Great news that the forum is back—we’ve been waiting for this for ages! Now we can chat again with the die-hards like Claudio, Luc Bertand, and everyone else... Voyager à vélo

Hi everyone,

This isn’t a travel journal. I’m borrowing an idea from someone else who, a few years ago, thought of starting a thread to share their archived photos of this country.

I’ll be posting here from time to time—some less old, let’s say more or less recent, images. With little or no commentary. Just for the fun of it.

I’m planning a journey of about 2500 km starting from San Pedro de Atacama (duration: max. 2 months). This trip, almost entirely on remote trails, promises to be an extraordinary adventure.

Highlights of the trip - Crossing the Florido Desert (during the blooming season: October 15–30) - Hiking ascents of legendary volcanoes: - Ojos del Salado (6879 m) - Llullaillaco (6739 m) - Uturuncu (6008 m, with 5820 m reachable by mountain bike!) - A 300 km stage through the heart of the desert, with no resupply or habitation: the ultimate experience of solitude and self-transcendence.

Practical details - Daily distance: max. 100 km and 1000 m elevation gain per day - Average altitude: 4000 m (between 3500 and 5000 m) - Temperatures: ~15 °C during the day, down to -25 °C at night (in a tent) - Accommodation: ~50% in villages (with locals or small hostels), ~50% camping

Estimated budget - 1400 € for the flight ticket (including bike supplement) - 1000 € for on-the-ground expenses

Required equipment - Fatbike (essential for deep sand) - -25 °C comfort sleeping bag - Single-wheel trailer (indispensable for these tough terrains)

My experience In 2022, I completed a similar 1200 km trip north of San Pedro de Atacama: - Full crossing of the Salar de Uyuni (170 km) - Ascents of the Ollague (5868 m) and Aucanquilcha (6176 m) volcanoes - Two 200 km stages with no resupply or human presence Videos available for a glimpse of the adventure: - Atacama Crossing 2022 - Part 1 - Atacama Crossing 2022 - Part 2

Next steps If this adventure interests you, I suggest: 1. A first phone call to get to know each other 2. A meet-up over a drink or a test ride in the Bardenas Reales (similar terrain, and I live 100 km away)

Don’t hesitate to contact me for more info or to discuss the details!

I'm planning a 3-day weekend with my wife on this cycle path. The articles about this route are old, so if anyone has traveled it recently and can give me an update on its condition, that'd be great. We're riding 1994 ROCKRIDER 340 mountain bikes but with 1.5-inch tires suited for road touring—will that work, or should I switch back to MTB tires? Thanks for your replies!

A bit disappointed with the forum's revival—there isn’t much activity or shared travel stories anymore.

Hello, I have a TX400. We're heading to the Andes this spring, and I wanted to see about changing my cassette to switch from an 11-35 to an 11-42 so I can tackle the big climbs more easily. So far, I've only found discussions from cyclists who switched from a 48-36-26 chainring to a 44-32-22. Has anyone kept the original chainring and just changed to a larger sprocket?

hi, photos of cheetahs going for their meal!!! consuming the meal and ending with mutual grooming. A lioness looking at her male with love😛

Hi,

Does anyone have recent info on the camera fee amount at Tadoba-Moharli? We spent 8 days there in the second half of February, and the local tour operator (The Wild Cat Eyes) collected 2000 rupees per camera per safari without any receipt—totaling 240,000 rupees (~265 €) for 12 safaris (9 in core zones and 3 in buffer zones). The signs at the park entrance listed 250 rupees, and the tour operator ignored our requests for an official park receipt.

Thanks in advance! Pk

Hi there,

I’d like to buy a camera to take with me everywhere while traveling and hiking. My use case: automatic mode only, for travel photos and family moments (meals, etc.). I currently have a Lumix FZ300, which has really let me down—especially in low light. I got some pretty mediocre shots from my last trip, and I definitely won’t be going back there... So, I’d like to replace it. Here’s what I’m ideally looking for: A compact camera, large sensor, decent zoom, and weather-sealed if possible. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

The usual stay in Rapallo for New Year's 2025/2026!

Two panorama shots taken with the DJI Mini Pocket 3!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpks5X1WYt8

Winter is here. It's that time of year when we sort through our photos. Bryce Canyon in pictures. It's one of the most iconic sites in the USA.

I traveled for a long time with a DSLR equipped with an 18-250mm zoom, but I gave it up two years ago and replaced it with my smartphone, which is lighter and less "intimidating" for street photography. The photo quality is good enough for nice enlargements (up to 80 cm).

