Springtime in Paris - a Weekend Bicycle Tour

Ok, this isn't a bicycle tour in the real sense of the word, but it would be hard to beat a low-cost, do-it-yourself weekend in Paris with bicycles like this one!

Get yourself to Paris, check in to a centrally located hotel, and make use of the Velo Libre bike-share network for your transportation. The hotel listed on this link, Hotel Andrea Rivoli, has a Velib' station right outside the door!

For a photo essay on the Paris Velib' program, visit our Flickr pages. This little photo essay shows you how the program works.

Here's a detailed description of how the Velo Libre program works.

And this link hooks you up with the official Velib' web site in English.

Why this blog

We know you. You would like to take a European bicycle tour without the huge cost of an escorted tour. You'd like to:
- design your own route;
- find your own lodging;
- use your own bike.

Problem is:
- you're not familiar with the territory;
- you'd like suggestions on lodging;
- taking your bike can be a real pain.

So you've found us and we can help.
We can:
- help you plan your route because we know the territory (or can find someone who does);
- we know the hotels, B&Bs, and agritourist lodgings;
- tell you where to find rental bikes (all types of bikes from the lightest and fastest to the most sophisticated mountain bikes to simple, quality touring bikes to take you down the road.)

For most of the above services you should visit www.BikeRentalsPlus.com.

But check with us regularly or sign up for our e-mail newsletter to get all the latest hints and comments on bicycle touring.

On this blog you'll find:
1) Comments and thoughts from people who've already done it themselves.
2) Ideas on where to rent a bike for a quick and easy day tour or half day tour on your own.
3) Suggestions for tour operators who offer escorted day or half-day tours in wonderful places like Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Rome, Florence and the Chianti Hills.

And a lot more! So let's get mowing, moving, pedaling. . . . whatever!