Mountain biking in France
Comments
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What region of France? For area-specific guidebooks check out http://librairie.vtopo.fr/
There are mtb books for many different regions. I purchased one of the Provence books and used it for a solo daytrip in the area. The books are in French but if you can follow a map and piece together the route summary you should be good to go. I have a number of other guidebooks and maps (I lived in France for 4 years) but they are all regional. I don't know of a book that covers all of France.
Alternatively, if you can follow a GPX route, you can search for routes on various websites and download them. I use the following:
http://www.tracegps.com/
http://www.utagawavtt.com/
http://connect.garmin.com/
Good luck!0 -
wow, many thanks,
I will be looking at it, cant read French.
I have no specific area in mind, something that has some trails - maybe built trails - something that is not too difficult,
so any recommendation will work really
thanks again
Jonathan0 -
Unlike the UK, there are no trail centres in France (well, maybe one) so purpose-built mtb trails are extremely rare.
If you are just looking for trails, France has a very extensive network of trails called GR (GR = Grand Randonnee). They are shown on any IGN map (IGN is the OS equivalent in France) as pink lines. The GR trails and side-trails are marked on the IGN maps like footpaths on OS maps except that you are allowed to cycle on any GR trail. If you want to preview the GR trails in an area, look at this site: http://www.geoportail.fr
Zoom into an area at 1:16000, select the Carte IGN layer and look at the pink lines.
As for areas to mountain bike:
Provence has hundreds of miles of amazing trails for all skill levels and the weather is generally quite good.
The central area of France, the Massif Central, is well known for mtb but is cold in the winter.
The Jura and the Vosges are hilly and have some epic routes.
Normandy has gentle rolling hills, lots of rideable trails and is close to the UK. The weather is much like S. England.
The Alps are a very popular destination for mountain bikers and you can find lots of english chalet/guiding companies who operate in the area.
I haven't been to the Pyrenees but I hear they are fabulous.
Have fun!0 -
hi joinride,
you need a guide book from the FFC (French cyclism federation).
it is free and you can get it from here:
http://www.ffc.fr/a_VTT/a_SitesVTT/index.asp
163 mountain bike regions across the country and 58000KM of marked routes. The guide is detailed with trail grades and facilities.
enjoy!
Leo0 -
Guys,
you are AWESOME
thank you so much!!!0
