Carte routière chinoise pour faire du tandem VTT
by Oliviers
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
nous comptons mon mari et moi partir en Chine en avril mai prochain pour un mois en tandem VTT. Où pouvons ns nous procurer une carte du Nord de la Chine dans les deux versions, chinoise et française. Nous comptons partir de Pékin et nous rendre à Xian en passant par Datong, Ping Yao
Si vous possédez des renseignements qui peuvent nous faciliter la vie ou que nous devons savoir avant de partir merçi de nous les communiquer
Elisabeth
vive le vélo !!!!!
Le mieux est d'avoir 2 cartes : la carte Nelles "Northern China" qu'on peut normalement trouver à la Fnac et une carte très précise de chaque province en chinois et qu'on peut acheter à Pekin ( ou encore atlas routier dont on peut ne garder que les pages intéressantes). A Paris je sais que la librairie You Feng 45 rue Monsieur le Prince, 75006 vend des cartes chinoises, leur telephone : 01 43 25 89 98
Mais moi j'ai toujours trouvé les cartes que je voulais en Chine, bien sûr grandes librairies et villes pas trop petites !
Bonne préparation !
merçi pour tes infos, as-tu fait le nord de la chine à vélo? y-a-t-il des problèmes de vols dans ce coin? Avril mai me semble le bon moment pour s'y rendre, est-ce un endroit pluvieux? les chinois sont-ils sympats? peut-on consommer l'eau sans problème où vaut-il mieux prendre les micro
purs? dans quel état sont les routes? pleins de questions me viennent à l'esprit mais je ne veux pas trop prendre de ton temps mais d'autres pourront surement me repondre
Elisabeth
vive le vélo !!!!!
Bonjour,
Nous avons parcouru la Chine et notament la partie nord que vous voulez traverser. Voici qques infos.
Pour les cartes routieres, vous trouverez les cartes par province facilement a Pékin ou dans les grandes villes. MAis la carte nelles c'est quand meme bine de l'avoir avec soi.
Pour la communication avec les Chinois.... Mieux vaut connaitre qques mots ou alors s'armer de patience. Mais toujours un bon retour de la part des Chinois qui sont plus timides et impressionnés par l'atranger.
Question sécurité : Aucun problème de mauvaises rencontres, vols ou autres pbmes. Que du bon, Nous laissions sans pbme les vélos chargés pour des visites ou des achats... Au retour, tjs bcp de monde autour, mais dans une ambiance bon enfant.
Pour les routes, c'est souvent des routes tres fréquentés, surtout par les camions, vu aue c'est une région ou il y a pas mal de minerai, notement du charbon, ce qui fait qu'en fin de journée, on ressemble a un héro de Zola.... Quant aux petites routes, c'est pas évident du tous de les trouver. Dans l'ensemble le revetement est bon, bien que de médiocre qualité.
Qualité de l'eau, réputé pas potable dans toute la Chine. Nous avions une pompe a eau, mais, peut être l'accoutumance, nous ne nous en servions aue tres rarement. Le mieux est quand meme les pastilles micropur. Pour une courte durée, c'est la sécurité. Sinon, on trouve des bouteilles d'eau partout.
Bon courage pour votre voyage
Christian
Nous avons parcouru la Chine et notament la partie nord que vous voulez traverser. Voici qques infos.
Pour les cartes routieres, vous trouverez les cartes par province facilement a Pékin ou dans les grandes villes. MAis la carte nelles c'est quand meme bine de l'avoir avec soi.
Pour la communication avec les Chinois.... Mieux vaut connaitre qques mots ou alors s'armer de patience. Mais toujours un bon retour de la part des Chinois qui sont plus timides et impressionnés par l'atranger.
Question sécurité : Aucun problème de mauvaises rencontres, vols ou autres pbmes. Que du bon, Nous laissions sans pbme les vélos chargés pour des visites ou des achats... Au retour, tjs bcp de monde autour, mais dans une ambiance bon enfant.
Pour les routes, c'est souvent des routes tres fréquentés, surtout par les camions, vu aue c'est une région ou il y a pas mal de minerai, notement du charbon, ce qui fait qu'en fin de journée, on ressemble a un héro de Zola.... Quant aux petites routes, c'est pas évident du tous de les trouver. Dans l'ensemble le revetement est bon, bien que de médiocre qualité.
