Original post
Bonsoir , vous pouvez dire votre préférence dans l idéal et le pourquoi du comment 😎
et pourquoi pas des anecdotes par rapport à ça , merci
Vous préférez voyager seul ou à plusieurs
by Vagabond74
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Salut
Dans mon entourage je ne connais que 3 amis ayant déjà opté pour du voyage à vélo, et zéro dans la famille. Donc, si je ne supporte pas de me retrouver seul, soit je "recrute" des personnes complètement novices, soit je ne peux partir qu'avec une ou plusieurs de ces 3 personnes, et donc avoir les mêmes périodes libres, les mêmes envies et le même rythme.
Je pars donc seul, mais rien n'est absolu.
Il y a sans doute aussi là-dedans le désir d'être seul face à moi et à la nature, de retrouver le rythme de l'effort en journée loin des distractions technologiques, le plaisir de se passer un certains temps de pas mal de choses dont la famille et les amis, pour ensuite mieux apprécier leur fréquentation, le besoin naturellement humain de passer des nuits hors bâtiments quelques jours (je me cantonne à 1 ou 2 semaines de voyages à vélo). Un ersatz d'aventure.
Bref, partir seul quelques jours sur mon vélo au départ de chez moi avec peu d'affaires, sans tenir de blog ou réaliser des prouesses, c'est peut-être la manière la plus simple et immédiate que j'ai trouvée pour être dans la quête quasi mystique du voyage, lire Stevenson pour saisir cela.
C'est l'antithèse du voyage lointain organisé en famille ou groupe d'amis avec déplacements en avion et bus, avec un troupeau et un guide dans des sites surpeuplés et avec des soirées festives, voyage qui a ses intérêts certes, mais pas ceux que je cherche et trouve lors d'un petit voyage en solitaire à vélo.
Et n'étant pas sectaire, je lirai avec intérêt les plaisirs et avantages des voyages à vélo en famille ou groupe.
Dans mon entourage je ne connais que 3 amis ayant déjà opté pour du voyage à vélo, et zéro dans la famille. Donc, si je ne supporte pas de me retrouver seul, soit je "recrute" des personnes complètement novices, soit je ne peux partir qu'avec une ou plusieurs de ces 3 personnes, et donc avoir les mêmes périodes libres, les mêmes envies et le même rythme.
Je pars donc seul, mais rien n'est absolu.
Il y a sans doute aussi là-dedans le désir d'être seul face à moi et à la nature, de retrouver le rythme de l'effort en journée loin des distractions technologiques, le plaisir de se passer un certains temps de pas mal de choses dont la famille et les amis, pour ensuite mieux apprécier leur fréquentation, le besoin naturellement humain de passer des nuits hors bâtiments quelques jours (je me cantonne à 1 ou 2 semaines de voyages à vélo). Un ersatz d'aventure.
Bref, partir seul quelques jours sur mon vélo au départ de chez moi avec peu d'affaires, sans tenir de blog ou réaliser des prouesses, c'est peut-être la manière la plus simple et immédiate que j'ai trouvée pour être dans la quête quasi mystique du voyage, lire Stevenson pour saisir cela.
C'est l'antithèse du voyage lointain organisé en famille ou groupe d'amis avec déplacements en avion et bus, avec un troupeau et un guide dans des sites surpeuplés et avec des soirées festives, voyage qui a ses intérêts certes, mais pas ceux que je cherche et trouve lors d'un petit voyage en solitaire à vélo.
Et n'étant pas sectaire, je lirai avec intérêt les plaisirs et avantages des voyages à vélo en famille ou groupe.
Pas de deuxième vague en Europe : https://tinyurl.com/y5ytqzej
J'ai un peu voyagé seul et souvent à deux, trois ou quatre. Maintenant je prends plaisir à voyager en groupe, avec des amis et des amis des amis. Nous formons ainsi chaque année des groupes (de 5 à 12 personnes) pour aller vadrouiller en France et ailleurs. Cela dure depuis quelques années et je dois dire que cette formule me passionne et plait beaucoup à un certains nombre, car même si nous partons en groupe, chacun conserve un minimum d'autonomie et de liberté car on ne s'impose pas de régle, à savoir que si on veut rouler seul-e un jour on peut le faire en toute liberté. Pour l'hébergement certains plantent la tente, et d'autres vont dormir en gîte etc. et pour la nourriture c'est comme on veut; au camping, au gîte, au resto etc. au choix de chacun-e
Nous présentons sur ce site ce que nous faisons et nous accueillons avec plaisir des nouveaux venus
mesrandosvelo.e-monsite.com/
Salut Lionel
,
Quel plaisir pour moi de rencontrer, même virtuellement, quelqu'un dont je partage les thèses sur le voyage à vélo en solitaire, moi-même en étant un farouche défenseur, en connaissance de causes car j'ai d'abord voyagé avec mon frère durant mon adolescence et plus tard avec un ami, par deux fois entre une et deux semaines.
