what are you referring to when you say insurance, the extra i was talking about at bercy was if any damage or loss of items attached to the bike occurred, this cost me at bercy circa 20euro for around 3000 euro extra cover, hope this helps.
with reference to ease you could do tgv to Nice or avignon and bikes could go overnight to either destination, i think bike to avignon is 99euro and to nice is 120euro or thats what it was last year tgv would be cheap as well.
Thanks Lee (& Smogbob) yeah i tried to fill out insurance price on line to get an idea of total cost passenger bike & insurance but the web page was too complicated for my peanut brain so gave up, will decide to pay insurance at the station.
I'm going to put it to my mates, now i know a rough price I think we will give it a try.
Good to know its probably better to TGV down and get a cheap hotel rather than sleep on the overnight train.
My only concerns are how do you know where to collect the bikes & what if they fail to arrive