racontez-nous vos plus belles peurs durant la nuit! ou mettez-vous votre vélo la nuit, dans la tente ou sous une bache????
merci...
vos plus bo moments en voyage?????
Original post
Bast
Vos plus grandes peurs la nuit à vélo?
by Baule88
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Bonjour Baule
Tien ! J'avais justement cette conversation avec des amis il ya peu.
En substance j'expliquais que j'avais été surpris de constater que les choses qui me terrifiaient quand j'étais plus jeune (beaucoup plus jeune), la nuit en forêt, les bruits non identifiables, les cris d'animaux et tout ce qui peu enflammer les imaginations fertiles, et bien ces choses n'effraient pas du tout. Je constate que je fais de bien meilleures nuits seul sous la tente au milieu de nulle part.
Le plus étrange, c'est que ce qui m'inquiète dorénavant, ce sont les humains. Je passe beaucoup de temps à choisir des emplacements où je ne serai pas vu. Pour parer à des vols, j'ai effectivement choisi d'avoir tout le matos, vélo compris, sous la tente. Le bruit d'une voiture qui passe à proximité peut m'empêcher de dormir un long moment alors que les sangliers peuvent venir roder sans que cela ne m'inquiète (le sanglier caramélisé, façon viet-namienne, c'est un délice 😏).
Bonne journée
Tien ! J'avais justement cette conversation avec des amis il ya peu.
En substance j'expliquais que j'avais été surpris de constater que les choses qui me terrifiaient quand j'étais plus jeune (beaucoup plus jeune), la nuit en forêt, les bruits non identifiables, les cris d'animaux et tout ce qui peu enflammer les imaginations fertiles, et bien ces choses n'effraient pas du tout. Je constate que je fais de bien meilleures nuits seul sous la tente au milieu de nulle part.
Le plus étrange, c'est que ce qui m'inquiète dorénavant, ce sont les humains. Je passe beaucoup de temps à choisir des emplacements où je ne serai pas vu. Pour parer à des vols, j'ai effectivement choisi d'avoir tout le matos, vélo compris, sous la tente. Le bruit d'une voiture qui passe à proximité peut m'empêcher de dormir un long moment alors que les sangliers peuvent venir roder sans que cela ne m'inquiète (le sanglier caramélisé, façon viet-namienne, c'est un délice 😏).
Bonne journée
Darryl
--
https://twitter.com/Cycl0pathe
ma plus grande peur lorsque je campais seul en plein desert de mauritanie derriere une dune et que ma toile de tente c'est ecroulée subitement sur moi a cause d'un arceau qui a cassé sous l'emprise du vent.😠
mon velo il dort dehors et il ne s'est jamais plein !
les zanimos ( meme pas peur)
les zinsectes( pas peur sauf cafards )
les zumains ( un peu plus ) surtout en europe
les zafriquains ( gentils )
les zaziatiques ( gentils )
les zameriquains du sud ( gentils ) les zautres zaussi sauf LEURS CHEF
les zinuits ( connait pas )
les zautres non plus
Héhé... Moi aussi pas peur !!! Par contre, le vélo, je l'aime bien, mais de là à passer mes nuits avec lui 😄 faut pas abuser non plus !!! Donc les sacoches à l'intérieur (mmmmmummmm le bon coussin!) et le vélo dehors !
Sinon, je cherche aussi tant que possible des coins vraiment isolés (sauf quand je "taxe" chez l'habitant évidement) surtout en France (hou qui sont pas tous accueillant les Français 😐 !!! Bouhouhou !!!).
Voila, sinon dans les villes, c'est à la guerre comme à la guerre !!! Je me souviens d'une nuit mémorable à Santiago: sortie de ville, sous une grande surface (au niveau des livraisons), dans un grand carton (un peu voyante la tente!), prés de l'autoroute... Rajoutez à cela une pluis diluvienne, un ventre quasi vide, mélangez le tout, et vous obtenez des souvenirs géniaux 😉.
Voili voilou.
Sur ce, bonne nuit !!!
