Hey fellow cyclists,
Cyclists on trails, paths, or greenways—why do so few (if any) of you use your bells to warn walkers, runners, and other pedestrians when they’re moving in the same direction as you?
I exercise every day (brisk walking) among you in France and abroad, and it’s something I’ve noticed—often with a few scares (and I’m guessing some accidents between cyclists or with pedestrians).
Personally, I always stick to the rules, walking on the left (facing traffic) so I can see you coming, but not everyone does that—neither pedestrians nor cyclists, and let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a free-for-all. 🤪
Your bikes make little to no noise, so why take risks and put others at risk too?
A quick, light *ding-ding* would be enough to warn people—what do you think? 😅
Here’s an answer that isn’t really one…
Lots of pedestrians—joggers, especially—wear headphones to stay in their own bubble, so bells are inaudible or even useless.
As a pedestrian (without headphones), I find bells pretty unpleasant and even rude because I (and others) believe it’s up to cyclists to watch out for pedestrians and avoid them without bothering them—not for pedestrians to move aside at the sound of a bell. Here, bike paths are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, *and* e-scooters, and everyone just ‘keep left’ without too many issues!
Come on, a reply... that isn't really one...
Lots of pedestrians, or rather joggers, wear headphones to stay in their own bubble... so bell rings are inaudible or even useless.
As a pedestrian (without headphones), I find bell rings rather unpleasant and even impolite because I (and others) believe it's up to cyclists to pay attention to pedestrians and avoid them without bothering them, not for pedestrians to move aside at the sound of a bell. Here, bike paths are shared by pedestrians, cyclists, and scooters, and everyone 'keeps left' without too many issues!
A light bell ring isn’t impolite at all and can prevent many accidents.
I don’t know where you live, but where I am, on the paths, people pass each other with smiles, say hello, and even exchange a few words.
A very light bell ring isn’t unpleasant and helps warn a pedestrian who, for any number of reasons, might step aside just as a cyclist comes up from behind (I met a gentleman two days ago who confirmed there are accidents)—either bike vs. pedestrian or bikes colliding with each other. Long live the individualistic world, we see where that gets us
Oh yeah, you're absolutely right—it's a real jungle out there on the bike lanes!
Our bike horns don’t go *Ding-Ding* but *Toot-Toot* when you press them (metal bell with a rubber palm, like soccer fans use). We bought them when we cycled through India.
That said, you’ve gotta ring them in advance, or there’ll be a lot of heart attacks and fewer cyclists as a result.
https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr
Oh yeah, you're absolutely right—it's a real jungle out there on the bike paths!
Our horns don’t go "Dring-Dring" but "Pouet-Pouet" when you press them (metal bell with a rubber palm, like soccer fans use). We bought them when we cycled through India.
But you’ve gotta ring them in advance, or there’ll be a lot of heart attacks and fewer cyclists as a result.
https://curieuxcyclos.eklablog.fr
Hey, regarding forest trails and paths, it’s fine—no crowding there.
But when I want to go fast for my workout, I’ve got a greenway near me that crosses two whole departments (and there, it’s total chaos—can’t even say the word…).
I’m the only one acting like I’m walking along a road (always on my left, facing traffic to see what’s coming).
None of the pedestrians or cyclists respect each other—that’s why I started this little thread!
The worst in terms of danger are the "pro" cyclists. I call them pros because their excessive speed on a shared path, plus their outfits, make me think they’re training or something (they haul *serious* ass). One day, I’ll try to see if they even have a bell (I’m pretty sure they don’t—it’d be a "stain" on their sleek racing bikes and their skin-tight, borderline-ridiculous gear 😄).
They’re not the type to give a quick nod or even crack a smile .
Same goes for the others (joggers, walkers, etc.). They act like there are no rules, so it’s basically a lottery when it comes to accidents. (I also think the most at-risk are those with earbuds in—I can’t even imagine what it’s like in the city, with the risks *and* pollution.)
