Like in previous years, I’m back here looking for potential travel companions—male or female—for a 3-month bike trip in early 2018 (from early January to early April). I haven’t chosen the destination yet, but I’m tempted by Colombia or possibly Southeast Asia (Southern Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Northern Vietnam, with a possible little detour to Thailand). For now, I’m alone, and since nothing is set in stone yet, I’m open to other destinations during these dates, as long as the climate isn’t too harsh for biking (I don’t like the cold).
To give you an idea of my travel style from previous years, I’ve included links below to the day-by-day journals I kept. I can adapt to other paces, especially if they’re less demanding. For past trips, we were two or three guys with fairly similar abilities. However, the group dynamic really deteriorated toward the end of the last trip. I’m not entirely sure why, but I won’t be repeating the experience with those same companions. In 2018, it’ll be with new travel partners—if I find any—or solo if no one steps forward.
Hi Jean-Marie, I followed your latest trip day by day and really enjoyed your site, photos, and comments. Too bad about the ending, but traveling with a group isn’t always easy.
I’m also in the Loire and want to hit the road again, but I can’t take three months off. For now, I’m heading to Canada, and I’ll decide what’s next when I get back at the end of September. Hats off to your fitness level—I’ll pass your message along to a friend from Savigneux (Loire) who traveled Cambodia and southern Vietnam with me. Have a great day.
Hi André,
Whether we travel together or not, we can easily meet up since we’re practically neighbors. Get in touch again in September if you’d like me to send you my address in a private message or by email.
Safe travels in Canada, and hopefully see you soon!
Jean Marie
Good evening Jean-Marie, I won’t be able to join you—I’m too busy, out of shape, and I’ll have to postpone if possible? I’m tied up until the end of September.
I had a great trip in Canada, and I’m heading to Andalusia in February with my wife, but… in a motorhome.
Now I need to get back on the bike to test my fitness. If I get back in shape and if I have the time—since I have to juggle several activities (table tennis, homing pigeons, etc.) and travel with my wife—I’ll do a cycling trip either at the end of 2018 after my return from Ireland or early 2019.
I hope you’ve found one or more travel companions, and I wish you a great trip.
André
Hello,
A few months have gone by since the last post. How is everyone doing? I hope you're all staying healthy and either on the road or getting ready for your next adventure.
Have a great day,
Catherine
Hi Catherine 936
No problem as far as I’m concerned—I’m hitting the roads of France and Belgium again in a few days,
even though I’m a bit out of practice this year because of the bad weather.
But I’ll be fine!
Thanks,
Jean-Marie
Hi everyone, as planned, I cycled through Spain, but had a minor health issue on the first day (TIA), then lost my mother-in-law, so I came back home.
I’ve started training again, very gently, and I’ll see what I feel like doing after our trip to Ireland with my wife and grandson. At our age, it’s really about physical fitness. Like Luc, I’m in awe of what Jean-Marie RIGOLL is still doing!
I’m hoping to do one or two more trips—time’s ticking!
Happy travels to all, André
I’m 59 and in pretty good shape physically. I just got back from an 8-day trip across the Alpes de Haute-Provence, and on the last day I experienced what’s called a "posterior vitreous detachment" (PVD for short), which required an emergency ophthalmology visit. Nothing serious, but it needs monitoring to avoid a retinal detachment. That said, I learned that this condition, directly linked to aging (common after 50), was triggered by too much strain in the eye—a direct result of the effort...
My right eye was affected, and it’s very likely the left one will follow, sooner or later.
Hi Thierry,
I won’t be able to help with that little issue here. It seems like you’re putting the issue down to effort. That’s fine, but remember we’re not all built the same!
Best,
Hi Gabey,
I’m just relaying what a doctor said… personally, I don’t have an opinion on it. I’d rather it had nothing to do with effort and that I could keep pedaling without any nagging thoughts…
Actually, it’s called glaucoma. I have a friend with it too, and there are treatments to lower eye pressure (just one drop to use every evening).
