Planning a bike trip?
FR

Translated into English.

BE Benablok Regular ·
The upside of setting off for several weeks is that two days of rain will always be saved by even better days. We canceled our week between Nuremberg and Prague because of terrible weather (hail, wind, cold, rain) 🏴‍☠️
Notre tour de la mer Baltique > http://bikearoundbalticsea.wordpress.com
TI Timshel Veteran ·
Hi there,

After last year’s Montreal–New York trip (1,700 km via Toronto and in the rain 🤪), this August we’re taking our wheels to Norway.

Short route (around 900–1,000 km), from Trondheim to Bergen along the coast. Speaking of coasts, it’s supposed to be stunning but not flat… a nice little baptism for my friend 😜.

Laurent
http://globe-reveur.over-blog.com/
ET Etchelecou Regular ·
After a bike/volcano trip from Goma to Nairobi this spring, I’ll be heading back to South America in September for a loop from Salta to Salta, crossing the stunning lagoons and salt flats of the Atacama via Paso Jama first, then Paso Sico. A few nearby volcanoes will be pretty tempting! It’ll all depend on how I’m feeling and the... mule! This route isn’t easy by bike since resupply points are... very spread out, and the altitude... is often over 4,000 m. Flying to Salta with a bike: does anyone know Alitalia? They’re the only airline that allows 2 x 23 kg for free, and it’s 40% cheaper than Air France—Toulouse to Salta round-trip for 1,050 € with Alitalia, versus at least 1,900 € with Air France (since bikes mean an extra fee of around 2 x 200 €). Anyone have a tip for this Toulouse-Salta flight?
André Etchelecou http://ddvagabondages.fr
MI Miloc Veteran ·
Hey!

Leaving on June 5th by bus to Baia Mare in northern Romania.

Heading to Istanbul by bike, crossing Romania (with my Belgian buddy Adrien22), Bulgaria, and the eastern part of Turkey (solo).

Returning on July 14th... by plane :/ (I hate it)
http://www.de-poulpiquet-guillaume.fr/
KA Kangoo72 Veteran ·
I’ll see you back in Geneva on July 8th! 😉
http://velogitevalence.fr
MI Miloc Veteran ·
Yeah... that's right... after doing everything to make sure I didn’t come to your festival to raise the average age 😠😉
http://www.de-poulpiquet-guillaume.fr/
BL Blandine34 ·
Back from our (little) adventure, I’m sharing the link to our blog if you’re tempted to discover the trip we took along Lake Constance by bike with Baptiste, 5½ years old, this past summer. http://2012familysconstancetour.blogspot.fr/

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate!
Blandine
BE Benablok Regular ·
Lake Constance by bike sounds great—I just moved here today, so I’ll check it out more closely... Starting from Friedrichshafen, not sure which direction to take yet...
Notre tour de la mer Baltique > http://bikearoundbalticsea.wordpress.com
JÉ Jérémie53 Regular ·
Hey everyone

I’m leaving Thursday morning from my hometown in Mayenne, heading to Africa—at least as far as Senegal, maybe further if I feel like it!

If you’re interested, you can follow my journey on my site at www.mochilero.fr

See you soon!

Jeremie
Je voyage chaque année à vélo par période de 3/4 mois. @cyclovoyages
BL Blandine34 ·
Thanks! I checked out your blog—it’s great, it reminded me of our bike trip in Sweden 3 years ago!

I’ll look into your Baltic Sea tour in more detail because next year we’re into Lithuania, Latvia, etc.

