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.
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
Hello everyone,
In early April, I’m doing the Vélo Francette route (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin coast (which I don’t know at all), follow the seaside 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 welcome, and thank you in advance!
I know the Cotentin well since I have a lot of family on the peninsula (especially in Cherbourg). Could you clarify what you’re looking for—are you camping, for example?—so I can give you the best advice...
Hey Mazzzz,
Yeah, still doing camping and the occasional bivouac! I don’t have any specific expectations, but I really don’t want to miss any "must-see" spots. I’m also wondering about the things I mentioned in my first post—roads, traffic, lots of wind (especially by the coast, which I’m guessing is a yes!), and good campgrounds. Tell me everything!!!!!
Have a great evening
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
Hi Martine,
The Cotentin is a bit off the tourist trail and retains an extraordinary wild character—it often reminds me of Ireland with a similar climate.
The coast is quite flat from Carentan (a very wild marshland area) up to the Val de Saire. The interesting spots start from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue, Barfleur, and the northern coast toward Cherbourg. The coastal road is stunning.
To the north, its capital, Cherbourg, isn’t very interesting (former military port), but heading west, the coastal road to Nez de Jobourg is magnificent (moorland landscapes). The port of Goury, Omonville-la-Rogue, and other spots are must-sees.
After Cap de Jobourg, the coast features very long beaches with beautiful dunes (Vauville, Biville, Flamanville, Carteret). Further down, Saint-Germain-sur-Ay is really worth the detour. Further south, Agon-Coutainville and Avranches are lovely towns.
As for the roads, they’re all beautiful through the hedgerows of the Norman bocage—just take any small road, and you’ll have peace and quiet.
You’ll find plenty of small, quiet, and friendly campsites, especially if you move slightly inland from the coast. Since tourists aren’t exactly swarming the area, wild camping in the dunes is totally doable.
It’s a magnificent and peaceful region, even at the height of summer. As for the climate, it can be fantastic—sunny and mild—or rainy and windy.
From Nantes to Mont Saint-Michel, I’ll follow the Chemin des Miquelots, but the stretch along the Nantes-Brest Canal to Redon is smoother, and the ride back via Langon and Rennes along the Vilaine is peaceful and pretty. Then, I’ll take the Ille-et-Rance Canal up to Saint-Malo.
The opposite direction for you.
In June, the campsite in Saint-Médard is great—we spent a night there alone, with dinner at the picnic table under the big cherry trees (they were loaded!), all for 3 €.
You can draw inspiration from the "bronze rays" of the FFCT Normandy region, which start from Caen.
There are some great routes designed for cycle touring, combining sport and heritage discovery.
Highly recommended!
Hello everyone and a big thank you to all of you for all the very interesting information—I’ve taken good note of it! I’m really excited to discover the Cotentin region (thanks Pascal for the details). Thanks to everyone!
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
The most beautiful section of La Hague is the southwest part between Cap de la Hague (Goury) and Vauville. It passes through the Ecalgrain Bay, Nez de Jobourg, Anse des Moulinets, the Herquemoulin descent, Les Treize Vents, and Les Pierres Pouquelées. You should take the small roads that line the coast, going up and down. The "descent" of Herquemoulin, which is actually an ascent in the direction you're considering, has an 18% grade. Of course, it's not for kilometers, but consider yourself warned. 😉
The most beautiful section of La Hague is the southwest part between Cap de la Hague (Goury) and Vauville. It passes through the bay of Écalgrain, Nez de Jobourg, Anse des Moulinets, the Herquemoulin descent, Les Treize Vents, and Les Pierres Pouquelées. You should take the small roads that line the coast, going up and down. The "descent" of Herquemoulin, which is actually an ascent in the direction you're considering, has an 18% gradient. Of course, it's not for kilometers, but consider yourself warned.😉
Thanks, but personally, I’m not up for a hike in that area. That said, I share your love for La Hague—though a bit less for La Côte des Isles, but that’s another story...
Back in 2015, I’d planned to cycle in La Manche and had mapped out my route by mixing the circuit from:
https://www.tourdemanche.com/
with some small coastal roads (Top 100 maps).
The plan fell through because of rain and wind in mid-September 2015.
Thanks so much, Aesper, for the link! I hope the weather isn’t too bad—early April is a bit early for warmth, but I can’t wait to get back on my "pannier-equipped" bike. Hope you’ll make your trip to the Cotentin soon! Have a great evening.