Gat
Sinon, je cherche aussi tant que possible des coins vraiment isolés (sauf quand je "taxe" chez l'habitant évidement) surtout en France (hou qui sont pas tous accueillant les Français 😐 !!! Bouhouhou !!!).
Voila, sinon dans les villes, c'est à la guerre comme à la guerre !!! Je me souviens d'une nuit mémorable à Santiago: sortie de ville, sous une grande surface (au niveau des livraisons), dans un grand carton (un peu voyante la tente!), prés de l'autoroute... Rajoutez à cela une pluis diluvienne, un ventre quasi vide, mélangez le tout, et vous obtenez des souvenirs géniaux 😉.
Voili voilou.
Sur ce, bonne nuit !!!
Gat
Je suis pas encore partie toute seule mais je pense que ce qui me ferais le plus peur c'est les hommes. Après les animaux, j'ai "même pas peur" etsurtout pas les insectes.😎
Anne-Claire
"La sagesse c'est d'avoir des rêves assez grands pour ne pas les perdres de vus quand on les poursuits"
Bonjour !
Cela fait quelques années que je pars en vélo avec mon fils et évidemment, comme tout le monde, ce sont les hommes dont je me méfie le plus ! Mais, en général, après une journée de vélo dans les jambes, je dors assez facilement. Notre plus grande peur, à tous les deux, c'est un réveil en fanfare par un hérisson... parce que nous croyions justement qu'il s'agissait d'un homme. Ca fait un bruit du diable. Une respiration vachement forte. En fait, nous avions eu le grand tort de laisser une poubelle sous le'avancée de la tente... C'est d'autant plus dommage d'avoir eu peur, que c'est génial un hérisson !
Quant au vélo, il dort dehors évidemment ! De toute façon, notre tente est si petite que nous ne pouvons même pas y rentrer nos sacoches qui restent sur les vélos. Nous les enveloppons dans des sacs poubelles. Cela fait maintenant 7 ans que nous partons sans nous être fait voler quoi que ce soit!!! Mais nous faisons peu de camping sauvage. Encore que, il y a sûrement plus de risques de vols sur les terrains que seuls au milieu des champs car c'est bien connu, les limaces ne vont pas piquer dans les sacoches!!
Nous prenons toujours soins de garder des vêtements dans la tente. On ne sait jamais qd même!
Nous prenons toujours soins de garder des vêtements dans la tente. On ne sait jamais qd même!
En Ardèche, la grimpée du Ray Pic pour arriver sur le plateau Ardéchois. Nous étions en tandem avec mon épouse, vers 1h du matin, et nous grimpions à notre vitesse d'escargot ! D'un coup un grand bruit juste sur nos têtes... mon épouse pousse un grand cri à réveiller tout le monde à 10 kms à la ronde et s'accroche à moi...
ce n'était qu'une chouette que l'on venait de déranger et qui nous a frôlé la tête en s'envolant.
Mais quelle frayeur sur le coup !
Salut,
Nous on est trois, trois vélos, 6 antivols! Un vélo attaché à un point fixe (type arbre, barrière...) et les trois vélos attachés entre eux avec les 5 antivols restant en prenant les cadres et aussi les roues!
Et pour finir, un petite ficelle qui relie un vélo à la tente comme ça si on tire dessus on est réveillé!
Pas parano! Jamais trop prudent! Mon angoisse suprême, me faire piquer mon vélo car hormis l'aspect économique et "sentimental" (il m'accompagne depuis la première rando vélo ;-)), c'est la fin du voyage si cela arrivait!
Donc voilà ;-)
Nous on est trois, trois vélos, 6 antivols! Un vélo attaché à un point fixe (type arbre, barrière...) et les trois vélos attachés entre eux avec les 5 antivols restant en prenant les cadres et aussi les roues!
Et pour finir, un petite ficelle qui relie un vélo à la tente comme ça si on tire dessus on est réveillé!
Pas parano! Jamais trop prudent! Mon angoisse suprême, me faire piquer mon vélo car hormis l'aspect économique et "sentimental" (il m'accompagne depuis la première rando vélo ;-)), c'est la fin du voyage si cela arrivait!