Personally, I don’t know if road rules apply in these places, but out of caution and logic, I act like they do…
These people remind me of airplane passengers—most of them just stare blankly (and in those moments, I daydream about some serious turbulence that’d "loosen them up" a bit, so they’d finally turn to see who they’re about to die next to—human stuff, you know? 😄).
Anyway, your Pouet-Pouet is like a smile to me—something totally adorable 🥰.
(In this world of indifferent individualists.) On bike paths and greenways, some people confuse freedom with right-of-way. If they fall, I’ll be the one who didn’t see a thing. My little eco-friendly gesture: recycling their cluelessness. 😉
You're right, it's total chaos. The worst part is the electric scooters going full speed without helmets, while us cyclists were told on TV that we're no longer allowed to have a flashing red light on our helmets—it has to be fixed or we get fined. But a flashing light is so much more visible!
This country’s really lost the plot. Everything’s about squeezing money out of those who work.
In India, where the roads are pure chaos, people showed us way more respect than here.
I go to the gym to stay in shape too, but soon I won’t be able to talk to anyone—everyone’s got earbuds in or is filming themselves on their phones.
At this point, if my honking gives people heart attacks, that might not be so bad. The corpses could turn into obstacles, and bike lanes into a BMX track.
The other day, I heard that in Korea, they’ve put traffic lights on the ground because people are so glued to their phones while walking.
You're right, it's total chaos. The worst part is the electric scooters going full speed without helmets, while we cyclists were told on TV that we can't have a flashing red light on our helmets—it has to be fixed or we get fined. Yet a flashing light is way more visible.
We're really going off the rails in this country. Everything's about squeezing money out of those who work.
In India, where the roads are pure chaos, people respected us way more than here.
I go to the gym to stay in shape too, but soon I won't be able to talk to anyone—they all have earbuds in or are filming themselves on their phones.
At this rate, if my honking gives people heart attacks, that could be fun. The corpses will turn into obstacles, and bike lanes into BMX tracks.
I think I heard that in Korea, people are so glued to their phones while walking that they installed traffic lights on the ground.
We're heading straight for it. 🏴☠️
Noses buried in phones, ears plugged, helmets optional. Joggers, cyclists, scooter riders—everyone’s charging straight toward stupidity. And when it ends under someone’s wheels, it’s always the fault of the world moving too fast. 😄
And just like that, everyone’s gone. The greenway behind my house is all mine now (no more strolling tourists, clueless joggers, or cyclists) 😔
Perfect track for rainy days like this morning, and no slipping in the mud in the woods for a good fifty kilometers 🚴♀️
Rest assured, cyclists who don’t have a bell are breaking the Highway Code.
Article R313-33 of the Highway Code states that every bicycle must be equipped with a warning device consisting of a bell or gong. The sound of this device must be audible at least 50 meters away. The use of any other sound signal is prohibited. The absence of this equipment is punishable by a fine for a first-class offense (a fixed fine of 11 €, which can be increased). A huge number of cyclists are breaking the rules: no bell, no reflectors, no front or rear lights, no helmet for some. Unfortunately, it’s very common. I have a bell on my Surly, but I rarely use it because I prefer to slow down when I pass a pedestrian—more for my own sake than theirs, really, because I’m afraid of taking a spill. The other day, I was cycling from Nantes to St-Fiacre along the Sèvre, where there are lots of walkers by the river. I was pedaling at a good clip, about to pass a couple with a dog—they were on the right, so I moved left. The owner called their dog, and as I slowed down to pass them, the dog suddenly darted in front of me to the left. If I’d rung my bell at full speed, that dog might’ve ended up under my wheel.
Rest assured, cyclists who don’t have a bell are breaking the Highway Code.
Article R313-33 of the Highway Code states that every bicycle must be equipped with a warning device consisting of a bell or gong. The sound of this device must be audible at least 50 meters away. The use of any other sound signal is prohibited. The absence of this equipment is punishable by a fine for first-class offenses (a fixed fine of 11 €, which can be increased).
