Recherche de chaussures mixtes vélo/randonnée
by Pierrehic
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour
Je souhaite installer des pétales mixtes sur mon trek 920 (pénales plates/spd). J'utilise mon velo pour des rando vélo à la journée et des voyages de quelques semaines par an. Je recherche donc des chaussures vit, compatibles spd, et me permettant de marcher un peu avec (ville ou rando légère en montagne). J'ai eu l'occasion de tester une vieille paire mais la cale ressortait énormément à mon goût et cela gênait pour la marche. Je sais bien entendu qu'aucune paire ne sera mieux qu'une paire de randonnée, mais si vous avez des chaussures où la cale n'est pas trop gênante, je suis preneur... Je profite également de ce post pour savoir ce que vous pourriez me conseiller en terme de pédalez mixtes. J'ai vu que Look sortait un modèle Geotrakker qui a l'air pas mal, qu'en pensez vous ? Merci pour vos avis.
Quand vous doublez un cycliste, laissez-lui toujours la place pour tomber...
pour préserver la compatibilité entre mes différents vélos et mes différentes chaussures, je n'ai que des pédales mixtes SPD. Je n'en ai pas essayé d'autres, donc pas d'avis sur ce point.
Pour les chaussures, j'ai essayé 2 paires de Shimano, l'une à tige basse, l'autre à tige semi-montante et semelle Vibram. Dans les 2 cas, j'ai abandonné : forme pas adaptée à mon pied, c'était très inconfortable pour moi (trop étroit au niveau de l'articulation pied/doigts, ou pression sur le tendon d'Achille) . Par contre, pour ceux qui ont des pieds Shimano-compatible, ce sont de bonnes chaussures polyvalentes.
Je suis par contre très bien dans les chaussures cyclo "touring - all terrain" de Northwave, que ce soit sur longue durée à vélo ou lors de randos pédestres à la journée au cours d'un voyage.
Pour les chaussures, j'ai essayé 2 paires de Shimano, l'une à tige basse, l'autre à tige semi-montante et semelle Vibram. Dans les 2 cas, j'ai abandonné : forme pas adaptée à mon pied, c'était très inconfortable pour moi (trop étroit au niveau de l'articulation pied/doigts, ou pression sur le tendon d'Achille) . Par contre, pour ceux qui ont des pieds Shimano-compatible, ce sont de bonnes chaussures polyvalentes.
Je suis par contre très bien dans les chaussures cyclo "touring - all terrain" de Northwave, que ce soit sur longue durée à vélo ou lors de randos pédestres à la journée au cours d'un voyage.
Malheureusement personne ne pourra sérieusement te conseiller pour la simple et bonne raison que chaque pied est différent et qu'a part les essayer en magasin il n'y pas d'autre solution.
claudio a des shimanos
http://cbandiera.free.fr/matos/dep-fiche?N=156
même pas réussi à les péter en 20.000 km en effet même pédales sur mes 5 bicyclettes de la famille des fannies sisters
claudio
http://cbandiera.free.fr/matos/dep-fiche?N=156
même pas réussi à les péter en 20.000 km en effet même pédales sur mes 5 bicyclettes de la famille des fannies sisters
claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Des Shimano estampillées Scott ?
Pour répondre à la question, j'ai eu pendant plusieurs années la même chose que toi, des pédales Shimano mixtes (A530 me semble-t-il) parce que je pensais que ce type de pédales était très performant des 2 côtés (vélo utilisé aussi pour aller au travail en tenue de ville), mais à l'usage (deux années) le côté pédale plate ne m'a jamais semblé être aussi efficace qu'une vraie pédale plate, ça glisse en cas de pluie avec des chaussures de ville, et c'est peu large. De plus, c'est gonflant une fois sur deux de devoir retourner la pédale parce qu'on veut chausser avec chaussures auto et qu'on est sur le côté plat ou l'inverse. Pour les détails du matériel, j'avais avec ces pédales spd/plates des chaussures Mavic cyclotour qui ne se font plus et qui permettaient de marcher un peu dans la rue ou en intérieur sans problème (cales qui ne dépassent pas) mais que je n'aurais pas mis pour une rando (semelles efficaces donc rigides). Je prenais une seconde paire, très légère, pour l'étape.