It’s not too much of a hassle, but you do have to stick with it and get regular check-ups.
Weird that your doctor says it’s from exertion when others say exercise actually lowers pressure.
I had a (serous) retinal detachment over a year ago, along with chorioretinopathy—see here. It was stress-related, with no real physiological cause, but that didn’t stop me from continuing to do sports (cycling and running). I’m still young, though—turning 52 soon. The weird, scary symptoms lasted six months. I went through several scans and an angiogram. For someone who never goes to the doctor, it was a big deal—and not just for my eye.
No doctor told me to stop exercising. They just advised against taking corticosteroids, which works out fine since I wasn’t planning on doing the Tour de France anyway. My ophthalmologist reassured me by saying it’s a "young person’s disease," because my GP suspected early-stage glaucoma, and I was worried about AMD or other "old people’s diseases." ;-)
Anyway, retinal conditions—even detachment—aren’t caused by sports or physical activity. In my case, exercise helps me destress, so it’s actually an effective treatment.
The main issue stems from health-insurance coverage in foreign countries. Typically, insurers have clauses that exclude pre-existing conditions from their policies.
On the other hand, risking a hospital stay or an emergency medical consultation can sometimes be very expensive abroad if you're not covered by adequate insurance. Your savings and financial reserves could melt away faster than expected...
These are, I believe, important financial considerations before any cycling trip abroad. If in doubt, it might be wise to stick to your home country. But if your health and insurance coverage allow it, then the world is yours, no matter your age when you set off!
--
We're 62 and 50 years old, respectively, traveling by tandem, and we're nearing the end of a continuous 2-year journey (31,000 km across the Americas—from Quebec to Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria BC, San Francisco, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Iguazu). Currently cycling through Brazil toward Rio, then returning to Quebec at the end of June 2018 (to respect our insurance limitations... max. 2 years covered outside the country!).
For the years ahead, as long as health and enjoyment are there, we plan to continue our cycling trips, spending 6 months per year outside Quebec (our home!). The other 6 winter months in Quebec are reserved for skiing!
In short, all retinal conditions, including detachment, aren’t caused by sports or physical activity. In my case, sports help me de-stress, so it’s actually an effective treatment.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’d like to be sure that sports can’t be the cause of a detachment issue… but not all doctors seem to agree. Regarding vitreous detachment, an ophthalmologist explained to me that the increase in blood pressure during sports can trigger it. It would’ve happened anyway, but sports just sped up the process a bit…
On the other hand, I read on a forum another specialist’s opinion saying that sports aren’t a triggering factor and that there’s no need to restrict activity after the issue.
I’m 64 and I just finished a one-way trip from Compiègne to Oslo on my old bike (2,550 km). Camping and youth hostels in the cities. Neither the bike nor I had any issues. Icing on the cake: not a single minute of pedaling in the rain!
Blog
2018lanorvege.wordpress.com
I’m not exactly "old" yet, but I’ve just finished a nearly 3-month trip in the Philippines. I’m 68 and had no problems covering the 4,650 km. I cycle fairly regularly when the weather allows and take long-distance trips of three months every year since 2011 (except 2012) to escape winter a bit.
Every year, I find myself wondering more about the question: "How old is too old for cycling trips?" When I find the answer, I’ll post it here (if I’m still able to). For now, everything’s fine, and I’m already looking for a destination for next winter.
For those interested, my 2019 trip to the Philippines is documented day by day, with route tracks (downloadable on Bikemap), a Google map of the route, and photos.
Highlights of the route: Luzon (south of Ninoy Aquino Airport), Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor (via Negros), Negros, Guimaras, Panay, Boracay (just a few hours—no interest for me), Tablas (also called Romblon by Filipinos), Romblon, and Mindoro.
The first 8 km from the airport to the hotel were done by taxi for safety (arrival at night, travel fatigue, and an unfamiliar city). That’s the only part not done by bike.
