Original post
Hello je part pour madagascar le 22 novembre et aimerais avoir des conseils de voyage que ce soit sur le velo les trecks à pieds ou encore les loisirs merci
Vélo, treks et loisirs à Madagascar
by Stefdevence
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Bjr,
Il y a moins de un an j' ai pédalé de Tana à Tulear . Si tu as des questions sur ce trajet, je pourrai te répondre.
Ed
Il y a moins de un an j' ai pédalé de Tana à Tulear . Si tu as des questions sur ce trajet, je pourrai te répondre.
Ed
C'est un peu vague comme question. Tu comptes aller dans quel quoi de Mada ? J'ai fait un peu de rando dans la vallée du Tsaranoro. Les paysages y sont assez grandioses (quelques photos sur mon blog ici http://onechai.fr/photos/afrique/madagascar/madagascar-2/). Il est ne plus possible de faire des circuits sur plusieurs jours en allant de là dans le parc de l'Andringitra. Pour ma part, je n'y suis pas allé, ma contentant de la vallée du Tsaranoro.
One Chaï, blog de voyages à contre-courant : https://onechai.fr
tu peux acheter un vélo sur place et le mettre sur le taxibrousse pour aller là ou tu veux pour trecker .
Jacques.
Dix ans de bourlingues à Madagascar à voir sur :
https://www.myatlas.com/jasrymn
Bonjour
Deux parcs nationaux absolument magnifiques pour la randonnée que l'on fait avec des guides locaux connaissant parfaitement bien les lieux : l'Andringita et l'Isalo, 2 massifs complètement différents. Bonne randonnée
Nous venons de terminer un voyage de 2 mois en vélo sur l'île rouge plus de 2000 km fantastiques , nous avons pris aussi la pirogue pour descendre la Tsribihina , la pirogue à voile pour remonter le canal du mozambique , les chalands sur le canal de pangalanes et même le train qui longe le canal et toujours avec nos vélos .
un merveilleux périple que nous recomandons aux vrais voyageurs
Voici nos étapes
29.08 Tananarive 30.08 Tana - Ambatolampy N7 72.3 km Hébergement La Pinetta 31.08 Ambatolampy - chute de l' Olive Tsnjoarivo 47.9 km de piste logement au gîte chez Samson 01.09 Circuit au départ de Tsnjoarivo et visite des lemuriens avev le guide Samson 31.1 km de piste 02.09 Tsjoarivo - Antanifotsy 75.2 km de piste Logement Hotel Mendrika Tel : 033 7203155 03.09 Antanifotsy - Antsirabe 63.1 Km sur N7 logement Hotel Couleur café 04.09 Antsirabe - lac Andraikiba 10.5 km sur N34 Lac Andraikiba - lac Tritiva 11 km de piste aller soit 37.7 km pour la journée Logement à l'hôtel Dera 05.09 Lac Andraikiba - Mandoto 103.9 km sur N 34 dénivellé 5.230 m logement au centre de santé 06.09 Mandoto - Miandrivazo 121.18 Km sur N 34 Dénivellé 6.801 m 07.09 Journée de repos à Miandrivazo Logement à l' hôtel Baobab 08.09 au 10.09 descente de la Tsiribihina en pirogue et arrivée à Antananbao, nos vélos sur les pirogues ; nuit sous tente 10.09 Antananbao - Antsiraraka 1heure 30 en charette à zébu , le vélos dessus logement au petit hôtel le Mahasinto 11.09 Antsiraraka - Belo sur Tsribihina 44 km de piste, logement à l'hotel karibu 12.09 au 14.09 Belo sur Tsiribihina -Bekopaka 100 Km, nous faisons une entorse à notre voyage en vélo et nous louons un 4 x 4 pour visiter les Tsingy , visite à pied des Tsingy 14.09 Pirogue sur le Manambolo et retour en 4 x 4 sur Belo 15.09 Nous continuons notre voyage en vélo Belo sur tsiribihina - réserve de Kirindy 50,24 Km de piste en sable mais pas de problèmes 16.09 Kirindy - Baobab amoureux- Mangily 47.3 km de piste et logement au village Tsara Vahiny . l' après midi visite en pirogue de la mangrove 17.09 Mangily - Morondova 37.9 km dont 25 km de piste logement au Trecicogne 18.09 Morondova - Belo sur mer en pirogue à voile sur le canal du Mozambique . logement chez Dorothé 19.09 Belo sur mer - kirindy Mite en pirogue à moteur , visite de la réserve . 20.09 Belo sur mer - Morondova en pirogue à voile , nous voyons les baleines ; 21.09 Morondova - Antsirabe en taxi brousse , logement hôtel Diamant . 