjoyed that route, except going north had a headwind in sections. But at least no rain for days.
Lesson learned is to be flexible. I was lucky that the regional TER trains are so efficient and have free cycle space. Another lesson was to NEVER book a train with a bike on French holidays!
Shout out to Andrew Sykes, who runs the cyclingeurope.org website and has a great series called Le Grand Tour which was the incentive for the trip.
by EducationalPause1851