I was expecting very difficult and dangerous traffic, but I was pleasantly surprised—it’s actually manageable and no worse than other Asian countries or even France (and probably other places I don’t know). Major roads in and around big cities on Luzon are very congested and polluted, but cycling isn’t particularly problematic. On most islands, traffic isn’t very dense and is perfectly bike-friendly. Some roads are even very quiet.
Here’s the link to the trip website. There are plenty of other options, and this probably isn’t a model route, but cyclists considering this destination might find useful info.
To browse all the site pages, click on the horizontal menu (yellow bar under the title). The homepage (accessible by clicking the title or via the "accueil" menu) explains how to navigate.
Hi there, I’ve been following your past trips and really enjoyed them—well done!
Today I’m 74. I traveled by bike until I was 68 (Cambodia, Vietnam, EuroVelo 6, etc.).
I don’t train much anymore, I’m pretty tied up with my volunteer side projects, and I haven’t been going anywhere. It’s a shame, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever hit the road again. I’ll just have to live vicariously through your stories. Have a great evening!
André
Hey there! We’re almost the same age! I still ride without any issues. Love that photo of yours in Silistra—I know the place well since we must’ve taken the same route!!! Mine was back in 2014 (EuroVelo 6). So many memories!
I’ll cite an American cycling friend who lives in Thailand as an example:
he was born in 1945...started traveling by bike in Southeast Asia...at the age of 60...
He’s heavy, around 95 kg, has had both knees operated on, has minor heart issues,...and he still rides a little every day, and takes trips lasting several weeks, even several months, every year...
In 2011, he was covering between 1,500 and 2,000 km/month.
In 2019, he adapted and now rides between 1,000 and 1,500 km/month
with a bike that weighs about 40 kg including luggage.
Now, he avoids mountains and is happy with a maximum of 80 km per day.
He allows himself a bit more comfort and rest.
So, those born after 1945 still have some great years ahead—
but don’t wait too long...
Best,
Patrice
le vrai voyageur n'a pas de plan établi et n'a pas l'intention d'arriver.
LAO TSEU
..seventy-five ... not much stamina left and a skeleton that’s a bit stiff.... But hey, I can still leave the Jura (or Montbrison), usually in France during spring, staying in B&Bs ... and less often with my tent heading to foreign countries (though I’m planning Croatia and Italy soon—
But, much to my embarrassment, with a "little" e-bike assist (4 kg total, no more) for the hills (140 kg to climb, all in, is just a bit too much).
My "travel journals": lethieu39.fr .... Keep riding!
seeing what you're still doing at 75 gives me hope and a bit of time. We're always a little haunted by that question: how long can we keep going?
At the end of last year (2018), we took a beautiful 2.5-month trip through the northern deserts of Argentina, first with three of us, then just two. We were 65, 67, and 72 years old. But we still wonder if we might push it too far with heavy panniers and long climbs:
voyageforum.com/...ost=9245053;#9245053
Hello,
I’m 68 and currently on a journey from San José, Costa Rica to Orlando, Florida.
The secret to staying in great shape? Regular training. I rode 3,000 km in the three months leading up to my departure from San José.
My blog: costaricatousa.canalblog.com
Best to you all.
Hi Michel, I see you’re talking about Montbrison—I live in Montbrison.
Back in 2014, I was supposed to go on a tour of Cuba. I was feeling tired, and after a check-up, I was diagnosed with anemia caused by helicobacter pylori, which took several months to discover.
Now everything’s back to normal, and I’m thinking about the future of my bike trips!
I’ve got too many activities taking up my time, so I need to make some choices.
Have a great day, everyone. André
Enjoy all your bike outings while your health and age still allow it. As for me, I’ve just turned 77, but more importantly, I’ve had a recurrence of a cancer that had left me alone for 10 years and now leaves me without strength. I’m cheering you on in my thoughts to help you keep pedaling.
Cyclo 78 😉
Le vélo et la marche sans faire de compétition, ça maintien la forme
This reply isn’t just for member Sitik, but for all seniors and anyone who feels age might be an issue.