Donc voilà ;-)
c'est pas malin du tout car si un gars veut simplement voler l'arbre ou la barriere,
il se retrouve avec trois velos, 5 antivols, une toile de tente et trois cyclocampeurs.😎😊😮
il n'en demandait pas tant le pauvre!🙁
et pis ! comment y va emmener tous ca ? il avait pas prevu .
alors! mefiés vous bien les voleurs d'arbres ou de barrieres qu'il n'y ais pas plein de trucs accrochés apres .
😛
les vélos sont tj dehors avec effectivement une bache plastique qui sert en priorité pour la pluie et eventuellement des chapardeurs mais en 1500 nuits de camping sauvage pas un vol a déploré !!
si non notre plus grande peur a été a l'ile de paques ou les chevaux sont en liberté et un est veu donné un coup de sabot dans la tente a 10 cm de la la téte de notre fils qui dormais entre nous !!!peur rétrospective !!nous avons ensuite instalé des barrieres de fortune avec les vélo et des branches !
la vie est comme un livre, celui qui n'a pas voyagé n'en connais que la 1ere page.
merci!
je savais qu'un voleur d'arbres me repondrait 😉
Petite contribution pour le fun !
Lors de mon tour de la somme, j'avais eu l'idée ingénieuse de couvrir mon vélo avec un plastique genre plastique transparent pour serre. Le but était, outre le fait d'abriter mon cheval, que s'il venait l'envie à quelq'un de prendre mon vélo, le bruit du plastique allait me réveiller. J'avais fais des tests acoustics très poussés pour choisir un plastique générant un signal d'une force acoustique suffisante pour me réveiller en plein sommeil profond. Résultat de ces années d'étude scientifiques: Impossible de dormir: la brise nocturne jouait en permanence avec mon plastique !. J'ai failli mettre un panneau sur lequel j'aurai écris: Si vous prenez le vélo, de grâce, prenez le plastique avec !.
Lors de mon tour de la somme, j'avais eu l'idée ingénieuse de couvrir mon vélo avec un plastique genre plastique transparent pour serre. Le but était, outre le fait d'abriter mon cheval, que s'il venait l'envie à quelq'un de prendre mon vélo, le bruit du plastique allait me réveiller. J'avais fais des tests acoustics très poussés pour choisir un plastique générant un signal d'une force acoustique suffisante pour me réveiller en plein sommeil profond. Résultat de ces années d'étude scientifiques: Impossible de dormir: la brise nocturne jouait en permanence avec mon plastique !. J'ai failli mettre un panneau sur lequel j'aurai écris: Si vous prenez le vélo, de grâce, prenez le plastique avec !.
« T'en va le Chburz à vélo qu'à la fin il se casse.»
http://richard.burzycki.free.fr
Moi le pire, c'est quatre gars bourrés qui débarquent alors qu'on faisait l'amour sous la tente pour demander de l'argent avec très grande insistance pendant une demi heure. Pendant que je ne dormais pas après, il y avait des bruits de pas autour de la tente et de cliquetis autour des vélos, mais j'étais déjà trop boulversé pour aller voir... Le lendemain tout était encore là, imagination ou voleur trop mal équipé?
Salut,
Pour ma part, ce fut frayeur et nuit blanche sur le canal de Bretagne. Après 300km, de canal et un peu de fatique, nous avions oublié de réserver une nuit d'hotel sur Carhaix. Nous n'avions aucun équipement et arriva ce qui devait arriver, on a couché dehors à l'arrache. On a bien bouffer et picoler jusqu'à 22h et on s'est décidé de se coller à même le sol en attendant le petit matin. La nuit la plus longue de ma vie! Les lièvres, les chevaux, les insectes, les ragondins sont venus nous voir. Nous étions à 2m du canal et c'était bourrée de petits moucherons...Ce qui attirait les chauves-souris. Toute la nuit elles nous ont survolés pour bouffer. Plus jamais ça...🤪
Pour ma part, ce fut frayeur et nuit blanche sur le canal de Bretagne. Après 300km, de canal et un peu de fatique, nous avions oublié de réserver une nuit d'hotel sur Carhaix. Nous n'avions aucun équipement et arriva ce qui devait arriver, on a couché dehors à l'arrache. On a bien bouffer et picoler jusqu'à 22h et on s'est décidé de se coller à même le sol en attendant le petit matin. La nuit la plus longue de ma vie! Les lièvres, les chevaux, les insectes, les ragondins sont venus nous voir. Nous étions à 2m du canal et c'était bourrée de petits moucherons...Ce qui attirait les chauves-souris. Toute la nuit elles nous ont survolés pour bouffer. Plus jamais ça...🤪
Il'y rien qui presse, alors laisse ta bagnole au garage!!!