22.09 Antsirabe - Ambosistra continuation du voyage en vélo , 80,9 Km sur Nat 7 logement à l' hôtel Artisan . 23.09 Ambosistra - Antoetre ( Pays Zafimaniry ) 42,6 km de piste , logement au gîte Papavelo 24-09 au 25.09 randonnée à pied en pays zafimaniry avec l' excellent guide Charles . nuit chez l'habitant au village Sakaivo .visite des villages Zafimaniry et des cascades . 26.09 Antoetra- forêt Ialatsara 99,4 km dont 26 km de piste . 27.09 visite de la forêt de lémuriens de ialatsara . 28.09 Ialatsara - fianarantsoa 68.5 km sur Nat 7 , logement à l' hôtel Tsara Guest House . 29.09 Fiana - site écotourisme d'Anja 57.4 km sur Nat 7 logement au site ., visite des lémuriens Catta 30.09 Anja - Parc national de l' Andringitra par laTsaranoro - Camp Catta ( entrée Sud ) 46,7 km dont 21 km de piste, logement au camps catta . 01.10 au 03.10 randonnée à pied dans massif de l' Andringitra et aascencion du pic Bobby , bivouac ( tente ) Pendant notre randonnée nos vélos ont été transportés par des porteurs au gîte Namoly . ( entrée Nord ) 04.10 Gîte Namoly - Ambalavao 51,4 km de piste logement hôtel salon de thé Tsienimparithy . 05.10 Ambalaveo - Fiana 56,4 km sur Nat 7 06.10 Fiana - Ranomafana 65 km , visite du parc, logement chez Gianala . 07.10 Ranomafana - Mananjary 139,7 km sur N 25 , logement au jardin de la mer . 08.10 au 11.10 remontée du canal pangalanes sur chalands avec nos vélos 1er jour arrêt à Nosy Varika 2 ienne jour changement de chaland , nuit sur le chaland et arrivée à l'aube à Mahanoro . 11.10 Mahanoro - Vatomandry 89,2 km , logement à l' hôtel Casadoro . 12.10 Vatomandry - Manambato( via Brickaville) sur le lac Rasoabe 102, 8 km piste les 7 derniers km pour atteindre le lac , logement à l' hôtel Acacia . 13.10 Manambato - La palmarium sur le lac Ampitabe - Andranokoditra sur le canal Pangalanes en canot à moteur , nos vélos sur le canot , logement chez Nolah . 14.10 gare ferroviaire d ' Andranokoditra _ Tamatave ( Toamasina ) en train avec nos vélos nuit à l' hôtel Flamboyants . 15.10 Tamatave - Foulpointe 62,6 km nuit au coin du pêcheur , visite du fort . 16.10 Foulpointe -Fenerive 58,4 km nuit en bungalw à la sortie de la viile juste avant la rivière . 17.10 Fenerive - Soanierana Ivongo - Ile Sainte Marie 56 km de vélo , puis pirogue à moteur sur le canal puis 4x 4 pour aller prendre le canot à moteur pour la traversée en mer ( houleuse ) et atteindre Lonkintsty sur l' ile Ste Marie . .( une vraie aventure ) . logement au bungalow le Rocher . 18.10 Traversée de la partie Nord de l' île en vélo ( phare d' Alphand et les piscines naturelles ) 56 km de piste 19.10 bungalow Le Rocher - Chez Pierrot (Sud de l' île ) 50 km de piste excursion cimetiére pirates et île Forban . 20.10 petite boucle de l' est 50,8 km de piste 21.10 Chez Pierrot - île au Natte . 22.10 repos sur l' île au Natte et plongée dans la barrière de corail . logement chez Sicca . 23.10 Grande boucle de l' est logement au paradis 'Ampahiny 24.10 excursion des alentours d' Ampahiny ( pirogue sur la mangrove et de la plage 25.10 Ampahiny - la Cocoteraie au Nord Est de l'île - ambodifotatra ( capitale de l' île) 62 km de piste , logementau port 26.10 traversée en taxi brousse vers Soanierena puis taxi brousse Tamatave . 27.10 séjour à tamatave et agression ( tentative de vol à la tire alors qu'on roulait en vélo dans le centre ville, chute de ghislaine et transfert à l' hôpital : verdict fracture du radius . Malheureusement, notre voyage en vélo se termine là. 28.10 visite de Tamatave en pousse pousse 29.10 retour sur tana en taxi brousse , ghislaine a le bras dans le plâtre ; 30.10 Retour sur Paris par air madagascar ;
Ghislaine et Jean louis Claessen , un couple de voyageurs en vélos ( 65 ans ) passionné par l' Afrique .