Age has nothing to do with it—what matters is the joy of riding. My post #8 still stands; for example, with Pédalote IV, my recumbent tricycle bought in January 2023, I’ve already covered 32,370 km to date, and I plan to keep going for several more years. The gear isn’t the same anymore—this one has full front and rear suspension, a 250 W mid-drive electric assist motor, and a 25 km/h speed limiter, letting me ride between 150 and 180 km.
You’ve got to know how to pace yourself to keep going.
I got back from Brittany about a dozen days ago, and I’m heading out again in early June—to wherever the wind takes me.
Happy trails to everyone!
Michel.
je fus navigateur navigaterre , je reste navigaterre.
Qu'importe d'où nous venons, car nous pouvons aller beaucoup plus loin que ce dont nous avions révé .
Hi Michel, congrats on your consistency! At a sprightly 71, I’ve just wrapped up a little 7-day trip: 460 km and 6,000 m of elevation gain across the *causses*. Amazing experience with two buddies aged 72 and 73. It went really well, though we cut it short due to some pretty rough weather. Sure, we don’t pedal like we did at 50, and I don’t train much anymore—my fairly active lifestyle kinda replaces that. We could’ve gone farther and longer. Maybe one of the best things about these kinds of rides is swapping stories with old friends who’ve got a lifetime of bike-travel experience, but it’s not *just* that.
Hello everyone,
While reading the latest messages, I realized that there hasn’t been a single post on this topic in six years (apart from the last two). That means we’re all six years older than we were when we last posted. So far, only two participants have checked in and let us know they’re still traveling by bike. I’ll add myself to the list of those who, despite being six years older, are still cycling.
I’m now 74 and just completed a three-month bike trip in India and Sri Lanka this winter, covering about 4,500 kilometers and 20,000 meters of elevation gain. Aside from a few mountain days, the terrain was fairly easy, and I still felt good.
Link to the trip website: https://voyage-velo-inde-et-sri-lanka-2025.e-monsite.com/pages/le-voyage/
Google Maps route: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Wj1_Uj-CBI0rMQkxxb5YO9184rgvi3w&usp=sharing
To this day—and I hope it lasts a few more years—I still enjoy traveling by bike. The difference now is that I try to avoid challenges rather than seek them out, unlike a few years ago when I was still "young."
Happy trails to all, and stay in shape.
Jean Marie
My most recent trip at 70 was last winter in Southeast Asia. This time, I stayed exclusively in Thailand, covering 2,700 km in two months.
I treat every trip as if it might be my last. And then, once I’m back home, I start dreaming all over again 😎. Maybe next late winter, I’ll do a round trip from Bangkok (Thailand) to Kunming (Yunnan, China), passing through northern Laos—where I’ve already cycled—and northern Vietnam, where I’ve never been.
That said, since I travel solo, I find I need to muster more mental energy than I used to. The biggest challenge is still the journey from home to Roissy with my bike box 😉 ...
"""Back in 2014, I was supposed to cycle around Cuba. I felt exhausted, and after seeing a doctor, I was diagnosed with anemia caused by Helicobacter pylori, which took months to uncover.
Today, everything’s back to normal, and I’m thinking about the future of my bike trips."""
Glad your issue’s sorted! Ours (my wife and I) stems from long COVID—chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise intolerance. Long story short, we’ve gone straight from self-sufficient bike-camping (with a little electric assist) to our fourth age, pre-retirement home… Tough when you’re 81 and the urge to travel is still strong. Our last trip was in 2019, well past 75… For those of you who aren’t held back—keep traveling, again and again. Hugs and fair winds to all, oldest first…
Hello
What a question—how old can you keep making love? As long as you can ride, well, cycling’s the same: as long as you can pedal…
I’m turning 80 and I still have bike plans… I’ve switched to an e-bike, and as long as I can push the pedals… keep going, folks!
Don’t overthink it.