Hey, thanks for the info—I didn’t know that! Same goes for what I recently learned (on roads, cyclists are allowed to ride side by side).
The ones on this greenway never use theirs, though—they just zoom along, heads down, probably to go even faster.
The problem is that even with the law, if they crash into us at that speed, sure, the costs from the accident will be on them or their insurance, but we’re using these paths to avoid roads and *should* be able to relax (which is *not* the case, especially in season)
It’s the same as drivers on the road who don’t use their turn signals (or only put them on at the last second, like they’re saving bulb life 😂).
Incivility is everywhere, and it’s getting super stressful to get around, no matter the mode of transport—even on foot.
On FB, I do my small part when someone warns about a speed camera (which saves lives). In the comments, I tag @gendarmerie du Gard or other departments (and the post warning about the speed camera at such-and-such a location) disappears like magic 😂
You're absolutely right. Anyway, when you're cycling, you need to be visible and heard, and in all cases—whether it's a greenway or a towpath—the pedestrian always has priority. That's why you should brake and ride at a walking pace.
So I just learned a bit more about these greenways. And I’m breaking the rules by walking on the left out of fear of getting run into—ughhhhh.
Same on roads where I also walk on the left to see oncoming traffic (which seems less dangerous than what the law says—I should walk on the right) .
But seriously, this law is dangerous for pedestrians and totally illogical (I’m so done) 😤.
By trying to be extra careful because of cyclists who don’t announce their arrival, I’m not following pedestrian rules by walking on the left—ughhhhhhhhh.
https://codedelaroute.io/blog/voies-vertes-code-de-la-route/#:~:text=Comment%20marcher%20sur%20une%20voie, de%202%20c%C3%B4te%20%C3%A0%20c%C3%B4te.
You can generally assume that the rule of the road is to keep right, since the greenway is defined as a route reserved for non-motorized users. This aligns with cyclists keeping right on a traffic lane, but you’re a pedestrian—you’re not breaking any rules by walking on the left. You can walk on the left to see oncoming two-wheelers and leave the right side free for those cycling. If two cyclists pass you at the same time—one coming toward you and another from behind—you can step onto the left shoulder. If you don’t see the one coming from behind, one of them will have to yield to the right when they pass you. On the Sèvre in Nantes, I often see walkers on the left or right. Either way, it’s up to the cyclist to watch out for you—pedestrians have the right of way.
You can generally consider that the rule of keeping to the right applies, since the greenway is defined as a road reserved for non-motorized users. This is consistent with cyclists riding on the right side of the road, but you're a pedestrian, so you're not breaking any rules by walking on the left. You can walk on the left to see oncoming two-wheelers and leave the right side free for those cycling. If two cyclists pass you at the same time—one coming from the front and another from behind—you can step onto the left shoulder. If you don’t see the one coming from behind, one of them will have to yield to the right when they pass you. On the Sèvre in Nantes, I often come across walkers going left or right. Either way, it’s up to the cyclist to watch out for you—pedestrians have the right of way.
According to the law (in the link), pedestrians must walk on the right on roads and greenways, so I’m in the wrong even if I do it for my safety, since in this thread, no cyclist uses their bell.
On a road with a reflective strip, you should walk on the right-hand shoulder. On a greenway, a towpath, or any other path without a usable shoulder (a sidewalk, basically), it’s not illegal to walk on the left. The highway code doesn’t prohibit pedestrians from moving to safety when they see cyclists coming, as part of sharing the road and coexisting.
I asked the following question to an AI, here's its answer.
For a pedestrian, is it an offense to walk on the left side of a towpath or a greenway?
This is a great question about sharing space on these paths.
On a Greenway:
The greenway is defined in the Highway Code as a "road exclusively reserved for non-motorized vehicles, pedestrians, and horse riders" (Art. R110-2).
In the absence of specific signage or lane separation, the default traffic rule applies, which is to keep to the right (as on a road).