Qualité de l'eau, réputé pas potable dans toute la Chine. Nous avions une pompe a eau, mais, peut être l'accoutumance, nous ne nous en servions aue tres rarement. Le mieux est quand meme les pastilles micropur. Pour une courte durée, c'est la sécurité. Sinon, on trouve des bouteilles d'eau partout.
Bon courage pour votre voyage
Christian
Bourlinguer humanum est.
"Avril mai me semble le bon moment pour s'y rendre, est-ce un endroit pluvieux? les chinois sont-ils sympas? peut-on consommer l'eau sans problème où vaut-il mieux prendre les micropurs? dans quel état sont les routes?"
Je ne pense pas que vous ayez à craindre trop de pluie - attention aux vents de sable possibles en avril. Oui, très très sympas, les Chinois - surtout en dehors des endroits touristiques et si l'on connaît un peu la langue ! Quant à l'eau, il y a partout de l'eau bouillie dans des thermos - dans les hôtels et restos mais aussi possible de demander dans des boutiques ou à des gens - moi j'avais toujours ma petite réserve de thé vert - Et puis il y a partout des bouteilles d'eau. Par contre je n'ai pas fait de velo dans cette région - sauf un peu autour de Pingyao, ( ce n'est pas une des plus belles régions : plaine et mines de charbon, attention !)... à propos je recommande la guesthouse "Yide" à Pingyao - dans une belle demeure ancienne et un peu à l'écart des foules (groupes de touristes chinois surtout). Autre facilité en Chine : il est toujours possible de mettre le vélo sur le toit d'un bus pour avancer... ou retrouver une contrée plus "riante"... Dans le Nord de la Chine, j'ai voyagé à partir de Xian vers le Nord, Nord-ouest...(jusqu'au Gansu et Ningxia) puis suis redescendue dans le Shaanxi jusqu'à Hancheng au bord du fleuve jaune (la ville ancienne est très jolie et il y a 3 ans pas du tout touristique). Toujours privilégier les petites routes bien sûr !... sur des cartes précises elles sont bien indiquées, une fois qu'on a compris comment les repérer ! A ta disposition si tu as d'autres questions...
Je ne pense pas que vous ayez à craindre trop de pluie - attention aux vents de sable possibles en avril. Oui, très très sympas, les Chinois - surtout en dehors des endroits touristiques et si l'on connaît un peu la langue ! Quant à l'eau, il y a partout de l'eau bouillie dans des thermos - dans les hôtels et restos mais aussi possible de demander dans des boutiques ou à des gens - moi j'avais toujours ma petite réserve de thé vert - Et puis il y a partout des bouteilles d'eau. Par contre je n'ai pas fait de velo dans cette région - sauf un peu autour de Pingyao, ( ce n'est pas une des plus belles régions : plaine et mines de charbon, attention !)... à propos je recommande la guesthouse "Yide" à Pingyao - dans une belle demeure ancienne et un peu à l'écart des foules (groupes de touristes chinois surtout). Autre facilité en Chine : il est toujours possible de mettre le vélo sur le toit d'un bus pour avancer... ou retrouver une contrée plus "riante"... Dans le Nord de la Chine, j'ai voyagé à partir de Xian vers le Nord, Nord-ouest...(jusqu'au Gansu et Ningxia) puis suis redescendue dans le Shaanxi jusqu'à Hancheng au bord du fleuve jaune (la ville ancienne est très jolie et il y a 3 ans pas du tout touristique). Toujours privilégier les petites routes bien sûr !... sur des cartes précises elles sont bien indiquées, une fois qu'on a compris comment les repérer ! A ta disposition si tu as d'autres questions...
merçi pour tes infos. Où es-tu allé ds le nord? Les immanquables? peut-on camper facilement car lors de notre dernier voyage en Ethiopie le campement fut pratiquement impossible à cause de l'envahissement de la population et vu que les hôtels (boui- boui) étaient très bon marché( 4e la nuit)la tente est souvent restée ds les sacoches. Facile de changer les travellers chèques, en ce qui concerne les bus est-il vrai que les prix changent une fois à l'interieur de ceux ci? où acheter les billets ? ds les hôtels?
sportivement Elisabeth
vive le vélo !!!!!
bonjour,
Partis de France a vélo, nous sommes arrivés en Chine par le Tibet. Après Lhassa, nous avons rejoint Chengdu, Xian, Taiyuan, Pingyao, Hohhot puis Pékin pour négocier et obtenir notre 4eme mois de visa.
