Voyage à vélo au Japon (Sapporo à Kagoshima)
by Basiledede
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour !! Je prepare un voyage au Japon du Nord au Sud (Sapporo à Kagoshima) à vélo en évitant le plus les villes. J'ai deux questions. La première en combien de temps pensez vous pouvoir faire ça, sachant que je pense être plutôt en bonne condition physique. La deuxième : est il facile de trouver de petites routes sans trop de véhicule (routes rurales) où pouvoir faire du vélo (pas sur le trottoir de routes très fréquentées)??
Merci beaucoup beaucoup par avance de vos réponse !!!
Bonjour
+ / - 3000 km Si ton but est de rouler le plus possible et si tu es en forme, tu peux faire entre 1500 et 2000km par mois. Après y a le facteur métép, pas mal de pluie selon la saison. 1000km par mois c'est pas mal et ça laisse le temps de visiter quelques trucs.
Pour les routes, il faut impérativement une bonne carte, un atlas. mais oui tu peux tout faire en dehors des grands axes.
+ / - 3000 km Si ton but est de rouler le plus possible et si tu es en forme, tu peux faire entre 1500 et 2000km par mois. Après y a le facteur métép, pas mal de pluie selon la saison. 1000km par mois c'est pas mal et ça laisse le temps de visiter quelques trucs.
Pour les routes, il faut impérativement une bonne carte, un atlas. mais oui tu peux tout faire en dehors des grands axes.
Merci beaucoup de votre réponse. En effet je pense faire bien plus de 3000km. Il faut donc prévoir à peu près 75 jours ? Et si il est possible de tout faire par de petites routes c'est parfait !! Merci :)
Merci beaucoup de votre réponse. En effet je pense faire bien plus de 3000km. Il faut donc prévoir à peu près 75 jours ? Et si il est possible de tout faire par de petites routes c'est parfait !! Merci :)
Bonjour,
Attention aux petites routes de montagne : leur étroitesse n'est pas un problème pour un cycliste, mais on ne peut pas en dire autant de leurs gradients redoutables et de plus très irréguliers.
Bonjour,
Attention aux petites routes de montagne : leur étroitesse n'est pas un problème pour un cycliste, mais on ne peut pas en dire autant de leurs gradients redoutables et de plus très irréguliers.
Merci beaucoup !! Je ferais attention. Une autre questions un peu bête peut être :à part dans les magasins, ou trouver de l'eau potable ?? Il y a des robinets public comme en France ? Merci.
Merci beaucoup !! Je ferais attention. Une autre questions un peu bête peut être :à part dans les magasins, ou trouver de l'eau potable ?? Il y a des robinets public comme en France ? Merci.
Que l'on soit à pied ou en vélo, ce n'est pas une question bête. 🙂 Les konbini (magasins de proximité comme 7-Eleven) ont très souvent (toujours?) des toilettes accessibles librement où l'eau du robinet est potable. Je n'ai jamais acheté d'eau sur les 1200 km du pèlerinage de Shikoku (mais épisodiquement du café et des boissons de l'effort).
Que l'on soit à pied ou en vélo, ce n'est pas une question bête. 🙂 Les konbini (magasins de proximité comme 7-Eleven) ont très souvent (toujours?) des toilettes accessibles librement où l'eau du robinet est potable. Je n'ai jamais acheté d'eau sur les 1200 km du pèlerinage de Shikoku (mais épisodiquement du café et des boissons de l'effort).
Merci beaucoup !! Je ferais attention. Une autre questions un peu bête peut être :à part dans les magasins, ou trouver de l'eau potable ?? Il y a des robinets public comme en France ? Merci.
Euuuhhh..... oui. C'est le Japon hein, pas le Soudan. Dans tous les pays "riches", tu trouves de l'eau facilement tant qu'il n'y a pas de désert à traverser. Et Le Japon est très urbain, ça tombe bien!
Il y a une application à avoir pour voyager au Japon, en japonais donc je ne sais pas l'écrire! Cette application référence TOUT : aire de repos avec restos et sanitaire, combinis, supermarché, hopitaux, etc etc... Elle est facile à utiliser même si en japonais (les dessins aident bien)
Si quelqu'un connait...
Euuuhhh..... oui. C'est le Japon hein, pas le Soudan. Dans tous les pays "riches", tu trouves de l'eau facilement tant qu'il n'y a pas de désert à traverser. Et Le Japon est très urbain, ça tombe bien!
Il y a une application à avoir pour voyager au Japon, en japonais donc je ne sais pas l'écrire! Cette application référence TOUT : aire de repos avec restos et sanitaire, combinis, supermarché, hopitaux, etc etc... Elle est facile à utiliser même si en japonais (les dessins aident bien)
Si quelqu'un connait...
