Day One

For a change this year's trip took off with a train or two. I don't like flying or the stress of preparing the bike and my kit for an outward flight - especially at 5.30am. So, instead, of the jet setting, I tested the capabilities of rail travel to see how I'd get by with an assembled bike.
After wads of research involving the labyrinth-like bowels of the SNCF website - in French - I came upon a hidden world of possibilities. You have to avoid TGV and head, instead, onto the Intercitie, Corail and TER services to see what is available for assembled steeds. I discovered that there is an overnight train to the French Alps - one takes assembled bikes. Eurostar itself is straightforward and has options for the bike. Once you have ascertained what you want to do, call Rail Europe - SNCF's UK offshoot - and book over the phone as the bike option is not available online. They'll process both the Eurostar and SNCF tickets.

Having paid £36 for the fare, £25 for the bike for Eurostar, then £25 + £10 for the overnight train, the cost beat the air trip.


And so...
Took the 16.22 from St. Pancras and arrived at the Gare du Nord at 20.00. Once through the gateline, we picked up the bikes after a walk to the Geoparts baggage depot in the Gare du Nord, right back out at the end of the westernmost platform where the Eurostar services operate. If you are also leaping on the charabanc of l'aventure, take the side exit by Geoparts onto Rue de Alsace to head north a short way onto Lafayette where you'll find a bike lane heading east taking you over a bridge stretching over the lines in and out of Gare Du Nord. Follow this lane until you reach the Canal St. Martin then head south on the east bank. This cyclepath will take you all the way to the Seine, where another path delivers you to Gare d'Austerlitz in plenty if time for the 22.27 to Annecy. 

The train has no bar/food so stock up at a Monoplus minimarche just down Boulevard de l'Hopital.
Boarding the train was all very relaxed with the bonus that the six berth cabin just had me and booked in; the bikes were right nextdoor. We travelled on a Wednesday evening so off-peak is worth considering.