>Does the tour requires to be sporty ?
No ! The power assistance makes the course accessible to all, including cyclists without training. The only requirement is to be able to pedale during 3 hours a day with limited efforts, and not to be in very bad condition!
> Should we be familiar with the use of Electric Bicycle ?
No. Selected electric bicycles are very easy to use and you’ll have time to get familiar with them on the first day.
> Should we take a special bag for the trailer ?
No. Aventures Solaires provides each participant with a suitable waterproof bag in tow. This can contain 90L which is more than enough for one week.
> what kind of clothes shoud we take ?
Cycling shorts, sneakers, sunglasses, fleece jacket for the evening, a windbreaker for the descents and a rain jacket as a precaution. A swimsuit can be useful as well as hiking clothes. The helmet is provided. And do not forget the sunscreen!
> What are the housing conditions ?
Throughout the course, Aventures Solaires has selected hotels, gites and cottages offering all quality accommodation (usually double) and tasty food made from local products.
> What happens in case of technical failure ?
Bicycles and solar equipment are selected for their reliability. In the unlikely event of a breakdown, assistance is provided.
> What happens if the sun does not shine ?
No problem. Our bikes are equipped with two batteries that provide sufficient autonomy to move through each step. If unfortunately there’s not enough solar energy during a day to fill your batteries, there are two alternatives. You can either save the batteries for the next day by selecting a power assist mode less “greedy” (and therefore a little more pedaling) or continue with the maximum assistance and use in the evening an emergency charger which allows recharge batteries in house, and so benefit from two full batteries the next morning. In summer, around the Tour des Ecrins, days without sun are very rare.
> Should we fear extreme weather conditions ?
No. Even though weather can be surprising in mountains, program can be adapted to benefit from the most favorable periods and can be adjusted to avoid the most demanding parts.
> Should we care about traffic ?
The course focuses on small and peaceful roads so that you can cycle calmly. There are still some portions of national roads that we can’t avoid but their length is very reasonable.
> How fast do we cycle ?
Around 20 km per hour on average, without forcing. The electric assistance gradually cut beyond 25km/h, in accordance with French law. It is rare to exceed this speed. Except in downhill course of course
> What does a typical day looks like ?
Each group has the opportunity to collectively set the time schedule he wants, and there is no obligation to follow the same schedule every day. However, the days traditionally consist of two periods of 1 to 2 hours of cycling. One in the morning and one after lunch , punctuated with breaks to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
More details on the page une journée type.
