😎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 100% agree with this take on the 200 magazine.
It’s the only one that truly talks about the activity itself—not just a pile of advertorials like the rest of the press.
Sporty, scenic, and travel-focused cycling, plus initiatives to support local craftspeople...
And when they review bikes, they feature affordable models—not machines that cost as much as a car.
Hi there,
Personally, my average is 50 km per day. Because I love understanding a region, meeting its inhabitants, connecting with the plants, trees, animals, rocks, landscapes, and people. Reading about the area too. I’m not into masochistic or competitive challenges—with myself or others—but rather building a relationship of affection, tenderness, and friendship with the region I’m discovering.
We’re in Paradise, and I’m making the most of it. I have no desire to turn my life into hell.
Your post reminds me of my pilgrimage to Santiago. Me: 20 km a day, others: 30 to 40 km. Me: happy, smiling, welcoming, open. Them: suffering, aggressive, arrogant, and insulting me. In the end, I was one of the few who made it from Arles to Santiago in one go, during the 2003 heatwave. The tortoise and the hare.
Or that competitive Belgian cyclist I met at a gathering, who looked down on me when we were introduced and refused to speak to me.
To each their own, as long as there’s mutual respect.
The praise for "slowness" or "cool" travel also fits hiking perfectly, but I don’t mind that...
Still, the small world of "long-distance hikers" (where "long" refers to the distance covered) is indeed a unique one, but very respectable... and, in the great tradition of the genre, it proves that the bicycle is without a doubt the most mechanically refined means of transport—the vehicle—and, relatively speaking, the most efficient.
Don’t confuse it with the world of hyper-protein-packed (or overloaded) competitors or the "athletes" trying to imitate them...
4000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days
Wow, wow
That seems impossible to me
And I don’t really see the point
But hey, to each their own madness
The guy probably didn’t see much
Personally, I used to be (oak-tree style) a fan of big rides, but this goes beyond comprehension
Beyond the physical toll it takes
What about blisters on the hands, feet, ... and the, uh, backside? And the energy?
10,000 kcal a day—you’ve got to find that? On your own?? That surprises me
And the gear—it wears out, it breaks, it squeaks
Kudos for the exploit
But this doesn’t belong in the travel section
Hi Pierre, I have a lot of admiration and respect for everything you’ve done, but your comparison is completely unjustified. You do touch on respect at the end, and the 200 pieces are all imbued with real humanity, an ode to life, emotions, and nature.
When you read the opening of an article that starts with: "On August 6th in Bray-Dunes (Nord), Alexandre Godin set off on the French Divide. He rode without real preparation, without hang-ups, just for the joy of adventure. Eleven days and 2,000 km of backroads later, he finished the adventure in the lead group, on the Basque coast. The French Divide is back this year. The adventure is first and foremost internal. Above all, it should be happy." It makes me want to read on, and I don’t think we’re dealing with aggressive suffering or denial of others.
Or when an article with the wonderful title *The Passengers of the Cold* opens with this paragraph: "Samarkand, Zanzibar, Ulaanbaatar were a bit too far. So here we are: it would be Thurso. Samarkand, which I preferred when it was spelled with a *k*, breathes silk and opium. If it didn’t exist, Hugo Pratt would have drawn it. Its name alone is an adventure, an Oriental scarf... Zanzibar appealed to me too. A child’s lisp mixed with a bistro can only make you dream. But Zanzibar is 10,500 km from Clermont-Ferrand... Pierre Gouyou Beauchamps, whose double-barreled name seems to churn in oil like a boat engine. We only had a week. So it was Thurso." Once again, an article written in this style—I read it almost in tears to the end. We’re far, very far from petty human meanness.
When you come across an article that begins: *Up there, the world is pure and bare. Up there is Mont Mézenc... The backroads are the most direct path to cycling happiness...* Once again, the joy of reading it is immense.
When a cyclist on a crazy crossing of 300 or 350 km a day in the mountains writes: "Fatigue stretches time, the kilometers. And also the small attentions and kindness," we’re very far from the bad human experiences you’ve unfortunately had.
When an article about a Martian is titled *Absolutely Human*, I read it with delight.
When you hear about the *Love Tour*—a fairly fast route organized every year by 200—it’s a huge community of cycling lovers, whether they’re fast or not.
When I read the fabulous article about the tour of Brittany’s bistros, we’re in ethnography, plunged into the heart of the roots of our amazing country, France!
When I read an article about the Margeride that starts with: "We climb toward the Margeride. The wind up there does a big wash. It’s the beautiful cleaning of the plateaus... You think you’re fighting against the wind and the kilometers, but they’re not the essential."
And then there are sentences like that—130 pages of them every quarter. We’re very far from your bad experiences. Unfortunately, we live in a world where we only seem to look for the negative. But I hear that’s a French specialty.
