Recharger un téléphone avec une dynamo de vélo
by Sjlv1
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour à tous,
J'ai retrouvé dans mon bric à brac, une dynamo de vélo.
Je me dis que pour l'heure, je n'ai pas spécialement besoin d'éclairage autre que sur piles.
Alors, je me dis que je pourrais l'utiliser autrement.
Pensez-vous qu'elle puisse recharger un telephone, même un peu?
Il est écrit 6v3w dessus.
Merci pour vos lumières 😉
Désolé...
Un minimum de recherche et j'ai trouvé...
https://www.lecyclo.com/outils/alimenter-ses-feux-et-gps-a-velo.html
Me restent deux questions. Comment tester ma dynamo ? Ou suis-je sûr qu'elle fonctionnera parce que ça ne tombe jamais en panne?
J'ai l'impression que je ne peux brancher qu'un fil. Si il faut une masse, un point sur le vélo suffit-il?
Merci
Me restent deux questions. Comment tester ma dynamo ? Ou suis-je sûr qu'elle fonctionnera parce que ça ne tombe jamais en panne?
J'ai l'impression que je ne peux brancher qu'un fil. Si il faut une masse, un point sur le vélo suffit-il?
Merci
je ne peux brancher qu'un fil
si votre dynamo n'a qu'un câble, c'est en effet le cadre du vélo qui servira à boucler le circuit. Assurez-vous dans ce cas que vous avez un bon contact métallique entre la patte de fixation de la dynamo et votre cadre, et idem pour l'appareil que vous allez alimenter.
suis-je sûr qu'elle fonctionnera parce que ça ne tombe jamais en panne?
une "dynamo de vélo" tombe moins souvent en panne que les phares, mais rien n'interdit qu'elle finisse par devenir défaillante si jamais elle a chauffé ou pris l'eau par exemple. Il se peut aussi que l'axe frotte anormalement si elle a longtemps été utilisée mal alignée.
si votre dynamo n'a qu'un câble, c'est en effet le cadre du vélo qui servira à boucler le circuit. Assurez-vous dans ce cas que vous avez un bon contact métallique entre la patte de fixation de la dynamo et votre cadre, et idem pour l'appareil que vous allez alimenter.
suis-je sûr qu'elle fonctionnera parce que ça ne tombe jamais en panne?
une "dynamo de vélo" tombe moins souvent en panne que les phares, mais rien n'interdit qu'elle finisse par devenir défaillante si jamais elle a chauffé ou pris l'eau par exemple. Il se peut aussi que l'axe frotte anormalement si elle a longtemps été utilisée mal alignée.
Il existe des dynamos à main servant de lampe et de batterie de secours avec prises USB (recharge et décharge). Je pense qu'ils seront plus adaptés qu'une dynamo de vélo (voltage et ampérage).
Georges G.
(Mes commentaires et mes photos sont issus de mon vécu réel,
mes peintures, elles, de mes souvenirs fantasmés)
Il existe des dynamos à main servant de lampe et de batterie de secours avec prises USB (recharge et décharge). Je pense qu'ils seront plus adaptés qu'une dynamo de vélo (voltage et ampérage).
Mouliner avec les mains pendant qu'on pédale est assez casse-gueule, non ?
Mouliner avec les mains pendant qu'on pédale est assez casse-gueule, non ?
Pas de deuxième vague en Europe : https://tinyurl.com/y5ytqzej
Merci à tous pour vos réponses,
Effectivement l'idée est d'une part d'utiliser ce dont je dispose, et comme le dit 8xc, pour plaisanter, mouliner en pédalant...
Plus sérieusement, le principe d'avoir la dynamo évite de s'amuser à mouliner le soir.
Côté technique, je me dis que le trou sur la fourche qui sert à fixer les garde boue (sous la colonne de direction) doit être une bonne masse.
A mûrir, donc. Bonne route
Côté technique, je me dis que le trou sur la fourche qui sert à fixer les garde boue (sous la colonne de direction) doit être une bonne masse.
A mûrir, donc. Bonne route
Précautions techniques :
1) Adapter le moulinage. Main sur la roue doit étre possible.
2) Ne pas oublier de ne pas brancher l'appareil à recharger en dehors du temps de charge (la régulation n'est pas la même) ; ainsi une batterie de voiture est rechargée à 14 volts, le branchement d'un accesoire se limite à 12.
Georges G.
(Mes commentaires et mes photos sont issus de mon vécu réel,
mes peintures, elles, de mes souvenirs fantasmés)
Ne pas se fier au principe de masse électrique sur un vélo. Rien ne permet de croire son intérêt voire sa réalité (continuité électrique sur l'ensemble métallique).
