Voilà, étant nouveau sur le forum, je tenais à me présenté en vous contant un petit périple que j'ai fais l'été dernier.
N'étant pas toulousain de souche, j'ai voulu découvrir la région en me rendant au lac de Saint-Ferréol. Dans un esprit de pur liberté, j'ai donc attelé ma modeste monture et pris la route depuis Toulouse.
C'est par de petites départementales que je me dirige vers Saint-Félix-Lauragais. Un parcours certes valonné mais très tranquille. Sous la chaleur du soleil, je ne rencontre que quelques véhicules ici et là.
Arrivé à ce premier checkpoint, je profite d'une pause pour admirer le panorama qui s'offre à moi. La chaine Pyrénéenne se dessine à l'horizon... C'est vraiment magnifique !
Il est temps pour moi de repartir si je veux être au lac avant la tombé de la nuit. La route est de plus en plus valonné, je commence à regretter mon choix de parcours. Mais à cœur vaillant rien d'impossible dit-on !
La départementale commence à grossir et le trafic si fait plus fort, dernière grande descente à toute allure avant d'arriver à Revel. Je suis maintenant tout proche du lac selon ma carte. Le hic, c'est que je ne connais pas du tout la région et à mon plus grand désespoir je me retrouve fasse à une côte interminable. La plus éprouvante depuis mon départ. Il m'a fallu une bonne heure pour atteindre le lac depuis la jonction de la rigole de la plaine avec la D629. C'était infernale, la circulation constante ne me rassurait pas du tout et j'avançais à pas de fourmis. Il faut dire que d'avoir pris ma remorque fût à mon désavantage mais tout à mon honneur d'être parvenu au sommet avec.
Me voici donc arrivé à destination. 8 heures de vélo, environs 50 kilomètres. J'estime avoir bien avancer compte tenus de ma condition physique. Le moral revient vite en voyant ce lac. J'en fais le tour et choisi un emplacement pour bivouaquer. C'est au coucher du soleil que je plante ma tente, juste au bord du lac. L'endroit est paisible à souhait, je profite des derniers rayons de lumière pour observer le paysage aux allures de carte postal. La difficulté de cette étape n'aura fait qu'intensifier mon admiration pour la nature.
Après une bonne nuit de sommeil, c'est aux aurores que je me lève et me prépare un bon chocolat chaud. Ma remorque m'a permis d'emporter plus de choses mais pas pour le moins inutile. J'avais charger un maximum d'objets lourds et ne craignant pas la pluie dans les sacoches arrières, gardant l'espace de mon coffre pour le matériel volumineux (tente, sac de couchage, vêtements...) et de valeur.
J'ai fabriqué moi-même cette caisse en bois sur mesure. Elle est amovible du chassie et étanche. J'avais du revoir sa conception lors des essais, la chaleur grimpait vite à l'intérieur et j'ai donc ajouter deux ouvertures (à l'avant et à l'arrière) permettant un flux d'air rafraichissant tout en restant imperméable en cas d'intempérie. J'en suis très fier et cela me rassure que je puisse la fermée à clef.
Mais revenons en à cette randonnée. Il me faut maintenant étudier le retour au bercail. L'asphalte c'est bien mais j'aime moins les côtes. Un peu traumatisé par la journée précédente, je choisi de rejoindre le canal du midi par la voie la plus courte. C'est donc en empruntant une départementale que je me dirige vers Castelnaudary. Ce n'est pas très charmant, des poids lourds et autre défile tout du long. J'ai hâte d'être sur le canal que je connais. Lui, il est si calme, si agréable à regarder c'est un bonheur de s'y trouver. Surtout quand on sait qu'il n'y a pas de dénivelé à proprement parlé.
Me voici donc sur le canal du midi, c'est le pieds total. Il me faut avaler les 65 km qui me sépare de mon domicile. Et c'est un rodage tout terrain pour ma remorque car comme certain le savent, jusqu'en Haute-Garonne la portion n'est pas goudronnée. Mais l’aménagement est sans risque, au plus proche de mère nature. Les montures de fer ont remplacé les chevaux. Beaucoup de cycliste se côtoient et se saluent. J'avais tout de même une légère appréhension, lors de mes préparatif j'avais lu plusieurs témoignage décrivant l'inconfort de parcourir ces chemins avec une remorque deux roue. Mais au final, c'est passer, je n'avais pas vraiment le choix enfin si mais je souhaitais coûte que coûte éviter les routes.
Le parcours est joncher d'écluses et de petits ponts de pierres. Malheureusement, je retiens le partage des aires de repos d'autoroute comme un point très négatif, enlevant une part importante de son charme au canal.
Me voici arrivé, 80 km et 10 heures de vélo proportionnellement moins fatigant que la première journée. Cette cyclo-rando m'aura donné du fil à retordre mais aussi de très bons souvenirs. J'ai pu roder ma remorque qui a supporter divers terrains et 130 km. Aucune crevaison à signaler, mais une usure du pneu arrière notable.
Il est sur que je reprendrai le canal du midi un jour. Sans remorque, je compte investir dans une paire de sacoches avant, le choix me semble plus judicieux.
Je vous laisse avec une photo prise à l'écluse de La Planque (près de Castelnaudary) et un petit plan de mon parcours. Si vous avez des questions, n'hésitez pas !
Je faisais la même chose quand j'étais à Toulouse, découvrir les environs à vélo est un bonheur !
Les deux boucles que j'ai préféré dans le coin : le tour des plus beau villages de france au nord-ouest et une petite boucle au départ d'Albi vers l'ouest (on croise le chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle).
Bonne continuation dans ton exploration des environs 😉
Et c'est très formateur de faire des petites sorties, on voit ce qu'on peut laisser ou ce qui manque avant de partir pour de plus longs trajets.
Et ça fait bien sûr un petit break pour ceux qui ne peuvent pas partir longtemps pour cause du travail etc.
On aimerait passer un week-end dans les Pyrénées en partant de Pau jusqu'au lac d'Isaby, et pourquoi pousser jusqu'au lac Bleu. Nous partirions avec nos…
J'envisage de partir de Soulac sur mer (ou je serai en vacances) le 11.08 et pour une durée de 5-6 jours. Direction le sud le long de l'atlantique et la…
Voyager à vélo › France › Sud-Ouest / Espagne · 25 replies
En fin de mois, je vais effectuer un périple en cyclo-camping (France & Espagne), de 2 200 km, en totale autonomie. Vélo SURLY + matériel environ 40 kg à…
Voyager à vélo › France › Sud-Ouest / Bretagne · 3 replies
Suite au covid je suis toujours au chômage partiel et oui je bosse dans le tourisme, et apparemment je ne reprendrais qu'en septembre.. donc J'ai décidé de le…
Voyager à vélo › France › Bretagne / Sud-Ouest · 21 replies
Bien le bonjour, En date du 20/08/2018, je vais démarrer mon premier voyage en cyclotourisme et j'ai choisi la Vélodysée (Eurovelo 1) pour à la fois découvrir…
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!
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!
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?
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!
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike to meet some friends in Côte d’Ivoire in early November.
I’ll be starting in Abidjan and heading to Abengourou, which is close to the Ghana border.
I’d like to take the trails. Does anyone have recent info on eastern Côte d’Ivoire?
Any tips, safety advice, or must-see stops? I’m open to all suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Fx
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc
PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
I’m planning to build a new touring bike.
I want to prioritize lightness.
That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads.
The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper.
I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork.
Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm.
It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring.
And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear.
More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
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.