I can confirm that the *200* magazine has been fantastic since the first issue, and on top of that, the latest one has a tandem test—everything’s great in *200*. Let’s support a magazine that doesn’t just talk about road "champions."
I have nothing against seeking personal achievement.
However, I don’t quite see the connection between this kind of pursuit of limits and hiking.
Why always want to walk at the edge of what’s possible?
It’s also great to stay within what you can do without constantly striving for "self-transcendence."
Competition isn’t the only way to live. Savoring simple pleasures is also a source of satisfaction and well-being.
Besides, to achieve that personal satisfaction, you often have to fight quite a few battles—not just physical ones. Personal reflection can sometimes be more complicated than using your muscles.
To be happy while hiking, I agree that you sometimes need to make physical efforts—mountain passes don’t climb themselves. You also need to push through when it’s raining or cold. And then there are personal, relationship, or other issues to work through because hiking isn’t always a two-person activity...
So that’s already quite a bit to overcome—why add more just for the sake of "I’m going to make myself suffer even more"?
Let’s try: "I’m going to give myself even more pleasure" instead!!!
I think the point of this thread is to draw attention to an interesting magazine that covers cycling in all its forms—not one that glorifies extreme feats.
Performance chasing is one way to ride, but it’s not mine. That said, it’s just as valid as any other.
No more, no less..
Hi Christian, indeed, as Mazzzz perfectly summed up, the purpose of this thread is to talk about beautiful writing on the practice of cycling in all its forms. However, it's true that through what I've written, you can detect a kind of fascination I have for fast journeys, but I also mentioned other articles whose reading brought me immense pleasure.
You touch on all the difficulties we face when setting off, especially when living with someone who doesn’t share the same vision of travel. We always leave despite a huge number of reasons not to, I know what that’s like.
When you suggest: let’s try "I’m going to have even more fun!!!" Fortunately, we’re not all wired the same way, and we don’t all seek pleasure in the same manner, nor do we all have the same abilities. I remember four years ago, crossing Laos from north to south on paved roads, I was caught up by a Chamonix local who had been on the road for 7 months. He rode with me for 3 days at my average pace, around 120 km per day, then he told me: sorry, but my flight is in Bangkok in 7 days and I still have 1,300 km to go, so I’m going back to my usual average of around 200 km, up to 250 km per day. Clearly, he was having a great time too.
On this forum, I’ve discovered true enthusiasts of impossible routes, but we quickly start communicating by email. I can assure you they feel immense pleasure traveling the way they do. And very often, the real "madmen" or "madwomen" of long-distance bike travel are humble people, undoubtedly consumed by passion. I remember encountering these "Martians" often solo, their gaze lost in the vastness when they showed me their routes through the highest mountains or the biggest deserts, far from everything.
When you practice mountaineering, even at a beginner level, you enjoy reading about the lives of Louis Lachenal, Lionel Terray, or Reinhold Messner. Likewise, sailors who do a bit of sailing during their vacations can’t remain indifferent to Armel Le Cléac’h’s feat in the Vendée Globe. And also, I’ll stop here, all hikers can’t stay unmoved by the journeys accomplished by Mike Horn, like "Latitude 0." In my opinion, this is part of the dream that helps us live. So, these "crazy" people who average over 400 km per day self-sufficiently, I can’t help but love their stories. And as far as I know, they don’t earn a cent from it, so the driving force behind their motivation is the search for adventure. But let’s not dive into the (in my opinion, sterile) debate sometimes brought up about the difference between vacation, travel, and adventure!!!😏
However, in conclusion, I’ll repeat (hoping I’m not being too repetitive), in 200 all the stories lived are told brilliantly, real literature, whether it’s a slow-paced hike over a few days or an incredible ride where you take the biggest risks by cycling all night.
Best cycling wishes, Luc
Thanks Luc for promoting issue 200. My searches for "bike" magazines in newsstands had left me unsatisfied—this magazine seems to fill a gap.
Is cycling a crossroads between sports and philosophy (of life)?
At any rate, that’s the impression I get from the previous comments...
The important thing is that everyone finds "their" own pleasure in it. It’ll never be the same for everyone, and for each person, it’ll evolve over time: more athletic at one stage of life, more philosophical at another. But I completely agree with Luc—travel stories make you dream and add pleasure to pleasure...
Happy trails to all, at the pace that suits you!
Christian
I really enjoy this kind of exchange.
No issues when it comes to respecting others: everyone finds pleasure where they want, and I often cross paths with runners going at 17 km/h. I guess their pleasure lies somewhere in that, even if I struggle to picture it. Me, I struggle to maintain an average of 15 km/h over a whole day on a bike!!!
So, even if these people seem like aliens to me, I respect their choices.
The only thing that bothers me is when I sense a kind of fascination with feats or exploits—and I reject that because I’m tired of seeing everything turn into a competition, a performance, an achievement.