OK merci. En fait j'aurais pleins de questions mais il y en a une en particulier (je me suis un peu renseigné :) c'est le camping. Je compte camper la plupart du temps. J'ai compris que le camping sauvage est interdit mais que si on ne mettait sa tente au début de la nuit et qu'on l'enlève avant le coucher du soleil ça allait. Vous avez un avis ?? Et est ce que les campings sont référencer sur les cartes papiers ?
Et pour l'hygiène (douche...) si on est pas dans un camping payant c'est pas possible c'est ça ? Est ce autoriser de se laver avec l'eau d'une rivière ? Après si il y a pas le choix je me laverai tout les 4 jours mais c'est pas super agréable surtout quand on fait du sport...
Merci de vos réponses !!
Par exemple si sur Google maps on voit un parc est ce qu'on peut camper dedans (en état très respectueux évidemment)??
Par exemple si sur Google maps on voit un parc est ce qu'on peut camper dedans (en état très respectueux évidemment)??
Je l'ai fais une fois mais évites.... Dans un parc, y a forcément du passage et si tu tombes sur un japon tatillon, c'est un coup à te faire au mieux virer au pire à te retrouver à taper la discute avec la police du coin.
Je l'ai fais une fois mais évites.... Dans un parc, y a forcément du passage et si tu tombes sur un japon tatillon, c'est un coup à te faire au mieux virer au pire à te retrouver à taper la discute avec la police du coin.
OK merci. En fait j'aurais pleins de questions mais il y en a une en particulier (je me suis un peu renseigné :) c'est le camping. Je compte camper la plupart du temps. J'ai compris que le camping sauvage est interdit mais que si on ne mettait sa tente au début de la nuit et qu'on l'enlève avant le coucher du soleil ça allait. Vous avez un avis ?? Et est ce que les campings sont référencer sur les cartes papiers ?
Et pour l'hygiène (douche...) si on est pas dans un camping payant c'est pas possible c'est ça ? Est ce autoriser de se laver avec l'eau d'une rivière ? Après si il y a pas le choix je me laverai tout les 4 jours mais c'est pas super agréable surtout quand on fait du sport...
Merci de vos réponses !!
Alors :
- Tu peux trouver sans problème des cartes ou atlas qui référencent les campings au Japon, ça se trouve à Tokyo, ici : https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/c/store/Shinjuku-Main-Store/shopinfo_en.html Le plus dur sera de trouver les campings! si ça n'a pas changé, ils sont très mal indiqués. Avec un smartphone, ça doit bien aider.
- tu peux bivouaquer une nuit mais évite d'être proches d'habitations ou de batiments, sauf si tu as l'autorisation. Je te conseille d'arriver à la tombée de la nuit, sauf si tu es dans un coin vraiment paumé.
- le peu de campings que j'ai vu étaient assez pourris, enfin en 2007 et 2013. Je me souviens d'un camping sans eau chaude... Perso je me lave dans la tente avec un bidon et un gant de toilettes. ça se fait très très bien.
Pour l'application dont je te parlais, j'ai fait des captures d'écran :
https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090602916826.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090634737521.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090640574673.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090649107982.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090702329862.jpg
tu cliques sur ce que tu cherches, et tu bascules automatiquement sur google maps avec les emplacements de ta recherche. C'est énorme.
C'est vraiment THE application à avoir quand on voyage au Japon, surtout quand on voyage en vélo. (Pour android, je ne sais pas si l'application existe pour Mac) Pour l'installer, si tu ne parles pas japonais : commence par télécharger le clavier japonais pour ton téléphone et fais toi aider par un japonais pour l'installation.
L'application référence à peu près tout : resto, air de repos avec restos (J'ai oublié le nom en japonais), combinis, gares, pharmacie, TOUT! indispensable en 2020 sauf si tu es un vrai aventurier.
Alors :
- Tu peux trouver sans problème des cartes ou atlas qui référencent les campings au Japon, ça se trouve à Tokyo, ici : https://www.kinokuniya.co.jp/c/store/Shinjuku-Main-Store/shopinfo_en.html Le plus dur sera de trouver les campings! si ça n'a pas changé, ils sont très mal indiqués. Avec un smartphone, ça doit bien aider.
- tu peux bivouaquer une nuit mais évite d'être proches d'habitations ou de batiments, sauf si tu as l'autorisation. Je te conseille d'arriver à la tombée de la nuit, sauf si tu es dans un coin vraiment paumé.
- le peu de campings que j'ai vu étaient assez pourris, enfin en 2007 et 2013. Je me souviens d'un camping sans eau chaude... Perso je me lave dans la tente avec un bidon et un gant de toilettes. ça se fait très très bien.
