bonjour a tous les humains, bonjour aux autres especes qui font comme elles peuvent!
j'envisage modestement de faire une semaine de vtt dans le massif central seul et en autonomie relative.
c'est a dire de quoi campter et manger. qaund je dis relative c'est parce qu'entre un bon resto le soir et mon rechaud, je choisirais toujours le bon resto, car apres une journée de vélo, c'est bon.
donc le rechaud, c'est pour au cas ou , vraiment au cas ou, si je ne le sors pas tant mieux.
Mon probleme, si si j'en ai un et meme plusieurs. enfin, il y en a dont je ne parle qu'avec ma psy et je n'exposerais ici qu'un probleme en particulier, celui de mon intineraire et de mon retour.
qu'auriez vous , humains qui auraient fait tout ou partie de ce trajet, mythique, bilbique, fantastique, magique, a me proposer comme trajet, pour un vttiste modeste et chargé de sacoches, qui puissent m'amener a une gare et me ramener au depart par le train.
je remercie d'avance toute personne qui me proposerait de regarder d'abord les discussions avant de poser ma question et c'est fait et ma question subsiste. Désole mais j'ai lu tout les sujets sur la "GTMC" est ça reste toujours flou sur les trains et retour.
De plus je ne souhaite pas partir de clermon ferrand, je ne veux pas faire le trajet en entier, pas le temps, mais plutot les zones sauvages, causses, lozere etc...
voila, si quelqu'un qui connait bien ce trajet a une information a me donner, je suis preneur.
je commence a rouler le 22 ou 23 juillet, je commence cool et j'attaque plus severe ensuite, comme a mon habitude.
je dois finir le 29 juillet et remonter dans ma poubelle.
bon été a tout les humains et haine profonde aux possesseurs de 4X4 sauf les 0.000000001 % qui en font quelque chose de constructif.
je ne connais pas la Grande Traversée du Massif Central, mais quand j'ai besoin de combiner vélo + aller ou retour en train, j'utilise le moteur de recherche Deutsche Bahn
http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/fn?
en cochant l'option "Vélo admis".
Ca ne donne pas 100% des possibilités, car les données que la SNCF transmet à ses homologues étrangers ne sont pas à 100% complètes, mais c'est quand même efficace et bien pratique.
Merci pour votre eponse mais ...malheureusement vous ne repondez pas a ma question.
je ne suis pas inquiet pour les trains car dans cette region tous les trains prennent les velos a partir du moment ou vous achetez votre billet en gare car par contre cela ne marche pas sur internet. a savoir si vous avez un billet internet et que vous vou pointez avec un velo, ils peuvent faire la tete. je repete ce qu'a dit un monsieur serieux d'un guichet.
personnellement, je cherche une idée d'itineraire, donc quelqu'un qui connait la region.
Bonjour,
Rien a voir avec le vélo, mais l'originalité de ton premier message m'a incité à visiter ton site.
Waow quelles photos ! Bravo pour ça !
Je pars tout à l'heure en vélo pour quelques jours qui se termineront dans le massif central puis Ardèche.
Pas de conseils à te donner mais je pense que je vais me régaler et te le souhaite aussi !
Ah merci pour ce sympathique message mais alors tu pars d'ou toi?
désolé pour ma curiosité.
bon voyage et bon vent, parce que mauvais vent c'est dur a velo.
j'ai testé ce weekend et vent de face c'est vraiment pas humain, je prefere encore une cote.
a plus.
Youri
Bonjour,
Tu peux partir de Saint Flour, puis suivre le tracé exacte de la GTMC décrit dans le topo Chamina jusqu'à Saint Guilhem-le-désert, puis suivre l'hérault jusquà Agde, puis le canal jusquà Bezier.
A Béziers tu as la trés sympathique petite ligne Beziers-Neussargues, qui cahin caha te remontera avec ton vélo, a 50km/h de moyenne dans de superbes gorges, et avec quelques arrêts improbables en pleine campagne... jusqu'à Saint "ST FLOUR CHAUDES AIGUES".
C'est ce que j'ai fait il y a quelques années, et c'est un trés bon plan.
Attention, le train ne circule pas tous les jours.
A+
Patrice
Merci pour votre eponse mais ...malheureusement vous ne repondez pas a ma question.
désolée, mais votre question était un peu noyée dans les commentaires, alors j'avais perdu le fil
tous les trains prennent les velos a partir du moment ou vous achetez votre billet en gare car par contre cela ne marche pas sur internet
pas tout à fait : ça dépend des trains. en Auvergne ou Rhone-Alpes, tous les trains régionaux TER prennent les vélos en bagage accompagné, sans billet vélo, gratuitement. En Midi-Pyrénées, idem pour "la plupart" des TER. Là, peu importe si votre billet TER a été acheté en gare ou ailleurs.
les trains "Grandes Lignes" peuvent être interdits aux vélos, ou, dans les Corail Teoz ou certains TGV, être autorisés mais seulement avec une réservation vélo obligatoire, qu'on ne peut, en effet, acheter qu'au guichet (pas sur internet, ni aux distributeurs automatiques en gare)
Ce mode d'emploi un peu compliqué est résumé sur le site fubicy.org, menu Conseils pratiques, rubrique "Train+vélo"
Je suis parti de nice ce matin, suis a st andre des alpes. Demain je pars a l ouest. Apres demain je serais de l autre cote du rhone. Je pensais aller dans le vercors mais ce sera pour une autre fois. Le vent de face ? En ce moment il faut se dire que ca rafraichit :) :)
Voyager à vélo › France › Massif Central / Nord / Sud-Ouest · 1 reply
Randonnée Boulogne sur mer Rocamadour, vélo route randonneur, itinéraire (s) possible (s,) hors grands axes, étapes de 100 km environ, hébergements chez…
Voyager à vélo › France › Massif Central · 7 replies
Nous allons partir dans quelques jours pour la GTMC à partir de Clermont-ferrand. Pour cela, nous allons roulé sur un tandem lapierre VTT (2014) et y accrocher…
Voyager à vélo › France › Massif Central · 8 replies
On se prépare pour ces vacances suite aux annonces encourageantes de ce soir. Un premier brouillon de notre futur périple nous menerait à l'entrée du parc…
Voyager à vélo › France › Massif Central · 22 replies
Sacochards ou graveleurs ou coureurs! C'est la fin de l'été, l'automne est là ; claudio est las, Profitant des brumes matinales, il reste sur le quai et se…
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 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 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?
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share with you the incredible feat my friend José, who’s 72 years old, is currently undertaking. He left Auterive near Toulouse on Monday, May 18, 2026, on his non-electric bike, heading for the North Cape in Norway!
You can follow his route on the link below—he’s currently in Sweden:
https://thierry-thomas.travelmap.net/jose-de-toulouse-a-nord-cap-2026
You can zoom in on the map and click on each stopover town to see the photos
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