?10
29.08 Tananarive 30.08 Tana - Ambatolampy N7 72.3 km Hébergement La Pinetta 31.08 Ambatolampy - chute de l' Olive Tsnjoarivo 47.9 km de piste logement au gîte chez Samson 01.09 Circuit au départ de Tsnjoarivo et visite des lemuriens avev le guide Samson 31.1 km de piste 02.09 Tsjoarivo - Antanifotsy 75.2 km de piste Logement Hotel Mendrika Tel : 033 7203155 03.09 Antanifotsy - Antsirabe 63.1 Km sur N7 logement Hotel Couleur café 04.09 Antsirabe - lac Andraikiba 10.5 km sur N34 Lac Andraikiba - lac Tritiva 11 km de piste aller soit 37.7 km pour la journée Logement à l'hôtel Dera 05.09 Lac Andraikiba - Mandoto 103.9 km sur N 34 dénivellé 5.230 m logement au centre de santé 06.09 Mandoto - Miandrivazo 121.18 Km sur N 34 Dénivellé 6.801 m 07.09 Journée de repos à Miandrivazo Logement à l' hôtel Baobab 08.09 au 10.09 descente de la Tsiribihina en pirogue et arrivée à Antananbao, nos vélos sur les pirogues ; nuit sous tente 10.09 Antananbao - Antsiraraka 1heure 30 en charette à zébu , le vélos dessus logement au petit hôtel le Mahasinto 11.09 Antsiraraka - Belo sur Tsribihina 44 km de piste, logement à l'hotel karibu 12.09 au 14.09 Belo sur Tsiribihina -Bekopaka 100 Km, nous faisons une entorse à notre voyage en vélo et nous louons un 4 x 4 pour visiter les Tsingy , visite à pied des Tsingy 14.09 Pirogue sur le Manambolo et retour en 4 x 4 sur Belo 15.09 Nous continuons notre voyage en vélo Belo sur tsiribihina - réserve de Kirindy 50,24 Km de piste en sable mais pas de problèmes 16.09 Kirindy - Baobab amoureux- Mangily 47.3 km de piste et logement au village Tsara Vahiny . l' après midi visite en pirogue de la mangrove 17.09 Mangily - Morondova 37.9 km dont 25 km de piste logement au Trecicogne 18.09 Morondova - Belo sur mer en pirogue à voile sur le canal du Mozambique . logement chez Dorothé 19.09 Belo sur mer - kirindy Mite en pirogue à moteur , visite de la réserve . 20.09 Belo sur mer - Morondova en pirogue à voile , nous voyons les baleines ; 21.09 Morondova - Antsirabe en taxi brousse , logement hôtel Diamant . 22.09 Antsirabe - Ambosistra continuation du voyage en vélo , 80,9 Km sur Nat 7 logement à l' hôtel Artisan . 23.09 Ambosistra - Antoetre ( Pays Zafimaniry ) 42,6 km de piste , logement au gîte Papavelo 24-09 au 25.09 randonnée à pied en pays zafimaniry avec l' excellent guide Charles . nuit chez l'habitant au village Sakaivo .visite des villages Zafimaniry et des cascades . 26.09 Antoetra- forêt Ialatsara 99,4 km dont 26 km de piste . 27.09 visite de la forêt de lémuriens de ialatsara . 28.09 Ialatsara - fianarantsoa 68.5 km sur Nat 7 , logement à l' hôtel Tsara Guest House . 29.09 Fiana - site écotourisme d'Anja 57.4 km sur Nat 7 logement au site ., visite des lémuriens Catta 30.09 Anja - Parc national de l' Andringitra par laTsaranoro - Camp Catta ( entrée Sud ) 46,7 km dont 21 km de piste, logement au camps catta . 01.10 au 03.10 randonnée à pied dans massif de l' Andringitra et aascencion du pic Bobby , bivouac ( tente ) Pendant notre randonnée nos vélos ont été transportés par des porteurs au gîte Namoly . ( entrée Nord ) 04.10 Gîte Namoly - Ambalavao 51,4 km de piste logement hôtel salon de thé Tsienimparithy . 05.10 Ambalaveo - Fiana 56,4 km sur Nat 7 06.10 Fiana - Ranomafana 65 km , visite du parc, logement chez Gianala . 07.10 Ranomafana - Mananjary 139,7 km sur N 25 , logement au jardin de la mer . 08.10 au 11.10 remontée du canal pangalanes sur chalands avec nos vélos 1er jour arrêt à Nosy Varika 2 ienne jour changement de chaland , nuit sur le chaland et arrivée à l'aube à Mahanoro . 11.10 Mahanoro - Vatomandry 89,2 km , logement à l' hôtel Casadoro . 12.10 Vatomandry - Manambato( via Brickaville) sur le lac Rasoabe 102, 8 km piste les 7 derniers km pour atteindre le lac , logement à l' hôtel Acacia . 