When people show admiration for me because I ride 70 km a day, I refuse that admiration. Because tomorrow I might do 60 or less, and I don’t care. I cover the distance that lets me get good exercise without breaking my back, while still having time to visit, pop into churches, picnic peacefully by the river... I don’t like being told it’s amazing to ride like that.
At the beginning, I’d sometimes be so exhausted in the evening that I’d just go to bed at 8 PM without enjoying the stop at all. I worked hard for 40 years—I don’t want cycling to become as demanding as my job. So I adjusted my pace to balance the pleasure of riding with the pleasure of enjoying the journey.
Back to exploits: we’re kind of in the "record book" generation, always wanting to do more and more.
I followed the Vendée Globe closely and read a lot of their accounts. I don’t really get the pleasure of going 60 km/h, with the constant risk of breaking down, the deafening noise (sailboats are *loud* at that speed), and 20-minute naps, etc.
The pleasure here is probably in achieving the exploit itself—not in admiring the landscapes or feeling the sun on your skin. They don’t have time for that.
All this to say that, even if I can admit that some people enjoy doing 200 km a day, I stand by my point: we’re not talking about the same activity or the same hobby.
But there are happy cricket players... and marathon runners too...
Me, I do bike touring.
I came across issue 200, displayed as it was on my bike shop's recommended reading shelf, and I really enjoyed it.
It's such a beautiful magazine that I found it worthy enough to give as a Christmas gift. I immediately gave it to my cousin Henri, who in return gave me *L'usage du monde* (quite the program) by Nicolas Bouvier...
Indeed, the writing in 200 is truly beautiful, vivid, inspiring, (poetic?)—quite comparable to Bouvier. It struck me as simple and welcoming too. You move from one article to the next with appetite, finishing with the urge to read more, and the desire for a magazine of the same kind to be called 70—or why not 27... (that’s more my usual cycling pace). I felt warmly welcomed by this magazine, even though 200 isn’t really my style.
I read with great curiosity and a touch of dread (a dread of desire—does that exist?) the articles about the Transcontinental Race (9 days to cross Europe, passing through all the Alps), and the way it was told made me reconsider my old opinion that guys who devour kilometers are necessarily brutes or show-offs... All of this makes me want to ride, maybe differently than usual, though I wouldn’t go so far as to wear cycling shorts.
It seems there’s very little advertising, if any. I wonder how a magazine like that stays afloat. It gives me hope that a 71.59 issue might see the light of day.
See you,
bernarth
Hi Luc,
Hope you're doing well!
Love your post—thanks for sharing that vision of cycling, that adventure/raid mindset.
Hope we get the chance to meet up and chat about it, maybe at the top of the Vosges ridges ;)
PS: You mentioned 80,000 D+ for the transcontinental, but I think it’s more like 40,000–45,000 D+ based on the few accounts I’ve read. Still an insane challenge, though!
Have a great weekend,
Gilles
I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
Hi there,
who has already done the EURO VELO 1 in Norway from the south to the North Cape, and what are the main difficulties:
elevation gain, etc.......
Otherwise, who has already done the EURO VELO 7 from south to north, crossing Sweden up to the North Cape? If so, what are the difficulties, elevation gain, and does it pass through villages for supplies, etc.......
Hi everyone,
I’m heading to Madagascar in early October to cycle from Tana to Diego along the east coast.
I really want to visit the Masoala Peninsula and its primary forest. If anyone’s interested, I’m open to company.
Maybe see you soon!
I’d been watching this ultra-light travel movement or trend for a while.
So I gave it a try—goodbye to the 5 panniers and rear racks.
A 15L saddle bag for clothes and a stove cookset.
Two cages on the fork blades: 2x5L—mattress on one side, tent on the other.
A 5L frame bag for miscellaneous items: battery, camera, small bits and pieces.
And one on the handlebar for the sleeping bag.
I tested it this summer on a crossing from Valence to Perpignan via the Massif Central.
My conclusions:
The obvious advantage is the reduced weight. In total, I had 12 kg on the bike, which makes climbing in the mountains much easier.
Another benefit I hadn’t considered is the significantly lower wind resistance compared to a traditional setup—you really feel it when the wind’s against you.
Of course, it’s not all perfect...
For example, it’s impossible to carry a food stock. You buy just enough before each meal or go to a restaurant!
You also have to accept a more spartan comfort level at stops.
In conclusion, I think for summer trips in regions where resupplying is easy, it’s an interesting option—especially if there’s significant elevation gain.
On the other hand, it doesn’t allow for enough autonomy, so some trips are off the table.
On the bike side, I swapped my Shimano 11/34 cassette for an 11/40. Even though Shimano doesn’t recommend it with a 105 derailleur and a 46/30 double chainring, it works really well.
The only limit is avoiding the 46/40 gear ratio.
