Yeah, I was worried about that, but I tested it today for the first time (112 km with 2,100 m of elevation gain), and it seems perfect. Maybe it could annoy me when climbing out of the saddle if I have to tackle a whole pass like that (it happens with a sore butt). I might make a "pleat" like in sewing on a shirt, about twenty-five centimeters from the head tube, but I'm not sure.
I'm not great at taking photos for the internet. I'll put one in my travel journal... if all goes well...
Looks like our friend Chelala has gained some followers lately!!!!
a 6.5 kg bike
Just a reminder, for safety reasons, Tour de France riders aren’t allowed to race with a bike weighing less than 6.8 kg.
Don’t take us for fools!
To give you an idea, here are the times for Milan–San Remo (one of the flattest races of the year, along with Paris-Roubaix... and even here, there’s no cobblestone):
Oscar Freire took the win ahead of Boonen and Petacchi. Winner’s time: 6h57’28”; average speed: 42.829 km/h. Distance: 298 km.
You’d really better not take us for fools!
But hey, since you’re not out there chasing sponsors... I’ll let it slide 😛
Just a reminder, for safety reasons, Tour de France riders can't use a bike weighing less than 6.8kg.
That UCI rule you mentioned has been widely criticized for being absurd.
Anyway, I don’t see the connection?
1 - Carbon frames aren’t banned for the general public as far as I know?
2 - The Tour de France is a race, isn’t it? It’s not about riding at 20 km/h all day while sightseeing. You also haven’t shown that riding 300 km at 20 km/h for 15 hours is impossible.
300 km a day for 30 days—even Tour de France riders don’t do that, and they’re doping, so excuse my skepticism. I hope you at least had a tailwind!
I can guarantee one thing: you’d never have pulled that off here in Quebec with all the constraints.
What kind of luggage did you have?
What the hell is it with you guys always comparing this to the Tour de France? Ben Johnson couldn’t have run the way he did for 20 kilometers either, and he was doping, whereas I’m guessing a 20K walk at your pace doesn’t bother you much.
And I’m not plugging anything, but if you wanna know how it went, buy my book. Sorry, but after nearly ten years of people throwing the same crap at me about this, I’m kinda over it. I came to this site looking for a little fresh perspective, but that seems like a bust. Still love chatting, though.
300 km a day for 30 days—even Tour de France riders don’t do that, and they’re doped up. So excuse me for doubting, I hope you at least had a tailwind.
I can guarantee one thing: here in Quebec, you’d never have been able to pull that off—too many constraints.
What kind of luggage did you have?
Not so sure it’s that impossible (well, not for me, anyway...).
Pro riders dope to beat each other and average 45 km/h, not to cover 300 km a day at 20 km/h. They rarely spend more than 6 hours in the saddle, and the average stage barely lasts 4 hours for the winner, with the last rider finishing just 15 minutes later.
Their effort is way more intense than ours but much shorter. They’re sprinters compared to bike travelers, who are more like marathon runners (even if the analogy stops there since pros cover more daily kilometers than the average bike traveler).
jlclemencon is an "ultramarathoner" who swaps a bike traveler’s luggage for a pro rider’s hotel stays.
I think if you took any pro rider and told them to "just ride at 20 or 25 km/h," they could easily handle 30 stages of 300 km.
In the last Tour de France, the last-place finisher (not a climber) on the "Bourg St Maurice - Morzine" stage (4 Category 1 climbs and 1 Category 2) averaged... 30 km/h over 169 km. 300 km at 20 km/h would’ve been well within their reach, and if jl is a climber, I don’t think it’s unrealistic.
As for luggage, I assume he only carried the bare essentials for repairs and staying warm if the weather turned bad—just a well-funded credit card to really rest in a comfy bed.
The only real issue, though, is the day after the last stage—it must be a serious withdrawal because at that point, it’s not travel anymore; it’s more like an addiction 😉
That said, personally, I prefer stages of 100 to 140 km with a total rolling weight of 150 kg, stopping at campgrounds, trail inns, youth hostels (unfairly overlooked), and making lots of connections. But hey, to each their own!
I have this sneaking feeling the post is going off track!
Could we get back to the real topic of the thread, which is simply sharing the bike trip everyone’s currently planning?
That’s what really interests forum members who start dreaming about future destinations.
Happy planning, everyone!
Best,
I get the feeling this thread is going off track!
Could we get back to the real topic, which is simply sharing the bike trip everyone’s planning?