Georges G.
(Mes commentaires et mes photos sont issus de mon vécu réel,
mes peintures, elles, de mes souvenirs fantasmés)
Merci pour ces précisions et conseils.
Comment vérifier la qualité de la masse?
1) Adapter le moulinage. Main sur la roue doit étre possible.
je ne vois pas l'intérêt de mouliner à la main alors qu'on pédale pour avancer. On a plus de puissance dans les jambes , et surtout, ce n'est pas du "temps mort". J'ai voyagé pendant 6 mois avec un chargeur sur dynamo, ça fonctionne bien. Fournir environ 15 W de plus (puissance électrique de la dynamo divisée par son rendement) quand on pédale, ça ne pose aucun problème.
Et quand bien même on serait tellement dépendant d'un appareil qu'on ne pourrait pas attendre le lendemain matin pour le recharger, si la dynamo est montée sur la roue arrière, il suffit de retourner le vélo et d'actionner une pédale à la main. Mais bon, notez bien qu'il faut typiquement 3 à 4 heures pour recharger un smartphone à partir d'une dynamo de vélo : bon courage ! Et accessoirement, avant de choisir cette option, vérifier que la dynamo ne gênera pas les sacoches arrière (j'ai monté la mienne à l'avant pour cette raison)
Ne pas oublier de ne pas brancher l'appareil à recharger en dehors du temps de charge (la régulation n'est pas la même)
oui et non : ça dépend du chargeur et de l'appareil. On peut parfois utiliser l'appareil en même temps qu'on le recharge, mais en effet, ce n'est pas toujours possible.
je ne vois pas l'intérêt de mouliner à la main alors qu'on pédale pour avancer. On a plus de puissance dans les jambes , et surtout, ce n'est pas du "temps mort". J'ai voyagé pendant 6 mois avec un chargeur sur dynamo, ça fonctionne bien. Fournir environ 15 W de plus (puissance électrique de la dynamo divisée par son rendement) quand on pédale, ça ne pose aucun problème.
Et quand bien même on serait tellement dépendant d'un appareil qu'on ne pourrait pas attendre le lendemain matin pour le recharger, si la dynamo est montée sur la roue arrière, il suffit de retourner le vélo et d'actionner une pédale à la main. Mais bon, notez bien qu'il faut typiquement 3 à 4 heures pour recharger un smartphone à partir d'une dynamo de vélo : bon courage ! Et accessoirement, avant de choisir cette option, vérifier que la dynamo ne gênera pas les sacoches arrière (j'ai monté la mienne à l'avant pour cette raison)
Ne pas oublier de ne pas brancher l'appareil à recharger en dehors du temps de charge (la régulation n'est pas la même)
oui et non : ça dépend du chargeur et de l'appareil. On peut parfois utiliser l'appareil en même temps qu'on le recharge, mais en effet, ce n'est pas toujours possible.
Côté technique, je me dis que le trou sur la fourche qui sert à fixer les garde boue (sous la colonne de direction) doit être une bonne masse
a priori oui, sauf si vous avez un cadre à raccords collés (ça existe parfois, sur certains cadres carbone ou alu) ; pour vérifier, testez avec un ohm-mètre, ou regardez simplement si la dynamo arrive à allumer un phare de vélo.
il faudra aussi raccorder à la masse la patte de la dynamo. Au besoin, poncez la peinture localement, puis protégez la zone de contact avec du chatterton ou de la graisse après. Si le contact est exposée à la pluie ou la boue, il faudra le nettoyer de temps en temps.
a priori oui, sauf si vous avez un cadre à raccords collés (ça existe parfois, sur certains cadres carbone ou alu) ; pour vérifier, testez avec un ohm-mètre, ou regardez simplement si la dynamo arrive à allumer un phare de vélo.
il faudra aussi raccorder à la masse la patte de la dynamo. Au besoin, poncez la peinture localement, puis protégez la zone de contact avec du chatterton ou de la graisse après. Si le contact est exposée à la pluie ou la boue, il faudra le nettoyer de temps en temps.
Mer i Meg2 😉
Bonjour,
Un paramètre important n'a pas été évoqué : le flanc du pneu doit être adapté à l'utilisation d'une dynamo bouteille. Sinon, le pneu risque d'être sérieusement endommagé.