Mais étant seul, le rapport avec les gens est bien plus facile et plus enrichissant.
Ce sentiment de liberté est inégalable, surtout dans des contrées un peu plus lointaines et hors de France où les habitudes locales peuvent chagriner certains.
Bien que n'ayant pas la même approche du voyage cyclotouristique ( j'ai plusieurs fois pris l'avion pour me rendre sur les lieux des mes randos) je pense que nos conceptions sont très proches.
Bonne route à vous et à tous les cyclos du site.
Michel
Bonne route à vous et à tous les cyclos du site.
Michel
Michel
Majoritairement, je randonne seul.
Mais parfois avec deux ou trois copains, c'est pas mal non plus ; en fait, ce n'est pas du tout le même loisir. C'est un peu comme si on comparait la rando VTC avec les "courses" des vélos du même nom (enfin, comme on les appelait autrefois).
ce sont deux activités différentes, on n'y cherche pas la même chose, on ne cherche évidemment pas les mêmes contacts seul et à plusieurs.
Moi, j'aime bien aller à mon rythme, qui avec l’âge ne s'accélère pas vraiment. Un petit 15 km/h de moyenne me va bien. Mes copains vont plus vite et sont obligés de m'attendre. pas grave, mais pas non plus transparent. Pareil pour choisir un trajet, une halte, une visite, ...
je suis très loin d'être asocial. Je milite dans pas mal de trucs associatifs. Alors justement, quand je pars deux semaines, c'est pour faire une coupure, et ne pas se prendre la tête avec les inévitables concessions qu'il faut faire en groupe. J'écoute beaucoup de musique et de podcasts d'émissions que je n'ai pas le temps d'écouter tranquillement dans la vie courante. Au moins sur le vélo, on n'est pas dérangé...
Mais quand je croise un randonneur qui a envie de causer, j'aime bien. et le soir je prends souvent des tables d'hôte, ça permet de rencontrer des gens différents.
ceci dit, quand il arrive une merde, c'est mieux d'être à deux ...
Moi, j'aime bien aller à mon rythme, qui avec l’âge ne s'accélère pas vraiment. Un petit 15 km/h de moyenne me va bien. Mes copains vont plus vite et sont obligés de m'attendre. pas grave, mais pas non plus transparent. Pareil pour choisir un trajet, une halte, une visite, ...
je suis très loin d'être asocial. Je milite dans pas mal de trucs associatifs. Alors justement, quand je pars deux semaines, c'est pour faire une coupure, et ne pas se prendre la tête avec les inévitables concessions qu'il faut faire en groupe. J'écoute beaucoup de musique et de podcasts d'émissions que je n'ai pas le temps d'écouter tranquillement dans la vie courante. Au moins sur le vélo, on n'est pas dérangé...
Mais quand je croise un randonneur qui a envie de causer, j'aime bien. et le soir je prends souvent des tables d'hôte, ça permet de rencontrer des gens différents.
ceci dit, quand il arrive une merde, c'est mieux d'être à deux ...
Claudio en vieux phacochere, préfère être seul
plaisir solitaire et égoïste .
Liberté de mouvement ..
même si parfois les soirées sont longues, cet état de fait facilite les rencontres
claudio de la faverges
claudio de la faverges
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"
Bonjour vagabond de la hiaute,
Je voyage seul à vélo car cela correspond à mes attentes. Tout d'abord un voyage à vélo je le fait pendant mes congés. Qui dit vacance dit faire ce que je peux pas faire le reste de l'année donc en étant seul : je roule à un rythme qui me va bien, je bois mes bières quand bon me semble, choisis mon resto du midi suivant mes envies du moment...etc... Partir 2/3 semaines en été c'est faire une coupure avec mon mode de vie. Par conséquent je ne prends pas de radio/téléphone/livre. Je me coupe des informations et recherche une forme de solitude qui s'arrête au camping les fins d'après-midi en rencontrant d'autres cyclo-voyageurs. Cela me fait du bien de déconnecter et de relativiser lors de la reprise du boulot en entendant les collègues.