Between COVID waves, our Plan B took us to Venice from Trento. Quite the journey, indeed.

Hardly anyone in the City of Doges. The photos even won me a People's Choice Award at an exhibition in 2023.

And La Fenice... What beauty.

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,

What software are you using?

I have Magix Deluxe and I’m wondering if there are others that are easy to use where, of course, you can add your own music to the edit. If it’s free, that’s even better so I can test it out 😊

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a bike trip to cycle around the Baltic Sea (gravel). Starting from Rostock. I’d love to hear from any cyclists who’ve ridden through the countries involved—especially tips on wild camping spots, must-see areas, and where to stock up on supplies, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Good evening everyone,

Since the forum came back, it's been a bit quiet—no one's sharing their adventures yet. I know it's the start of the season, so let's hope it picks up!

Last Saturday, my buddy Jean Paul (who’ll be 84 next month) and I rode through the cedar forest between Cavaillon and Bonnieux—I highly recommend it! I already knew the area. We started from Pont Royal: me on my latest women’s FUN RIDE SOLO mountain bike (kept it as simple as possible), and him on a road bike with gravel tires. The road starting near Cheval Blanc, called the Vidauque route, is paved but completely wrecked—full of potholes, abandoned for ages, and technically off-limits to cars (though 4x4s still use it). The views over the Cavaillon plain are stunning, but we had to push our bikes a few times. After that, we did 10 km through the gorgeous cedar forest, followed by all downhill and flat terrain through the Lourmarin valley, then Cadenet, before heading toward La Roque-d'Anthéron. From there, we tackled the dirt paths of Provence by bike—beautiful trails—and made our way back to Mallemort and Pont Royal. A great loop: 81.51 km with 908 m of elevation gain. And Jean Paul? Fresh as a daisy at the finish—what an impressive guy!

Now, the real reason for this post: At the start, we followed the Carpentras Canal, which runs from Mallemort to Travaillan (69 km total). I’ve seen some photos on Komoot, and it looks amazing—apparently, there’s always a towpath.

**HAS ANYONE DONE THIS BY BIKE BEFORE? COULD YOU SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE? THANKS IN ADVANCE!** Serge

We’re planning to cycle along the Baltic coast this summer, from Flensburg all the way to the Polish border—and maybe even a little farther along the Polish coast. By e-bike and staying in hotels (we’re not exactly spring chickens). Any tips? Challenges, places to stay, signage? Other thoughts?

Following up on my post "Dubai on a budget," here are a few photos to give you an idea of the atmosphere...

Mamzar Park

Kite Beach – Solemio section

Waterfront Market, fish side

Fruit and vegetable side







Bur Dubai... a peaceful stroll along the creek

Iranian mosque right in the city

Indian thali

Afghan bakery

It’s tough to pick what seems the most iconic, so I went with what reflects the tranquility... for a relaxing holiday, you know?!! Yes, Dubai isn’t just a crowded place with an influencer on every corner!!! Laurence

3 days in the Camargue... it’s really not enough!

I didn’t know the area before, but the Camargue is packed with "experiences": - Taking the ferry - Walking on the beaches and watching the kitesurfers - Crossing the dike on an electric bike - Horseback riding along the shore - Visiting a *manade* and attending an *abrivade* (cattle roundup) - Exploring Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Aigues-Mortes, or Arles - Touring the salt flats of Giraud or Aigues - Photographing birds at the Parc du Pont de Gau - Watching a bull race and cheering on the *razeteurs* (bull-chasers) - Experiencing a Gypsy evening - Hiking "flat" among the reeds - Tasting bull meat - Relaxing in a peaceful haven - Testing mosquito repellent - ...

Needless to say, we didn’t have time to do it all in 3 days. We’ll be back!

A few tips: - For relaxation: a gorgeous guesthouse, *Le Mas de Bouvet* - For *manades*: the one at Baumelles, with a *Guytou* (herdsman) as warm as he is passionate - For tasting bull meat: *Le Chante Clair* in Les Saintes-Maries - And for birds: the Parc du Pont de Gau

If you’re a photographer, the park lets you stay until 6:00 PM, and afterward, you’re free to leave whenever you want. Those are the best hours for observing and photographing birds. But it’s also where you’ll see massive telephoto lenses that’ll make you feel small if all you’ve got is a small hybrid camera (like my Lumix G80) with a 100-300mm lens.

A few photo memories—starting with the *Manade de Baumelles*:

For map lovers, bike routes, cycle touring all over the planet, and long-haul trips...

