Je possede un vieux velo hollandais des années 60, 1 vitesse avec lequel j'ai fait des trajets de 4/5 jours a chaque fois et a peu pres 250 a 300 km dans les 2 cas. J'ai une condirion physique que je qulifierai de moyenne mais un mental a tout epreuve!
Je prevois cette fois de partir d'allemagne, pres de dortmund, pour environ 500km vers la France.
J'ai deja campé en novembre en belgique et j'ai eu froid mais c'etait supportable.
- Est il possible de camper en plein hiver avec une simple tente, ( pas speciale grand froid ou je ne sais quoi)?
- Si oui, quel sont les rudiments a observer et faut il un sac de couchage de tres bonne qualité ou un "moyen " suffirait?
- Je ne veux pas trop me charger alors d'apres vous, pouvez vous emmunerez ce qu'il me faut imperativement pour 10 j de velo environ (je compte faire des etapes de 50km a peu pres, pas trop longues donc).
Surtout, a partir de quand est ce risquer de dormir dehors? est t il possible de prendre quelque "marges" avec cela? Je ne compte pas camper chaque nuit mais peut etre 1/2 des nuits du trajet
Je ne pratique pas le camping hivernal mais j'ai un ami qui campe régulièrement en février.
Il faut un minimum de matériel, l'indispensable comprend:
- un matelas pneumatique d'une épaisseur mini de 7 cm pour isoler du sol gelé, le must c'est le "Synmat dlx 7" d'Exped avec un floquage intérieur en duvet.
- un sac de couchage avec une température confort mini de -10°
- un réchaud à combustible liquide, à basse température les réchauds à gaz ne fonctionnent plus.
- une bâche en plastique pour le sol.
Bien équipé tu peut camper toutes les nuits et amortir l'équipement coûteux.
Merci pour cette reponse tres complete, mais je dois vous preciser que je suis tres peu "argenté" et que le dit tapis de sol gonflable coute (apres verification) 118 euros. je prefere me les cailler sans deboursser cette somme, avec juste un simple tapis de sol plastique bleu (type....été!)+couverture de survie+sac de couchage confort 0°+ cagoule integrale et des damart sec+ vetements propres sur moi, dans une tente dite "machapuchare " de go sport...
Est t il risqué pour moi de dormir dans ces conditions sachant que les temperatures ne devrait- a priori- tt de meme pas passer sous les - 15° en fin de nuit? Autre question, puis-je totalement fermer la tente sans risque de debut d'asphyxie? Puis je me recouvrir le visage avec le sac sans ce meme risque, lors de mon dernier camping j'hesiter a me recouvrir totalement le visage car j'avais un peu peur de m'ettoufer...enfin, ne dis t on pas qu'il n'y a pas de questions idiotes?
Merci d'avance.
Tes risques sont assez limités. Soit tu auras bien froid (il ne pleut pas), soit tu choperas la crève (il ne pleut pas beaucoup), soit tu choperas la pneumonie (il pleut trois soirs d'affilée), soit tu mourras de froid (il fait vraiment froid). Le conseil de l'intervenant précédent était fort bien documenté.
Sans blagues, non. Tu ne peux pas camper en hiver avec de l'équipement d'été. C'est pour ça que l'équipement d'hiver existe. Par contre, tu pourrais dormir en couchsurfing, en squat, dans le métro, dans les églises, les gares, demander aux gens, etc.
Voilà mon opinion, celle de quelqu'un qui a campé à l'automne avec du matos d'été, qui a chopé la pluie glacée trois soirs de suite (même l'équipement imperméable prend l'eau après trois journées à se ballotter mouillé dans une sacoche), qui a ensuite ignoré les symptômes, pour terminer avec un mois au lit aux sueurs froides à se tousser les bronches et à cracher du sang.
Bon voyage !
É.
Et il poursuivit sa route
Celle que voulait sa monture
Car en cela consistait
L'essence de l'aventure
— Cervantes
En effet je cherchais deja à dormir en couchsurfing la plupart du temps, mais je me disais que une nuit ou deux à la fraiche, ca serait un peu rigolo! apparrement c'est pas si rigolo que ca et c'est vrai que si j'y passe, je peux postuler (post mortem) pour les darwin award sans problemes!
Salut Zemarcio,
Je suis de Metz, j'e, n profite pour rebondir sur la mort qui suivrait un trip à 0°C ou moins entre Dortmund et Metz.
Avec le climat du moment, fais l'essai de camper...sous le "pont des morts" ( pour information des non messins, cest le nom d'un pont du secteur messin).
Tu oublies aussi les auberges de jeunesse bien accueillantes surtout pour les voyageurs.
Mauvaise blague mise à part, mon expérience est celle ci.
En Sardaigne en avril 2004, j'ai dormi sur un matelas pneumatique+duvet 5°C dans un parking souterrain, avec températeure minimale la nuit de 8°C eh bien ca gâte la qualité du sommeil et de ce fait la joie ( et la forme physique) du jour qui suit.
Bedoo de Metz
On dit que les voyages forment la jeunesse mais heureusement pas qu'elle!
température 13 °C
une couette légère
un matelas bien isolant
un haut en polaire+ un slip
au cours de la nuit je suis réveillé par mes jambes qui tremblent de manière automatique hors de contrôle de la volonté.
j'ai ajouté des chaussettes en polaire + un bas en polaire + un 2-ième haut en polaire
il m'a fallu 10 mn pour ne plus avoir de sensation glacée
et
me rendormir
il ne faisait que 13 °C
peut-être si tu trouves un de ces matelas de plage gonflable pour aller sur l'eau
c'est pas cher, léger, épais et c'est un minimum
attention à bien nettoyer ton sol de chambre pour éviter les crevaisons
sinon si tu prends un duvet Decathlon S0 Ultra-light, 60 Euro, température de confort 0°C à -5 °C + chaussette, bas, haut le tout en polartec 300
ça devrait être jouable
mais
va voir le site
http://www.randonner-leger.org/
tu vas trouver des gens qui font de la randonnée avec très peu de matériel dans des conditions hivernales
il y a un forum où tu peux soumettre tes questions
mais n'oublies pas ce que dit Mc Comber
soit prudent dans tes choix
Attention si tu passes par le nord ( la Belgique ) le danger n'est pas le froid mais les loups.
