Nous souhaitons partir sur les routes du Tibet cet été à vélo. Bien que le forum (et le web en général) regorge d'informations et de site utiles, je n'ai pas trouvé d'informations récentes sur l'état des routes et sur la sévérité des forces de l'ordre aux différents "check-point".
En gros, nous souhaiterions faire le trajet Dali Lhassa. Nous avons en gros un mois (août 2011).
J'ai donc plusieurs questions :
- est-ce la bonne période pour rouler ?
- le trajet est-il faisable en un mois ?
- quel est l'état des routes ?
- faut-il opter pour un VTT de voyage, ou la suspension est-elle superflue ?
- les checkpoint sont-ils nombreux ? Si oui est-il facile de les passer ?
Enfin dernière question : malgré la barrière de la langue, les gens sont-ils accueillants ?
Précautions oratoires : j'ai circulé au Tibet, mais pas sur cet itinéraire. En revanche, j'ai vu le film amateur réalisé par des amis chinois qui ont fait la route 317/318 en hiver. Enfin, la route 318 est actuellement en réfection de grande ampleur, jusqu'en mai 2011 si ma mémoire est bonne. Enfin, la réglementation concernant le séjour d'étrangers au Tibet peut changer du jour en lendemain (mais je doute qu'on aille vers un assouplissement à court terme).
Cela étant posé, mes commentaires sont les suivants :Juillet-aout, c'est le pic de pluviométrie au Tibet (comme ailleurs en Chine). Pas agréable en vélo, et surtout fort risque d'éboulements de terrain (les travaux en cours vont-ils sécuriser la 318 de ce côté là ??). Mes amis ont dû se relayer au volant de l'aube au crépuscule pour contourner une route ainsi fermée, et c'était en hiver, saison normalement sèche. Vous prenez un risque météo important.En 4x4, les voyagistes prévoient 1 semaine (visites comprises). Ca me semble ambitieux en un mois en vélo, d'autant que vous manquerez d'oxygène à cette altitude.Etat des routes : impeccable quand c'est neuf, très mauvais quand c'est la route d'origine. Je pense quand même que c'est jouable avec un vélo "normal" (pas des pneus de course, quand même)Check points nombreux sur la route Lhassa - Everest, et impossibles à contourner, pour cause de relief et/ou torrents. Il me semble avoir lu un post d'un cycliste qui a tenté le coup sur cette route, et s'est fait arrêter très rapidement.J'ai voyagé "dans les règles", avec le permis et guide qui n'est obligatoire que pour les visites, pas pour se balader en ville. Nulle part, je n'ai ressenti d'hostilité. Lorsque je ne pouvais faire autrement, je m'excusais toujours de recourir au mandarin pour communiquer avec des Tibétains; cela a peut-être aidé.
Tu ne trouveras pas bcp d'info récentes sur la route et pour cause, peu de cyclos sont passés par là ces derniers temps. Cela dit, n'écoute pas les nombreux rabats-joies qui ne manqueront pas de te dire que c'est impossible d'entrer au Tibet alors qu'ils n'ont pas essayé. Bon, je ne dis pas que ça passera forcément, mais ça peut, et ça vaut le coup de tenter. Le jeu en vaut la chandelle.
En revanche, l'été n'est pas du tout la bonne saison pour l'Est. Bpc de pluie et glissements de terrain. Aucune idée où en sont les travaux sur la 318. Si vous ne pouvez pas partir à une autre saison, optez peut-être pour une autre région, soit l'Amdo (Gansu – Qinghai) qui est à 99% tibétain mais hors de la province du Tibet donc moins compliqué (pas de permis, pas de checkpoints à passer de nuit), soit la route Goldmund – Lhasa (goudronnée, 1000km environ, faisable en 3 semaines, plusieurs cyclos sont passés sans permis en 2010).
Bon voyage !
oui , il a raison. xianggelila est tres joli. je vous propose cette ligne. c'est impeccable. pas difficile. voyager a tibet en velo pour l'etranger , c'est pas facile. il vaut mieux que tu y voyage avec des chinois.
On s'appretait a rouler dans cette direction. On a commence a se documenter et la mission commando pour passer les checks points nous tentait bien.
Notre probleme s'est pause lorsque nous avons realise que nous n'obtiendrions pas plus de 30 jours de visas pour la chine, pour traverser depuis Hong Kong au Tibet et sortir au Nepal ou au Kirghizistan. Nous avons donc laisse tomber cet itineraire et on s'aprete a quitter Pekin pour la Mongolie.
Depuis la Chine nous avons eu comme info que le Tibet etait ferme a tous les touristes (4*4) compris pour tout le mois de Mars, peut etre Avril, et apres qui sait? Suite a quoi le Dalai lama aurrait abandonne son role politique.
notre source: http://www.rue89.com/chinatown/2011/03/10/tibet-le-dalai-lama-annonce-labandon-de-son-role-politique-194235
mais autant chercher confirmation ailleurs...
Ca veut pas dire que c'est pas possible...
Bonne route!
Benitom
Plus pret de toi mon Diot!
Entre Selle et Terre
2 Pedales sur 1 Velo
Le Tibet (on part de la province chinoise du Tibet, pas du plateau tibétain en général) n'est pas accessible au voyage en solitaire. Si tu sors de Lhassa, il te faut une voiture avec chauffeur à tout moment, même si tu te déplaces à vélo. De toutes façon, il n'est pas autorisé de se rendre au Tibet par voie terrestre pour les étrangers, même avec permis. Il faut prendre soit le train, soit l'avion
Il me semble que certaines régions sont totalement fermées aux étrangers, notamment celles de l'est... En tant qu'étranger, tu seras donc très facilement repéré.
Pour ce qui est des permis, il faut trois personnes de même nationalité et passer par une agence qui est "responsable" de ses touristes pendant toute la durée du séjour au Tibet. Bref, pas l'idéal pour un voyage à vélo indépendant.
Après, je ne dis pas que c'est impossible... C'est juste illégal. Les étrangers qui l'ont fait n'ont pas l'air d'avoir eu de sanction trop lourdes (à voir si ils arrivent à ravoir un visa pour la Chine un jour), par contre il paraît que les locaux qui les ont "aidés" (hébergés, nourris, renseignés...) ont eu pas mal d'ennuis.
A priori, certaines agences ont l'air de pouvoir organiser des voyages au Tibet par voie terrestre (toujours avec voiture et chauffeur), même en venant du Sichuan ou du Yunnan... Même pour une personne seule! Ce n'est pas censé être possible, mais bon... C'est la Chine ^^.
Par contre, toujours pas de permis pour un voyage indépendant...
Comme tous les ans à cette période de l'année, le Tibet est totalement fermé aux étrangers pour le moment. Impossible de prédire quelles seront les règles imposées quand ça ré-ouvrira (l'an dernier, il fallait être en groupe de 5 de même nationalité pour obtenir un permis). Peu de témoignages de cyclos ayant réussi à passer sans permis ces derniers temps (et ça fait des années que la route de l'est est fermée aux étrangers et bien contrôlée). Le voyage indépendant au Tibet c'est pas pour demain, et encore moins depuis Dali.
petit UP également sur ce sujet intéressant qui évolue chaque année..
Qu'en est-il à l'heure actuelle ? Quid du passage de la frontière nepal/tibet ? Si on dispose du visa chinois seulement + le permis, est ce qu'ils laissent passer, ou bien attendent ils que les voyageurs soient pris en charge par leurs guides?
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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!
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?