Depuis 3 ans, j'ai pour rouler en voyage à vélo les chaussures de vélos de route décathlon que je mets pour les sorties de vélo de route. Elles ont plusieurs années (le modèle 7 ou 700, qui ne se fait plus) et je les utilise avec cales et pédales Time Xpresso 2 (efficaces et qui tolèrent une liberté angulaire mais pas faites pour marcher). Pour l'étape, pour marcher ou autres, j'ai forcément d'autres chaussures, très légères, les New Balance MX, vendues pour le "cross fit" mais que hors voyage je mets sans problème pour courir sur goudron et dans les collines.
Bref, pour moi, lors des voyages à vélo, de vraies chaussures de vélo légères, rigides et performantes qui ne savent faire que ça mais très bien et une autre paire pour tout le reste est une combinaison qui m'apporte plus d'avantages que d'autres, notamment les pédales mixtes.
Pour répondre à la question, j'ai eu pendant plusieurs années la même chose que toi, des pédales Shimano mixtes (A530 me semble-t-il) parce que je pensais que ce type de pédales était très performant des 2 côtés (vélo utilisé aussi pour aller au travail en tenue de ville), mais à l'usage (deux années) le côté pédale plate ne m'a jamais semblé être aussi efficace qu'une vraie pédale plate, ça glisse en cas de pluie avec des chaussures de ville, et c'est peu large. De plus, c'est gonflant une fois sur deux de devoir retourner la pédale parce qu'on veut chausser avec chaussures auto et qu'on est sur le côté plat ou l'inverse. Pour les détails du matériel, j'avais avec ces pédales spd/plates des chaussures Mavic cyclotour qui ne se font plus et qui permettaient de marcher un peu dans la rue ou en intérieur sans problème (cales qui ne dépassent pas) mais que je n'aurais pas mis pour une rando (semelles efficaces donc rigides). Je prenais une seconde paire, très légère, pour l'étape.
Depuis 3 ans, j'ai pour rouler en voyage à vélo les chaussures de vélos de route décathlon que je mets pour les sorties de vélo de route. Elles ont plusieurs années (le modèle 7 ou 700, qui ne se fait plus) et je les utilise avec cales et pédales Time Xpresso 2 (efficaces et qui tolèrent une liberté angulaire mais pas faites pour marcher). Pour l'étape, pour marcher ou autres, j'ai forcément d'autres chaussures, très légères, les New Balance MX, vendues pour le "cross fit" mais que hors voyage je mets sans problème pour courir sur goudron et dans les collines.
Bref, pour moi, lors des voyages à vélo, de vraies chaussures de vélo légères, rigides et performantes qui ne savent faire que ça mais très bien et une autre paire pour tout le reste est une combinaison qui m'apporte plus d'avantages que d'autres, notamment les pédales mixtes.
Pas de deuxième vague en Europe : https://tinyurl.com/y5ytqzej
godasses SCOTT Systeme pédales shimano
un qui suit : bravo !
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Oui effectivement, les chaussures étaient des SCOTT et les cales des SPD.
Je comprends l'idée que chaque pied à sa morphologie et que c'est en essayant qu'on peut se faire un avis. Néanmoins, je cherche à avoir un avis sur des marques/modèles qui pourraient correspondre à une utilisation vélo, avec la possibilité de mettre des cales qui ne dépasseraient pas trop ! Merci pour vos avis en tout cas...
Quand vous doublez un cycliste, laissez-lui toujours la place pour tomber...
Il y a aussi la possibilité de garder, ce que j’appellerais le bouchon, qui est fourni d'origine, pour le remettre en place pour faire de la rando à pied, pour ne pas être gêné par la cale lors de la marche et par la même éviter d’abîmer celle-ci.
Bien-sûr cela implique des manipulations supplémentaires, mais peut apporter du confort sur de longues marches.
pour ne pas avoir une cale qui dépasse, je pense que tu peux éliminer tous les modèle prévu pour route et vtt cross country et t'orienter sur les modèles promenade a vélo, où tu trouveras souvent des semelles souple, bien pour la marche mais moins efficace au pédalage, ou alors des modèles plus orienté all mountain et enduro avec une semelle plus rigide.
pour ne pas avoir une cale qui dépasse, je pense que tu peux éliminer tous les modèle prévu pour route et vtt cross country et t'orienter sur les modèles promenade a vélo, où tu trouveras souvent des semelles souple, bien pour la marche mais moins efficace au pédalage, ou alors des modèles plus orienté all mountain et enduro avec une semelle plus rigide.