Effectivement la région de Xian, Pingyao, Hohhot n'a pas été la plus interessante au niveau vélo. Bcp de vent qui arrive du désert de Gobi, des camions de charbon... (et peur être pour nous un commencement de lassitude...). PAr ocntre la joie de longer pour la premiere fois la grande muraille.
Quant aux hotels, on en trouve partout, mais la encore, il faut chercher si on ne veut pas tomber dans l'hotel d'état, souvent cher (pour le pays), mais également mieux équipé. Sinon, tu trouve des pensions (pour Chinois) vraiment pas cheres, souvent sans confort, plus difficile a trouver, car les autochtones auront du mal a te l'indiquer.
Tu trouves également en campagne, des relais pour routier. La encore confort spartiate et prix insignifiant, facile a repérer avec leurs baraquement sans étage alignés le long des routes.
Le prix modeste des hébergements, la facilité de rejoindre des villes ou villages, fait que depuis Chengdu, nous n'avons utilisé notre tente que trés rarement. Un bivouac sur la grande muraille oblige et quelques rares fois dans la cour de fermes ou nous avions eu la chance de nous faire inviter.
Pour le voyage en bus, nous ne l'avons pas tresté, mais avons pris le train (pour rentrer dans Pékin). Aucun probleme, tu enregistre ton vélo, tu le laisse au local bagages et tu le retrouve a l'arrivée. C'est pas cher, c'est facile et ça fait de la manutention en moins.
Pour le change pas de probleme, toutes les Bank of China acceptent les TC, le cash Euro ou Usd
Quant aux visites et incontournables, je te laisse le soin de feuilleter un guide A notre niveau, nous saturions de temples, statues de Bouddha et autres curiosités. La encore, surement un petit passage a vide.....
Par contre, tu t'apercevras vite que les Chinois, n'ont pas la même conception que nous de la restauration du patrimoine........
Bonne préparation.
Christian
Partis de France a vélo, nous sommes arrivés en Chine par le Tibet. Après Lhassa, nous avons rejoint Chengdu, Xian, Taiyuan, Pingyao, Hohhot puis Pékin pour négocier et obtenir notre 4eme mois de visa.
Effectivement la région de Xian, Pingyao, Hohhot n'a pas été la plus interessante au niveau vélo. Bcp de vent qui arrive du désert de Gobi, des camions de charbon... (et peur être pour nous un commencement de lassitude...). PAr ocntre la joie de longer pour la premiere fois la grande muraille.
Quant aux hotels, on en trouve partout, mais la encore, il faut chercher si on ne veut pas tomber dans l'hotel d'état, souvent cher (pour le pays), mais également mieux équipé. Sinon, tu trouve des pensions (pour Chinois) vraiment pas cheres, souvent sans confort, plus difficile a trouver, car les autochtones auront du mal a te l'indiquer.
Tu trouves également en campagne, des relais pour routier. La encore confort spartiate et prix insignifiant, facile a repérer avec leurs baraquement sans étage alignés le long des routes.
Le prix modeste des hébergements, la facilité de rejoindre des villes ou villages, fait que depuis Chengdu, nous n'avons utilisé notre tente que trés rarement. Un bivouac sur la grande muraille oblige et quelques rares fois dans la cour de fermes ou nous avions eu la chance de nous faire inviter.
Pour le voyage en bus, nous ne l'avons pas tresté, mais avons pris le train (pour rentrer dans Pékin). Aucun probleme, tu enregistre ton vélo, tu le laisse au local bagages et tu le retrouve a l'arrivée. C'est pas cher, c'est facile et ça fait de la manutention en moins.
Pour le change pas de probleme, toutes les Bank of China acceptent les TC, le cash Euro ou Usd
Quant aux visites et incontournables, je te laisse le soin de feuilleter un guide A notre niveau, nous saturions de temples, statues de Bouddha et autres curiosités. La encore, surement un petit passage a vide.....
Par contre, tu t'apercevras vite que les Chinois, n'ont pas la même conception que nous de la restauration du patrimoine........
Bonne préparation.