To be continued. A+
Blandine
HA Harptallica Regular ·
For my part, it’d be a round-the-world trip by bike, and maybe hitchhiking if I feel like it. The idea would be to start in Amiens, ride to Romania, head down to Greece, then go back up to drink some good wine and eat pizza at friends’ places in Italy. After that, stop by Santiago de Compostela, maybe visit some buddies in Braga, Portugal, then head down to see family in Côte d’Ivoire (if I can find them… haha). Since I won’t have the courage to swim to the Americas, I’d take a flight and stop to work in Texas (I’ve got a job waiting for me there). Then, I’d head up to Alaska or Québec—already not bad! That said, it’s all pretty hypothetical for now… First, I’ve got to go back to school, finish my training, get my *bac pro*, do my BTS, save up some cash, and get my health back on track. In the meantime, if I have the time, why not—*again*—a little bike trip around the UK (no joke, I’ve already spent at least 3 months there since last December).
Des petit tours de roues ... http://loic-eurotrip.over-blog.com/
LU Lucbertrand Globetrotter ·
Hi Loïc, your photo is amazing. Did you cross the Alps by bike in winter? Luc
HA Harptallica Regular ·
Hi Luc, yeah, I crossed the Alps in winter. It was from Grenoble to Briançon. FYI, the night before I slept in a meter of snow in the valley—it was nearly -20°C, brrr! !
Des petit tours de roues ... http://loic-eurotrip.over-blog.com/
LU Lucbertrand Globetrotter ·
Wow! Awesome! Luc
HA Harptallica Regular ·
Thanks! :) If you want, I also have a blog where I more or less explain my trip, but it's not complete. I also traveled the Camino de Santiago on foot and went to Germany and Slovenia, but by bus this time! See you soon maybe ;) Loic.
Des petit tours de roues ... http://loic-eurotrip.over-blog.com/
ZE Zebulon9000 ·
Hello fellow globetrotters! So, we're dreaming of biking from Toulouse to Venice this summer. It’s our first big bike adventure, and I’d love to hear your expert tips on this. We’d like to go by bike and return by train. Any routes you’d recommend? As for the bike, mine’s an old Peugeot that runs well, but... will it be enough? Italy is uncharted territory for us—we’re open to all experiences, city and village tips! We’re planning to go for about three weeks in August. There you have it—don’t hesitate to help us out! =)
RE Redecor Regular ·
Hi, I’m not sure that crossing northern Italy is a great idea for a first trip—the roads are hellish, even by car.

I saw somewhere (can’t remember where) a guy who documented his first bike trip in a video, Montpellier to Trieste, and his conclusion was that he’d never do another bike trip because the roads were pure hell—way too tough.

It’s a shame, because there are plenty of gentler destinations in Europe.
TO Tortue84 Regular ·
It really depends on which part of northern Italy. For sure, if you take the highway, it’s not great😎. But there’s a really nice stretch around the lakes (Como, Garda). Otherwise, if you want to turn your legs to jelly, come through my place in Avignon🤪. It’s the same for every country—some spots are amazing, others are the complete opposite.
http://www.courrierinternational.com/article/2014/10/23/melilla-la-grille-de-la-honte
BL Blandine34 ·
This summer, we're doing Vicenza to Venice and then the Adriatic coast. My husband created a custom route using only small roads and paths. Here’s our planned GPS track. The Veneto region is well-known for bike trips. Even though Italy has a reputation for busy roads with drivers like Fangio (!), we hope to find some peace on our custom route! Especially since we're traveling with our 6.5-year-old son, who has his own bike! If you want to check out our blog: http://venetie2013.blogspot.fr See you soon
Blandine
TO Tortue84 Regular ·
Honestly, if there really are drivers like Fangio out there, you might as well not even venture into Marseille. All the rumors... Best to go there in person and see for yourself. Italy in the summer is tough—way too many tourists—but I still love it. That’s what makes Italy so charming.
http://www.courrierinternational.com/article/2014/10/23/melilla-la-grille-de-la-honte
MA Mazzzz Veteran ·
Hello fellow globetrotters! So, we're dreaming of cycling from Toulouse to Venice this summer. It's our first big bike trip, and I’d love to hear your expert advice on the subject. We’d like to go by bike and return by train. Any routes you’d recommend? As for the bike, mine’s an old Peugeot that runs well, but… will it be enough? Italy is uncharted territory for us—we’re open to all experiences, tips on cities, villages, anything! We’re planning to go for about three weeks in August. Feel free to share your thoughts! =)

Hi zebulon, I did Venice to Geneva with a route that went mostly through Piedmont (Lake Garda and Lake Como) before heading north to the Aosta Valley. It might not be the mountainous route you’re looking for, but as long as you avoid big Italian cities and major roads, there’s no traffic issue. In fact, I often found that Italian roads have a paved shoulder, which feels safer for cyclists. From Toulouse, it’s nice to head toward the Montagne Noire (Mazamet, La Bastide-Rouairoux), then go down to Saint-Pons, and follow the Orb Valley to Lodève. After that, cross the southern Larzac, pass through Ganges, Alès, Nyons (26), Serres (05), Gap, Embrun, Briançon, and then reach the Italian lake region.

