I moved to Paris chasing chasing a job and have been here for a few months. Ive not been able to get out for a ride yet and am egging for a weekend pedaling in the great outdoors.
As far as i can tell from the French version of O.S. there are few places with interesting contours around the Ile de France area.
Does anyone know anywhere within half a days drive of Paris that would
be good for a run out?
Ive heard that Fontainbleau is worth a shot.
I had a bus tour round Paris. It was a con.
They probably drove on the wrong side of the road too!!
There are some bits of riding in the Bois de Clamart and the other forests round there, which were okay when I had a ride. You need to find a local rider to take you though or spend some time exploring, nothing on maps, I guess it is a bit unofficial.
No big hills there though I think, some very short steep bits but nothing long.
That'd do for a day out. Ive been looking for a forum or bike shop here with a small following of riders but they're road obsessed.
An ex-collegue lived North of Paris by the Seine, he was often out riding - but not much climbing.
I don't know the area well, but the ground gets more rolling around Compiegne, which I'd guess is about 100km north of Paris.
Fill yer boots!!
There is some FFC centres north of Paris, I think.
I read somewhere that for the ile de france downhill championship managed to find a run with about 90m of vertical, so there has to be something if you look.
i dont think yer chain would last long arounf Fontainbleu - very sandy!
funkdogg - Member
That'd do for a day out. Ive been looking for a forum or bike shop here with a small following of riders but they're road obsessed
There's your answer then, visit the dark side. I really is great riding on the road in France.
http://www.ffc.fr/a_VTT/a_SitesVTT/index.asp
Actually loads of FFC sites within an hour of Paris
I read an article about Freeriding around Fontainbleu, they seemed to suggest it was OK, I thought it was crap, like riding along a beach.
Nice one Cyril! FFC is a great google hit for Paris.
Im saving for a road bike its just a bit lower on my list.
those steps down from Mont Martre look fun.
You should get yourself and your bike onto the RER B and head down to st.remy les chevreuse, it takes about 30 mins. Some great trails around the forest there, nothing particularly high but not much is flat either. I have various .gpx files if you have a suitable device for viewing. Give me a shout if you fancy meeting up for spin, its been a few months for me too.
Markinfrance, im keen to meet for a spin. sadly no .gpx device but i have a sound OS map reader. ill email you cont. details if you dont mind: im at tombowla@hotmail.fr
Was considering a trip out this weekend?
no map on me so no names (email if you need more info) but there is lots of good stuff (singletrack rather than steep stuff tho) close by. try woods (west) by versaille and the forest south of paris.