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Having seen the videos of the Trans-provence I really fancy riding bits. I don't want to sign up for the guided weeks to do the lot but just have a nice ride on bits I fancy. So, is it legal or is the bulk on private land which would rock the boat for the organisers if tourists turned up unannounced? And how easy would it be to follow on an IGN or Michelin map? [I have had experience of getting lost trying to follow map routes in France]
It's all on private land.
Been riding on them hiking trails since before they started the trans Provence, anyone can ride but finding your way and what is rideable is the problem you will face. The last two days of the race around Roubion/Sospel/ l'Escarene you can get VTT maps for the FFC mark trails.
It's France - almost all land is private.
However, almost all trails are OK to ride (unless the landowner or commune have explicitly forbidden VTTs or anyone at all - basically if there's a fence or gate and a sign then turn around).
Unfortunately the reality gap between lines on IGN maps and what really is there is quite huge. There are three ways round this:
Spend a lot of time getting lost & confused
Go out with a local or guide
Do an organised event - race or rando. These will be waymarked and usually showcase the best trails in an area. The only downside is that they sometimes cross private land with the landowners permission, so you can't go that way again (or follow a GPS trace later).
There's a huge amount of work involved in putting on a race or rando - the route planners have to get agreement from all landowners (if they can find them), communes and local authorities (including rescue services and police).
In my opinion, if you just want to ride in the area then go for option 1 or 2 above, if you really want to do the T-P trails then sign up with them.
I prefer option 1, and am heading out for some more in a bit 😆
Highly recommend the guided week. Worth paying for the expertise and work Ash has put into this. Some phenomenal descents, but you've got to be prepared to work for them.
Unfortunately the reality gap between lines on IGN maps and what really is there is quite huge
Where in France have you found this to be the case? I've done an admittedly limited amount of walking and biking in France, but if something has appeared on the IGN map, it's always been there on the ground in some form or another. There may be more tracks on the ground than appear on the map, but in my experience if it's on the map, it's there on the ground.
On 1:25,000 IGN maps, dashed single black line tracks are generally to be avoided as they may have fallen into disrepair. Take the risk if you want. Solid black line and above tends to be fine, and in my experience are very well categorised. Interested to hear of others' experiences though.
It was trying to follow dashed black line on IGN in the Pyrenees where there wasn't always anything on the ground so this probably bears out your experience.
The official designation for a dashed black line is 'continuity uncertain'.
Did the TP tour a month or so back.
Whilst, yes, it's theoretically possible to do it self supported and just off the map, you'll spend a lot of time fannying around, getting lost and riding stuff that may or may not be good, but is unlikely to the best solution. Then you've got the whole logistical side to sort out - food, accom, shuttling vehicles etc.
Just pay Ash some (a lot!) of money, let him and his gang do all the hard work and just turn up and ride yer bike. Seriously, I've ridden lots and lots of different places with a variety of different people and companies, and this was the best week's riding I've had. Organisation was spot on - with a trip like this no matter how good the trails are, the logistics can make or brake the overall experience. Add in consistently excellent trails and I don't begrudge them a penny.
Unfortunately the reality gap between lines on IGN maps and what really is there is quite hugeWhere in France have you found this to be the case?
Rural Languedoc - the fireroads are generally there (if not blocked with signs like "Danger Taureaux" or "Propriete Privée"), but the smaller more fun trails can often be non-existant or hard to find.
I guess things would be better defined in more open areas, but I get the impression that the landscape that the T-P takes is similar: densely wooded valleys and hills with not many people and extremely thick vegetation.
I'd definitely advocate giving Ash your money. You'll be guaranteed good trails and top-notch organisation. The Trans-Provence region has 4/5ths of naff all in the way of facilities outside of its small towns and villages and putting something together yourself would be a major challenge even if you knew the route. Believe me, I've looked into it.