Commuting bikes that do more than commuting

Look anywhere in London these days, and the roads are full of bikes. Usually folding bikes with small wheels, they’re ideal for commuters. They fold easily to go on trains, and speed across town to get you the last mile to your office. But what if they could do more than that?

It’s easy to take folding bikes on trains, and Eurostar is probably the ultimate train. So taking my folding bike on holiday by train suddenly didn’t seem as daft as an idea as all that. The plan was to get the Eurostar to Paris, then continue on to Champagne for a weekend of cycling through the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims.

But is a folding bike really up to touring? There’s only one way to find out!

Cycling in a wine area is generally a good idea. There’s invariably a well-signed Route des Vins to keep you away from main roads and guide you to vineyards and wine producers, all keen to offer free tastings and not-quite-free bottles. And naturally all these people have to eat, and so there will be bars, restaurants, and cafes, with local food and even more local wine. It’s often said that some wines don’t travel, but even the most rustic of reds can make it a mile down the road and still be eminently drinkable!

Cycling in the French countryside is very quiet and relaxing. What traffic there is treats you with respect as if you have a perfect right to be on the road. It’s the world away from the high-octane and crowded world of city commuting, a chance to actually enjoy riding, rather than treat it as a marginally less unpleasant alternative to the Underground. And arriving at a French hotel by bike marks you out as an individual, not just another tourist. Although the tiny wheels of a folder might raise the odd Gallic eyebrow. Anything to keep up the British reputation for eccentricity…

So, is touring on a folder a good idea?

Surprisingly enough, I’d have to say it is. Folding bikes tend to be a little slower and heavier, so I took that into account for planning. You will need to travel fairly light, as folders don’t cope well with mountains of luggage. And you should carry a few basic spares, as French bike shops may not stock unusual sizes of inner tubes.

There are many plus points, though. You can easily use any mode of transport – trains, trams, buses and taxis offer many chances to avoid boring or overly hilly stretches. And the bike itself will travel for free. There’s the inherent joy of using something that’s not really designed for what you’re doing. And there’s no messing about with disassembly or boxes, although you will need to bag the bike for Eurostar when you head back to the office for Monday morning.

But that’s hours away. And there’s just time for another glass…

Tony travelled by Eurostar with his Brompton, and stayed at the Prim’Hotel Bagatelle, Dizy.
A keen traveler, Tony blogs on travel sites and cycling fora.