Il doit rester quelques ours aussi.
Donc pense a la tente blindée
Folie pure , inconscience ou envie suicidaire ?
Modifie ton pseudo "zemarcoo" en "MASO" (à moins qu'il soit déjà pris...)
Réfléchis un court instant, ...et suis l'avis de McComber et d'autres qui ont connu les difficultés !... Tu ne prends que des risques... de santé avant tout !!! et tu n'en tireras aucun plaisir, les journées sont bien trop courtes...! L'hiver peut être doux ou rude, court ou long ... vois cette année !!! Possible que tu tiennes le coup, mais qu'en ramèneras-tu ? Si finalement tu t'entêtais, personne ne pourra t'en empêcher, ...
Un conseil toutefois : sois accompagné, le survivant désignera l'endroit où le second doit être secouru... s'il arrive à temps ! God save you !
Ah ah pas mal le coup des loups et des ours, y a aussi des "phacomochères" non? c'est comme des phacochères mais en plus gros...bref...
Non c'est pas de l'inconscience puisque je vous demande votre avis et que je ne le ferais pas puisque ca parait pas top dans ces conditions, a vrai dire je trouverai ca meme un peu irrespecteux envers les personnes qui subissent cela en plein hiver dans nos villes pour en faire moi un acte "heroique"...je voulais juste me faire une idée, et vous m'y avez aider, merci de vos reponses!
Il faut du materiel adequat bien entendu, je me demandais juste de quel "marge" on beneficiait vis a vis de ce materiel "optimum". il s'avere que je dormirais en couchsurfing ou ailleurs et ce sera tres bien.
Je prépare un voyage à vélo pour faire le tour de la Baltique à vélo (gravel). Départ de Rostock. Je suis preneur de toute information venant de cycliste ayant…
On part dans une semaine faire le tour de Constance à vélo Connaissez vous un parking même payant pour laisser la voiture. Si vous avez des hôtels aussi à me…
Je viens de réaliser le tour du lac à vélo en 5 ou 6 jours. C'est un parcours à réaliser sans hésiter lorsque l'on apprécie les randonnées cyclistes en…
Si vous voulez vous évader quelques minutes, regardez une petite vidéo (12') de notre tour du Lac de Constance (vélo droit + vélo couché). Une première…
Nous envisageons un petit périple à vélo, mais ne disposons que d'une petite semaine. On avait prévu d'aller de Bâle au lac de Constance, mais pensez-vous…
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
Hello,
Has anyone here had experience using a gas stove in Sardinia and Sicily? I’m wondering if screw-on gas canisters (not the blue Campingaz ones, but brands like Coleman, Primus, etc.) are easy to find.
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hi there, we’re planning a Munich to Venice bike trip at the end of June 2026. Getting back from Venice to Toulouse by train with 4 bikes isn’t straightforward. What return options have others who’ve done this trip chosen? Any tips or great deals would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch! !
Hi everyone,
Happy owner of a Pegasus Estremo bike with a Rohloff hub, which is giving me trouble with the SF11-NCX-FT-E-LITE 700C TS 300/0 fork (serial number TD01329060). It’s starting to show its age, and I’d like to repair it to extend the life of my beloved bike.
The suspension is gone, and there’s an oil leak from the seals.
Does anyone know how to repair it? Where can I find parts that are about fifteen years old? Or where to find an identical replacement fork? Just to clarify, the Magura HS11 brakes are mounted using Firm Tech, meaning they’re on pivots behind the fork, facing the frame.
Hi, I'd like to know if anyone has done this route recently or has reliable info.
Does the track exist, and most importantly, is there sand (for biking)?
Any info is welcome.
Cheers,
diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena
vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
Hi there,
New to bike touring,
I’d love to start with a section of the Via Rhona to explore and share (route to be decided).
Looking forward to exchanging tips!
I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
A big thank you to Lazarou for all the info you share in this forum!
I'm passionate about Morocco, which I cycled through back in 2009.
Last year, my wife and I explored the High Atlas by tandem. Completely smitten, we're heading back in April (Anti Atlas) and May (High and Middle Atlas), still on our tandem.
Do you have any info on the track between Amezri and Ali Ait Nito? Are the river crossings in the Tessaout still there? It's not easy to navigate with a loaded tandem... especially if the river level is high due to this year's heavy snowmelt!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes
Here are his travels
Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné
Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way
Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place
Rural and quite peaceful
A road cycling route created by Serge B...
First of all... happy New Year! Wishing you great roads in 2017!
I’ve been traveling for a few years now with a high-quality mountain bike, but it’s equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. I live (pedal) with the constant worry of a breakdown (leak, air bubble, heat causing the fluid to...). My bike mechanic tells me it’s impossible to switch them out for V-brakes.
What do you all think? Am I taking a big risk continuing (alone) with these brakes? Thanks in advance for your great tips!
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025.
It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border.
We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure!
Thanks in advance.
Hi, has anyone recently bought Primus or Butagaz gas, possibly puncture-style, in Dubrovnik or the surrounding area? Same question for Albania... thanks. aichatou
