This
article is a brief overview from an amateur... I have not lived long in France – neither am I a serious cyclist - so
do not pretend to be too informed!
Getting set up
You will need to invest in either an infant seat or trailer / chariot. Whatever
you choose make sure that it is safe and visible. We opted for a trailer and we feel it is safer, being more visible and stable
(ie if the bike falls baby stays put!). For many families a chariot may be more practical as a single parent cam transport
2 kids simultaneously, as many models sport 2 seats.
There are many makes of trailers available – and I won't push any particular
brand. You can buy them on the inernet, in cycle shops, department stores and sports chains. Occasionally they can be bought
second-hand on the net or privately. Prices range from approximately €150 to €400, and many model now include
a stroller / jogging kit. This kit includes a front wheel and a rear handle bar that effectively turns the chariot into a
zooty pram.
I recommend a google internet search to familiarise yourself with what is available,
before ordering or buying. Also beware of the bargain models that you find in department stores and sports chains –
which tend to sacrifice quality (safety?) in favour of economy.
Itineraries
* Local (town / city), Departmental and Regional Tourist Offices
often offer biking maps and itineraries. These tend to be for vtt (mountain bikes) and may be a bit challenging, but are well
worth investigating. (You may not want to whip-lash your little angel - yet!)
* Contact your local AVF (Accueil des Villes Françaises) chapter
as they often have great biking groups.
* Your local maison de famille / jueness will be able to direct you to
local bike groups. They tend to be a bit hard-core though!
* An excellent resource is Véloroutes, Voies Vertes – a national
network of accredited cycle, roller-blade, wheel-chair trails that offers descriptions of itineraries, maps, and addresses
of tourist authorities. There are numerous search criteria and the site also offers a good links page.
http://www.af3v.org/
* Another handy source is Institut Geographique National. You can order maps from your local
'Presse' or online. Their série bleue is a good resource for biking maps http://www.ign.fr/
Michelin maps (apparently) indicate accredited cycle trails in red. http://www.michelin.fr
Bike and train
options!
If
you choose a car-less biking escape, the train is a great option as many trains and TGV's have bike compartments. I recommend
that you consider having your bikes transported in advance – so you can take it easy with your family (and avoid the
logistical nightmare of changing stations in Paris or any other major city). Bike transportation can be arranged through the
baggage department of the SNCF Tel: 36 35 or Sernam, http://www.sernam.fr
Other Sources
of Info
