S.O.S. or rather save our ride?

Writing this while trying to control my breathing . . . using a paperbag . . . it’s going to be okay, it’s going to be okay . . .

Just like that, it has gone up in a puff of smoke.

As many of you know, my wife and I are headed for our 30th anniversary to France and Italy. Within our trip we will pick up the Tour in Brioude and had bicycle reservations (made months ago) with a company called FBR (France Bike Rentals). The basic agreement, already with a confirmation number, was to have two bicycles delivered to an address in Brioude and picked up a few days later in Toulouse. Well, TODAY, I was informed by email that the specific bicycles we rented were damaged and cannot be replaced in the time frame we need them and all of our money is being reimbursed to me . . . sorry for the inconvenience and maybe you can find some bikes in a local bike shop.

Somewhere at this point, I blacked out.

Find a local bike shop? On the route? At the Tour de France?! Are you joking?!

Deeeeep breath

I do not believe for a minute that this was an unexpected event, uncontrolled and unfixable. A business as big as FBR cannot get two . . . TWO . . . TWOOOOOO replacement bicycles for someone who has had a reservation for months and is expected to arrive in country in four days? Yes, I know. The truth is that these unprofessional jackasses overbooked and decided to blah, blah, blah . . . here is your refund and so sorry. Unacceptable, but forced to swallow it.

I am asking for any advice or help. I am trying to think outside of the box. No, I cannot ship bicycles at this time, and I cannot take bicycles with me on the plane because of the hop flights we’ve already booked. This trip has been a dream of our for a long time and riding in France and seeing the Tour in person has been a dream of mine for yeeeeeaaaaaars. Again, we are four days away from leaving. I have no idea on what to do. I have begun a frantic search online.

I would truly appreciate any and all help.

Bon Vélo!