Bolivie à vélo
by Turbulette
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
De la paz au sud Lipez, en passant par le salar d'uyuni entre autre, à vélo (remontée par le bus ou le train) : en 3 semaines, courant 2008. Si vous avez déjà réalisez ce genre d'expérience, je suis toute ouïe pour écouter vos récits et conseils.
1000 mercis.
sandrine
"Fait de ta vie un rêve, et d'un rêve une réalité..." Antoine de St Exupéry
Je te conseil déjà de lire de récit de voyage à vélo en Bolivie, t'auras plein d'infos (au quelles on ne pense pas toujours) C'est comme ca que je prépare chaque voyage, je lis plein de récits trouvé sur le net.
Cherche simplement sous Google "récit vélo bolivie"
Attention au Sud Lipez, surtout si tu voyages seul, c'est une zone bien désertique pas très accueillante pour les vélo.
Aprés niveau itinéraire, t'as pas 36 routes pour rejoindre le sud Lipez depuis La Paz soit par Oruro, soit par Sajama (plus sympa) (ou par Cachabamba, mais la ca fait un big détour, et tu vas avoir pas mal de grimpette). Dans les 2 cas tu rejoins Uyuni, et de la tu continue vers Tupiza.
Les routes en orange, sont les routes bitumés, le reste c'est des pistes 🙂 (et des fois juste des pistes de sables pas praticable, faut pousser 😄)
Penser à rester quelques jours à La Paz avant de commencer, pour s'acclimater à l'altitude
Attention au Sud Lipez, surtout si tu voyages seul, c'est une zone bien désertique pas très accueillante pour les vélo.
Aprés niveau itinéraire, t'as pas 36 routes pour rejoindre le sud Lipez depuis La Paz soit par Oruro, soit par Sajama (plus sympa) (ou par Cachabamba, mais la ca fait un big détour, et tu vas avoir pas mal de grimpette). Dans les 2 cas tu rejoins Uyuni, et de la tu continue vers Tupiza.
Les routes en orange, sont les routes bitumés, le reste c'est des pistes 🙂 (et des fois juste des pistes de sables pas praticable, faut pousser 😄)
Penser à rester quelques jours à La Paz avant de commencer, pour s'acclimater à l'altitude
merci de tes conseils Simon ! C'est pire qu'un livre de chevet VF, tu ne râtes aucune discussion !! 😉
Je commence à tâter un peu le terrain; sûr, je ne partirai pas toute seule pour ce genre de périple, j'ai pas les coui... (c'est vrai en plus)😛; je regarde un peu la faisabilité, suivant le temps, le conditionnement à l'altitude (oui, je n'y avais pas pensé, mais on est à 4000m presque tout le temps qd mm !)... Je vais aller lire qq récits, tu as raison, rien de tel pour s'informer et prendre les bons tuyaux !
a+ et bon WE aux VFistes lyonnais (et pièces rapportées😉)
sandrine
"Fait de ta vie un rêve, et d'un rêve une réalité..." Antoine de St Exupéry
Bonjour,
Si tu veux une expérience supplémentaire, nous avons fait cette partie en famille en 2005.Plus exactement, après un tour en 4x4 dans le sud lipez, nous sommes remontés de Uyuni à La Paz. Je pense que c'est tout à fait faisable.A l'époque la partie Uyuni -Potosi était encore de la piste mais les choses évoluent vite...
Tu peux te plonger dans notre sîte pour plus de détails.
Bonne préparation de voyage.
Pierre
Bravo pour votre performance en famille !Il faut un certian courage pour affronter l'inconnu et l'aventure avec les enfants, mais quelle richesse vécue pour les enfants comme les adultes !!
Je me suis plonger dans votre site, et y pioche quelques infos très interessantes ! Merci du coup de main !
Bonne continuation à vous.
sandrine
"Fait de ta vie un rêve, et d'un rêve une réalité..." Antoine de St Exupéry
Bonjour Sandrine,
J'ai ce même projet pour l'été 2007. Je pars dimanche prochain pour Santiago du Chili. Je compte remonter en bus (et en sauts du puce) jusque San Pedro de Atacama et de là partir à vélo, passer le frontière bolivienne, traverser le sud-Lipez et le Salar d'Uyuni et remontrer jusque la région de Sajama pour repasser la frontère chilienne et visiter le parc national de Lauca. Apparemment, les pistes du sud-Lipez sont difficiles. Ce que je crains le plus, c'est le froid, l'isolement et la rareté des possibilités de ravitaillement. J'ai prévu de ramener de la nourriture lyophilisée pour une dizaine de jours d'autonomie, ça pèse moins lourd dans les sacoches que la nourriture achetée sur place ! Si tu veux, je te recontacterai à moin retour pour te raconter tout ça. Bon été à toi, Anne
