Original post
pour ceux qui ont testé qu'elle est l'épaisseur mini ?
merci
Épaisseur minimum d'un matelas autogonflant?
by Nicovelo
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Je ne sais plus l'épaisseur, mais c'est le plus mince et en version 120 cm, d'une grande marque pionnière en la matière, c'est déjà super, en tout cas sur l'herbe.
Sur la neige ou la glace, je ne sais pas.
Quelle est l'importance de l'épaisseur mini dans la mesure où le principal est de ne pas toucher le sol ?. Pour ce faire, il ne faut pas se contenter de l'effet autogonflant mais il faut rajouter de l'air avec ses poumons. Mon matelat doit avoir en théorie une épaisseur de 2 cm environ mais si je le surgonfle, je peux arriver à 4 cm voir plus. Dans la pratique, je le gonfle de telle sorte à ce que je ne touche pas par terre quand je suis allongé dessus. Le gonfler plus n'est pas bien car cela devient inconfortable.
« T'en va le Chburz à vélo qu'à la fin il se casse.»
http://richard.burzycki.free.fr
Salut,
D'après mon expérience, 2, 5cm est le minimum que l'on puisse trouver (enfin couramment, je n'est pas fait de recherche approfondi), et ça tombe bien, je trouve que c'est déjà juste en confort : soit on le gonfle peu et on touche le sol, soit on le surgonfle et il devient moins confortable. Mais surtout je pense qu'il faut prendre une bonne marque : après un Artiach (3cm épaisseur et 120 de long) qui à rendu l'âme, j'ai essayé un Décath (le modèle 2, 5cm le plus léger) : autogonflage proche de 0 (il faut vraiment beaucoup gonflé), et soit on touche le sol, soit il est raide comme une planche (j'ai passé de très mauvaises nuits dessus, alors que sur l'Artiach dégonflé, ça allait.
Je viens de commander un Thermarest prolite 4 (3, 5cm, longueur 183cm)... Bien dormir est quand même indispensable à de bonnes journées sur le vélo, enfin c'est mon avis.
Pascal
D'après mon expérience, 2, 5cm est le minimum que l'on puisse trouver (enfin couramment, je n'est pas fait de recherche approfondi), et ça tombe bien, je trouve que c'est déjà juste en confort : soit on le gonfle peu et on touche le sol, soit on le surgonfle et il devient moins confortable. Mais surtout je pense qu'il faut prendre une bonne marque : après un Artiach (3cm épaisseur et 120 de long) qui à rendu l'âme, j'ai essayé un Décath (le modèle 2, 5cm le plus léger) : autogonflage proche de 0 (il faut vraiment beaucoup gonflé), et soit on touche le sol, soit il est raide comme une planche (j'ai passé de très mauvaises nuits dessus, alors que sur l'Artiach dégonflé, ça allait.
Je viens de commander un Thermarest prolite 4 (3, 5cm, longueur 183cm)... Bien dormir est quand même indispensable à de bonnes journées sur le vélo, enfin c'est mon avis.
Pascal
Pascal
Hello,
j'ai aussi commencé avec un décat bas de gamme....une catastrophe! Je débutais mes nuits à peu près confortablement et les terminais dans les cailloux...🤪 à cause d'une mini fuite trés vite apparue.
Je ne me souviens pas avoir passé une seule nuit confortablement...
Du coup, je viens d'acheter également un Thermarest prolite 4; un peu plus lourd que le prolite 3, le gain en épaisseur m'a fait penché en sa faveur. Je pars mercredi prochain pour 5 semaines en finlande et laponie. Je ferais un ptit feed à mon retour.
++
j'ai aussi commencé avec un décat bas de gamme....une catastrophe! Je débutais mes nuits à peu près confortablement et les terminais dans les cailloux...🤪 à cause d'une mini fuite trés vite apparue.
Je ne me souviens pas avoir passé une seule nuit confortablement...
Du coup, je viens d'acheter également un Thermarest prolite 4; un peu plus lourd que le prolite 3, le gain en épaisseur m'a fait penché en sa faveur. Je pars mercredi prochain pour 5 semaines en finlande et laponie. Je ferais un ptit feed à mon retour.
++
Bikarouk
idem, aprés avoir été déçu par deux modèles de qualité médiocre, nous avons investi (pas donné!) dans deux "Thermarest prolite 4" que l'on utilise depuis 2 ans en en prenant grand soin. ils sont trés au dessus du lot niveau confort tout en restant trés compact et legers, ...nickel.
je pense que pour profiter longtemps de leurs qualités de confort, les matelas autogonflants demandent beaucoup d'attention! il ne faut pas les surgonfler, et ne pas s'en servir ailleur que sur un tapis de sol... sinon... pshiiiiit !🤪
il parrait qu'ils sont même tres efficaces directement sur la neige! (dans un Igloo par exemple). je fais de la rando nordique mais je n'ai pas encore eu l'occasion de les tester dans ces conditions! l'hivers prochain peut etre!
