Starting March 2012, Louise will be cycling from Beijing to London, a 14,000km, 5 month cycling adventure. This expedition, organized by the French Cycle Touring Federation, will see 80 participants pedalling through China, Kirghizstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Moldavia, Bulgaria and so on all the way to London, via Paris.

Louise and Paul attended the kick-off meeting in Vichy, central France at the end of October where Louise met with her fellow participants, a great crowd of really enthusiastic cyclists. The French Cycle Touring Federation that boasts a membership in excess of 100,000 cyclists had it all laid out with incredible logistics that reassured even the most apprehensive cyclists.

After a busy week-end of information meetings and assignments, Louise and Paul hit the road on two wheels and went on to ride down south, across the Auvergne, Rhônes-Alpes, Provence and Côte d'Azur regions to Nice for the flight back. Although somewhat late in the season weather wise, riding in France remains "Total Bike Candy" as Paul and Louise call it. Fabulous and deserted country roads, good hard climbs and endless descents, smooth asphalt, respectful car drivers and... delightful food and wine. What else can a cyclist ask for? Well, sunshine on top of Mont Ventoux, cool weather to ride along the Gorges du Verdon, France's version of the Grand Canyon and 100 km/hr winds to experiment on top of Puy de Dôme. Vive la France !!

Complete photo album