Awesome! I’m ten years younger but I definitely plan to follow your lead.
I’ve slowed down on bike trips a bit since I bought a sailboat that takes up a lot of my time, but winter’s still mine—I love it!
Thanks for the inspiration! !
Hello
I can confirm that age is only what we feel in our heads.
I’m nearly 69 and have plenty of plans in mind.
I can assure you there are lots of young people who are much older than we are.
Electric scooters, then electric bikes—they don’t know what it means to push themselves.
Fortunately, not all of them are like that!
For me, cycling is therapy. When something’s wrong (headache, backache), I hop on my bike and everything feels better.
Back in 2002, I was in rehab for two herniated discs that were never operated on.
At the center, a doctor came up to me and said, "Sir, you need to stop cycling."
He annoyed me, so I left for a three-month bike trip from my village all the way to Bamako in Mali.
My back hurt so much that my wife had to help me pack my panniers. At first, I really struggled, but by the time I reached southern France, the pain was completely gone.
My two hernias dried up, and since I stopped breaking my back at work, I haven’t had any more pain.
The brain does amazing things—if you’re in a good place mentally, the rest follows.
Keep going!
Hi Michel, not much to add to what you said.
Sure, we always come up with good reasons not to leave or to stop, and age is one of those reasons.
I wrote a little story about my second-to-last bike ride this summer with two old adventurous friends from the other side of the world, which I titled: *71, 72, 73 Taking on the Grands Causses*. I’ll post it in the travel stories section—I haven’t written anything there in ages.
If you’re tempted by an interview about bike travel, let me know in a private message so I can give you all the details. In this show, the interviewee sets the theme. In fact, for over 7 years now, I’ve been hosting a monthly one-hour radio show on Résonance.fm in the Hautes Vosges called *A Country Through the Eyes of a Cycle-Traveler*. It’s always a wonderful moment of exchange.
Luc
PS: If anyone’s up for trying the interview experience about bike travel, don’t hesitate to contact me. The guests (and there are a lot of women who often travel solo and go very far—or not) always bring amazing stories, no matter their level of cycling experience.
Hi everyone, I’m reviving this post that’s over 10 years old—just like the rest of us—after starting it way back when.
I’m 81 now, still alive and traveling by bike after moving to the Berry region, Argenton-sur-Creuse, and getting back on the road after a break.
- 2023: Planned Berry to Gavarny but stopped in Lourdes
- 2024: Berry to Annemasse
- 2025: No trip—health issues and the heatwave
- 2026: Planning Berry to Brest or Berry to the Black Sea if I can find a group to join.
That’s the update—any of my old conversation partners still around?
"Ne cherche pas à suivre les traces d'un autre, cherche plutôt à savoir ce qu'il cherchait."
Hi everyone, first off, I’m so glad this forum is active again. I stumbled upon it while digging through my spam folder.
I’m 72 and I ride 7,000 to 8,000 km a year, including a roughly 3,000 km summer trip around France and Europe, camping along the way. My bike is over 30 years old and it’s still going strong. No reason to stop, and I hope it stays that way for all of you!
Well done, Catherine—we’re the same age! As long as you’ve still got the desire and your health holds up, everything’s good. Actually, when you do sports, your health often follows. Mind and body are one. Sure, we’ve got a bit more trouble with arthritis lurking for all of us. An adjustment—like raising the hand position on your handlebars one way or another—really eases the strain on your neck vertebrae.
In another sport I do, I see some dedicated climbers who, past 80, are still tackling big walls on lead and at high difficulty levels. Climbing demands more regular training than biking because it engages an unbelievable number of muscles. After all, on a bike you’ll always manage your 30–40 km a day, and with steady practice, the kilometers add up fast. With climbing, if you don’t have the minimum training, things go a lot worse because you’re moving in a vertical world.
At the end of the day, you just have to keep loving life, connecting with nature, and maybe keep loving that "little" bit of suffering.