Salutations 😉
Je voyage seul à vélo car cela correspond à mes attentes. Tout d'abord un voyage à vélo je le fait pendant mes congés. Qui dit vacance dit faire ce que je peux pas faire le reste de l'année donc en étant seul : je roule à un rythme qui me va bien, je bois mes bières quand bon me semble, choisis mon resto du midi suivant mes envies du moment...etc... Partir 2/3 semaines en été c'est faire une coupure avec mon mode de vie. Par conséquent je ne prends pas de radio/téléphone/livre. Je me coupe des informations et recherche une forme de solitude qui s'arrête au camping les fins d'après-midi en rencontrant d'autres cyclo-voyageurs. Cela me fait du bien de déconnecter et de relativiser lors de la reprise du boulot en entendant les collègues.
Salutations 😉
Frédéric sur un specialized awol, Honda Deauville 700.
Quand tu voyages seul, tu es rarement seul.
Vive la liberté et les rencontres inattendues.
Bonjour, vaste débat seul ou pas. Il faut essayer les différentes formules, seul(e), à deux en bande. Dans ces différents cas de figures on trouve de belles satisfactions.
Seul je n'ai roulé qu'en France ou en Europe sur des trajets d'une dizaine de jours max. Ce que j'aime dans cette formule c'est d'être toute la journée sur la route et d'abattre des kilomètres. D'ailleurs j'envisage de passer de temps en temps au matériel des digonalistes pour m'essayer sur un mille km en 5 jours, ça reste du petit amateurisme quand on voit ce qu'ils font (cf la revue 200).
A deux j'aime bien à l'étranger hors d'Europe, en particulier dans des voyages assez engagés comme la traversée de grands déserts, par exemple l'Atacama. J'aimerais bien me lancer en solo dans un truc engagé mais je n'ose pas, peut-être peur de ma motivation ou de mon mental dans les grosses galères qu'inexorablement cela implique. Je suis en contact avec une jeune femme qui vient tout juste de traverser le désert d'Atacama en solo, de Arica à Valparaiso, via Bolivie et Argentine, chapeau. Elle est coutumière des trucs de ouf. Pour ceux qui reçoivent la revue CCI, au numéro de janvier on publie sa traversée en solo en Asie, absolument à l'arrache, avec pour seule carte justement un plan général arraché au mur du consulat de son pays en Chine, sur lequel ne figure même pas le relief!🙂 J'en déduis que les grosses aventures en solo ce n'est pas pour tout le monde. J'aimerais bien avoir cette sérénité.
A plusieurs, bande de copains j'ai fait quelques voyages avec une bande de rouleurs fous, jamais plus de 10 jours. Chaque fois on a bien rigolé et on pris l'habitude de se faire une petite sortie traditionnelle annuelle. Mais quand ça devient trop convivial, si nos vélos restent sobres, nous le soir on tend vers la consommation des gros 4X4😏.
Et puis une des grandes curiosités du voyage à vélo c'est de partir dans des gros trucs avec une personne que l'on a connue par le net et que l'on découvre dans l'adversité. Bien évidemment il faut que ça colle, mais on se jauge vite avec un peu d'expérience, même si le facteur humain ne se sonde pas facilement. Il y a toujours de la surprise, mais pour ma part très souvent très bonne.
Seul en France ou en Europe je suis tombé à plusieurs reprises sur des Chinois, tout surpris de voir un Européen à vélo avec des grosses sacoches. Une fois en novembre dans le Verdon à Moustier-Sainte-Marie 4 Chinois n'arrêtaient de me prendre en photo sous toutes les coutures, pliés de rire, me prenant pour un berger descendant sa production de fromages au marché😉.
Bonne journée Luc
Bonne journée Luc
Exactement 🙂
Même quand tu crois être seul, y'a toujours une petite luciole qui vient te tenir compagnie :)
Gilles
Mon petit reportage du 02 Juin au 28 Juin en mode Bikepacking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi5ykYxewDQ
Je voyage depuis toujours avec ma moitié, de la complicité et complémentarité. Quelle chance et quel plaisir que de pouvoir vivre et partager ensemble nos passions communes, je ne pourrais concevoir mes voyages autrement.
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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!