It’s not the smoothest ride, but if you stick to small roads, the landscapes are stunning. Campsites are everywhere, and it’s peaceful—except in the French Alps, where you *must* avoid major roads.

Anyway, you should *definitely* avoid Marseille and the surrounding area, as well as the Côte d’Azur. Too many cars…
ER Erikavélo Veteran ·
Hi there, I’m not sure crossing northern Italy is the best idea for a first trip—the roads are a nightmare even by car.

Keep in mind that it’s a common beginner mistake to try to go "in a straight line" by taking major highways. The second mistake is not having a detailed enough map to uncover those backcountry backroads. For a stress-free ride, the ideal is to stick to the roads marked in white on maps, even if it takes twice as long. This applies in France, Italy, or anywhere else...

Otherwise, I’ll be around the lakes region around June 10th, I think. If you want my route...
You own a car, not the road !
RI Rikimiki Veteran ·
Hello, ... To have some peace and quiet, the ideal would be to stick only to the routes marked in white on the maps, even if it takes twice as long. This applies in France, Italy, or anywhere else...

Otherwise, I’ll be around the Great Lakes around June 10th, I think. If you want my itinerary...

I’m not the one who started the Toulouse-Venice-Sieste project, but I’m *really* curious to know your itinerary! Back in September 2009, we’d also planned a Nice-Rome route, which we ended up changing last minute (we did Rome-Sutri-Viterbo-Pitigliano-Montalcino-Asciano-Siena-Volterra-Lucca, then back to Rome; our flight to Nice was full, we’d waited too long...). But we were *so* disappointed—especially since we missed scouting around Badalucco-Garessio-Finale Ligure! So if any of you have ridden or are planning to ride in those areas, I’d love to hear your comments, anecdotes, and any other details to tempt us and go back!

http://www.openrunner.com/index.php?id=349286
http://tandemetcie.com

" ... plus tu pédales moins vite, moins tu avances plus vite ... !
RH Rhume Veteran ·
Personally, I'm thinking of going from Strasbourg to Berlin in June, and then returning (so making a loop). I'm not sure yet if I'll go all the way to the Baltic. If anyone has any tips, I'd obviously love to hear them!
ER Erikavélo Veteran ·
I’m not the initiator of the Toulouse–Venice–Siestre project, but I’m really curious to know your itinerary!

I’ll arrive in Locarno/Ascona via Switzerland through the Gotthard Pass (hoping it’s clear of snow). Climb up to Arcegno, then descend to Porto Ronco with a stunning view of Lake Maggiore. Next, head to Verbania along the lakeside road (no choice, the terrain demands it). From there, take a ferry to Laveno, then head to Luino since the other side of the lake is less interesting. Visit the charming little town of Luino, then head to Lugano. Finally, make my way to Menaggio with a breathtaking view of Lake Como upon arrival. Cross over to Bellagio, then on to Lecco/Bergamo.

After that, I’m heading to Verona, but if you’re not in as much of a rush as I am, it’s better to skirt the lake on its eastern shore and go through the Adda Valley/Ponte di Legno/Trento/Verona.

From there, I’ll head toward Bologna... etc., meet you in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early July.
You own a car, not the road !
ER Erikavélo Veteran ·
Personally, I'm thinking of going from Strasbourg to Berlin in June, and then returning (so making a loop). I'm not sure yet if I'll go all the way to the Baltic. If anyone has any tips, I'd obviously love to hear them.

I think the best option is to follow the EuroVelo route from Basel to Passau or even Linz, then head toward Prague. The roads in the Czech Republic aren't too busy, and if you've never seen Prague, it's definitely worth the detour...
You own a car, not the road !
RI Rikimiki Veteran ·
I’m not the one who started the Toulouse–Venice–Siestre project, but I’m really curious to hear about your itinerary!