Patrice
Puisqu'on ne s'embête plus pour citer les marques, je traine un thermarest depuis 7 ans, le modèle vert d'un côté et marron de l'autre, à peu près 2, 5 cm d'épaisseur à vue de nez, sans autre soin que de ne pas le stocker comprimé à la maison, et pas toujours utilisé sur un tapis de sol, mais jamais sur des épineux....le kit de réparation n'a jamais servi, malgrès environ 200 nuitées ou un peu plus en 7 ans.
Je surgonfle à peine, mais je suis plutôt pas très lourd....
Il semble bien que la plupart des copies soient très très "pâles" .... effectivement !
merci pour vos reponses, je viens d'acheter un decat... 5 cm d'épaisseur Rouky, tu me fais un peu peur avec ses problèmes de fuites.
bon voyage à toi !!
bonjour
un petit tour sur "recherche de messages" de ce site en écrivant matelas te donne rapidement cela:http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=248695
-http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=224265
-http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=287560
perso j'utilise depuis de années un Therm... court( 1, 20m) ép: 2, 5cm pas de problème, jamais percé mais j'emmène toujours un kit de réparation au cas où, car un autogonflant percé est inefficace. De plus la colle vendue dans ce kit, sert aussi en cas de trou dans le tapis de sol de la tente. a+ François
perso j'utilise depuis de années un Therm... court( 1, 20m) ép: 2, 5cm pas de problème, jamais percé mais j'emmène toujours un kit de réparation au cas où, car un autogonflant percé est inefficace. De plus la colle vendue dans ce kit, sert aussi en cas de trou dans le tapis de sol de la tente. a+ François
Galeries de photos sur l'Islande à vélo:http://cyclophoto.free.fr/
Voyage à vélo en 2017 Asie centrale (Pamir) puis Corée et Japon : http://resilience-a-velo.over-blog.com/
Idem que tout le monde
tu ne peux pas comparer les therma des autres marques. Pour ma part quand il ne fait pas froid je prend 1M20 de long. en effet le sac de couchage assure suffisament d'amorti pour les jambes. En fait on a surtout besoin d'avoir le dos isolé du sol. Le couchage est bien meilleur si on fini de gonfler à la bouche. (<- ça c'est de la phrase!) mdr
Pour gagner quelques euros certaines personnes mettent un tapis bulle sous un matelas decat ça marche bien mais c'est volumineux et surtout il faut prévoir un système pour "fixer" les deux matelas entre eux pendant la nuit. sinon tu te retrouves au milieu des deux au petit matin
ATTENTION les kit de réparation doivent être achetés dans la même marque. Sinon vous risquez au mieux de toujours avoir la fuite au pire de condamner votre matelas
Moi qui est mal au dos dès que je change de literie je voyage même dans les hotels avec mon therma car je dors comme un bébé dessus! lol
Allez dernière "betise" Pour ceux qui voyagent en couple, qui par miracle ne se seraient pas engueulé dans la journée de pédalage, qui auraient encore quelques forces et qui possèdent des organes non meutris nous devons parler des CALINS :)
Vu qu'il y a beaucoup d'enfants qui nous lisent je branche le codeur. A vous de mettre le décodeur 😇 "6]~éù%µ£+5|^#{~&]=$*, .085§qE1NF40~&]....."
non serieusement tenter le kama la dessus c'est folklo! remarquez bien qu'entre les fourmis, les sacs de couchages qu s'assemblent pas bien, les 1m de hauteur de la tente et surtout l'impossibilité de fixer la glace de 2mx3m au plafond ça limite...😊
J'en vois d'ici m'écrire "t'es pas marteau d'emmener ta femme en cyclo. pour une fois qu'on a la paix!" Je répondrais ceci "ça me motive de savoir qu'elle essaye de me suivre!"
Gones
tu ne peux pas comparer les therma des autres marques. Pour ma part quand il ne fait pas froid je prend 1M20 de long. en effet le sac de couchage assure suffisament d'amorti pour les jambes. En fait on a surtout besoin d'avoir le dos isolé du sol. Le couchage est bien meilleur si on fini de gonfler à la bouche. (<- ça c'est de la phrase!) mdr
Pour gagner quelques euros certaines personnes mettent un tapis bulle sous un matelas decat ça marche bien mais c'est volumineux et surtout il faut prévoir un système pour "fixer" les deux matelas entre eux pendant la nuit. sinon tu te retrouves au milieu des deux au petit matin
ATTENTION les kit de réparation doivent être achetés dans la même marque. Sinon vous risquez au mieux de toujours avoir la fuite au pire de condamner votre matelas
Moi qui est mal au dos dès que je change de literie je voyage même dans les hotels avec mon therma car je dors comme un bébé dessus! lol
Allez dernière "betise" Pour ceux qui voyagent en couple, qui par miracle ne se seraient pas engueulé dans la journée de pédalage, qui auraient encore quelques forces et qui possèdent des organes non meutris nous devons parler des CALINS :)
Vu qu'il y a beaucoup d'enfants qui nous lisent je branche le codeur. A vous de mettre le décodeur 😇 "6]~éù%µ£+5|^#{~&]=$*, .085§qE1NF40~&]....."
