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?
In the past, I had two Cannondale bikes equipped with a suspension system in the head tube: Adventure (my avatar) and Touring Ultra. I was initially won over by the concept and the benefits it was supposed to offer. However, in practice, I wasn’t convinced.
As a result, I think it’s better to fit wider tires if you need to ride on rough roads—or even use a stem with a suspension system.
Nowadays, I’m focusing on overall weight reduction to tackle positive elevation gains more comfortably, so I’ve opted for wider, more flexible tires and placed gel inserts under my handlebar tape to absorb vibrations.
I seem to recall that telescopic forks made a brief appearance a few years ago in Paris-Roubaix.
[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]
Okay, for roads that aren't too rough, wide tires >= 42 mm are the way to go in my experience. Especially since they can handle lower pressure—real air cushions.
Today, I’m on a mission to lighten my load overall so I can tackle positive elevation changes more smoothly, and I’ve gone for wider, more flexible tires and added gel inserts under my handlebar tape to absorb vibrations.
Absolutely, handlebar tape with gel and large-section tires (which therefore require lower inflation pressure) help absorb road imperfections.
But my question about the usefulness of a suspension fork concerns roads that are pretty degraded, like the ones I encountered last March in northern Laos.
To illustrate, here are three photos of national roads 13 N and 7, a good portion of which are in poor condition:
True, for riding days on end on this kind of surface, a telescopic fork can seem like a good solution for improving comfort.
Personally, I always prefer simplicity over technology. It’d be worth checking the literature to see if there are any user experiences or detailed comparative tests that highlight the pros and cons of a telescopic fork.
[...] rien n'étant jamais parfait, rien n'est jamais parfaitement désespéré [...]
Hi Pierre,
Having done a lot of mountain biking over the years, I’ve had full-suspension bikes.
For comfort, they’re ideal, but they require regular and fairly technical maintenance.
For a bike trip lasting a few weeks, a fork like the one you mentioned could be a good choice. However, if the plan is a much longer trip through regions where bike shops are rare, I’d be more cautious.
Nowadays, I’ve opted for a gravel bike for traveling—it takes tires up to 50 mm, which, when set up tubeless, offers excellent comfort. I think it’s the best comfort-performance compromise.
If maintaining a telescopic fork seems too much of a hassle—or even risky—for a long trip, you should know there are maintenance-free alternatives, like the famous Lauf Grit fork. Paired with a suspended seatpost and a gel saddle, you’ll feel like you’re riding on a cloud.
Before going for the Lauf Grit, make sure the fork can be fitted to your frame. As for the suspended seatpost, ensure its setback and height are properly adjusted relative to the stem, so you don’t end up in the overly aggressive position of a pro cyclist.
For me, the winning combo is a suspension seatpost and tires at least 40 mm wide.
With that, you're riding on a cushion. Plus, you protect your spine, which isn't made to absorb shocks.
Tires wider than 40 mm can be inflated to 4.5 bar. They aren't hard, so they stay comfortable.
For me, the winning combo is a seatpost shock absorber and tires at least 40 mm wide.
With that, you're riding on a cushion. Plus, it protects your spine, which isn't made to absorb shocks.
Tires over 40 mm can be inflated to 4.5 bar. They're not hard, so they're comfortable.
Whoa!!! 4.5 bar is huge.
3 bar is the max for 40 mm tires, or even 2.5 if you're running tubeless.
For comfort, the best is to fit the widest tires your bike can take. These days, you can find gravel bikes that take 54 mm tires, inflated to around 2 bar—the comfort is amazing, and contrary to popular belief, the efficiency isn't any worse than with skinny tires.
What model is it?
Just because a tire can handle a certain pressure doesn’t mean you should always inflate it to the max.
Back in the day, people thought tires needed to be as hard as possible for maximum efficiency, but recent studies have shown that overinflated tires increase vibrations and "bounce" on the road.
Basically, an overinflated tire reduces efficiency, grip, and comfort.
Even the pros have caught on—within just a few years, they’ve gone from 23mm to 30 or even 32mm tires in races, using tubeless setups with significantly lower pressures.
Of course, we’re not in the same context, and our needs are different, but anything that improves my bike’s efficiency helps me fatigue less on the road.
For my part, I swapped the Marathon Mondial tires for Marathon Supreme ones inflated to 3.5 bars, and I traded the SMP saddle for this one. Even today, I'm still amazed by the comfort of this saddle given its price!
https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0CLVSPF8R?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
As I mentioned in a previous post, wide tires (which therefore require low inflation pressure) weren’t enough to handle the roads I shared photos of.
For reference, I had Marathon Mondial tires that were 2 inches (5 cm) wide, with a recommended pressure of around 2.5 to 5 bars, if I remember correctly.
The issue is that the load a tire can support decreases as the pressure drops.
For example, the Marathon Mondial can handle a maximum load of 130 kg, but only at maximum pressure (according to the manufacturer’s data).
So, riding with a fully loaded bike at minimum pressure isn’t recommended.
To improve comfort, another option is to switch to tubeless soft tires. But that’s not suitable for the kind of travel I do.
I have a gravel bike set up tubeless, so I’m speaking from experience.
These tires are more fragile.
Plus, sealant only works for very small punctures. If the hole in the tire is too big, repairs—like using a plug—usually don’t last. Eventually, you’ll need to replace the tire entirely, which means carrying one or even two spare tires and a bottle of sealant for trips to remote areas.
That leaves my question about the durability and reliability of a telescopic fork...