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
Hi Krinette,
You’ve had lots of replies, and I agree with all of them.
You were worried about the wind—it’s definitely something to consider on your trip. In April, Atlantic depressions can still be quite deep and generate strong SW to W winds. You shouldn’t underestimate NE winds either, which can blow for several days during high-pressure periods, sometimes quite forcefully. This might make the ride up the Cotentin’s west side, from Avranches to La Hague, a bit tricky.
But since it’s all so unpredictable and the worst-case scenario isn’t guaranteed, you should just go for it—you’ll have a great time! As for wild camping, no problem at all.
Happy trails.
You’re really missing out—trails there are lovely, scenic, well-exposed, and (often but not always) sheltered from the wind. Just a few days ago (a gorgeous February afternoon), we started the ride in a parka and ended up in a T-shirt.
As for the factory, you hardly notice it.
You’re really missing out—trails there are lovely, steep, well-exposed, and (often but not always) sheltered from the wind. A few days ago (a gorgeous February afternoon), we started the walk in a parka and ended up in a T-shirt.
As for the factory, you hardly notice it.
We must’ve misunderstood each other—I only said I’m not the one asking for info, that’s "krinette"’s thing.
I’ve crisscrossed the Cotentin every which way, and I totally agree it’s a stunning region.
Hi there, a big thank you for all your replies—they’re going to be really helpful. Just reading them gives me a preview of what to expect, and I know I’m going to love it. Have a great day!
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
I’m reaching out because I’m currently planning my cycling holiday, and my Plan B is to do Caen to Saint-Malo with a train round trip from La Rochelle. While searching by keywords, I saw that you’ve already done this route!
I’m thinking of doing Caen – Ouistreham – Cherbourg – visiting Mont Saint-Michel – Saint-Malo in about ten days, starting in early August.
I’d love to get some info on campsites and their prices, as well as your impressions—like whether there’s a lot of elevation gain. We have basic bikes with gears.
Hi Lalisette,
Yes, I actually did this route—Rochefort, Caen, Ouistreham, around the Cotentin, Saint-Malo, in early April. There’s a bit more elevation gain to the north and west, but nothing too challenging. As for campgrounds, there are *tons* (in April, between 8–10 €). Best to avoid the ones by the sea—they’re pricier and noisier!
I preferred the northern part and the west coast—wilder and less touristy!
The Cotentin is truly stunning. You can see Mont Saint-Michel long before you reach it; it’s so pretty! Then along the coast, Cancale, Saint-Malo—gorgeous!
Happy planning!
PS: If you need it, I have a PDF list of campgrounds.
Martine
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
I don’t remember exactly how long it took me because I did the Vélo Francette route first before arriving in Caen. It seems like cycling around the Cotentin is about 450 km! If you’ve got 10 days for Caen to Saint-Malo, you’ll manage just fine! I’d be happy to send you the list of campgrounds, but I’ll need your email address (in a private message) because I can’t send PDFs through the site.
See you soon
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
Thanks so much for the list of campsites!
I usually travel with my guide—the "catalog" of campsites in France for routes that aren’t listed in other guides.
So, I’m scrapping the plan to cycle in Holland because it’s too complicated to get there by train, and there’s not enough space for bikes on trains anymore—you have to book early.
For next summer, though! I already have the maps with the campsites 😊.
How about you—any cycling plans for the summer?
Thanks again for the info!
See you soon
You’re all set to go then!
No plans for now—I was away for 5 weeks in April and early May, then 15 days in June to do the GR 20 (on foot, backpacking!). I’m thinking of heading out again by bike in mid-August, but I don’t know where yet.
" J'aime les gens fêlés car a travers eux passe la lumiére ...... "
Je viens de faire le tour du Cotentin à vélo.
Attention, les campings sont souvent complet, il n'y a pas d' emplacement dédié aux randonneurs et certains ont des prix exorbitant.
https://www.visugpx.com/8qDtdcPAJw
Pour fêter mon nouveau vélo, je pars faire une petite promenade de 10 jours pour visiter les plages du d day et le Cotentin. grosso modo mon itiniraire est le…
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
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!
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
😎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?😏
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?
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.
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
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
Hello,
Has anyone here had experience using a gas stove in Sardinia and Sicily? I’m wondering if screw-on gas canisters (not the blue Campingaz ones, but brands like Coleman, Primus, etc.) are easy to find.
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!
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
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?
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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?
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!