non serieusement tenter le kama la dessus c'est folklo! remarquez bien qu'entre les fourmis, les sacs de couchages qu s'assemblent pas bien, les 1m de hauteur de la tente et surtout l'impossibilité de fixer la glace de 2mx3m au plafond ça limite...😊
J'en vois d'ici m'écrire "t'es pas marteau d'emmener ta femme en cyclo. pour une fois qu'on a la paix!" Je répondrais ceci "ça me motive de savoir qu'elle essaye de me suivre!"
Gones
"C'est parce que la lumiere se déplace plus vite que le son que certains ont l'air brillant avant d'avoir l'air con"
www.modes-doux.org -> mobilitez-vous!
Log in first, then come back to this page.
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😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
Recherche coéquipière de voyage à vélo (arrivée en avion à Porto Alegre Brésil et pédaler direction Montevideo, Uruguay, retour par avion vers la France de Buenos AiresArgentine)1500 KM
Bonjour à toutes ! Je prépare un voyage à vélo à travers le Brésil, l'Uruguay et l'Argentine, avec un départ envisagé entre fin octobre, novembre ou décembre. Je recherche compagne de route pour partager cette aventure au long cours. expérience : J'ai déjà une bonne expérience du cyclotourisme Géorgie, Kazakhstan et Kirghizistan. Actuellement, je garde une excellente condition physique en pédalant en moyenne 250 km sur 3 jours par semaine.(chaque jour 4h , 20 km/h) Le voyage & le rythme :
Rythme quotidien : Entre 50 et 80 km par jour, pour progresser régulièrement tout en prenant le temps de découvrir. Hébergement : Mode flexible et authentique. Nous alternerons entre bivouac sauvage, camping, Warmshowers, petites pensions et petits hôtels selon les opportunités et la météo.
Au plaisir de lire ton message et de préparer cette belle traversée ensemble !
Bonjour à toutes ! Je prépare un voyage à vélo à travers le Brésil, l'Uruguay et l'Argentine, avec un départ envisagé entre fin octobre, novembre ou décembre. Je recherche compagne de route pour partager cette aventure au long cours. expérience : J'ai déjà une bonne expérience du cyclotourisme Géorgie, Kazakhstan et Kirghizistan. Actuellement, je garde une excellente condition physique en pédalant en moyenne 250 km sur 3 jours par semaine.(chaque jour 4h , 20 km/h) Le voyage & le rythme :
Rythme quotidien : Entre 50 et 80 km par jour, pour progresser régulièrement tout en prenant le temps de découvrir. Hébergement : Mode flexible et authentique. Nous alternerons entre bivouac sauvage, camping, Warmshowers, petites pensions et petits hôtels selon les opportunités et la météo.
Au plaisir de lire ton message et de préparer cette belle traversée ensemble !
Hi there,
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires. I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time). I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral. I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough? And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
Nath
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires. I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time). I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral. I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough? And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
Nath
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
Heinz Stucke has passed away.
He never stopped traveling the world since 1962.
So sad.
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
https://www.facebook.com/heinzstucke
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio
the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
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.
Thanks for your feedback!
Thanks for your feedback!
Hi there,
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August! Virginie
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August! Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
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.
Can you take an electric bike on trains in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland?
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam. My question is about getting back to Nantes. Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences. I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes. By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains. We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance! Have a great evening
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam. My question is about getting back to Nantes. Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences. I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes. By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains. We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance! Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
Coming soon:
https://www.Biclou.com/parcours/durance/
Starting from Faverges: 900 km over 9 days
Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon
Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon
Hi there,
I’m planning to build a new touring bike. I want to prioritize lightness. That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads. The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper. I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm. It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring. And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear. More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
Thanks in advance
I’m planning to build a new touring bike. I want to prioritize lightness. That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads. The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper. I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm. It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring. And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear. More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
Thanks in advance
Hi there!
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
S.
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
S.
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, I'm looking for a Pino tandem bike for sale in Quebec and I can't find any. Does anyone have any info, please? Thanks a bunch!
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.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
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.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
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
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!
hey everyone,
I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
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!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
A shout-out to a cycling colleague from Savoie
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...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php
The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php
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...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php
The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php
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!
Hi everyone,
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!
You’ve been warned.
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!
You’ve been warned.