Join Us in France Travel Podcast It's one thing to dream about going on a cycling tour in France and it's quite another to actually do it! Jim and Ilona share how they did it even though they're not athletes. It takes some preparation and a love for adventure and off they went! Episode Highlights with Timestamps [55"] Thank you new Patreon Supporters Lauren Wetterhahn and Alexander Schraff. Thank you also  Lorin Sandoval and Wayne Fella for Tipping Your Guide via PayPal! [1'44] Submit praise for the podcast to annie@joinusinfrance.com with subject line Praise. I need your words, your city and state as well as a photo that shows your face. [2'49] The Inaugural Paris Tour is coming up very fast, I am very excited about it. I am also excited about the upcoming South West Tour. To check out our Tours, go to Addicted to France, our sister site. [3'27] Podcasting News from Edison Research. If you want to help someone listen to a podcast, read this. [5'06] Visiting the Grotte de Niaux, la Rivière Souterraine de Labouiche and Carcassonne. [6'01] It's great to see how many of you talk about visiting the South West of France on our Facebook Closed Group. [6'37] You can connect with me by emailing annie@joinusinfrance.com or call to leave a voice mail: (801) 806-1015. This is a US number that we only use as a voice mailbox and a great place for you to leave your questions or comments about the show. [7'47] Cycling trip around Provence in October 2016. Ilona and Jim are not Spring Chickens, they've been married for 35 years, and they took up cycling 4 years ago. [9'26] They do have a fair bit of training, but they worked up to 70 or 80 miles per day slowly. [10'31] In France cycling is huge, there are cyclist all over, especially in rural France. Marion Clignet was on Episode 52. [12'28] Why did they choose Provence? Comparing the level of difficulty between different regions of France. [14'43] Choosing bigger roads to go longer distances. Doing day-trips from a central location instead of a circular route. The issue of luggage. [16'52] Renting bicycles from L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. [18'18] What happens if you run into a problem like a flat tire or a mechanical problem? [20'20] Did you consider joining a group of cyclists? No, because we love the planning process. More freedom if you ride alone. [21'40] Vélo Loisir Provence Association [24'40] Are French drivers considerate to cyclists? [26'] What GPS did you use? Garmin and Ride with GPS, some D roads are busy, especially around Avignon [27'] French roads classification: A for Autoroute (freeways), N for National, D for Départementale. Have you used Google Maps' cycling option? Ride with GPS is better because it's more of a community where real people share experiences of cycling. [28'31] How often did you get lost? Letting Garmin select dirt roads as an option. [31'] Getting lost is par for the course when riding or hiking. [31'51] Provence cycling tours day by day itinerary [32'] Fly into Paris CDG, RER train into the city of Paris, then the TGV to Avignon, then a bus to Saint-Rémy de Provence. [32'40] The first leg of cycling was north through Avignon, with Chateauneuf-du-Pape as their destination for the day. That was a lovely ride with lots of vineyards, small roads, beautiful views onto the Rhone Valley. [35'] How did you plan your lunch stops? [36'] Stop at the restaurant Le Pistou in Châteauneuf-du-Pape [37'] Long riding day on Saturday at Lisle-sur-la-Sorgue, Gordes, and Roussillon, which was challenging as far as elevation is concerned. [39'47] Running out of daylight and trying to pack too much into one day because it means there isn't enough time spent at each location. [40'26] Planning overnight stays in a few select places so there's enough time to see it. 75 or 75 miles is too far for an out and back. [41'55] Les Baux-de-Provence, mistral wind and needing to walk. [43'48] Riding to Arles. Valley roads and river roads tend to be flat (unless it's a gorge!) [45'11] Stumbling