Christian
Bourlinguer humanum est.
salut Grenoble
je vois que tu es parti pour un long périple combien de temps? seul? à quel période étais-tu en chine?
pour l'instant ns avons une carte très sommaire, ns aimerions savoir si c'est entre Pingyao et Xian que la vallée n'est pas top à cause du charbon où plutôt entre Pingyao et Datong? je vais commander les cartes cela sera plus facile pour paufiner notre itinéraire
à + sportivement
Elisabeth
vive le vélo !!!!!
salut Caterina
merçi pour tous ces bons conseils, apparemment la vallée qui va à Pingyao est pas terrible, une vallée parrallèle peut-être? les températures sont douces ou moites? les régions montagneuses sont-elles froides en cette période?
voyages-tu seule? es-tu restée qu'en Chine où arrivais-tu d'ailleurs?
à + Elisabeth
vive le vélo !!!!!
Bonjour,
Nous sommes restés, ma femme et moi, de Mars a Juin.
Nous avons traversés le Tibet en mars. Mauvais calendrier (mais on peut pas être partout au bon moment), car nous avons eu des températures trés froides et pas mal de neige dans les hauts cols, avec des conduites d'eau gelées dans les villages, ce qui nous obligeait a faire chauffer de l'eau en permanence.
Les vallées a Charbon se trouvent entre Pingyao et Datong, la ou le vent de Gobi arrive.
C'est a Datong que nous avons pris le train pour Pékin, alors que notre visa était expiré...(Vive les JO qui rendent les administrations conciliantes...)
En réalité, depuis Chengdu, nous avons moins apprrécié la région, car moins de montagnes, plus de monde et d'industries.
En mai, il faut se méfier de la premiere semaine ou la quasi-totalité des Chinois sont en vacances (ce qui représente pas mal de personnes) et fait que tous les lieux touristiques sont envahis (le mot est faible) et ou les prix augmentent. De plus en mai, il y a une fine brume (du mioins quand nous y etions) permanente qui ne fait pas ressortir les couleurs et donne au ciel un air voilé, alors que le soleil, au dessus, brille et que les températures sont agréables.
A +
Christian
Nous sommes restés, ma femme et moi, de Mars a Juin.
Nous avons traversés le Tibet en mars. Mauvais calendrier (mais on peut pas être partout au bon moment), car nous avons eu des températures trés froides et pas mal de neige dans les hauts cols, avec des conduites d'eau gelées dans les villages, ce qui nous obligeait a faire chauffer de l'eau en permanence.
Les vallées a Charbon se trouvent entre Pingyao et Datong, la ou le vent de Gobi arrive.
C'est a Datong que nous avons pris le train pour Pékin, alors que notre visa était expiré...(Vive les JO qui rendent les administrations conciliantes...)
En réalité, depuis Chengdu, nous avons moins apprrécié la région, car moins de montagnes, plus de monde et d'industries.
En mai, il faut se méfier de la premiere semaine ou la quasi-totalité des Chinois sont en vacances (ce qui représente pas mal de personnes) et fait que tous les lieux touristiques sont envahis (le mot est faible) et ou les prix augmentent. De plus en mai, il y a une fine brume (du mioins quand nous y etions) permanente qui ne fait pas ressortir les couleurs et donne au ciel un air voilé, alors que le soleil, au dessus, brille et que les températures sont agréables.
A +
Christian
Bourlinguer humanum est.
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I need to arrive in Thessaloniki by bike at the end of September and I plan to head to Istanbul along the coast.
Could anyone help me pick the best route? Safety, difficulty.
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Hi everyone! Thanks for welcoming me to the forum :)
I’m preparing for a long trip heading to Nepal, with stops along the way depending on my mood, work needs, and the season. I cycle a lot, but this will be my first big touring adventure. I’d like to camp regularly to keep costs down, so I’ll be riding on all kinds of surfaces: smooth and rough roads, main highways and rocky paths to find my camping spots, flat terrain and the occasional steep slopes.
For my bike model, I’m prioritizing durability, versatility, and repairability. From that perspective, I prefer a steel frame and fork with rim brakes since I’m used to them. I’ve narrowed my choices down to four models:
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-700 LTD (1400 €): steel frame, aluminum fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 28" wheels, 40mm tires, 36 spokes (2 mm), lightweight rear rack (max 20 kg), no front rack included, smallest gear ratio of 0.72, weight of 13.9 kg.