That’s what interests forum members who start dreaming about future destinations.
Happy planning, everyone.
Yeah, things really go off the rails sometimes...
How does a guy with raw nerves even function? It’s one of the big questions science still hasn’t figured out. Even when everything’s going well...
That said: As usual, someone’s gonna slap me on the back, so I’m bowing out to grab my saddle—Paris / Grasse / Dax / Paris, they call it paid vacation, and it’s been going on for 15 years now.
Yes, I know Jean-Luc said not to push it, but if you post your plan here, it’s still so we can give our take—otherwise, I don’t see the point.
So, 5,000 km in 15 days works out to exactly 333 km/day, not 300 km!
At 20 km/h, 333 km means 16.5 hours on the bike every day.
If I figure you’ve got 7.5 hours left for parking your bike, showering, eating dinner, breakfast, and maybe losing half an hour chatting, you’ll barely get 5 hours of sleep a night!
And that’s without counting bathroom breaks and lunch...
I’m also assuming that even if you start at sunrise, say around 6:00 AM (I hope they’ll serve breakfast that early for you), you’ll still roll in around 10:30 PM.
So you’ll need to ride a lot faster than 20 km/h. Am I wrong?
Yeah, I know, Jean-Luc said not to insist, but if you post your plan here, it’s still so we can give our opinion—otherwise, I don’t see the point.
That actually seems like a solid thought process.
So, 5,000 km in 15 days works out to exactly 333 km/day, not 300 km!
At 20 km/h, that’s 16.5 hours spent on the bike each day.
If I figure you’ve got 7.5 hours left to park your bike, shower, eat dinner, have breakfast, and maybe lose half an hour chatting a bit, you’ll barely get 5 hours of sleep a night!
5,000 km in 15 days is the plan if I understood correctly, not what’s been done yet.
We’ll see if he pulls it off.
In the past, he did 9,300 km in a month—that’s a solid 300 km/day (let’s give him a 31-day month ;))
And all that without counting bathroom breaks and lunch...
Well, I think he includes those.
When he says he does 300 km a day in 15 hours, I think he’s counting from the moment he gets on the bike in the morning to when he gets off in the evening.
That averages out to 20 km/h, but it doesn’t mean he’s riding at 20 km/h the whole time.
If you ride for 48 minutes at 25 km/h and stop for 12 minutes, you’ve covered 20 km in an hour.
For lunch breaks, I don’t think he’s the type to sit down for a meal—it’s more like continuous fueling (liquid?).
Personally, I’ve seen similar things in the world of ultra-endurance running (100 km, 24-hour races, 6-day events, Ultra Trail, etc.), whether participating or organizing.
You’ve got examples like Serge Girard, who’s done several transcontinental runs, covering 70 km every single day for months. Right now, he’s on a Europe tour and is at 175 days of running—12,631 km total, averaging 72.2 km/day.
Of course, he doesn’t carry a backpack—he has a mobile support team—so you can’t compare him to someone doing the same journey on foot with a backpack.
So, 300 km/day on a bike for someone with that kind of endurance background is far from impossible.
At my modest level, I’ve rubbed shoulders with world champions in ultra-endurance disciplines (France is regularly on the podium, but it’s less media-friendly than getting eliminated by Senegal in the World Cup group stage). These guys could start at 10.5 km/h (pretty slow, huh? It was 70° after an hour of running) but still be at 9.5 km/h 24 hours later, then sprint the last five minutes to add distance—ending up with over 240 km and, obviously, a win.
For reference, the 24-hour world record is over 303 km—that’s 101 km every 8 hours... We’re far from the sub-10-second 100m, but it’s not the same sport.
I think JL’s case is comparable.
3) You can’t do something totally absurd without dying a little inside
We can all do it (I know it’s gonna be tricky for someone born quadriplegic). I’m writing this as a metaphor. Still, one of my best friends once rode his bike from Casablanca to Fès (285 km) and back in 48 hours.
That same year, he took his mountain bike, installed a rack, strapped on his tent, clothes, and all his gear—including his everyday prosthesis (he was born without a femur, so no hip joint, but luckily only on one side)—and set off for 1,800 km in 18 days, from Casa to the Middle Atlas, even cutting through a bit of the desert.
This guy, 20 months earlier, had never ridden a bicycle. It was unthinkable and pointless. He’d never left Casablanca either.