I’ll be arriving in Locarno/Ascona via Switzerland through the Gotthard Pass (hoping it’s clear of snow). Heading up to Arcegno, then down to Porto Ronco with a stunning view of Lake Maggiore. Next, I’ll take the road along the lake to Verbania (no choice, the terrain demands it). From there, I’ll take a ferry to Laveno and head toward Luino since the other side of the lake is less interesting. I’ll visit the charming little town of Luino, then head to Lugano. Finally, I’ll make my way to Menaggio with a breathtaking view of Lake Como upon arrival. Crossing to Bellagio, then on to Lecco/Bergamo.

After that, I’m heading to Verona, but if you’re not in as much of a rush as I am, it’s better to go around the east side of the lake and pass through the Adda Valley/Ponte di Legno/Trento/Verona.

From there, I’ll head toward Bologna... etc., meeting up in Cagliari, Sardinia, in early July.

Thanks for these amazing route suggestions! I’ll savor them all (starting with OpenRunner...) as I prepare for our retirement adventures! We’re kicking off retirement in early August 2013, traveling by tandem. Two big projects, order still to be decided: 1.) Tour of the Americas (2 years starting from our home in southern Quebec). 2.) Grand Tour of the Mediterranean

We’ll be back with more details...
http://tandemetcie.com

" ... plus tu pédales moins vite, moins tu avances plus vite ... !
SE Sentave56 ·
Hi

This summer, our family is going to see if the grass is greener in Brittany and England.

We’re going to try the Petit Tour de Manche with our three kids.

I’ll tell you more about it later.

Kenavo.
Aurélie et Sébastien.
TH Thomaskk ·
The Via Claudia Augusta! Basically Munich to Venice, crossing the Alps following the footsteps of our Roman ancestors.

We considered Croatia, but it seemed too touristy based on what VoyageForum users said.
CY Cyclomoulin Veteran ·
Hi there! I love riding close to the sea! I’d like to do a bike tour somewhere by the coast this summer. Ireland, England (good chance to practice English), Corsica? Not sure yet. Any other islands? Somewhere further south, before or after the worst of the heat? Any suggestions?!!
AV AventuresOrd Regular ·
Hi there, Not an original idea, yes—the same as my 2013 project featured on my website’s homepage. If that’s the case, we might cross paths, but keep in mind it’s over 7,000 km round trip from my place. Happy planning! Marc
http://www.aventuresordinaires.jimdo.com

Site des Aventures Ordinaires
AF Afreak ·
Hi everyone, Same here, a sea and beach lover ;) At the end of 2011, I did Vannes (56) to La Rochelle (17) with lots of detours along the coast! http://afreek.free.fr/blog/

This year in August, I’ve decided to explore Corsica by bike (first time!) Vannes > Toulon by train + bike, then down to Bastia, heading west (L’Île-Rousse), and I’ll follow the coast. Once I reach the south of the island, we’ll see!

Like in 2011, I’ll post a photo recap when I’m back.

See you soon, and I hope you all have a great time with your projects!
http://afreek.free.fr/blog/
JA Janodou Regular ·
That’s awesome! Bike travel plans are really blooming now that spring is finally here. Happy planning, everyone!
Cordialement, le meilleur est à venir à voir et à entendre 🤪 janodou.com « Rencontrer l'autre c'est se découvrir soi même (JLM) »
ER Erikavélo Veteran ·
That's awesome! Bike travel plans are blooming now that spring is really here. Good luck with the prep, everyone!

Thanks!

Mine just took shape: Basel (Switzerland) to Vienna (Austria) via the EV6, then from Vienna to Ljubljana (Slovenia) via the EV9, then through Italy via the Dolomites and the Italian lakes (route depending on how I feel), and finally back home through Switzerland with 1 or 2 mountain passes for dessert. That’s a little over 3,000 km in 1 month.