Pour l'application dont je te parlais, j'ai fait des captures d'écran :
https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090602916826.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090634737521.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090640574673.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090649107982.jpg https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090702329862.jpg
tu cliques sur ce que tu cherches, et tu bascules automatiquement sur google maps avec les emplacements de ta recherche. C'est énorme.
C'est vraiment THE application à avoir quand on voyage au Japon, surtout quand on voyage en vélo. (Pour android, je ne sais pas si l'application existe pour Mac) Pour l'installer, si tu ne parles pas japonais : commence par télécharger le clavier japonais pour ton téléphone et fais toi aider par un japonais pour l'installation.
L'application référence à peu près tout : resto, air de repos avec restos (J'ai oublié le nom en japonais), combinis, gares, pharmacie, TOUT! indispensable en 2020 sauf si tu es un vrai aventurier.
https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090602916826.jpg
Il est écrit en katakana : Rokesuma.
C'est vraiment THE application à avoir quand on voyage au Japon, surtout quand on voyage en vélo. (Pour android, je ne sais pas si l'application existe pour Mac)
Si, si. https://apps.apple.com/tw/app/%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B1%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9E/id498923187
Il est écrit en katakana : Rokesuma.
C'est vraiment THE application à avoir quand on voyage au Japon, surtout quand on voyage en vélo. (Pour android, je ne sais pas si l'application existe pour Mac)
Si, si. https://apps.apple.com/tw/app/%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B1%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9E/id498923187
https://nsa40.casimages.com/img/2020/04/11/200411090602916826.jpg
Il est écrit en katakana : Rokesuma.
C'est vraiment THE application à avoir quand on voyage au Japon, surtout quand on voyage en vélo. (Pour android, je ne sais pas si l'application existe pour Mac)
Si, si. https://apps.apple.com/tw/app/%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B1%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9E/id498923187
merci!
du coup tu connaissais déjà ou pas?
Il est écrit en katakana : Rokesuma.
C'est vraiment THE application à avoir quand on voyage au Japon, surtout quand on voyage en vélo. (Pour android, je ne sais pas si l'application existe pour Mac)
Si, si. https://apps.apple.com/tw/app/%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B1%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9E/id498923187
merci!
du coup tu connaissais déjà ou pas?
Ben non ^^
Ben non ^^
En espérant que ça puisse te servir du coup! L'application est totalement méconnue des étrangers, c'est quasiment sur. Perso c'est ungaijinaujapon qui m'en a parlé. A utiliser, c'est juste topissime! Que ce soit en vélo, à pied ou en voiture. Et partout!
En espérant que ça puisse te servir du coup! L'application est totalement méconnue des étrangers, c'est quasiment sur. Perso c'est ungaijinaujapon qui m'en a parlé. A utiliser, c'est juste topissime! Que ce soit en vélo, à pied ou en voiture. Et partout!
J'aimerais bien pouvoir tester rapidement, mais...
Waouh ça fait plein de super chose à savoir !! Bon cette appli je vais essayer de l'installer car c'est sur que ça a l'air de bien aider =). Un autre question par rapport au camping :est ce qu'on peut camper sur la plage ?? Merci beaucoup !!!
Je viens d'installer lappli (il faut taper le nom en romaji) et la tester c'est super utile. Bon après j'arrive à comprendre les katakana mais sur les Kanji je comprends plus rien. Mais c'est super, merci !
Après un plus gros test de l'appli c'est sur que c'est indispensable !!! En plus mon smartphone peut traduire ce que j'écris en japonais donc rechercher ce que je veux :). Même des campings, tout !!! Merci beaucoup c'est vraiment super !!!!
Pense bien à prendre une assurance voyage. Et il faut que cette assurance couvre la pratique du sport.
Et attention, en cas d'accident entre un vélo et un piéton, le cycliste sera toujours en tord.
Info donnée par benefukuoka il y a quelques mois et ça j'ai retenu !
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Après l’avoir tester 3 ans sur plusieurs moyens de transport, je partage cette vidéo d’un emballage vélo. Il est en carton de recyclage et filmé, modulable en épaisseur et ajout de papier bulle selon la protection souhaitée.
La pose d’entretoises à la fourche et haubans rend l’emballage compact. Avec la quinzaine d’ €uros d’un filmage en aérogare, cet emballage voyage très bien.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
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- le contrôle de la pression des pneus à travers le film plastique sans trop abimer l’emballage reste possible
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I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires. I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time). I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral. I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough? And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
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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.
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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?
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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!
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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.

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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.


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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)






