je continue à préparer ma traversée de la France à vélo et un certain nombre de questions ne trouvent pas réponse :
- j'ai un VTC ( Overland de chez Go Sport ) qui fonctionne à merveille mais qui n'est pas équipé ( pas de garde boue , .... ) . Je me demande donc s'il est préférable de vendre mon VTC et d'acheter un vélo " ad'hoc " ou si mon VTC peut être équipé de A à Z en vu de mon périple ?
- quelles cartes à quelle échelle ?
- Y-a-t-il des itinéraires plus sympas que d'autres pour une traversée à vélo ? ( je pars de PARIS et aimerais rejoindre BREST )
- Y-a-t-il un ( des ) site internet référence pour préparer un voyage en vélo ?
1-si t'on velo te conviens , pourquoi en changer ???, equipe le .....
- garde boue , 1 paire de sacoches ou remorque, 1 porte bagage , 1 ou 2 porte bidon avec bidon 😛 Des bons pneus (swalble par ex ) voila le principale qu'il te faus , le reste c'est sueur et plein les mirettes 😉
2 -pour les cartes, chacun son astuce, moi j'imprime les plan sur via michelin mais tu peus gacher des sous (ce n'est que mon avis )pour acheter des cartes ultra détaillé qui prennent du volume
3-Cela est fonction de toi et du temps que tu veus investir , tu peus descendre sur orleans et faire la loire a velo puis remonter vers brest en longeant la cote .
4- Pour les sites, tu as viamichelin , les sites des offices de tourimes(hesite pas a les apeler pour plus d'info)les blogs et sites de voyageurs et bien sur voyageforum
Ton vtc devrait faire l'affaire, tu lui mets un voir deux portes baggages, des gardes boue (les plus simples) et le tour est joué. Tu pourrais t'acheter un vélo spécifique mais il faudrait être sure de son utilité à long therme et le prix serait assez élevé d'autant plus qu'un vtc go sport ne se revend pas des millions.
Pour les cartes tu prends des michelins au 1/200 000 par région c'est le meilleur compromis encombrements pour la france.
J'allais oublier un accessoire indispensables pour moi, une saccoche de guidon qui te servira aussi de repose carte. Si tu es à Paris va faire un saut chez rando cycles tu y trouveras tout le nécessaire.
Sur mon site, tu trouveras un petit parcours envoyé par Marie qui passe par la Loire. Sinon, si tu avais envie de descendre un peu plus dans le sud, tu trouveras une boucle à faire dans le département du Lot (boucle qui sera totalement achevée d'ici une semaine).
Je me présente je m'appelle Grégory Gouel, j'ai 23ans.
J'ai pour projet de faire le tour de la France en vélo sur 60 jours cet été. Je pars de Limoges pour aller à Nice et de là, je parcours toute la côte Méditerranéenne, les pyrénées (ou au dessus) et je remonte toute la côte de l'Atlantique, et de la Manche. Je repartirais ensuite de Lille. Je dispose d'un budget très limité ( environ 10 euros par jour. Question matériel je pense avoir tout prévu mais mon problème réside dans les itinéraires. sachant que je compte faire entre 100 et 150 km par jour il faut que je prévois tout à l'avance. J'aimerais donc avoir des conseils et des informations sur ce point mais aussi sur les entrainements, la nourriture et tout ce qui concerne les points de rivitaillement pour chaque jour.
Pour la nourriture, je compte manger froid, étant donné que je suis seul dans mon périple, je ne dois pas me charger davantage. Pain, jambon, boite de conserve non réchauffée, pâte cuite à l'eau froide, des fruits que je trouverai sur mon chemin, et des barres de céréale (beaucoup).
Pour l'hébergement, je ferai du camping sauvage (les campings payants seront très rares) en calculant bien chaque jour de se poser au bord d'un lac ou d'un étang (d'un point d'eau en tout cas) de sorte à pouvoir se laver et laver les vétements. Pour le ravitaillement en eau, sur la route c'est pas un problème, mais prévoir une réserve avant de se poser. Pour le rechargements des lecteur et téléphone... ca va être plus compliqué mais j'économiserai.
Mes heures de pédalage: 7h du matin jusqu'à 15h, ca me laisse du temps pour profiter et trouver un endroit pour la nuit.
Je pars dans une quinzaine de jours, je ne sais pas quoi prendre pour me repérer et savoir je vais, je ne veux pas non plus me charger encore davantage. J'ai même pensé au GPS pour vélo mais c'est hors de prix...
Mon but premier est surtout de faire un maximun de km, rencontrer du monde et voir du pays seront "des récompenses personnelles"...
Si vous pouviez m'apporter un peu d'aide concernant tout cela, j'en serais très heureux...
merci
Pour la nourriture, je compte manger froid, étant donné que je suis seul dans mon périple, je ne dois pas me charger davantage. Pain, jambon, boite de conserve non réchauffée, pâte cuite à l'eau froide, des fruits que je trouverai sur mon chemin, et des barres de céréale (beaucoup).