Leaving in a month...
You own a car, not the road !
LE Lethieu Globetrotter ·
A bit tight on time... and a return trip from Bilbao to the Jura (French side) in about two weeks via back roads....
michel mathieu www.lethieu39.fr
CY Cyclosfamily Regular ·
Brittany, Normandy, and Pays de la Loire on the itinerary: On our end, we’re continuing our family travels. After last year’s Eurovélo 6 from Montbéliard to Angers, this August we’re heading out on a tour of Brittany starting from Angers, following the coastline (Nantes, Vannes, Quimper, Brest, Roscoff, Lannion, Saint-Brieuc, Saint-Malo, Mont Saint-Michel). Then we’ll head toward Caen and Le Havre before making our way back to Angers through the inland routes (Orne, Sarthe). A roughly 1,500 km journey over a month—we’ll take our time to explore, rediscover, and enjoy. Hoping the Breton weather isn’t too unpredictable... This will be our last medium-length trip before our big family adventure in 2014–2015: a real 16-month cycling journey around the world! Guillaume
www.par4cheminsavelo.fr Cyclofamily - cyclofamily@par4cheminsavelo.fr
TI Tioneb54 Regular ·
In May, over 5 days, I’m planning to do Cherbourg–Le Havre by mountain bike, following the GR trails with some friends. This summer, over a month, I’ll be cycling around Brittany from Vannes to Mont Saint-Michel, then around the Cotentin peninsula before heading back to Rouen—road bike and trailer in tow. I’ll probably be solo for that part. This’ll really round out my France tour, which I should be able to finish in 2014.
http://les-voyages-a-velo-de-benoit.jimdo.com/
ZW Zwoofffx Regular ·
in 95 days (finally end of July) a diagonal Bordeaux > Nancy round trip Just to test our gear a bit more for our world tour starting in May 2014 😉
BO Bolbatre147 Regular ·
My bike trip is in the works (this afternoon)!

I’m mapping out my route on OpenR... for an early start tomorrow. Rouen, Dieppe, and back—about 150 km.

Just a last-minute plan!

The forecast calls for sunshine in Upper Normandy tomorrow, so I’ve gotta take advantage of it.

M
MSC
DA Davebike Regular ·
Mid-May: a loop from Bordeaux to Arcachon, then by train and the EV1 to Bayonne, Toulouse via Pau (Pau–Saint-Gaudens train), and back along the Garonne lateral canal. Oysters, foie gras, Jurançon sheep’s cheese, cassoulet. We only have 5–6 days, so we’ll take some train shortcuts.

Summer holidays: continuing the EV6 from Mulhouse eastward for a few weeks (beer, potatoes, sausages).
BL Blanchebarbe Regular ·
Mid-May, a "little" loop starting in the Hautes-Alpes, we join the EV6 from Besançon and follow it all the way to the Black Sea, then Turkey, Greece, the boot of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, the mainland, and after that we're still deciding on the route—do we go straight back up or return via Bordeaux, Nantes, and the Loire?
RI Rikimiki Veteran ·
Mid-May, a "little" loop starting in the Hautes-Alpes, we join the EV6 from Besançon and follow it to the Black Sea, then Turkey, Greece, the boot of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, the mainland, and then we're undecided on the route—we go straight back up or return via Bordeaux, Nantes, and the Loire.

Wow! That’ll be an amazing "little loop"! Will you have a blog or something so we can follow your route and adventures? We’ve been toying with the idea of a similar trip in 2 or 3 years (before that, we want to do the Americas, starting from home). Similar but in reverse, starting from Bordeaux or Lisbon, depending on our departure date. We also dream of crossing Morocco and then heading to Turkey via Algeria-Tunisia-Libya-Egypt-Israel-Lebanon-Syria, if the political conditions allow us to travel safely.
http://tandemetcie.com

" ... plus tu pédales moins vite, moins tu avances plus vite ... !
FA Fabienc63 ·
After doing Nantes to Royan last year, I’m heading off this Wednesday, May 1st with my 15-year-old son for a Brest to Vannes trip—8 days of biking to explore southern Brittany, hopefully with some sunshine! Safe travels to everyone, there are so many great plans out there...
NO Notehus Regular ·
I'm hoping to do a Paris-Trouville or Paris-Fécamp ride... leaving Monday or Tuesday... round trip... but the weather's meh... still, I'm hopeful... already said that... I'm outfitting my road bike for it... I'm hopeful... I'm hopeful... 😕
Apprenti stagiaire débutant pédaleur en rouge...
CL Claisse Veteran ·
hi there

for my part, around May 5th, I’m leaving from HONFLEUR and heading to CHERBOURG along the coast, passing through the D-Day landing beaches. Then down to GRANVILLE?? After that, SAINT-MALO, still following the coastline. After ST-MALO, I’ll return inland via VIRE and then back to HONFLEUR, depending on my mood.