J'ai ce même projet pour l'été 2007. Je pars dimanche prochain pour Santiago du Chili. Je compte remonter en bus (et en sauts du puce) jusque San Pedro de Atacama et de là partir à vélo, passer le frontière bolivienne, traverser le sud-Lipez et le Salar d'Uyuni et remontrer jusque la région de Sajama pour repasser la frontère chilienne et visiter le parc national de Lauca. Apparemment, les pistes du sud-Lipez sont difficiles. Ce que je crains le plus, c'est le froid, l'isolement et la rareté des possibilités de ravitaillement. J'ai prévu de ramener de la nourriture lyophilisée pour une dizaine de jours d'autonomie, ça pèse moins lourd dans les sacoches que la nourriture achetée sur place ! Si tu veux, je te recontacterai à moin retour pour te raconter tout ça. Bon été à toi, Anne
Anne
Ce que je crains le plus, c'est le froid, l'isolement et la rareté des possibilités de ravitaillement. J'ai prévu de ramener de la nourriture lyophilisée pour une dizaine de jours d'autonomie
Attention : lyophilisé = besoin d'eau Dans ces régions l'eau peut être rare par moment, renseignes toi avant et fais le plein avant de t'engager
Attention : lyophilisé = besoin d'eau Dans ces régions l'eau peut être rare par moment, renseignes toi avant et fais le plein avant de t'engager
Merci Simon pour tes conseils. Je sais que l'eau est rare et je pense porter une dizaine de litres réparties dans mes sacoches, et sinon, profiter des 4x4 pour me procurer du ravitaillement en eau.
Et puis, il y a apparemment quelques villages isolés...
Voilà, en route pour l'aventure et Inch'Allah !
Anne
Anne
Ouhaaa ! 10 litres en plus du matos et du vélo ! Tu vas t'enfoncer 😛
Euh... si tu vois un 4x4 passer quand t'es sur les pistes de sable, pense à faire du stop 🙂
J'avais fait comme ca sur 70km entre Sajama et Capoisa, j'en avais marre de pousser le vélo 😕 Le sable était trop mou pour rouler. Et j'ai profité de l'unique 4x4 qui passait à ce moment là...
Bonne route
Bonne route
Oui, je sais que ça risque d'être galère, et que je vais sans doute beaucoup pouser. J'ai poussé sur 45 km comme ça sur une piste dans l'Atlas au Maroc début mai. Je suis bien évidemment prête à stopper le premier 4x4 venu pour quelques km plus loin si c'est nécessaire.
Je suis en train de préparer mes sacoches, j'espérais ne pas dépasser 15 kg de matos, mais j'ai l'impression que je vais arriver à 20 ! Eh oui, entre la tente, même légère (1, 7kg), le matériel de couchage et surtout un bon duvet qui protège du froid jusqu'à -16 + sac en polaire, des vêtements thermiques, le plus light possible mais il faut bien prévoir plusieurs couches, et surtout des très bonnes chaussettes et gants (qui dit que les nanas ont toujours les pieds froids ?), le matériel photo, même light, les outils de réparation, + toutes les petites babioles bien utiles quand on est en autonomie, les petits ruisseaux finissent par faire de grandes rivières !
Au fait, est-il possible de traverser le salar dans le sens sud-nord sans se faire mouiller les roues (fin juillet-début août) ? et existe-t-il des traces ou un semblant de piste sur le salar ? Si tu as des infos là-dessus, je suis preneuse.
Merci pour tes conseils et tes encouragements !
Anne
Anne
Je t'ai fait un petit plan (il peut s'exporter sur Google Earth), n'utilises pas les points pour un GPS, je l'ai mis approximativement (mais j'ai les points exacte si tu en as besoin)
cliques ici : Itinéraire salar (clique sur carte satellite)
Je suis partie du village Lagunas (auberge, petit ravitaillement) qui se trouve au bord de la route juste au sud du parc de Sajama. Jour 1 : J'ai pris vers le sud (troncon 1) vers La Riviera, c'est des pistes du sable (un vrai labyrinthe) quasi tout du long, c'est la ou j'ai fait 70km en stop. Jour 2 : Direction le salar de Coipasa (troncon 2 et 3) en passant par le village de Sabaya (ravitaillement), mais un fois passer le village, je me suis un peu paumer et j'ai perdu le chemin qui permet d'entrer sur le salar. Il m'a fallu plusieurs heures (troncon 3) avant d'arriver sur le sel dur. J'étais sur un mélange de terre molle, de boue et de sel ou on s'enfonce (voir photo sur mon site) Jour 3 : J'ai traversé le salar de Coipasa (troncon 4) en contournant une grande nappe d'eau jusqu'au village de Luca. Jour 4 : Direction Jiria (troncon 5) en passant par Mendoza Jour 5 : Traversé du salar (troncon6) de Uyunis (pas eu d'eau en aout) jusqu'à l'ile Inca Huasi (refuge et resto) Jour 6 : Traversé du salar (troncon 7) jusqu'à Uyuni en passant par Calchani.