He was misshapen. He became beautiful. I mean, in his own eyes.
Last year, I came to Switzerland to bring him my 6.5 kg bike so he could compete in the Zurich Ironman, which he finished in 13 hours—with a few crashes along the way.
This year, now that he has a 10-year tourist visa for many countries (he competes in triathlons worldwide, except in Spain, which denies him entry), he’s attempting to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar with a support boat and his one good leg (and let’s not dwell on his left arm, which is 7 cm shorter than his right, but will still let him flip off the Spanish coast guard in style).
This year, he also just got married in San Diego to a young Chinese woman born in Hawaii who just finished her prosthetics studies in Canada and works in California. They met at a triathlon.
If I’m taking the time to tell this story, it’s just to say that what’s completely absurd and senseless to you is absolutely vital—like breathing—for someone else.
It’s only when you’re prevented from breathing that it becomes difficult. I think the most beautiful thing you can do in life is let others breathe. It’s not that common. Yet, in principle, it’s so obvious. It does require extreme delicacy, but what beauty there is to share afterward!!!!!!!
Well, I'm off to do the Tour du Lubéron. A "short leg" (under 300 km) in probably 4-5 days... But since I haven't cycled in ages, it’ll already be quite something. Not sure it’ll inspire many forum members, but I hope I’ll have a blast! 😉
Hi there, the Luberon is still a dream come true... I’m also planning to do the tour this week if the weather holds up. 4 or 5 days of cycling under the sun with trees in bloom—sounds like a great way to dream...
We’re dreaming of the Luberon too as we pack our panniers to go cycling there next week.
The trees in bloom... mmm, and those gorgeous spring colors.
Can’t wait for next weekend!
We're heading out tomorrow—between Mont Ventoux and the Luberon for 3 days. The forecast isn’t great, but it should be okay.
Once I’ve uploaded the photos to the blog (see signature), I’ll drop a quick note right here.
Hey everyone, Luberon is done! ... averaging 60 km a day, but that includes time to stop and admire the scenery—cherry blossoms everywhere, the colors of the South just like we love them, and the rosé, of course! 4 amazing days! Didn’t see many other cyclists though...
Hi everyone, Luberon is done... just 60 km a day, but with time to look around and admire the scenery—cherry blossom fields everywhere, the colors of the South like we love them, and the rosé too! 4 amazing days! Didn’t see many other cyclists though..
"I’ve got the book in my library, and of course I’ve read it ;). It’d be interesting to post a photo of your carbon box (I’m thinking of trying these kinds of long raids over a few days), because I’m having a hard time picturing what it looks like. No issues with thigh discomfort?"
Okay, I tested it big-time today: 322 km in 13 hours of biking + 1 hour stop. It’s a bit flexible at the back, and there’s no problem with my thighs, but I’ll still make a second version with a more rounded lid just to be sure I don’t snag anything if there’s a mishap.
Otherwise, it’s awesome—no backpack, minimal weight. And for eating, the ergonomics are perfect, plus your phone and papers are within easy reach.
We should meet up one of these days if you’re thinking of doing something like this. The 70 isn’t far from the 54.
Thanks for sharing your tests—really appreciate it! We’re actually not too far from each other, and I often pass through the 54. But right now, I’m heading off for a 3-month bike trip (classic setup). If I stick with the idea of outfitting my road bike, I’ll get back in touch around September.
Planned route: Germany, Sweden, the Åland archipelago, Finland, Norway (Lofoten), and return via Denmark and Germany again. Well, I'm finally taking the plunge—we'll see if I manage to do all that. I've never done more than 3 weeks or 1,800 km, so I'm heading into the unknown a bit, but that's also what makes the project exciting.
Maybe we’ll cross paths? I’m also leaving Sunday for the North Cape. My route’s still up in the air—I’m not even sure I’ll make it. Either way, I’m off.
Arno
I'm planning a coastal tour of Europe by bike—it's in the works.
The catch? No support (family, friends), in fact, it's the opposite.
For a trip I've dreamed of for so long, one I *can* do (physically, financially, mentally), the prep feels like a minefield... It’s really dragging me down—close to rock bottom. 😕
Come on, a year to convince them—especially my mom—that no, it’s not suicidal, and this trip will be something amazing.
I'm planning a coastal tour of Europe—still in the preparation phase.
The snag? No support (family, friends), in fact, it's the opposite.
