Bicycle travel

I have 5 months left to prepare for the most ambitious project of my life...

In 5 months, I’ll hit the road, heading to Nepal. Not by plane. Not by train. But by bike.

13,000 km, 18 countries crossed. Powered only by my legs, my will, and a dream.

This journey isn’t just a physical challenge. It’s:

🌍 A human and cultural adventure, meeting locals, landscapes, and traditions. 🌱 A meaningful project: discussing climate change and, above all, listening to those who experience it daily. 🔥 An inner quest, to push my limits and inspire others to step out of their comfort zones. A message of hope for self-discovery.

I have 20 weeks left to: ✅ Finalize my route ✅ Gather the budget and equipment ✅ Sort out the logistics ✅ And most importantly… find committed sponsors to bring this adventure to life.

Any help is welcome!

It's all in the title—I'm 70, and I've been traveling by bike (tent and camp stove) for five years now. Statistically, how many more years do I have left to plan my destinations and see (almost) everything? Question is half realistic, half humorous. To keep it simple: how old are you, fellow senior cyclists still on the road? And what are your biggest challenges? Personally, I'm in good physical shape, though my cruising speed has dropped from 3–4 km/h over the past five years. But arthritis (hip) is starting to make it tricky to swing my leg over the frame.

Good evening, I’m planning a solo bike road trip along the EuroVelo 6, starting from Orléans all the way to Budapest, beginning May 1st, 2026! Question: Have any of you used the Warmshowers site, and if so, I’d love to hear your thoughts on using this app—whether responses to hosting requests are generally satisfying, especially for the different countries I’ll be crossing! Thanks in advance for your tips! Philippe

Hi everyone, could someone give me info on the track that starts from Tafraout toward M’harch Pass and then continues to Mcissi to join the national road heading west to Alnif? I’m planning to go in April 2025 by gravel bike/MTB. Is it doable? Is there a lot of soft sand??? How many km???? Thanks for any tips, and happy end of the year to all! Best, Rv.

Hi there, I’d like to cycle around Guadeloupe during the Christmas holidays. I was wondering if it’s dangerous, if it’s easy to rent a bike, and to find accommodation along the way? Thanks!

Hey fellow cyclists, Cyclists on trails, paths, or greenways—why do so few (if any) of you use your bells to warn walkers, runners, and other pedestrians when they’re moving in the same direction as you? I exercise every day (brisk walking) among you in France and abroad, and it’s something I’ve noticed—often with a few scares (and I’m guessing some accidents between cyclists or with pedestrians). Personally, I always stick to the rules, walking on the left (facing traffic) so I can see you coming, but not everyone does that—neither pedestrians nor cyclists, and let’s be honest, it’s a bit of a free-for-all. 🤪 Your bikes make little to no noise, so why take risks and put others at risk too? A quick, light *ding-ding* would be enough to warn people—what do you think? 😅

Hi everyone, After a break of a few years, I’m heading back to Madagascar this October. I’d like to travel from Diego to Maroantsetra via Cap Masoala as much as possible by bike—it’s my favorite way to travel. My questions: for the return trip to Diego once I’m in Maroantsetra, is there a possibility to take a flight, since the road option only starts much further south than Tamatave? Or where can I rent or buy a decent bike between Diego and Cap Masoala? For this bike trip, I’m open to any info—I love traveling rough. Someone might even want to join me on this adventure.

After that, I’d also like info on the northeast part (Mozambique Channel side) of Diego, which I’d like to explore by bike as well.

Thanks, and feel free to share any tips—just skip the paternalistic safety advice. Laurent

Hi there, Has anyone here cycled in the Canary Islands in August? Is it not too hot? Not too crowded on the roads? Thanks

Hi everyone here who loves cycling, I’m planning a 5-week trip next January in Uganda: a little tour of 1,200 to 1,500 km crossing the most beautiful spots and reserves in the country. Route to be defined together. I’m looking for someone to join me.

Interested? Nicolas (72 years old)

Travel site: nicolas.saulnier.free.fr

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a bike trip to cycle around the Baltic Sea (gravel). Starting from Rostock. I’d love to hear from any cyclists who’ve ridden through the countries involved—especially tips on wild camping spots, must-see areas, and where to stock up on supplies, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I got a handlebar bag for my bike with a KlickFix system and a Galaxy Tab A tablet. I can fit the tablet into the waterproof transparent pouch on the bag—it’s absolutely awesome, I’ve got my dashboard right on the handlebar! I’d like to use Locus Map for geolocation and create a route from Nantes to Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine. On my PC, with Locus Map, I see the interface on the left to create a planned route (like in the red-framed screenshot below). But on my tablet (using the app), I can’t find the interface to create a planned route from point A to B like I can on the PC. I need help figuring out how to create a route from A to B on my tablet with Locus Map—I know how to find and download a GPX file, but for Nantes to Saint-Fiacre-sur-Maine, there’s no GPX file available online. Also, does anyone know how to remove the ads on Locus Map?

Thanks in advance—David

Hi there, I’m planning to cycle the EuroVelo 8 route from Nice to Izmir in Turkey (about 2,500 km), but I’m not finding much info or tips for this itinerary.

