Читать книгу Cycle Touring in France. Eight tours in Brittany, Picardy, Alsace, Auvergne/Languedoc, Provence, Dordogne/Lot, the Alps and the Pyrenees онлайн

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Further information regarding travel to the start points is given at the beginning of each route description, as well as a few alternative airports located further away than those listed above.

Val d'Azun (Route 6)

Most airlines now stipulate that your bike goes in a bike bag, and UK airlines may charge £15–£20 for a bike on a single flight. They will want the tyres fully deflated, pedals removed, and handlebars turned so that they are parallel with the top tube. I recommend bubble-wrapping the derailleurs and any other parts of the bike you cherish, and removing the rear rack which can be used to further protect the rear derailleurs inside the bike bag. You can buy bags through most reputable bike shops in the UK.

If you don't like flying, there are other options. From Ireland, Brittany Ferries (www.brittany-ferries.co.uk) operate one weekly crossing from Cork to Roscoff between April and October, and Irish Ferries (www.irishferries.ie) operate up to three crossings between Rosslare and Roscoff from mid-April to October. These are convenient for those wanting to tackle the Brittany tour (Route 1). Irish Ferries also operate a route between Rosslare and Cherbourg three times a week. Ferry crossings from Ireland take anything from 12–20 hours.