Hi,
what are the easiest ways to get back from Nordkapp without pedaling—
train, boat, or plane?
Has anyone already done this?
Thanks for sharing your tips!
Hi, does anyone have recent info on the Shikoku pilgrimage? We’re traveling as a pair by bike, and I plan to camp whenever possible because from what I’ve seen, accommodations are pretty expensive, especially for long trips. I’d love any info or tips—thanks in advance! Aichatou
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.
Hi,
I need to arrive in Thessaloniki by bike at the end of September and I plan to head to Istanbul along the coast.
Could anyone help me pick the best route? Safety, difficulty.
Thanks in advance.
Marc
Hi everyone! Thanks for welcoming me to the forum :)
I’m preparing for a long trip heading to Nepal, with stops along the way depending on my mood, work needs, and the season. I cycle a lot, but this will be my first big touring adventure. I’d like to camp regularly to keep costs down, so I’ll be riding on all kinds of surfaces: smooth and rough roads, main highways and rocky paths to find my camping spots, flat terrain and the occasional steep slopes.
For my bike model, I’m prioritizing durability, versatility, and repairability. From that perspective, I prefer a steel frame and fork with rim brakes since I’m used to them. I’ve narrowed my choices down to four models:
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur T-700 LTD (1400 €): steel frame, aluminum fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 28" wheels, 40mm tires, 36 spokes (2 mm), lightweight rear rack (max 20 kg), no front rack included, smallest gear ratio of 0.72, weight of 13.9 kg.
- The VSF Fahrradmanufaktur TX-400 (2200 €): steel frame and fork, hydraulic rim brakes, 26" wheels, 50mm tires, 36 spokes (2.34 mm), front and rear racks included (40+18 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Genesis Tour de Fer 30 (2150 €): steel frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, 28" wheels, 36 spokes, 40mm tires, front and rear racks included (27+10 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.77, weight of 15.9 kg.
- The Rockrider ADTV 900 from Decathlon (1700 €): aluminum frame and fork, mechanical disc brakes, USB port, 28" wheels, 47mm tires, 28 spokes, front and rear racks included (40+20 kg), smallest gear ratio of 0.71, weight of 17.1 kg. This is the successor to the Riverside Touring 900, which was a hit.
I’ve got a few questions:
1/ Should I go for 26" or 28" wheels for my trip? 26" wheels seem better for rough terrain, but 28" wheels feel more comfortable on roads. I’ve also read that 26" tires/tubes are easier to find.
2/ Do you recommend a steel frame and fork over aluminum? I’m guessing a high-quality aluminum frame and fork would be better than a low-quality steel one, right?
3/ Regarding the smallest gear ratio, is 0.71 a good number for a loaded bike in the mountains?
4/ Finally, what do you think of these four models for my project? My heart leans toward the TX-400—it seems to combine the versatility and robustness I’m looking for. But the price difference with the T-700 LTD is making me think twice!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts!
17 days, 1,400 km, and 17,500 m of elevation gain cycling in northern Vietnam! 🇻🇳 🚴🇻🇳
From the misty Fansipan to the breathtaking landscapes of the Ha Giang Loop, from remote villages to vibrant markets...
I cycled through the north of the country, getting up close with its people—through mud, heat, endless mountain passes, and unforgettable encounters.
Most importantly, I discovered a Vietnam far different from the usual tourist circuits.
Join me on this adventure through a video that captures these 17 days of travel. :)
If Vietnam calls to you, come ride a stretch with me!
Hi,
can anyone give us some tips on how to get to North Cape from Lyon Gerland?
What’s the best route to join the EuroVelo 7?
How many kilometers is it from Lyon to North Cape via EuroVelo 7?
The best month to leave—we’re thinking early May.
Thanks for any advice!
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience:
I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore.
Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
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,
We bought the MSR bike tent model (2-person + large awning that can fit 2 bikes) back in 2005. It’s served us really well, especially during a year-long trip in Africa. Now, one of the poles is broken, and we’d love to replace it since that’s the only issue with the tent—we still love it! The poles are 9.35 mm in diameter, with 8 sections of 49 cm and 2 sections of 28 cm. Total length when assembled: 416 cm. Actually, two large sections are broken: one straight and one curved. It’s a pain to find replacements since this model is no longer sold anywhere.
Would anyone have this model lying around unused and be willing to sell me a pole?
Hi everyone,
In early April, I’m redoing the Vélo Francette (La Rochelle to Ouistreham), and then I’d like to cycle along the Cotentin Peninsula (which I don’t know at all), follow the coast up to Cherbourg, and then head back down to at least Saint-Malo. I’d love to know if it’s pleasant for cycling—are the roads nice? Not too windy? What are the must-see spots? Any great campsites? All your tips and advice are more than welcome, and I thank you in advance.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
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.
