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.
DRAGUIGNAN / SALERNES is a good choice—you won’t have too many hills, and you’ll avoid the Verdon Gorge. It might be a shame, but the terrain would be more rugged. From SALERNES, you can head to GREOUX-LES-BAINS. I live there and can put you up if you let me know ahead of time so I’m around. I can also show you the route to ARLES—I did it this summer with my trailer on the way to the Pyrénées.
If you’re interested, let me know, and I’ll send you my details in a private message. Either way, you can find my info on the C.A.C (Cyclo-Camping-International) directory—I hope you’re familiar with it.
(I’m a cyclist from Nice) and I know the "triangle" section (Nice-Marseille-Avignon) well. If I may:
On the "Nice - Grasse - Draguignan - Salernes" route, there’s no shortage of hills! Plus, the Grasse-Draguignan stretch has heavy traffic and no shoulder.
Also, right now it’s 5/6°C at 9 AM at 300 meters altitude, so if you’re planning to climb to around 1,000 meters, bring warm gear.
If you’re open to suggestions, personally I’d take:
Day 1
Nice (bike path from the port to Saint-Laurent-du-Var), then cross Saint-Laurent-du-Var toward Saint-Jeannet.
From there, head to Vence (worth a visit), then Tourrette-sur-Loup, Pont-du-Loup, Gréolières, Andon, Caille, Seranon, and Le Logis du Pin: you’ll have covered about 90 km from Nice.
At the exit of the hamlet, take the LEFT BANK OF THE VERDON toward Comps-sur-Artuby.
Don’t enter the village (but don’t forget to stock up on water and food—after that, it’s a 30 km desert).
Note: In this village (km 115), you can sleep and freshen up: at the entrance, there’s a small cabin where you can take care of "business."
Day 2
Head toward the magnificent Gorges du Verdon via its left bank.
After a downhill start to the Pont de l’Artuby, you’ll tackle the climb up the Col d’Illoire—take it easy.
You’ll reach Aiguines, and then it’s up to you: continue toward the Durance or stay in the Haut-Var?
I’d take the "Durance" route: toward Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Riez, Allemagne-en-Provence, the Valensole plateau, the descent to Manosque, and then follow the Durance toward Pertuis and Cavaillon—it’s almost flat (I said *almost*).
In Cavaillon, there’s a budget hotel (like Formule 1) that’s super nice, cheap, and the owner welcomes cyclists. Last time, he even let me use the coffee maker and left croissants... at 4 AM.
By then, you’ll have covered about 230–250 km from Nice.
Day 3 and beyond:
I’d just advise heading toward Les Baux-de-Provence and following Tarascon, Nîmes, Sommières, Lacaune, Castres—a more northerly route that’s easier to manage for traffic and accommodation.
Maybe local cyclists will chime in with more tips.
Good luck and safe travels—keep us posted when you’re back!
La vie, c'est comme une bicyclette, il faut avancer pour ne pas perdre l'équilibre.
A.Einstein
Thanks for your tips and your offer of accommodation—I’ll definitely keep it in mind! I should be in the area late next week, either Friday the 17th or Saturday the 18th. So I’d love to get your contact details.
I’m still debating whether to go through the Verdon Gorge—the terrain’s a bit worrying (see the ongoing discussion with velosauvage)!
See you soon.
Your plan sounds amazing—thanks so much for sharing! The question, though, is whether I’ll actually go through with it!
Anyway, two days seems a bit tight for all that, but maybe three would work. Plus, it’s the start of the trip, so I’ll be a little out of practice! I don’t have my IGN map yet, and I’m a bit worried about the elevation—do you have any idea of the climbs and slopes I’d need to tackle?
Otherwise, to avoid heavy traffic, is there a way to take the train from Nice to Draguignan?
For the last part of the route, since I lived in Toulouse for several years, I’m sure the northern route is worth it. But again, it depends on whether the rider can handle it.
Oh, one last question since you’re from Nice—any bike shops you’d recommend there?
Thanks boreon, I did check out your blog—it’s super thorough, and I actually used it to plan my first route. That said, your experience seems to confirm the rumor about traffic being a bit rough and dangerous on the Nice–Draguignan stretch?
I also took note of the campgrounds, the good and the not-so-good!
Thanks again, and see you soon.
You're right about NICE / DRAGUIGNAN: lots of traffic.
The route recommended by vélosauvage is nice. The only issue will be the altitude—you’ll often be on a kind of plateau above 1,000 m, and at this time of year, it’s all or nothing: very chilly nights and gorgeous days if the sun’s out. Watch out for rain at this time. On the other hand, while it’s pretty hilly, the gradients aren’t too steep—the climb up the gorges to Vaumale is only about 5-6%. Why not grab a Michelin map at 1:200,000 scale? It’s perfect for this kind of trip, and it even has chevrons to show the gradients. I’ll send you my details in a private message.
3 days for this stretch? Perfect for taking in the scenery! As for the gradients, an average of 4–5% seems reasonable. But as Gérard mentioned, the Col d’Illoire can hit 6%.
another "easier" option:
Nice-Antibes-Cannes-Théoule-St Raphaël: 75 km following the RN 98 the whole way.
Then:
at St Raphaël, head toward Ste Maxime (still along the coast) and continue toward Cogolin.
Then take the direction of La Garde-Freinet, Vidauban, Lorgues, Salernes.....
That’s one option...depending on the weather...
About the train—why not take the "Train des Pignes" from Nice? As far as Digne-les-Bains, and from there, you could coast down to Manosque or Cavaillon?
But yeah...trains aren’t for everyone.
A bike shop in Nice?
La Roue Libre, rue Auguste Gal.
Young, friendly, and knowledgeable.
La vie, c'est comme une bicyclette, il faut avancer pour ne pas perdre l'équilibre.
A.Einstein
Hi!
Back in 2005, a friend and I did Bordeaux to Nice, and our route—though the reverse of yours—was very similar. The most "annoying" part of the trip was the Sète to Montpellier leg. We had to use roads that were pretty busy, with cars going at high speeds. Apart from that, the rest of the journey was fantastic.
Happy travels!
Hey Dudule! From Brest itself?!
Here’s a Kerhorre living in Toulouse talking to you—I just biked from Menton to Toulouse, so fire away with any questions you’ve got! Just a heads-up, I don’t have a computer at home, and getting online is a pain, so the easiest way is to call me at 06 28 07 65 33 with a map in front of you!
Kénavo!
Lucie
Bonjour
Je ne sais pas si c’est encore d’actualité, mais je serais intéressé par la trace de ton itinéraire, je compte partir de Mouans-Sartoux pour rejoindre Toulouse en passant par le canal du midi
Merci
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Bonjour
quelles sont les moyen les plus simple pour revenir du Cap Nord sans pédaler
train, Bateau, avion ?
qui à déjà fait l’expérience ?
Merci de nous renseigner
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!
Bonjour,
Je dois arriver en vélo à Thessalonique à la fin Septembre et je prévois de rejoindre Istambul par la côte.
Quelqu'un pourrait m'aider à choisir la meilleure route.Sécurité, difficulté.
Merci d'avance.
Marc
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!
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
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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.
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?