For a trip I've dreamed of for so long, one I *can* do (physically, financially, mentally), the prep feels like a minefield... It’s really dragging me down. 😕
Come on, a year to convince them it’s not suicidal—especially my mom—and that this trip will be something amazing.
I was raised by a helicopter mom (whom I love very much, just to be clear), who was terrified whenever I strayed out of her sight and forbade me—until I moved out—from going on vacation alone or even with friends, threatening to "kick me out" if I did. Later, when she couldn’t stop me, I got guilt trips and hysterical scenes, which forced me to cut ties for several years.
Her efforts backfired completely—it only made my wanderlust stronger. I think it even triggered it. Looking back, I can only thank her for that... Now, things are much better on that front, and I’m even the one giving her vacation advice.
All this to say: try explaining to your parents that holding you back won’t work—this is something you *really* want, and all their resistance will do is make you more determined. That said, their advice is still welcome.
Hi there, it’s tough—whenever travel plans start to take shape, we always leave despite everything, because there are a million reasons to stay. But you’ve got to push through, and mentally, that’s really hard. Those prep phases where you feel excitement taking over, yet at the same time, you’re worn down by some kind of hostility—it’s so destabilizing, and you end up feeling guilty. But I think you’ve just got to toughen up, easier said than done, right? If family’s against it, it’s because they love you and they’re scared, so don’t hold it against them—just roll with it. I know those "Mexican standoff" vibes all too well. That’s life. Hang in there and chase your dreams, no matter what. Luc
D-20 (one week after my three-day test to check out 7,100m of elevation gain per day)
A kind of anxious fever hit me after those three stormy days around the big green ballon topped with its observatory like a satellite dish on a block in the Croix de Metz district (classified as a priority education zone by the Ministry of National Education before multiple school closures). No matter how much I turned the problem over in my mind, my plan wasn’t doable with my little legs.
So I decided to take the bull by the horns before patting its rump like Jacquot did back in the day at the agricultural fair.
The beast stared at me with its glaucous, glassy, expressionless eye. I realized it wouldn’t change anything to just stand there staring back before going to bed every night dreaming of my personal demon.
“Jean-Luc, you old fool,” I told myself, “you’re no bullfighter! If you claim to be one, at least give yourself the means instead of daydreaming stupidly about the thrill of getting skewered!!!!”
So I went back to the cardiologist: we went over the test results, and he told me a guy who claims to do ultra-distance should be ashamed of hitting anaerobic so quickly while developing such peak power that’s useless to him, and that I’d need to work on that.
Next up was the organic shop owner, caught at opening time in front of her store to study the different compositions of her energy bars, their volume, and weight. Good tactic—I left with her personal phone number.
She called me two days later, and I ordered 105 almond-paste and pineapple energy bars.
The die was cast. Let me explain.
If I start storing energy before the trip, I either have to carry it (300 kg of concentrated calories) or distribute it across each stage. If I distribute it across each stage, I naturally need to book those stages. And if I book those stages, I’m fully committing to completing all of them.
My call to Agnès, the little pineapple-paste vendor, was a kind of quasi-psychopathic, friendly, pathetic, arithmetic, and dogmatic passage into action—too theoretical... In short, it was impulsive, and boom!!
Hotel bookings: five hours of internet surfing, my MasterCard weighing on my conscience, and teary eyes. I’ve always hated playing with my money. I’m naturally stingy, and I hate losing, especially my cash. So let me tell you, the big cow breathing its smoky breath down my neck while I played the Alpine symphony on my keyboard—I wasn’t about to let it skip off to frolic in its green meadow without me. I got back on my bike with the usual rage and did 200 km at 30 km/h through mountains and valleys—no pain, damn it!!
Then at work, I tossed my backpack and its carbon attachment aside. I didn’t need trinkets. I needed something solid and serious: molding the handlebar adaptation from my 10,000 km of riding, plaster casting, reshaping, ergonomic study for hand placement and carpal tunnel relief. (Those who don’t know what a carpal tunnel is can look it up on Wikipedia—I’m not explaining everything all the time.) Studying the mounting to lighten the bike’s load from screws, freeing up the handlebar for extra hand positions. Making pre-preg carbon, layering a cover, thermoforming a waterproof and transparent card reader. That shuts you up, huh??
Not done yet. I went back to my bike shop. Ordered 17 packs of Overstim’s Endurance to drink straight from the bottle. High-protein energy bars, two CO2 cartridges to inflate my tires in a flash if I get a flat. Bought another saddle and a heart-rate altimeter to prove my feat was legit.