Troncon 1 : piste de sable (galère) Troncon 2 : piste Troncon 3 : terrain mixte, sel, boue, rivière, tere, bosse (super galère, mais je me suis perdu) Troncon 4 : sel (pas de piste) décor blanc !!! Troncon 5 : piste Troncon 6 : sel (pas de piste) décor blanc !!! Troncon 7 : sel avec trace à suivre puis piste de sable
Pour les troncons 2 et 5, il y a 2 facons de s'orienter facilement. le GPS bien sur les montagnes (dans le sens nord sud en tt cas). Les 2 fois ou je suis rentré sur un salar, les Boliviens m'ont indiqué un sommet (volcan) à suivre des yeux et aller en direction de celui ci. Et les 2 fois je suis tombé pile-poile sur la piste à l'autre bout.
Les auberges et ravitaillements, c'est ceux dont je suis sur, mais dans ce coin, j'ai aussi dormi et mangé chez l'habitant. Y a pas grand monde qui passe par la bas, on est plutôt bien accueilli
Récit et photos sur : www.andes.dubuis.net
cliques ici : Itinéraire salar (clique sur carte satellite)
Je suis partie du village Lagunas (auberge, petit ravitaillement) qui se trouve au bord de la route juste au sud du parc de Sajama. Jour 1 : J'ai pris vers le sud (troncon 1) vers La Riviera, c'est des pistes du sable (un vrai labyrinthe) quasi tout du long, c'est la ou j'ai fait 70km en stop. Jour 2 : Direction le salar de Coipasa (troncon 2 et 3) en passant par le village de Sabaya (ravitaillement), mais un fois passer le village, je me suis un peu paumer et j'ai perdu le chemin qui permet d'entrer sur le salar. Il m'a fallu plusieurs heures (troncon 3) avant d'arriver sur le sel dur. J'étais sur un mélange de terre molle, de boue et de sel ou on s'enfonce (voir photo sur mon site) Jour 3 : J'ai traversé le salar de Coipasa (troncon 4) en contournant une grande nappe d'eau jusqu'au village de Luca. Jour 4 : Direction Jiria (troncon 5) en passant par Mendoza Jour 5 : Traversé du salar (troncon6) de Uyunis (pas eu d'eau en aout) jusqu'à l'ile Inca Huasi (refuge et resto) Jour 6 : Traversé du salar (troncon 7) jusqu'à Uyuni en passant par Calchani.
Troncon 1 : piste de sable (galère) Troncon 2 : piste Troncon 3 : terrain mixte, sel, boue, rivière, tere, bosse (super galère, mais je me suis perdu) Troncon 4 : sel (pas de piste) décor blanc !!! Troncon 5 : piste Troncon 6 : sel (pas de piste) décor blanc !!! Troncon 7 : sel avec trace à suivre puis piste de sable
Pour les troncons 2 et 5, il y a 2 facons de s'orienter facilement. le GPS bien sur les montagnes (dans le sens nord sud en tt cas). Les 2 fois ou je suis rentré sur un salar, les Boliviens m'ont indiqué un sommet (volcan) à suivre des yeux et aller en direction de celui ci. Et les 2 fois je suis tombé pile-poile sur la piste à l'autre bout.
Les auberges et ravitaillements, c'est ceux dont je suis sur, mais dans ce coin, j'ai aussi dormi et mangé chez l'habitant. Y a pas grand monde qui passe par la bas, on est plutôt bien accueilli
Récit et photos sur : www.andes.dubuis.net
Je viens de regarder ton petit plan, qui correspond à peu près à l'itinéraire que je veux suivre, mais dans l'autre sens (sud-nord). Merci, je pense qu'il me sera précieux. J'avais effectivement l'impression que le tronçon Salar d'Uyuni-Salar de Coipasa serait le plus difficile. Je voyage sans GPS mais avec une bonne boussole hémisphère sud et un radar entre les deux yeux ! J'ai aussi trouvé des cartes (d'aviation) au 250 000ème de ces secteurs et elles sont plutôt bien faites.
Entretemps, j'ai été sur ton site et je me suis imprimé ton récit sur la Bolivie que je vais lire tranquillement ce soir.
Je ne cherche pas à faire un exploit, seulement à pédaler (ou à pousser) dans des paysages qui me font rêver et j'intègre le fait de pouvoir faire demi-tour ou faire du stop, si je galère trop.
