SKYPE:
MSN: Bill_F_Shaw@Hotmail.com e-mail Bill and contact number 00 33 67 20 94 354
The landlines and internet will be sorted round about the 21st of July. Between the 10th and the 21st expect some disruption.
Our new premises are at 24 Place De L'Angla, Valentine, 31280.
We have always enjoyed living as close as we could to the Pyrenees. When we realised that over 90% of our customers head straight for the mountains when they got in we thought maybe we should run the business close to the heart of the Pyrenees. The more we thought about this - the better idea it became. For a start unless you're heading due north form Toulouse - St Gaudens/Valentine is much more convenient - plus you get on mountain roads within 15 minutes of leaving the agency. No more dealing with a strange bike on one of Toulouse's busiest roads, no more dicing with annoyed french drivers or dealing with confusing road signs on the rush hour peripherique (ring road). For all those people who do intend to head south - there are some savings too. Consider that for a 400KM day the minimum is 125 euros, so you'll spend 30 euros on the 100KM to get from Toulouse to the Pyrenees (see map 1), Plus another 10 to 15 on petrol. Peage if you take it will cost 1.20 to 6 euros depending on the route you take. The rail fare costs 13 euros, the navette from airport to station costs 4!. Taking trains in France is easy and fun - by mid july we'll have some detailed instuctions on how to do it! We'll still deliver to Toulouse and other main centres, we'll pick you up and take you to Valentine- contact us for a quote, we'll always suggest the option most appropriate for your needs. See below for the map then read on.
We aim to do some other things out of Valentine - and that is ride with you a short distance. Partly to accustomise you to France, Partly as a friendly gesture - partly to get out of the agency for a little while. We have found that a nice rlaxed start to your trip makes al the difference - also - riding with the customers makes friends and that's what we like.....
Also - the prospect of 15 minutes easy ride to the heart of the French Pyrenees seemed to please all of our customers especially those who rode straight out of the shop onto one of Toulouse's busiest streets and then fought with the rather unforgiving traffic on the ring road. The majority of people who hire from us head straight for the Pyrenees - about 95% - so the savings we mentioned above are real. There are two roads worth riding between toulouse and the Pyrenees - the D3 and the road via Auterive to Foix (cutting via the St Girons-Tarascon section of the D618) - the rest of it is flat boring and/or motorway.
If you are thinking of starting your Motorcycle tour or rental in the Pyrenees we suggest the following:
Heading North from Toulouse - get a delivery, otherwise come to St Gaudens/Valentine or get us to pick you up.
Pau - consider delivery if you are heading in a westward direction, if your first stop is east/pyrenees take the train.
Carcassone - almost certainly delivery - fuel prices depending.
Tarbes Lourdes - go for a pick up to Valentine, and drop off at the airport.
Biarritz - take the train to St Gaudens - unless you are heading for North Eastern Spain.