PS: I’m ruling out the Lauf Grit fork because it’s carbon. I’m also excluding a suspended seatpost because my issue is bike stability and hand pain, not discomfort in the saddle.
PS: I’m ruling out the Lauf Grit fork because it’s carbon. I’m also ruling out a suspended seatpost because my issue is bike stability and hand pain, not my backside.
For hand pain, there’s the suspended stem (like the Redshift ShockStop)
As I’ve already mentioned in a previous post, wide tires (which therefore require low inflation pressure) weren’t enough to handle the roads I shared photos of.
For info, I had Marathon Mondial tires that were 2 inches (5 cm) wide, with an allowable pressure of—if I remember correctly—between 2.5 and 5 bars.
The issue is that the load a tire can support decreases as the pressure drops.
So, the Marathon Mondial can handle a maximum load of 130 kg, but only at maximum pressure (manufacturer’s data).
Therefore, riding at minimum pressure with a loaded bike isn’t recommended.
To improve comfort, the other solution is to switch to tubeless soft tires. But that’s not suited to the kind of travel I do.
I have a gravel bike set up tubeless, so I’m speaking from experience.
These tires are more fragile.
Plus, sealant only works for very small punctures. As soon as the hole in the tire is a bit too big, repairs—like using a plug—usually don’t hold up over time. Eventually, you have to replace the tire entirely, which means carrying one or even two spare tires and a bottle of sealant for traveling in remote areas.
That leaves my question about the durability and reliability of a telescopic fork...
PS: I’m ruling out the Lauf Grit fork because it’s carbon. I’m also ruling out a suspended seatpost because my issue is bike stability and hand pain, not my backside.
I just got back (last night) from crossing the Massif Central from Avallon to the Mediterranean via a gravel route.
For those interested: https://www.la-gtmc.com/itineraire/grande-traversee-du-massif-central-gravel
1,400 km of rough tracks and trails, all on a gravel bike with 45mm tubeless tires inflated to 2 bars.
Schwalbe G-One tires still far from worn out by the end.
Zero punctures.
I’d planned two inner tubes just in case of a major puncture, since plugging tires on the road isn’t easy.
I’ll add that I was camping, so my carbon Canyon was still a bit loaded.
Excellent bike comfort and zero issues.
All this to say you can travel light and comfortably.
He introduces his new bike:
- Rigid front fork
- Redshift Shockstop Pro suspension seatpost
- Vecnum Freeqence suspension stem
- Schwalbe G-One RX Pro 60-622 tires
Hand or butt pain isn’t dependent on having a suspension system but on the quality of the saddle, its shape, and its width (all tailored to the cyclist’s body shape).
The same goes for hand pressure on the handlebars—its shape, padding, and, of course, how well it fits your body.
Many travelers don’t cycle much, if at all, year-round and then set off on a trip with 6 hours in the saddle daily. How can anyone be surprised by aches and pains?
Let’s be clear: if you’re not perfectly positioned on a bike that’s properly adjusted for your body, no amount of suspension will make a difference.
I didn’t say the seatpost suspension was there to counter butt pain.
First and foremost, it’s to absorb a rear shock and protect your spine. Because a jolt to your backside travels up your spine all the way to your head. With a suspension post, you’re setting yourself up for a peaceful old age.
Otherwise, I completely agree about butt pain—you’ve got to find the saddle that fits your backside, meaning one that’s the right size, like a shoe. It’s not an easy task. I tried several before I found the right one.
On another note, as I’ve often mentioned in my posts, the first season—even the second—you’ll ache in different parts of your body. That’s normal. What we’re asking our bodies to do isn’t natural. Humans weren’t designed by nature for cycling. So don’t rush to find some miracle gear.
What you can do right away is adjust your posture.
Otherwise, just wait for the pain to fade. If a pain lingers past the first season, then yes, look for different gear.
Personally, by the second season, everything had disappeared (neck pain, shoulder blade pain, stiff thumb) except for the recurring butt pain.
In desperation, I finally tried the one saddle I hadn’t tested—a racing saddle with no padding, no cutout in the middle, and super rigid. Miracle—it was the right one. There was just a tiny bit of pain now and then. That’s when I came across a deal on a Brooks B17 for 80 €. You hear so much about them. For fun, I bought one, and as soon as I sat on it, I knew it was THE saddle—even though a new leather saddle is stiff and hard. Is it because it’s a Brooks? Because it’s leather? I don’t buy that for a second. It was simply the right size.
Really nice bike, great choice of components. With the Rohloff hub (automatic), you don’t have to shift gears anymore, and you can stay on the aero bars as long as you want. I’m almost a little jealous.
Très beau vélo, très bon choix des pièces, avec le moyeux rohloff (automatique), il n'a plus besoin de passer les vitesses et il peut rester sur les aérobarres…
Ci-dessous un lien vers une vidéo d'un grand randonneur. 9 ans de randonnée par tous les continents. https://youtu.be/... Il présente son nouveau vélo. -…
Les douleurs aux mains ou aux fesses ne sont pas dépendantes de la présence d'un amortisseur mais à la qualité la selle, sa forme, sa largeur (le tout adapté a…
Je n'ai pas dit que l'amortisseur de selle était là pour contrer les douleurs aux fesses. c'est avant tout pour absorber un choc arrière et protéger la colonne…
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 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 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.
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
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.
Hi, has anyone recently bought Primus or Butagaz gas, possibly puncture-style, in Dubrovnik or the surrounding area? Same question for Albania... thanks. aichatou
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food
I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics
Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads
The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route
I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
