Ok, so working the stupid hours I do has finally paid off. My firm has decided to send me on a client secondment to Toulouse for 6 months, starting mid-March.

I am in the process of getting a road bike together to take with me, and was hoping you guys could suggest:

a) a way to get my bike over there by courier (firm is paying) in one piece (firm won't pay for bike box); and

b) some awesome hilly rides in the South-Western corner of France, sort of within a couple of hours' drive from Toulouse as a starting point.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Thanks,