However, as a pedestrian, if the greenway is considered a roadway where general rules apply, the Highway Code states that when there is no usable shoulder or designated area, pedestrians must stay near the left edge of the roadway (outside urban areas) to see vehicles (bikes, scooters, etc. on a greenway) coming toward them (unless it compromises their safety).
In practice, on a greenway, the goal is coexistence and sharing. Cyclists are encouraged to ride on the right, and out of courtesy and safety, pedestrians are often advised to walk on the left to face other users (mainly bikes) coming in the opposite direction, making crossings easier.
Is it an offense? It’s hard to call walking on the left on a greenway a clear-cut offense for a pedestrian, especially since the aim is to ensure their safety against other users. The Highway Code mainly emphasizes the need to use designated areas when they exist and, if not, to take necessary precautions.
On a Towpath:
Towpaths have often been converted into greenways or rural paths open to soft mobility. Their exact legal status may depend on the managing authority (often Voies Navigables de France - VNF) and local regulations.
Generally, they are treated like greenways or shared paths where the same principles of caution and sharing apply.
The same logic of walking on the left to see cyclists coming is often considered the safest for pedestrians.
Conclusion:
Pedestrians are strongly advised to walk on the left on a greenway or towpath when it’s not strictly reserved for pedestrians and other non-motorized vehicles (bikes, etc.) are using it, in order to see users coming toward them and avoid surprises from behind.
It’s unlikely this would constitute an offense punishable by a fine, especially since this practice is often seen as the best for pedestrian safety, following the logic of the Highway Code for pedestrians on roads without sidewalks. The key on these paths is caution and sharing among users.
Hi there, even though my bike is equipped with a bell, I don’t use it—I find those rings a bit intrusive, even rude, like they’re saying, "Watch out, I’m coming through, get out of the way!" Actually, my bell is just mounted on the back handlebar of my bike (it’s a tandem) to stay on the right side of the law.
I’ve never had any issues with pedestrians on greenways or trails. My foolproof technique: first, I slow down (with a tandem, panniers, and a trailer), then I greet them with a loud and cheerful "Hello, folks!", a big smile, and when they kindly step aside, I always thank them and wish them a great day/hike/walk.
Sometimes, I even stop to chat with them—there’s always something to gain (directions, tips, etc.). Never had a problem! What do I lose? A few seconds, maybe fifteen minutes? Anyway, greenways aren’t velodromes or speed circuits, and the speed limit is 20 km/h.
I rarely see road bikes preferring main roads—each to their own.
I’m more concerned about e-bikes, not all of them of course, but some ride fast on greenways without fully realizing their momentum, which doesn’t allow for immediate stops and can put both themselves and pedestrians in danger. But that’s another discussion! !
Generally, I don’t use greenways for cycling, at least not in the summer when they’re really busy.
The reason is that they’re often too narrow for bikes and pedestrians to share comfortably.
Also, a lot of cyclists on them don’t handle their bikes well, which makes passing or crossing paths tricky.
Plus, it’s hard to ride faster than 20 km/h without bothering other users.
Actually, greenways are great for families with young kids or people who are nervous about riding on the road. We live in a country with one of the densest road networks in the world—just get off the main routes and plan your own path on smaller roads to avoid traffic. Sure, it takes more effort than following a ready-made route, but it lets you be independent and pass through small villages that greenways often skip. The worst are towpaths—they’re so monotonous...
I don’t have a bell on my bike; if I need to, I whistle—just as effective!
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
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!
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes
Here are his travels
Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné
Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way
Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place
Rural and quite peaceful
A road cycling route created by Serge B...
First of all... happy New Year! Wishing you great roads in 2017!
I’ve been traveling for a few years now with a high-quality mountain bike, but it’s equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. I live (pedal) with the constant worry of a breakdown (leak, air bubble, heat causing the fluid to...). My bike mechanic tells me it’s impossible to switch them out for V-brakes.
What do you all think? Am I taking a big risk continuing (alone) with these brakes? Thanks in advance for your great tips!
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025.
It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border.
We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure!
Thanks in advance.