Je te conseil de prendre un petit réchaud a gaz que tu trouveras à Décathlon pour 25 euros (avec gaz bien sur )
C'est un poids minimal (-de 1kg)pour un grand confort .
Car manger froid trop souvent , peut jouer sur le moral , et en plus c'est mieux pour faire les pâtes 😛
Moi je mets tous ce qui est cuisine dans la sacoche de guidon, avec la fourche qui absorbe les chocs , je n'ai jamais eu de souci .
Pour ce qui est des chemins a prendre , pourquoi ne pas priviléger les canaux comme ca tu peus économiser sur les carte .
Après tu peus , préparer un petit road book (un petit calepin ferai l'affaire)et pour l'agrémenter consulte les récits de voyages, le site de viamichelin (coche l'option vélo😉), n'hésite pas a allez dans les offices de tourismes , ils sont de bons conseils et peuvent te permettre de faire avancer ton projet en cours de routes.
Et si tu aime bien accoster les gens sur la route , demande leur , moi je n'ai que des bonnes surprises avec ce systeme😎
Tout à fait d'accord avec Evo : le réchaud est "chaudement" recommandé pour un voyage de 60 jours, si on ne veut pas être rapidement déprimé à l'idée de manger froid chaque soir au bivouac !!
Pour l'orientation, je te conseille bien sûr une boussole toute bête, ainsi que d'acheter au fur et à mesure (puis les balancer ou les poster) les cartes TOP 100 d'IGN (anciennement bleues, et vertes depuis peu) que tu trouveras dans tout tabac-presse. 5 euros, c'est du 1/100 000ème, avec dénivelés, infos touristiques (sites, campings) et fond assez clair pour repérer un bivouac tranquille !
Mieux que le GPS: le SOS ou Système d'Orientation Simplifié : une boussole + une carte...
bonne idée de suivre la loire de nantes à orléans, je le ferais peut-être cet été.
il y a aussi le canal de nantes à brest, je n'en connais qu'un petit bout, il y a beaucoup de promeneurs le week-end.
pour le matos, il y a www.cyclo-randonnée.fr et www.chainreactioncycle.fr
je trouve triste de suivre un itinéraire via-michelin ou d'écouter un gps, c'est cool d'avoir les cartes IGN top 100, je trace les pistes cyclables au stabilo. les cartes permettent de trouver des variantes, ravitaillements, coin où dormir, etc...
les cartes IGN ont les gares et lignes de trains, c'est magique pour rattraper un retard et/ou laisser passer l'orage.
j'ai un rechaud à gaz qui se pose au sol sur trois pieds, ca ne se renverse pas.
c'est archi-triste de manger froid tous les jours, on fini pas craquer et aller au resto, à force de voir toutes les bonnes choses qu'on a pas pu acheter à l'épicerie. à pied sur le sentier cathare l'année dernière avec un pote, on ne mangait que pain-jambon-salades en boite : la misère . . .
c'est tendu de faire 120-150 km par jour, il faut le temps de déplier-replier la tente, pauses bistrot pour le café et la bière, lire le journal pour la météo, taper la discute avec les gens, etc...
moi je fais un jour de repos tous les 3-4 jours de vélo.
je ne connais pas le vélo go-sport, mais faut le garder temps qu'il te convient, tu pourras en changer et récupérer tous les accessoires quand il sera usé.
la vie est plus douce avec des schalble marathlon plus.
bonjour
je prépare mon périple a velo de st guenole, pointe sud de la bretagne jusqu a lyon
j ai une hésitation sur l itinéraire a partir de nevers ou un peu avant:
1. quitter la loire vers chatillon sur loire pour rejoindre le canal du nivernais a clamecy jusqu a decize ou rester sur l itineraire la loire a velo ou encore prendre le canal lateral mais ca a pas l air top de l avis quasi général
2.une fois a digoin, prendre le canal jusqu a roanne (et puis?) ou bien rejoindre paray le monial cluny etc ca je connais un peu
j ai un vélo type vtc, peut être une petite remorque pour le chat (ou sacoche avant) sinon deux sacoches a l arrière
voila
merci de vos infos
je glane ici et la sur plusieurs sites et c est un plaisir
beaux voyages
vive la liberté et le partage
joannah et merlin
J'aimerais organiser pour l'été 2006 un circuit de 15j à vélo dans le sud de la France en empruntant au maximum les voies réservées aux bicyclettes comme le…
Une question me passe par la tete cette apres midi: Si j'organisais un mechant salon du voyage a velo vous viendriez? J'ai pense a la ville de Gex dans l'Ain.…
Je cherche une organisation qui gére des randonnées cyclistes en France avec des points de passage obligatoire mais impossible de la retrouvée sur internet si…
Je prepare avec un ami une randonnée d'à peu pres 500Km sur plusieurs jours pour cet été en France, en passant au bord de l'Atlantique. Nous avons nos VTT…
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!
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,
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,
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.
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?