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.
J'ai lu un post sur le remplacement d'une fourche télescopique par une rigide, lu les problèmes de chasse, sur la bonne longueur à choisir etc... Mais je…
Je suis possesseur depuis presque 2 ans d'un cannodale touring. C'est un très bon vélo. Il a la particularité d'avoir une fourche télescopique centrale…
A ce jour, je n'ai rien trouvé.Pour en monter sur fourche rigide, avec systéme de colliers, oui.Quelqu'un peut il m'indiquer si des portes bagages surbaissées,…
J'ai toujours trouvé trop chers les portes sacoches avant proposés par les marques bien connues avec en prime les difficultés pour adapter ce matériel sur une…
Hi,
what are the easiest ways to get back from Nordkapp without pedaling—
train, boat, or plane?
Has anyone already done this?
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Hi,
I need to arrive in Thessaloniki by bike at the end of September and I plan to head to Istanbul along the coast.
Could anyone help me pick the best route? Safety, difficulty.
Thanks in advance.
Marc
Hi everyone! Thanks for welcoming me to the forum :)
I’m preparing for a long trip heading to Nepal, with stops along the way depending on my mood, work needs, and the season. I cycle a lot, but this will be my first big touring adventure. I’d like to camp regularly to keep costs down, so I’ll be riding on all kinds of surfaces: smooth and rough roads, main highways and rocky paths to find my camping spots, flat terrain and the occasional steep slopes.
For my bike model, I’m prioritizing durability, versatility, and repairability. From that perspective, I prefer a steel frame and fork with rim brakes since I’m used to them. I’ve narrowed my choices down to four models:
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-700 LTD (1400 €): steel frame, aluminum fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 28" wheels, 40mm tires, 36 spokes (2 mm), lightweight rear rack (max 20 kg), no front rack included, smallest gear ratio of 0.72, weight of 13.9 kg.
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 (2200 €): steel frame and fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 26" wheels, 50mm tires, 36 spokes (2.34 mm), front and rear racks included (40+18 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 (2150 €): steel frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, 28" wheels, 36 spokes, 40mm tires, front and rear racks included (27+10 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.77, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Rockrider ADTV 900 from Decathlon (1700 €): aluminum frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, USB port, 28" wheels, 47mm tires, 28 spokes, front and rear racks included (40+20 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 17.1 kg. This is the successor to the Riverside Touring 900, which was a hit.
I’ve got a few questions:
1/ Should I go for 26" or 28" wheels for my trip? 26" wheels seem better for rough terrain, but 28" wheels feel more comfortable on roads. I’ve also read that 26" tires/tubes are easier to find.
2/ Do you recommend a steel frame and fork over aluminum? I’m guessing a high-quality aluminum frame and fork would be better than a low-quality steel one, right?
3/ Regarding the smallest gear ratio, is 0.71 a good number for a loaded bike in the mountains?
4/ Finally, what do you think of these four models for my project? My heart leans toward the TX-400—it seems to combine the versatility and robustness I’m looking for. But the price difference with the T-700 LTD is making me think twice!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
17 days, 1,400 km, and 17,500 m of elevation gain cycling in northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳 🚴🇻🇳
From the misty Fansipan to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop, from remote villages to vibrant markets...
I cycled through the north of the country, getting up close with its people—through mud, heat, endless mountain passes, and unforgettable encounters.
Most importantly, I discovered a Vietnam far different from the usual tourist circuits.
Join me on this adventure through a video that captures these 17 days of travel. :)
If Vietnam calls to you, come ride a stretch with me!
Hi,
can anyone give us some tips on how to get to North Cape from Lyon Gerland?
What’s the best route to join the EuroVelo 7?
How many kilometers is it from Lyon to North Cape via EuroVelo 7?
The best month to leave—we’re thinking early May.
Thanks for any advice!
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience:
I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore.
Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
I’m planning to leave Nice for Toulouse around 10/15 and I’m looking for tips / great deals regarding:
- The route: I was thinking of taking Nice - Grasse - Draguignan - Salernes - Cadarache - Cavaillon - Arles, then the Camargue, Sète, and the Canal du Midi to Toulouse. The idea is to avoid high-traffic roads and too many steep climbs. Are there any spots to avoid or must-see stops? Since it’s been a while since I’ve been on the road, I was thinking that sleeping indoors might be preferable. If you have any budget-friendly accommodation suggestions along part of the route, don’t hesitate!
Thanks in advance, and if you’re in the area around that time, we could ride together... Ciao.
Another long-time dream of Claudio’s: the Petit Mont Cenis pass and the dam at the eponymous lake.
A place where many Italians, including my father, worked in the 1950s–60s.
Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne → Lanslebourg → Petit Mont Cenis → return. 315 km, 3 days. Bivouac at St-Michel-de-M.
Brouter link
Leg One: Faverges → St-Michel-de-Maurienne
Leg Two: St-Michel → Lanslebourg → Mont Cenis Lake → St-Michel
Leg Three: St-Michel → Faverges
And it finally happened in August 2026: in the Maurienne Valley about the famous cycle route known as the V67
🇷🇼 Cycling in Rwanda: 4 episodes, an off-the-beaten-path adventure
After 3 weeks and nearly 1,200 km by bike across Rwanda, I made 4 videos to share this adventure in a different way: the landscapes, the encounters, the villages… but above all, all those incredible scenes of everyday life.
The 4 episodes are available here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGnfbxjccWAg
The 4th episode focuses on rural Rwandan life: simple, authentic, and sometimes surprising scenes that you only truly discover when you take the time to travel by bike.
If you have a few minutes, let yourself be transported to Rwanda…
Hi, I'm looking for info on cycling to Nordkapp via the EuroVelo 7. Has anyone done it already, and where’s the best place to start the EuroVelo 7?
Thanks
Hi,
We bought the MSR bike tent model (2-person + large awning that can fit 2 bikes) back in 2005. It’s served us really well, especially during a year-long trip in Africa. Now, one of the poles is broken, and we’d love to replace it since that’s the only issue with the tent—we still love it! The poles are 9.35 mm in diameter, with 8 sections of 49 cm and 2 sections of 28 cm. Total length when assembled: 416 cm. Actually, two large sections are broken: one straight and one curved. It’s a pain to find replacements since this model is no longer sold anywhere.
Would anyone have this model lying around unused and be willing to sell me a pole?
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc
PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
