Bonjour From Paris

Saeco Pink

I'm studying in Paris for the next 18 months and do all my training at the dedicated cycling loop around Longchamp Horsetrack in the Bois de Boulogne.

Paris is a biking city, but not a road biking city and I think I am one of only a handful of female racers around these parts.

Currently investigating a gigantic bike tour through France, Italy and then to Greece for the summer. Anyone know about routes along the Seine, Saone and then Rhone? I'm going to stay in the valleys as much as possible.

Keep the saddle side up.

Gabe

I can't really help, but I'm hoping you might be able to help me!
I'm a road bike nut (don't race just fast club rides) and I'm in
Paris on business. I will be there Sunday and Monday March 28 and 29th. Any idea of:

-A cool road bike store, maybe some high end stuff to stare at and some jerseys to buy?
-Maybe a place to rent a road bike (I could bring my stuff)
-A ride to go on with a few people, or maybe a route to ride?

I'm coming from the Philadelphia, PA area in the US, and speak only a little French. Thanks for ANY help - hard to find.

Saeco Pink

Originally posted by Gabe
I can't really help, but I'm hoping you might be able to help me! I'm a road bike nut (don't race just fast club rides) and I'm in Paris on business. I will be there Sunday and Monday March 28 and 29th. Any idea of:

-A cool road bike store, maybe some high end stuff to stare at and some jerseys to buy?

Cycles Laurent, 9 blvd Voltaire. Metro Republic. (cycleslaurent.com). They may rent, but I'm not certain. They speak English (most Parisians do, actually). There are a number of small shops scattered around town, but they're geared toward all terrain or city bikes (called Amsterdams). One main store that supplies roadie stuff is Velo et Oxygen and they have a website, too. I don't know if they rent, either.

-A ride to go on with a few people, or maybe a route to ride?

Paris is mostly flat and the street plan is insane by US standards. The road surface is mostly paved, but a lot of the city has oblong cobblestones that will wreak havoc on your nerves as well as probably shatter carbon.

Another thing is you can't get across town by just taking a central street. They planned it so you HAVE to travel in a triangle to get from point a to point b, or take the lengthy perimiter route, called the peripherique (periphery). It adds on 30 - 45 mins by bike.

The only place in Paris to get a workout is at the dedicated circular road around the Longchamp Horsetrack. It's 3.6 km and flat, but has a sneaky .5% grade that gets ya. All serious riders train there, but its open to all types of bikers and rollerbladers.

It's in the Bois de Boulogne. Here's a site that discusses it with a nice photo:
http://www.pucroller.com/article.php3?id_article=155

less'go

Hi Gabe,

I bike all over Paris, not a racer, but a road/commuter bike. Paris is a great place to bike with new bike lanes opening up all the time. Check out Mike's Bike Tour website, they do fun tours in European cities, that usually end up in a bar somewhere. Nothing stuffy, y'know?

No better way to see this city, and that a good way to hook up with a group. Otherwise you can surely find out from them about renting a bike, then take off to discover Paris on your own.

One of my favs is doing the bike path that goes all along one bank of the Seine, through an outdoor sculpture museum, past houseboats cabaret boats and under old old bridges, then up behind Notre Dame. ANd that's just one of the paths I use to go to work!

Have fun!

__________________
The six-pack will be mine...

Gabe

Thanks to you both for the quick help.

Last year I did Mike's bike Tour, and it was great, AND I did end up at a bar the next day (Irish Bar for a UK vs. Ireland Rugby match). I may rent a bike there and try the path you wrote about.

If you happen to think of any other info, please let me know. I really appreciate it.