Je planifie cet été un voyage à vélo pour aller jusqu'à la région d'Istre qui est à cheval sur la Croatie et la Slovénie, et j'ai quelques questions à ce…
Voyager à vélo › Espagne / France › Sud-Ouest · 1 reply
Je suis en train de plannifier une sortie en vélo. J'aimerais faire le Canal du midi pour continuer vers l'Espagne. Il peut être intéressant de connecter avec…
Je me présente Dimitri en tant que nouveau sur votre forum! Alors je suis venu vous voir car je souhaiterai partir cet été à vélo d'Amiens (Picardie) jusqu'à…
Nous comptons partir à vélo jusqu'à Saint-Pétersbourg, et ensuite voyager en Mongolie. Nous comptons prendre l'assurance de voyage AVI international, ce qui…
Nous comptons nous rendre à Lisbonne pour faire un parcours à vélo dans le sud du Portugal. Nous partons de Nantes. Après renseignements, il semblerait que ce…
Bonjour
quelles sont les moyen les plus simple pour revenir du Cap Nord sans pédaler
train, Bateau, avion ?
qui à déjà fait l’expérience ?
Merci de nous renseigner
17 days, 1,400 km, and 17,500 m of elevation gain cycling in northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳 🚴🇻🇳
From the misty Fansipan to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop, from remote villages to vibrant markets...
I cycled through the north of the country, getting up close with its people—through mud, heat, endless mountain passes, and unforgettable encounters.
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. :)
If Vietnam calls to you, come ride a stretch with me!
Bonjour,
Je dois arriver en vélo à Thessalonique à la fin Septembre et je prévois de rejoindre Istambul par la côte.
Quelqu'un pourrait m'aider à choisir la meilleure route.Sécurité, difficulté.
Merci d'avance.
Marc
Hi,
can anyone give us some tips on how to get to North Cape from Lyon Gerland?
What’s the best route to join the EuroVelo 7?
How many kilometers is it from Lyon to North Cape via EuroVelo 7?
The best month to leave—we’re thinking early May.
Thanks for any advice!
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!
I’m planning to leave Nice for Toulouse around 10/15 and I’m looking for tips / great deals regarding:
- The route: I was thinking of taking Nice - Grasse - Draguignan - Salernes - Cadarache - Cavaillon - Arles, then the Camargue, Sète, and the Canal du Midi to Toulouse. The idea is to avoid high-traffic roads and too many steep climbs. Are there any spots to avoid or must-see stops? Since it’s been a while since I’ve been on the road, I was thinking that sleeping indoors might be preferable. If you have any budget-friendly accommodation suggestions along part of the route, don’t hesitate!
Thanks in advance, and if you’re in the area around that time, we could ride together... Ciao.
Another long-time dream of Claudio’s: the Petit Mont Cenis pass and the dam at the eponymous lake.
A place where many Italians, including my father, worked in the 1950s–60s.
Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne → Lanslebourg → Petit Mont Cenis → return. 315 km, 3 days. Bivouac at St-Michel-de-M.
Brouter link
Leg One: Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne
Leg Two: St-Michel → Lanslebourg → Mont Cenis Lake → St-Michel
Leg Three: St-Michel → Faverges
And it finally happened in August 2026: in the Maurienne Valley about the famous cycle route known as the V67
🇷🇼 Cycling in Rwanda: 4 episodes, an off-the-beaten-path adventure
After 3 weeks and nearly 1,200 km by bike across Rwanda, I made 4 videos to share this adventure in a different way: the landscapes, the encounters, the villages… but above all, all those incredible scenes of everyday life.
The 4 episodes are available here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGnfbxjccWAg
The 4th episode focuses on rural Rwandan life: simple, authentic, and sometimes surprising scenes that you only truly discover when you take the time to travel by bike.
If you have a few minutes, let yourself be transported to Rwanda…
Hi, I'm looking for info on cycling to Nordkapp via the EuroVelo 7. Has anyone done it already, and where’s the best place to start the EuroVelo 7?
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
😎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
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?
