DIY European hols w'out extras but WITH a good hired bike?

[roamingrod]

Does anyone know of European places where one can hire a reasonable or even a good bike ? Have used Max Hurtzler in both Majorca and Mayerhofen Austria. Have read of bike hols all inclusive for £800-900 a week; and I know the coy has to make a profit but those prices are often without flight or crucially a bike. Although we are not serious enough to take own bikes, neither are we 'soft' enough to want luggage moved from place to place. ( In Greece -what luggage I ask ?.) Day use - as for the split locations of Max H. in Majorca - failing touring, would suffice..

[Vorpal]

What is a 'good' bike? I think reasonable hire bikes are available in most countries, though, I expect you'd be hard pressed to find a place to hire a bike in many rural villages.

Hotels that I've stayed at in Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands all had bikes, either for hire for a minimal fee, or completely free for the use of their guests. They were mostly town bike type things, upright, 3 speed and a bit heavy, but they were absolutely fine for days out. Touring bike hire is usually only possible in cities, though I've also seen it sometimes on popular cycling routes.

Some friends of mine from the USA hired bikes from http://www.icycleholland.com/ a few weeks ago. If you want to go somewhere else, others on here might have specific recommendations. Otherwise, google 'rent touring bicycle' with your destination country / city. Or substitute your preferred type of bicycle.

[whoof]

I have also used Max Hurzeler in Majorca, these are mainly racing bikes, mountain bikes or a 'sports' (hybrid) bike.


You can hire such bikes widely in the French Alps and then stay a few days at one location do some day rides in the area before returning the bike and moving somewhere else.
http://www.freewheelingfrance.com/bike- ... alpes.html


There is a however downside, the cost of a day's hire in the Alps (42 - 87 Euros)

http://www.cyclesetsports.com/fr/479-location-velo

is getting close to the rent for a week in Majorca (75 - 90 Euro).

http://www.huerzeler.com/en/rental-bicycles/

[andymiller]

The best bet is to look for places that are cycling destinations - like Majorca. In Italy for example there's the Dolomites or the Lago di Garda - for example. If you have a particular place in mind then use Google Maps and search for "bike hire" plus the name of the place you're interested in - even better if you know the term in the language of the country you're interested in. Good hire shops will have a website with all of the information you need.