Bonjour
Je possède des chaussures VTT NorthWay avec l'insert Shimano, elles sont pour les pieds larges. Question marche elles sont agréables sur un terrain meuble par contre sur le goudron ça gratte un peu, si c'est pour faire les courses ça va, pour visiter un village faudrait retirer les cales🙂J'ai rajouté la "cale-pédale" Shimano qui fait office de pédale plate, en ville ça permet de ne pas mettre le chaussage automatique, mais bon c'est personnel.....
Je possède des chaussures VTT NorthWay avec l'insert Shimano, elles sont pour les pieds larges. Question marche elles sont agréables sur un terrain meuble par contre sur le goudron ça gratte un peu, si c'est pour faire les courses ça va, pour visiter un village faudrait retirer les cales🙂J'ai rajouté la "cale-pédale" Shimano qui fait office de pédale plate, en ville ça permet de ne pas mettre le chaussage automatique, mais bon c'est personnel.....
chaussures VTT NorthWay (...) elles sont pour les pieds larges.
je confirme : je n'avais pas précisé dans mon message, j'ai des pieds relativement larges. Et comme vous, je suis bien dans les chaussures de cette marque. Petit détail : c'est Northwave , qui, comme son nom ne l'indique pas, est une marque italienne
je confirme : je n'avais pas précisé dans mon message, j'ai des pieds relativement larges. Et comme vous, je suis bien dans les chaussures de cette marque. Petit détail : c'est Northwave , qui, comme son nom ne l'indique pas, est une marque italienne
Salut
Après moults recherches et avis, je pense avoir fait mon choix: pédalez Time Link et chaussures Northwave spider plus 2 que j'ai pu voir en magasin. J'ai fait le choix d'une paire de chaussures relativement rigide pour privilégier le velo. Avec des pédales mixtes, une paire plus souple pour randonner et pédaler sera envisageable. Merci pour vos avis
Quand vous doublez un cycliste, laissez-lui toujours la place pour tomber...
Y'a un truc que je ne dois pas piger...
Je suis habitué aux cales look
J'ai voulu essayer sur mon vélo de rando des spd pour pouvoir marcher plus facilement, et j'ai acheté avec des Northwave, pas le même modèle, mais le même type de semelle.
J'ai fait une sortie avec je nais pas pu rouler avec. Les cales étant "noyées" dans la semelle, et vu qu'il n'y a pas les ouvertures longitudinales ou "rails" qu'on retrouve sur pas mal de chaussures de VTT de part et d'autre des cales (comme sur l'image jointe), clipper les chaussures était difficile et imposait que les cales soient au plus reculées dans la semelle, ce qui n'allait pas du tout.
Je ne sais pas si je très suis clair dans mon propos, mais j'aimerais comprendre ce que je devais faire mal...?
Oui c'est un peu confus
Mes chaussures sont comme les tiennent, avec dessous une cavité rectangulaire dans laquelle se fixe la cale.
Les cales spd étant noyées dans la semelle contrairement aux look, pour les clipser sur la pédale il faut que la semelle de la chaussure soit ouverte sur l'avant, ce qui n'est pas le cas sur ces Northwave, ce qui m'a obligé à reculer les cales au max dans la cavité, décalant complètement le point d'appui sur la pédale vers l'arrière.
Avec des semelles ouvertes devant (comme sur la photo que j'ai jointe), la semelle ne fait plus obstacle au clip de la pédale quand on vient l'enclencher (puisqu'on présente d'abord l'avant de la chaussure pour clipser la pédale)
Avec des semelles ouvertes devant (comme sur la photo que j'ai jointe), la semelle ne fait plus obstacle au clip de la pédale quand on vient l'enclencher (puisqu'on présente d'abord l'avant de la chaussure pour clipser la pédale)
Je me sens tout bête 😊...pourquoi faire simple quand on peut faire compliqué, j'ai toujours chaussé en glissant d'avant en arrière avec les look du coup je ne me suis même pas posé la question 😎
Merci
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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.


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

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!