Still not done: ordered 105 more nut-based energy bars from the Dauphiné—a kind of paste you shove to the bottom of your stomach when you’re lost in the far north and even the bears have abandoned you because you’re too skinny to eat. A lipid-calorie concentrate with 512 kcal in 40 cubic centimeters: I can fit 35 of them in my little frame bag.
I’m in this up to my neck. I don’t go out in town without walking my bull. It’s hilarious. That idiot has no idea what’s coming...
We might cross paths somewhere! I’m starting from Guérande (44), then following the coast up to Denmark, looping around to Copenhagen, and heading back to Brittany through the inland route (Hamburg, Bremen, Brussels, Lille...) in 2 months. If I had 3, I’d have gone a bit farther north ;)
Hi,
Just wanted to say that the site is updated roughly every week in the "On the Road" section under adventures. A little hello from Sweden, Baltic coast.
See you soon,
Marc
For my part, I’ve been wanting for a few years now to take a long-distance bike trip heading toward Europe, Syria, and Jordan initially (since Uzbekistan is closed, this is a temporary solution). Otherwise, I’d really love to do the Silk Road and go all the way to Mongolia. I’m 23, just finished my environmental studies—not exactly fresh as a daisy, lol—and I don’t feel like depending on a bunch of things right now... GOOD GRIEF!
I’m currently in the preparation phase, with a "planned" departure in July 2010.
I’m likely setting off "alone," since I haven’t found anyone to join me... For the past few months, I’ve been plagued by doubts about my ability to handle long-term solitude, and that doesn’t exactly reassure my family, among others.
So I’M LOOKING for a travel companion—someone who wants to live their dreams now!
Hoping a ‘bird’ flies over my head at this very moment...
Best,
For my part, I’ve wanted for a few years now to take a long-distance bike trip toward Europe, Syria, and Jordan as a first step (since Uzbekistan is closed, this is a temporary solution). Otherwise, I’d really love to do the Silk Road and go all the way to Mongolia. I’m 23, just finished my environmental studies—not exactly fresh as a daisy, lol—and I don’t feel like depending on a ton of things right now... GOOD GRIEF!
I’m currently in the preparation phase, with a "planned" departure in July 2010.
I’m likely leaving "alone," since I haven’t found anyone to join me... For the past few months, I’ve been having doubts about my ability to handle being alone long-term, and that doesn’t exactly reassure my family, among other things.
So I’m looking for a travel companion—guy or girl—who wants to live their dreams now!
Hoping a ‘bird’ flies over my head at this very moment...
Best,
We’ve got a similar plan: a bike tour around the Mediterranean with our son, but that’s for in 2 or 3 years. For now, we’re heading to Sweden by bike this summer, still with our 3.5-year-old.
Good luck—it’s awesome! If it’s something you really want, don’t let doubts or criticism from others throw you off. It’s totally normal to have questions when you’re planning a trip like this—it’s not just a trip anymore, it becomes a way of life. People who don’t share your love for freedom and discovery will struggle to understand leaving studies, jobs, or an apartment behind for any length of time.
Comfort, work, and material things make people feel safe. The unexpected, improvisation, change, mobility, and thirst for adventure always make others wonder, *"What kind of twisted family leaves for a year to live rough on bikes, camping, pedaling all day, and on top of that, brings their kid?!!"*
But the most important thing is to believe in it yourself, to set off well-prepared while still leaving room for surprises...
Don’t put your journey off for reasons outside your control. In life, you’ve got to make your dreams happen—it helps you grow and gives you a goal.
So good luck with the planning, your trip, and keep us posted!
Thanks so much, Blandine!
Real-life examples are irreplaceable for making progress on a project, and yours is so encouraging!
Traveling with kids... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah... I dream about it... (don’t read this, Claire, okay? ;))
Jerems
I’m planning to leave around March/April 2011 (depending on work contracts and finances) to explore Europe by bike.
Here’s my rough itinerary so far (still just in my head): cross Germany, head to Denmark, then Sweden, maybe Finland or straight to the Baltic countries for a north-to-south route. After that, I’ll cross Romania and Bulgaria, then head to Turkey, Greece, and work my way back up through Albania, Croatia, and finish with a south-to-north ride through Italy.
There are still a few gaps—I might fill them in with trains, boats where there’s water, or even biking if I have the time.
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
😎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