Un paramètre important n'a pas été évoqué : le flanc du pneu doit être adapté à l'utilisation d'une dynamo bouteille. Sinon, le pneu risque d'être sérieusement endommagé.
c'est juste : les dynamos latérales entrée et milieu de gamme :
dérapent si le flanc du pneu est lisse — voire même avec pneu strié par temps de pluie (pas assez de frottement) peuvent endommager le flanc du pneu si elles sont mal réglées ou que le pneu est très léger (trop de frottement)
Seules quelques dynamos latérales haut de gamme échappent à ces contraintes. Et malheureusement, les 2 modèles que je connaissais (B&M Dymotec S12 = celle que j'ai sur mon vélo de trek, et Dynosys LightSpin) ne sont plus fabriquéess. Il en reste au moins un autre modèle disponible commercialement. J'ai oublié la marque, mais on doit pouvoir la retrouver en consultant les articles sur le "Concours de machines" (randonneuses légères) 2016.
dérapent si le flanc du pneu est lisse — voire même avec pneu strié par temps de pluie (pas assez de frottement) peuvent endommager le flanc du pneu si elles sont mal réglées ou que le pneu est très léger (trop de frottement)
Seules quelques dynamos latérales haut de gamme échappent à ces contraintes. Et malheureusement, les 2 modèles que je connaissais (B&M Dymotec S12 = celle que j'ai sur mon vélo de trek, et Dynosys LightSpin) ne sont plus fabriquéess. Il en reste au moins un autre modèle disponible commercialement. J'ai oublié la marque, mais on doit pouvoir la retrouver en consultant les articles sur le "Concours de machines" (randonneuses légères) 2016.
Merci encore pour toutes ses réponses très riches😉
Bonjour
Je pense que la dynamo "haut de gamme" dont parle Meg2 est de la marque allemande "Vélogical".
Voir les liens suivants :
http://www.velogical-engineering.com/velogical-rim-dynamo--standard-bicycle-dynamo--smooth-running.-lightweight-efficient
http://www.libertecycles.fr/boutique/dynamos-velogical/dynamos-velogical/
Elle est effectivement très belle cette dynamo mais le prix me semble malgré tout un peu élevé ! Il faut peut-être comparer avec l'achat d'un moyeu dynamo et d'une roue ??? Si celle ci rend les mêmes services ? Patrick
http://www.libertecycles.fr/boutique/dynamos-velogical/dynamos-velogical/
Elle est effectivement très belle cette dynamo mais le prix me semble malgré tout un peu élevé ! Il faut peut-être comparer avec l'achat d'un moyeu dynamo et d'une roue ??? Si celle ci rend les mêmes services ? Patrick
Nous zavons acheté chez LLL un chargeur panneau solaire de 20 cm par cm
du coup claudio a essayé, juste pour voir ..
ça fonctionne bien
cout 15 euros
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"
Je pense que la dynamo "haut de gamme" dont parle Meg2 est de la marque allemande "Vélogical".
oui, merci, c'est bien elle : j'avais oublié le nom mais je la reconnais sur la photo.
Le prix ne m'étonne pas : pour avoir un haut rendement, on ne peut pas se contenter de circuits magnétique "entrée de gamme" (bobinage autour d'un "U" en ferraille). On bobine à plat sur le stator, face à un rotor constitué d'aimants permanents "forts" (avec terres rares) => ça change complètement le prix de revient.
Et avoir un haut rendement, ce n'est pas utile juste pour épater la galerie dans le descriptif en ligne. C'est ce qui permet d'avoir une dynamo qui ne dérape pas dès qu'il pleut, et qui ne fait pas trop chauffer le pneu quand on roule 6 h d'affilée avec par temps sec.
Par contre, cette dynamo sur jante Velogical a visiblement été optimisée pour des éclairages à DEL, car la puissance électrique max est 1,5W (au lieu de 3W pour la plupart des dynamos 6V). Du coup, pour recharger une batterie, elle ne sera pas si rapide. Mais bon, comme elle est compacte et assez légère, rien n'empêche d'en monter 2 en parallèle. Sauf que du coup, ça reviendrait plus cher que la moyeu de dynamo SON...
oui, merci, c'est bien elle : j'avais oublié le nom mais je la reconnais sur la photo.
Le prix ne m'étonne pas : pour avoir un haut rendement, on ne peut pas se contenter de circuits magnétique "entrée de gamme" (bobinage autour d'un "U" en ferraille). On bobine à plat sur le stator, face à un rotor constitué d'aimants permanents "forts" (avec terres rares) => ça change complètement le prix de revient.
Et avoir un haut rendement, ce n'est pas utile juste pour épater la galerie dans le descriptif en ligne. C'est ce qui permet d'avoir une dynamo qui ne dérape pas dès qu'il pleut, et qui ne fait pas trop chauffer le pneu quand on roule 6 h d'affilée avec par temps sec.