13.10 Manambato - La palmarium sur le lac Ampitabe - Andranokoditra sur le canal Pangalanes en canot à moteur , nos vélos sur le canot , logement chez Nolah . 14.10 gare ferroviaire d ' Andranokoditra _ Tamatave ( Toamasina ) en train avec nos vélos nuit à l' hôtel Flamboyants . 15.10 Tamatave - Foulpointe 62,6 km nuit au coin du pêcheur , visite du fort . 16.10 Foulpointe -Fenerive 58,4 km nuit en bungalw à la sortie de la viile juste avant la rivière . 17.10 Fenerive - Soanierana Ivongo - Ile Sainte Marie 56 km de vélo , puis pirogue à moteur sur le canal puis 4x 4 pour aller prendre le canot à moteur pour la traversée en mer ( houleuse ) et atteindre Lonkintsty sur l' ile Ste Marie . .( une vraie aventure ) . logement au bungalow le Rocher . 18.10 Traversée de la partie Nord de l' île en vélo ( phare d' Alphand et les piscines naturelles ) 56 km de piste 19.10 bungalow Le Rocher - Chez Pierrot (Sud de l' île ) 50 km de piste excursion cimetiére pirates et île Forban . 20.10 petite boucle de l' est 50,8 km de piste 21.10 Chez Pierrot - île au Natte . 22.10 repos sur l' île au Natte et plongée dans la barrière de corail . logement chez Sicca . 23.10 Grande boucle de l' est logement au paradis 'Ampahiny 24.10 excursion des alentours d' Ampahiny ( pirogue sur la mangrove et de la plage 25.10 Ampahiny - la Cocoteraie au Nord Est de l'île - ambodifotatra ( capitale de l' île) 62 km de piste , logementau port 26.10 traversée en taxi brousse vers Soanierena puis taxi brousse Tamatave . 27.10 séjour à tamatave et agression ( tentative de vol à la tire alors qu'on roulait en vélo dans le centre ville, chute de ghislaine et transfert à l' hôpital : verdict fracture du radius . Malheureusement, notre voyage en vélo se termine là. 28.10 visite de Tamatave en pousse pousse 29.10 retour sur tana en taxi brousse , ghislaine a le bras dans le plâtre ; 30.10 Retour sur Paris par air madagascar ;
Ghislaine et Jean louis Claessen , un couple de voyageurs en vélos ( 65 ans ) passionné par l' Afrique .
?10
Jean Louis Claessen
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Bonjour,
Je prévois de faire la partie hollandaise de l'Eurovélo 19, de Maastricht à Rotterdam.
Comme c'est trop compliqué d'amener mon vélo en train, je cherche à louer un vélo sur place.
Je suis preneuse de conseils ou d'adresses de loueurs de vélos, j'ai du mal à en trouver même à Rotterdam.
L'idée serait de le louer à Rotterdam, de partir avec en train jusqu'à Maastricht, pour faire Maastricht/Rotterdam à vélo
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils ou suggestions.
Nath
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 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
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
Coming soon:
https://www.Biclou.com/parcours/durance/
Starting from Faverges: 900 km over 9 days
Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon
Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon
Hi there,
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?
Nath
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?
Nath
Hi everyone,
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
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
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 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?
Thanks in advance
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?
Thanks in advance
Hi everyone,
I wanted to share with you the incredible feat my friend José, who’s 72 years old, is currently undertaking. He left Auterive near Toulouse on Monday, May 18, 2026, on his non-electric bike, heading for the North Cape in Norway!
You can follow his route on the link below—he’s currently in Sweden:
https://thierry-thomas.travelmap.net/jose-de-toulouse-a-nord-cap-2026
You can zoom in on the map and click on each stopover town to see the photos
Hi there!