I’d like to leave at the end of September and complete the route in a max of 2 months, as self-sufficiently as possible (I have a tent, sleeping bag, and camping cookware).

Is this a good idea (will it be too cold starting in October)?

Are there any precautions I should take? Any areas to avoid? Since multiple countries are involved.

And are there any places worth visiting that aren’t on the main route?

I’m used to cycle touring in France but not abroad, so I’d appreciate any tips!

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, I’d love to bike from Lyon to Marrakech or Agadir. I’m looking for someone around my age (23) to join me. I’m also after some tips on routes, things to know, etc. This road trip is planned for September 2026. Looking forward to your replies and advice!

Hello fellow cycle-tourers! First post on this site for our first big family cycling adventure with our two teens (12 and 16 years old) over 2 months. We're preparing to leave in June/July from Erdeven by bike, then take the train from Auray to Paris, followed by a FlixBus from Paris to Copenhagen with our 4 bikes. After that, we're looking to refine our route: Should we go to Sweden via Helsingborg and then head up to Stockholm along the west or east coast? Maybe passing through the Gotland islands, then via the Åland Islands, why not Turku? Then off to Estonia to Tallinn, ride a bit along the coast, and return by bus if we can find one that takes 4 bikes. :))

Could you share any tips on routes in Sweden: west coast or east coast to prioritize in the south? We’ve heard it’s a shame not to go up to Norway, but we’re worried about the elevation and don’t see how to make a loop work in our 2 months / 1500 km. Any ideas? And the southern Finnish coast: should we go all the way to Helsinki or not? Maybe at the expense of Estonia?

In short, we know choosing means giving something up, but if we can do it with advice from fellow cyclists, that would be amazing! Thanks in advance for your tips! Anne-Sophie and the whole Breton family: David, Axel, and Maude

Hi there, I’m planning to cycle around Taiwan in 2026 and I’d love to know if it’s possible to do the whole island on bike paths, how many kilometers that would be, whether wild camping is easy, and so on…

Hi everyone, We’re planning to spend 5 months cycling as a family in Central Asia. To align with the weather, we’re thinking of arriving in Uzbekistan in April, heading toward the Ferghana Valley in late April/early May, and wrapping up with a long stretch in Kyrgyzstan from mid-May to early August.

I haven’t really dug into the third part (Kyrgyzstan) yet, but from what I’ve seen on the forum and online, cycling across Uzbekistan doesn’t seem all that appealing: long, straight desert stretches with lots of trucks.

Has anyone come across any "hidden gem" routes they’d be willing to share? I’ve already noted that it’s best to avoid riding toward Tashkent. I’m looking for routes between Bukhara and Samarkand, and any nearby areas that are nice for cycling.

I’d love to fly into Dushanbe to reach Samarkand, but we all agree that it’s not a good fit for the season (early April) if we’re cycling, right?

Thanks for your feedback! Ludo

Hi, I’m planning a bike trip in Italy starting from Pisa to Cinque Terre and I’m looking for a company to transport two suitcases. The suitcases are picked up in the morning at our hotel and dropped off at the next hotel along our route. I’m looking for something like *La Malle Postale* in France, which some people use on the Camino de Santiago. Thanks for your feedback!

Hi there,

I’m planning to cycle part of Morocco during the first three weeks of December. I’ll be traveling self-sufficiently, with a tent and all the gear.

Since I don’t know Morocco at all, I’m reaching out to get some help planning a nice route. For now, I’m thinking of going from Tangier to Agadir, but that’s not set in stone, and I’m especially unsure about which way to go. I’ve heard about the N1, but I’m not afraid of unpaved roads and would really prefer to avoid cars!

I’m mostly looking for wild spots and beautiful landscapes. I can handle some elevation gain, but I’m not sure about snow cover and temperatures. I’m okay with running into a little snow (not too much, though...) and camping in temperatures as low as -2°C.

Do you have any routes or waypoints to recommend? My goal isn’t to cross the country as fast as possible, so I’m open to detours. I’d also love to take a few days off the bike to cross a bit of desert by camel or do a mountain excursion... preferably toward the end so I can be more relaxed with timing. So if you have any specific suggestions like that, don’t hesitate to share!

I saw that the guide *Sur les pistes du Maroc* by Gandini is often recommended, but there are 7 volumes available on Amazon! That’s a bit overwhelming.

Thanks for reading this far! :)

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to get familiar with a route on Locus Map. The issue is that Locus Map’s geolocation isn’t accurate on my PC.

In the link, the red cross shows where I live, and the blue cross shows where Locus Map geolocated me. There’s a difference of about 1.5 km.

My question is: will there always be this kind of error every time I ask Locus Map to geolocate me?

Hi everyone,

I don’t bike much, but I live on the VéloRoute 6, and I dream of adventure. I’m 51 and my old hybrid bike from 20 years ago no longer suits me.

I’d like to get a new bike at a reasonable price, but I don’t know where to look besides Decathlon and Intersport. I’m not after a racing bike—I want something a bit comfortable in terms of riding position (not recumbent) and with a luggage rack. 🙂

All your tips are welcome, with a budget of... let’s say 800 € max.