🤪 pas plus tard que le mois dernier, après une longue étape, je trouve un petit coin sympa à l'abri des regards sur une colline au dessus du lac de Neuchatel, en Suisse. Monte mon petit bivouac, me fait ma popote, un peu de rangement et dodo. Au milieu de la nuit un orage s'abat...qui se rapproche, se rapproche. Plus moyen de compter entre l'éclair et le tonnerre...un vrai 14 juillet, ou les tranchés de Verdun, avec une pluie du diable, bref la trouille, la frousse, la chiasse...les poils tendus, le coeur à la chamade.
Blotti au fond de mon sac, je pense que ma tente cercueil porte bien son nom, et prie les Dieux de m'épargner, que j'avais un bon fond, etc, etc...Et miracle, une fois de plus le matin est apparu avec bonheur, et chance certainement aussi. Un peu plus tard j'apprenais que j'étais au coeur d'un orage d'une grande violence qui a fait pas mal de dégâts, j'ai vu des photographies de foudre dans cette région qui ont fait la une des magazines, magnifiques sur papiers glacés, mes poils s'hérissent encore.
Quand il suffit d'un rien, on n'a pas besoin de grand-chose.
Yop!
Il y a quelques années, j'avais l'habitude d'aller taper le carton chez des amis qui habitent de l'autre côté du bois.
Pas de lumière sur le vélo, mais ce n'était pas vraiement un problème puisque la route qui traverse le bois est toute droite, tracée au cordeau.
Jusqu'au jour où le chien (tout noir) de mes amis, qui s'était sauvé dans la soirée (comme souvent), n'a rien trouvé de mieux que de me sauter dessus au plein milieu du bois.
Noir dans le noir, je ne l'avais pas vu venir, et durant les quelques secondes qu'il m'a fallu avant de le reconnaître, j'ai eu vraiment très peur, sans compter que le bestiau m'avait proprement envoyé par terre.
Il y a quelques années, j'avais l'habitude d'aller taper le carton chez des amis qui habitent de l'autre côté du bois.
Pas de lumière sur le vélo, mais ce n'était pas vraiement un problème puisque la route qui traverse le bois est toute droite, tracée au cordeau.
Jusqu'au jour où le chien (tout noir) de mes amis, qui s'était sauvé dans la soirée (comme souvent), n'a rien trouvé de mieux que de me sauter dessus au plein milieu du bois.
Noir dans le noir, je ne l'avais pas vu venir, et durant les quelques secondes qu'il m'a fallu avant de le reconnaître, j'ai eu vraiment très peur, sans compter que le bestiau m'avait proprement envoyé par terre.
Méfiez vous des contrefaçons: apprenez à faire la différence entre un faux plat et un vrai.
En general, pas peur pour le velo, 4 cadenas un peu partout, contre un arbre, des baches vertes dessus pour le camoufler...
Et au niveau faune, en general, je crains pas trop, ... ( je dors souvent a meme le sol, )
Mais une fois, en Finlande, j´ai plante ma tente un peu a la va vite, dans l´obscurite, et en m´y glissant, j´entend un bruit stridant, juste au dessus, ... et alors la, ce bruit, j´en avais jamais entendu de semblable, ... un truc pas naturel du tout, mais au coeur de la foret finlandaise, y´a pas beaucoup d´humains, ...