Par contre, cette dynamo sur jante Velogical a visiblement été optimisée pour des éclairages à DEL, car la puissance électrique max est 1,5W (au lieu de 3W pour la plupart des dynamos 6V). Du coup, pour recharger une batterie, elle ne sera pas si rapide. Mais bon, comme elle est compacte et assez légère, rien n'empêche d'en monter 2 en parallèle. Sauf que du coup, ça reviendrait plus cher que la moyeu de dynamo SON...
Comme quoi, d'un e question basique, on en ressort un beau sujet technique ! Bravo et merci messieurs !
Claudio, les 3L c'est l'enseigne préférée des Français ?
C'est intéressant. Ça pourrait être utile aussi lors de mes balades en kayak
oups, je rectifie : je viens d'ouvrir les fichiers PDF sur le site du fabricant, et l'un d'eux montre le graphe puissance-vitesse de cette dynamo. J'avais mal compris le texte où il était question de 1,5 W , ce n'est pas du tout la puissance max de cette dynamo Velogical. Elle peut même allègrement dépasser 6W, ce qui est bien, mais pour cela il faut rouler à plus de 30 km/h.
Par contre, en-dessous de 15 km/h, la puissance monte moins vite qu'avec une bonne dynamo de moyeu, sauf pour leur modèle "Spezial 3"
Par contre, en-dessous de 15 km/h, la puissance monte moins vite qu'avec une bonne dynamo de moyeu, sauf pour leur modèle "Spezial 3"
Merci pour ces explications techniques... Le modèle "zpézial 3" c'est bien la dynamo bleue ? On pourrait donc envisager de s'en servir pour charger un smartphone utilisé comme GPS sauf évidemment si on ne peut le faire qu'en descente en atteignant 30 km/h ?
Bonjour, j’ai un phare avec prise USB ideal pour recharger les batteries de secours mais pour le tel et surtout depus le 6S iphone il faut pédaler fort sinon il se coupe se rallume sans arrêt idem avec le GPS. Donc je n’utlise que des batteries
Bonjour, j’ai un phare avec prise USB ideal pour recharger les batteries de secours mais pour le tel et surtout depus le 6S iphone il faut pédaler fort sinon il se coupe se rallume sans arrêt idem avec le GPS. Donc je n’utlise que des batteries
Il faut une batterie tampon entre la dynamo et le téléphone.
Il faut une batterie tampon entre la dynamo et le téléphone.
MSC
Bonsoir, merci pour le conseil, j’ai acheté La batterie tampon usb werk, premier essai aujourd’hui et je dois dire impeccable. Merci pour ce precieux conseil
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More discussions
Bonjour,
Je prévois de faire la partie hollandaise de l'Eurovélo 19, de Maastricht à Rotterdam.
Comme c'est trop compliqué d'amener mon vélo en train, je cherche à louer un vélo sur place.
Je suis preneuse de conseils ou d'adresses de loueurs de vélos, j'ai du mal à en trouver même à Rotterdam.
L'idée serait de le louer à Rotterdam, de partir avec en train jusqu'à Maastricht, pour faire Maastricht/Rotterdam à vélo
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils ou suggestions.
Nath
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 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
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’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
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
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.
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 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
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.
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

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!
Hi everyone,
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!
You’ve been warned.
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!
You’ve been warned.
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
Hi there,
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.
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
Hi there,
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Hi there,
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Hi! I’m planning to visit the Stockholm Archipelago by bike in early April.
Do you know if the boats will be running between the different islands at that time of year? For those who’ve already been, all your tips and recommendations are welcome—accommodation, etc. Also, do you know where I can rent a bike in Stockholm? Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Hello there, pedal-powered Young Boys!
Claudio (still from Faverges)
dreaming about a cycling getaway in Italy from Faverges (train all the way to Turin)
from Turin down to Venice along the Po River and back via the Padana (Alta Italia da attraversare – Northern Italy to cross)
The tricky part is getting from Chioggia to Venice.
I read it’s possible by hopping on a boat from island to island,
but it sounds a bit stressful.
Has anyone already tackled this route?
Thanks, and cheers to all! http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/Padania/
Claudio
Thanks, and cheers to all! http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/Padania/
Claudio

Hi there,
I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).
So, I’ve got quite a few questions:
* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?
* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?
* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?
If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!
Thanks in advance for your help!
I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).
So, I’ve got quite a few questions:
* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?
* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?
* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?
If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!
Thanks in advance for your help!