Bike Packed for Air Travel
Equipment
If you are bringing your own bike then review everything on it.
Gearing
Myself I have a 11-32 cassette and 34/50 crank-set and sometimes I think that is not low enough and I think about a 11-34 cassette. Often UK bikes only have a cassette that goes to 28 teeth and a 34 teeth crank-set which may not be enough for some of the climbs. 10km climbs of 500-600 meters are not unusual. You may wish to review your gearing and think about changing the cassette. Some members of our club have a low 28 crank-set and 34 cassette.
General Servicing
Review the condition of your tyres, brakes, blocks, pads, chains. If anything needs renewing or servicing do it. You are going to rely on them more than in the UK. You will certainly need your brakes more with all those descents. General condition. If anything need replacing then do it before you arrive. You can find most parts here but it will only delay your enjoyment of the area.
Electric bikes
Electric bikes are a useful tool for us older riders to keep up with the pack and still get plenty of exercise. The whole area of electric bikes is changing very rapidly and with technology improvements to batteries, motor sustems, regenerative braking and downhill charging it is resulting in much lighter and more usable electric bikes. If you are bringing your own electric bike remember:
1. Any regulations about carrying batteries with your airline. Currently as at 2020 most airlines will not accept the large batteries of e-bikes.
2. Bring your charger.
3. bring a UK/US to French adapter.
4. Verify the condition of the battery that it is good for a hard days climbing. It is is not a pretty sight to see someone hauling their heavy electric bike up the last 3km of the Col de Vence with no charge left!
Renting Bikes
There are plenty of places to rent good quality road bikes but you need to do it in advance. It is best done by internet as they all have web sites and the translate options of most browsers are a godsend.
One good one at Cagnes-sur-Mer.
Stars’ n’ Bikes. 99, Promenade de la Plage, 06800 CAGNES-SUR-MER, Tél. 04 93 07 30 00. Specializes in TREK bikes and gives good service.
Others
La Roue libre. 15 Avenue de Grasse, Cagnes-sur-Mer. Tel: 09 80 89 49 84
Booking Bikes. Nice Promenade, 9, rue Massenet, 06000 Nice, Tel :(+33) 04 93 04 15 36.
Booking Bikes. Villeneuve-Loubet, Port Marina Baie des Anges, 06270 Villeneuve-Loubet, Tel :(+33) 04 93 20 90 20.
Booking Bikes. Antibes, 93, boulevard Wilson, 06600 Antibes, Tel :(+33) 04 93 61 51 51
Booking Bikes. Cannes, 19 Avenue Maréchal Juin, 06400 Cannes, Tel :(+33) 04 97 06 30 63
Organisation
There are organisations who can give guided tours and sort out accomodation.
LifesparkzBike Tours, guided Bike tours,