On aurait dit un bruit mi electromique, mi cri percant d´un rapace...
Et ca arretait pas se passer au dessus et encore, ... je me posais vraiment des questions ( non, c´est pas un Ovni ), ... j´avais mon opinel sorti, pres a me defendre...
Ce fut une mauvaise nuit...
Finalement, plusieurs jours apres, j´ai vu la cause de ce bruit, une grosse chouette, ...
et apparement, j´avais choisi son petit territoire de chasse pour passer la nuit...
En géneral pas de problèmes, je me pose dans un coin discret pour bivouaquer à l'écart des routes (les humains sont les animaux qui me font le plus peur)
Mais l'année dernière je me suis fait réveiller en pleine nuit par une grosse bête a poil qui a fait fuir le troupeau de moutons qui étaient à coté de ma tente! En effet elle voulait en croquer un ou deux!
Il s'agissait d'un OURS, j'étais au dessus de Vielha dans la Vall D'Aran en espagne.
Meme si l'ours n'est pas tres dangereux pour l'homme, entendre la panique des moutons et les grognements de l'ours ne sont pas tres rassurants en pleine nuits.
Apres avoir fait du bruit je n'ai plus rien entendus, ni l'ours ni les moutons. Et j'ai quand meme passer une bonne nuit.
Je peux affirmer qu'il s'agissait d'un ours car je campait près d'une tourbière et j'ai pu voire ses traces de pas dans la terre humide.
Ma plus grande frayeur : la seule fois où je suis partie seule, sur la GTMC. J'avais demandé à un gîte si je pouvais planter ma tente dans le jardin et prendre une douche (je l'avais fait la veille pour 2, 50 euros) mais la gardienne m'avait répondu que non puis qu'il fallait pas que j'aille planter ma tente plus loin et elle commence à me raconter l'histoire d'une femme qui faisait la route de St Jacques et qui s'était fait courser par des vaches dans le pré voisin. Bon j'avais pas envie d'aller au gîte donc je suis quand même allée planter ma tente plus loin (en plus faire du sauvage au lieu-dit Le Sauvage je trouvais ça classe).
En plein milieu de la nuit, j'entends un énorme hénissement suivi d'un bruit de galop... eh bien je me suis demandée où il était ce canasson et j'ai pas osé sortir de la tente !!
Le lendemain, j'ai vu un pré plus loin où galopaient des chevaux, tous tranquilles. Un bonne frayeur pour rien 😎
Le lendemain, j'ai vu un pré plus loin où galopaient des chevaux, tous tranquilles. Un bonne frayeur pour rien 😎
J'arrose tous les jours tes cactus tu leur manques à eux aussi.
J'ai eu un jour l'occasion d'assister a une conference d'un couple qui avait traversé les 2 ameriques en partant d'alaska pour finir a ushuaia.(Bonjour la promenade...)
Leur histoire etait vraiment passionnante et je me souviens qu'au bout de quelques nuits ils avaient fini par etre réveillés par un ours polaire qui avait arraché leur tente pendant qu'ils se trouvaient à l'interieur.On voyait d'ailleur une photo de l'ours qui retournait d'ou il etait venu avec une casserole ou une bouilloire dans la gueule.
Plutot rock'n'roll comme réveil, non?
Un soir avec un pote, et après avoir recherché "ZE" endroit, nous nous installons au fin fond d'une forêt. Après quelques mois sans s'être vu, une bonne beuverie ferait bien l'affaire. Donc le temps passe et glou et glou et glou ... Petit à petit nous nous enfonçons dans le profond de la nuit et au fond de nos duvets. Après quelques rires, le silence. Puis nous entendons des pas ! Au début assez loin, puis de plus en plus près, quand tout à coup un énorme hurlement qui nous a fait frémir de peur au point de ne pouvoir émettre le moindre mot !! C'était le brame du cerf et le bougre n'éatit guère loin ... Le bruit était tellement impressionnant que même après son passage nous avons mis un bon moment avant d'en parler !!!
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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!