If anyone has tips like wild camping spots, nice restaurants, or friendly campsites, I’m all ears!

Hope to meet some VoyageForum folks along the way.

Have a great weekend
BERNARD "Aucun conseil n'est plus loyal que celui qui se donne sur le navire en péril. Voiture : Invention ingénieuse, permettant de contenir 110 chevaux dans le moteur et un âne au volant.
AV AventuresOrd Regular ·
Hi there, The maritime climate is the big unknown for this trip... I covered this section back in 2005 during my tour of France. I mostly wild-camped without any issues as long as I avoided pitching the tent in the middle of towns. I didn’t eat at any restaurants to keep activities separate, so I don’t have any great tips for that. (Full video available on my site under the E-video section. This part is included in Part 2 of my travel journal. The blog alternative is probably less user-friendly.) Happy spring cycling! Marc PS There are plenty of accommodations, and even if 90% of them are closed this time of year, there’ll always be one to meet your needs.
http://www.aventuresordinaires.jimdo.com

Site des Aventures Ordinaires
AG Agathachrist Regular ·
We’re heading to Corsica in 15 days! Bastia via Centuri, the whole coast down to Porticcio, then back up through the interior toward Corte—Bastia. That’s the rough plan. Hoping the weather’s great for everyone with bike trips in the works!!!!! And for everyone else too ;)
FL Flaps8 Regular ·
Okay, here I go.

For me, I’m leaving on May 27th for my first bike trek from Bagnols/Cèze to Saint Jacques de Compostelle via Le Puy (1,746 km in 26 days). I got back on the bike after 46 years off and only logged 800 km of training in 6 months. It’s gonna be tough, but what an amazing journey ahead! Still feeling a little nervous as the date gets closer.

No matter what, I’ve got nerves of steel. Inshallah

Safe travels to everyone.

Jihem
BL Blanchebarbe Regular ·
In May, a "little" loop too—starting in the Hautes-Alpes, joining the EV6 from Besançon, then following it all the way to the Black Sea, then Turkey, Greece, the boot of Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, the mainland, and after that, we’re still deciding whether to go straight back up or return via Bordeaux, Nantes, and the Loire.

Wow! That’ll be an amazing "little loop"! Will you have a blog or something so we can follow your route and adventures? We’ve been toying with the idea of a similar trip in 2 or 3 years (before that, we want to do the Americas, starting from home). Similar but in reverse—starting from Bordeaux or Lisbon, depending on when we leave. We also dream of crossing Morocco and then heading to Turkey via Algeria-Tunisia-Libya-Egypt-Israel-Lebanon-Syria, if the political situation allows us to travel safely.

You’re crazier than we are… but what would the world be without a little madness? Anyway, here’s our blog we just set up: velocipedus-memera.over-blog.com
AR Arplomer Regular ·
Hello everyone,

In 2013, I already cycled the Loire by bike from Couëron to Orléans between March 26–29. This summer, I’m heading to Germany: leaving from Hennebont (56) on Friday, August 2. Stops include Couterne (61), Breteuil (27), Hénonville (60), Pierrefonds (60), Marcy-sous-Marle (02), Givet (08), Saint Vith (Belgium), and Uckerath (Rhineland-Palatinate). There, I’ll visit the farm where my grandfather was a prisoner of war. After lots of research, I’ve found descendants from that era. For the return trip, nothing’s set in stone yet, but I’ll probably take the route: Koblenz/Cochem/Trier/Verdun/Orléans and return by train. I plan to stay at campsites, but if any forum members are along the route and have 15 m² of lawn to spare, I’d love to take you up on it! Also, I’d appreciate any tips or advice on my itinerary. Happy preparations and good weather to everyone!!😎😎
Frédéric sur un specialized awol, Honda Deauville 700.

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