Looking forward to reading your suggestions!

Richard

What’s the maximum weight of gear I can carry in my panniers: - For a woman on an e-bike - And for a man on a muscle-powered bike Thanks

Hi there, We’d like to take our bikes to Sicily in early April for Easter, then cycle back home via Puglia to the Lyon area. Has anyone got any tips? 1: How to get there? Train or ferry? 2: Camping or other options in big cities? Is it true that campsites are really expensive? 3: Recommended route We’re open to all suggestions. Thanks, and happy holidays!

Hi everyone,

I’m heading to Chile this coming November and I’d love to spend a few days cycling from Santiago (Chile) to Mendoza (Argentina).

Has anyone done this route before? If so, do you have any tips (stages, gear, accommodation spots, etc.)?

Also, to avoid carrying too much stuff, I’d like to rent a bike in Santiago. Any recommendations for a good rental shop?

Thanks so much in advance for your help :)

Clément

Hello, I'm looking for a small town where we can eat and stay near the canals of Brittany to do short bike rides of about 50 km round trip. Ideally, it would be a town at a junction of several canals, but I'm not sure if that exists. Otherwise, a town like Redon with the Nantes-Brest canal and, on the other side, the Vilaine River. But I don’t know if there are paths that can be used along these canals.

Thanks for replying if you have any ideas.

Cheers, Néo.

Hello fellow cycling friends,

I’m heading out very soon for a few weeks in France and elsewhere on my trusty two-wheeled steel steed, with a total of me + luggage = around 120 kg gross weight, and I’ve never really tackled mountain passes before—something I’ll definitely be facing this time...

Currently, I’m running 700c wheels and a Deore XT 10-speed drivetrain (long-cage derailleur) with a 26/36/48 chainring setup and an 11-36 cassette. I’m considering two options (and possible modifications) to get a lower gear ratio (currently 0.72) and spin more easily on steep and mountainous climbs...

1 – Install an 11-42 cassette This would give me a gear ratio of 0.61. Would this be feasible with my current rear derailleur, please?

I have several new chains with 116 links—would these work for this cassette, which would have 6 more teeth on the largest cog, or would I need a longer chain?

2 – Swap the 26-tooth small chainring for a 24-tooth one This would give me a gear ratio of 0.66. Would this be feasible, please?

When switching to a 24T, will the gap be accepted by the 36-tooth middle chainring, and will shifting remain as smooth as it is now? Will this setup (24/36/48 + 11-36 cassette) still work well together, in your opinion?

Which of these two options do you think would be more feasible and preferable?

What drivetrain and gearing do you use on your bikes for loaded touring that sometimes involves climbing mountain passes and other steep ascents?

So many questions... Thanks for your answers and advice! Have a great day,

Spady

Hi there,

The full route from Burgos to (just before) Murcia is 1,300 km.

If you’ve done the whole thing, do you think the entire route is worth the trip, or can some sections be skipped?

Thanks.

We’re planning to cycle along the Baltic coast this summer, from Flensburg all the way to the Polish border—and maybe even a little farther along the Polish coast. By e-bike and staying in hotels (we’re not exactly spring chickens). Any tips? Challenges, places to stay, signage? Other thoughts?

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum! I’d like to buy some panniers for bike travel made of Cordura. I initially went for the Ortlieb Back Roller Plus, but while browsing the cylo-randonnée website, I came across the Extrawheel Wayfarer Premium panniers. They’re also made of Cordura, manufactured in Poland with German materials, and each has a 25-liter capacity—10 liters more than the Ortliebs. Has anyone here tried them or knows this brand? I know Ortlieb is super reputable, but I figured there might be other brands that are just as good. 🙂 Gabriele

Hi everyone, We’re planning a trip to Cambodia from November 30 to December 21, 2025. We haven’t decided yet whether we’ll land in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap. We’re thinking of covering between 800 and 1,000 km by bike, but we’d rather not bring our trusty rides all that way. Has anyone here already tried buying bikes locally? Do you know if it’s easy to pick one up once we’re there? We’d love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have. Thanks so much, everyone!

Logo to follow on the way to the Dolomites We’re back from our 6-day bike trip between Innsbruck and Venice from June 30 to July 6, 2019, on the well-marked Munich-Venice route.

Our overall impressions: the route is really beautiful, especially for us during the first three stages: Gries am Brenner (AT) to Mühlbach or Rio di Pusteria (IT) – towns with dual names – Rio di Pusteria to Toblach or Dobbiaco – a town we really loved – and Dobbiaco to Pieve di Cadore.

The passage through the Dolomites on a path that’s half paved, half white gravel road is absolutely stunning, even if it’s quite a climb.😊

We chose accommodations in hostels, and luckily so, since there weren’t many campsites along the way. There were a few cyclists, but not too many. We had great weather, even very hot on the last stage from Treviso to Mestre. The arrival in Mestre isn’t very well signposted – several directions overlap and don’t lead you straight to Mestre. Once you find the right route, though, it’s pretty easy. We had a paper guide and GPS, which helped a lot. If you need info on the route, we can chat about it! Happy travels