Bonne route à toi en Islande, autre pays qui doit être superbe !
Anne
Anne
Log in first, then come back to this page.
You might also like
Entre Argentine et BolivieFR
Deux mois en Bolivie... un rêve devenu réalitéFR
Une traversée à vélo du salar d'Uyuni et du Sud LipezFR
Un mois Pérou et BolivieFR
Un mois dingue en Bolivie et au PérouFR
A Bold Combo: Southern Peru, Bolivia, and Northern Chile
Bolivia: Exploring the South Lipez by Self-Drive
Bolivia: Beyond the Illusions, the Disaster
More discussions
Bonjour qui peut me conseiller un trajet à vélo de Vienne Isère jusqu"en Sicile et qu'elle est la meilleur période.
Merci
https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr/
https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr/
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.


I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone! I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience: I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore. Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
Hello everyone! I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience: I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore. Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
Hi there,
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?
Nath
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?
Nath
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.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
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.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Heinz Stucke has passed away.
He never stopped traveling the world since 1962.
So sad.
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
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
claudio

the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio

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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks for your feedback!
Hi there,
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’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
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.
Can you take an electric bike on trains in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland?
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!
Hi everyone,
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
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
Coming soon:
https://www.Biclou.com/parcours/durance/
Starting from Faverges: 900 km over 9 days

Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon

Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon

Hi there,
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?
Thanks in advance
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?
Thanks in advance
Hi there!
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
S.
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
S.
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.
Hi, I'm looking for a Pino tandem bike for sale in Quebec and I can't find any. Does anyone have any info, please? Thanks a bunch!
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.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
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.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
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
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!
hey everyone,
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?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
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?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
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!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
A shout-out to a cycling colleague from Savoie
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...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php

The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php

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...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php


The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php