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 (2200 €): steel frame and fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 26" wheels, 50mm tires, 36 spokes (2.34 mm), front and rear racks included (40+18 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 (2150 €): steel frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, 28" wheels, 36 spokes, 40mm tires, front and rear racks included (27+10 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.77, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Rockrider ADTV 900 from Decathlon (1700 €): aluminum frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, USB port, 28" wheels, 47mm tires, 28 spokes, front and rear racks included (40+20 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 17.1 kg. This is the successor to the Riverside Touring 900, which was a hit.
I’ve got a few questions:
1/ Should I go for 26" or 28" wheels for my trip? 26" wheels seem better for rough terrain, but 28" wheels feel more comfortable on roads. I’ve also read that 26" tires/tubes are easier to find.
2/ Do you recommend a steel frame and fork over aluminum? I’m guessing a high-quality aluminum frame and fork would be better than a low-quality steel one, right?
3/ Regarding the smallest gear ratio, is 0.71 a good number for a loaded bike in the mountains?
4/ Finally, what do you think of these four models for my project? My heart leans toward the TX-400—it seems to combine the versatility and robustness I’m looking for. But the price difference with the T-700 LTD is making me think twice!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
I’m preparing for a long trip heading to Nepal, with stops along the way depending on my mood, work needs, and the season. I cycle a lot, but this will be my first big touring adventure. I’d like to camp regularly to keep costs down, so I’ll be riding on all kinds of surfaces: smooth and rough roads, main highways and rocky paths to find my camping spots, flat terrain and the occasional steep slopes.
For my bike model, I’m prioritizing durability, versatility, and repairability. From that perspective, I prefer a steel frame and fork with rim brakes since I’m used to them. I’ve narrowed my choices down to four models:
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-700 LTD (1400 €): steel frame, aluminum fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 28" wheels, 40mm tires, 36 spokes (2 mm), lightweight rear rack (max 20 kg), no front rack included, smallest gear ratio of 0.72, weight of 13.9 kg.
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 (2200 €): steel frame and fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 26" wheels, 50mm tires, 36 spokes (2.34 mm), front and rear racks included (40+18 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 (2150 €): steel frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, 28" wheels, 36 spokes, 40mm tires, front and rear racks included (27+10 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.77, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Rockrider ADTV 900 from Decathlon (1700 €): aluminum frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, USB port, 28" wheels, 47mm tires, 28 spokes, front and rear racks included (40+20 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 17.1 kg. This is the successor to the Riverside Touring 900, which was a hit.
I’ve got a few questions:
1/ Should I go for 26" or 28" wheels for my trip? 26" wheels seem better for rough terrain, but 28" wheels feel more comfortable on roads. I’ve also read that 26" tires/tubes are easier to find.
2/ Do you recommend a steel frame and fork over aluminum? I’m guessing a high-quality aluminum frame and fork would be better than a low-quality steel one, right?
3/ Regarding the smallest gear ratio, is 0.71 a good number for a loaded bike in the mountains?
4/ Finally, what do you think of these four models for my project? My heart leans toward the TX-400—it seems to combine the versatility and robustness I’m looking for. But the price difference with the T-700 LTD is making me think twice!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
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Most importantly, I discovered a Vietnam far different from the usual tourist circuits.
Join me on this adventure through a video that captures these 17 days of travel. :)
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Experience: I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore. Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
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Thanks
Hi,
We bought the MSR bike tent model (2-person + large awning that can fit 2 bikes) back in 2005. It’s served us really well, especially during a year-long trip in Africa. Now, one of the poles is broken, and we’d love to replace it since that’s the only issue with the tent—we still love it! The poles are 9.35 mm in diameter, with 8 sections of 49 cm and 2 sections of 28 cm. Total length when assembled: 416 cm. Actually, two large sections are broken: one straight and one curved. It’s a pain to find replacements since this model is no longer sold anywhere.
Would anyone have this model lying around unused and be willing to sell me a pole?
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike to meet some friends in Côte d’Ivoire in early November.
I’ll be starting in Abidjan and heading to Abengourou, which is close to the Ghana border.
I’d like to take the trails. Does anyone have recent info on eastern Côte d’Ivoire?
Any tips, safety advice, or must-see stops? I’m open to all suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Fx
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.


I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
Hi, who can recommend a bike route from Vienne, Isère to Sicily, and what’s the best time of year to go?
Thanks
https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr/
https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr/
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
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
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Heinz Stucke has passed away.
He never stopped traveling the world since 1962.
So sad.
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
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

Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
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
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 a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
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
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 ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
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