I had fun compiling in one place ALL the routes my partner and I have biked across the planet since 1996: Quebec far and wide, of course, but also Canada, the USA (crossed completely by bike 3 times), Mexico, and all the way to Ushuaia—basically the entire Americas.

In Europe, the Balkans, Turkey; and more recently (2024: Taiwan, Korea, and 4 months in Japan!) You can check out a global map with all the routes by continent, more detailed maps by country, and others that focus on a region, like the Balkans in Eastern Europe. In short, there’s something for everyone!

I’ve included 3 photos here, but the originals (via the link above) let you zoom in infinitely. Plus, many of my routes are represented by lines with a different color for each day of biking. Hope some of you enjoy browsing through all this as much as I enjoyed compiling it. Until the snow comes, skiing... and spring!

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/TDM_en_Tandem_Trajets_Maps

in 2024, a beautiful ride with Claudio from Dunkirk to Perpignan or thereabouts a timeless journey off the beaten path

http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2024-dunkerq-perp/

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

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

Hello young cycling enthusiasts, I’m starting a thread about the bike route known as venaissia.

Claudio took advantage of this February 2026’s mild weather to check out what it looks like.

Here we go—story and photos coming soon: http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-venaissia/

The plan was to go from Faverges to Cavaillon and explore the Via Venaissia a bit. A crazy idea? Maybe, but don’t forget that the month of February—"februare" in Latin—means "to purify," so it’s the Month of the Lupercalia, a Roman festival that was a purification rite. So, to purify himself after the feasts of the Saturnalia, Claudio set off (from an oak tree, no less) to pedal south.

He returned a little soaked but alive: The stages were as follows: (to be continued)

overall impression: good signage, but Claudio still managed to get lost in cities like Orange and Carpentras... Cavaillon... got lost several times, but thanks to the map and GPS, he got back on track... Nice route, sometimes a bit boring, quiet, deserted (normal given the weather), threatening skies, but he escaped the rain.

I have 5 months left to prepare for the most ambitious project of my life...

In 5 months, I’ll hit the road, heading to Nepal. Not by plane. Not by train. But by bike.

13,000 km, 18 countries crossed. Powered only by my legs, my will, and a dream.

This journey isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s:

🌍 A human and cultural adventure, meeting locals, landscapes, and traditions. 🌱 A meaningful project: discussing climate change and, above all, listening to those who experience it daily. 🔥 An inner quest, to push my limits and inspire others to step out of their comfort zones. A message of hope for self-discovery.

I have 20 weeks left to: ✅ Finalize my route ✅ Gather the budget and equipment ✅ Sort out the logistics ✅ And most importantly… find committed sponsors to bring this adventure to life.

Any help is welcome!

Hi everyone, After a break of a few years, I’m heading back to Madagascar this October. I’d like to travel from Diego to Maroantsetra via Cap Masoala as much as possible by bike—it’s my favorite way to travel. My questions: for the return trip to Diego once I’m in Maroantsetra, is there a possibility to take a flight, since the road option only starts much further south than Tamatave? Or where can I rent or buy a decent bike between Diego and Cap Masoala? For this bike trip, I’m open to any info—I love traveling rough. Someone might even want to join me on this adventure.

After that, I’d also like info on the northeast part (Mozambique Channel side) of Diego, which I’d like to explore by bike as well.

Thanks, and feel free to share any tips—just skip the paternalistic safety advice. Laurent

Hi fellow travelers! I’m planning a trip to Japan from March 22 to April 12 and really want to bike the Shimanami Kaido starting from Onomichi, but I don’t cycle regularly. Has anyone here done it and could share their experience or tips? Is the weather in March-April favorable? Should I plan for 2 or 3 days? Electric or regular bike? What’s better—having my luggage forwarded along the route or leaving it in a locker? Any recommendations for accommodations or bike rentals? Thanks in advance for your replies!

Hi there. I'd like to change the chainring on my Riverside 5 with trigger shifters. I’m attaching a photo for advice. I’m lacking power and want a larger chainring for road use because I’m spinning out on the highest gear even though I still have power to give on flat terrain. At Decathlon, they were supposed to get back to me after checking it out in the workshop but never did. It was outside their standards, and the salesperson clearly forgot about me... What are your recommendations and suitable products for purchase, please? Thanks. Best regards,

Every day, I look back at my 2022 trip to Wyoming. And every day, I tell myself I need to start getting ready to go back. Don’t agree? 😎