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
S.
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.
It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.
One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.
We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.
Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
S.
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.
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
claudio
the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio
Hi, I'm looking for a Pino tandem bike for sale in Quebec and I can't find any. Does anyone have any info, please? Thanks a bunch!
Hi there, we’re planning a Munich to Venice bike trip at the end of June 2026. Getting back from Venice to Toulouse by train with 4 bikes isn’t straightforward. What return options have others who’ve done this trip chosen? Any tips or great deals would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch! !
Hi everyone,
Happy owner of a Pegasus Estremo bike with a Rohloff hub, which is giving me trouble with the SF11-NCX-FT-E-LITE 700C TS 300/0 fork (serial number TD01329060). It’s starting to show its age, and I’d like to repair it to extend the life of my beloved bike.
The suspension is gone, and there’s an oil leak from the seals.
Does anyone know how to repair it? Where can I find parts that are about fifteen years old? Or where to find an identical replacement fork? Just to clarify, the Magura HS11 brakes are mounted using Firm Tech, meaning they’re on pivots behind the fork, facing the frame.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
The suspension is gone, and there’s an oil leak from the seals.
Does anyone know how to repair it? Where can I find parts that are about fifteen years old? Or where to find an identical replacement fork? Just to clarify, the Magura HS11 brakes are mounted using Firm Tech, meaning they’re on pivots behind the fork, facing the frame.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
Hi, I'd like to know if anyone has done this route recently or has reliable info.
Does the track exist, and most importantly, is there sand (for biking)?
Any info is welcome.
Cheers,
diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
Hi there,
New to bike touring,
I’d love to start with a section of the Via Rhona to explore and share (route to be decided).
Looking forward to exchanging tips!
hey everyone,
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?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
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?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
A big thank you to Lazarou for all the info you share in this forum!
I'm passionate about Morocco, which I cycled through back in 2009.
Last year, my wife and I explored the High Atlas by tandem. Completely smitten, we're heading back in April (Anti Atlas) and May (High and Middle Atlas), still on our tandem.
Do you have any info on the track between Amezri and Ali Ait Nito? Are the river crossings in the Tessaout still there? It's not easy to navigate with a loaded tandem... especially if the river level is high due to this year's heavy snowmelt!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
A shout-out to a cycling colleague from Savoie
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes Here are his travels Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place Rural and quite peaceful A road cycling route created by Serge B...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php
The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes Here are his travels Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place Rural and quite peaceful A road cycling route created by Serge B...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php
The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php
First of all... happy New Year! Wishing you great roads in 2017!
I’ve been traveling for a few years now with a high-quality mountain bike, but it’s equipped with hydraulic disc brakes. I live (pedal) with the constant worry of a breakdown (leak, air bubble, heat causing the fluid to...). My bike mechanic tells me it’s impossible to switch them out for V-brakes.
What do you all think? Am I taking a big risk continuing (alone) with these brakes? Thanks in advance for your great tips!
Hi everyone,
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
You’ve been warned.
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
You’ve been warned.
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure! Thanks in advance.
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure! Thanks in advance.
Hi, has anyone recently bought Primus or Butagaz gas, possibly puncture-style, in Dubrovnik or the surrounding area? Same question for Albania... thanks. aichatou
Hi there,
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Hi there,
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Hi! I’m planning to visit the Stockholm Archipelago by bike in early April.
Do you know if the boats will be running between the different islands at that time of year? For those who’ve already been, all your tips and recommendations are welcome—accommodation, etc. Also, do you know where I can rent a bike in Stockholm? Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Hello there, pedal-powered Young Boys!
Claudio (still from Faverges)
dreaming about a cycling getaway in Italy from Faverges (train all the way to Turin)
from Turin down to Venice along the Po River and back via the Padana (Alta Italia da attraversare – Northern Italy to cross)
The tricky part is getting from Chioggia to Venice.
I read it’s possible by hopping on a boat from island to island,
but it sounds a bit stressful.
Has anyone already tackled this route?
Thanks, and cheers to all! http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/Padania/
Claudio
Thanks, and cheers to all! http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/Padania/
Claudio
Hi there,
I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).
So, I’ve got quite a few questions:
* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?
* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?
* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?
If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!
Thanks in advance for your help!
I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).
So, I’ve got quite a few questions:
* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?
* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?
* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?
If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!
Thanks in advance for your help!