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.
Voyager à vélo qu'avec un sac à dos?
by Adrock
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
j'ai pas vue de retour dans les conversations...à moins que j'ai loupé le post ou à moins que tu ne sois pas encore revenu..
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2049031;#2049031 😉
Pardon à MajusCOOL de répondre à sa place mais j'avais trop aimé son post pour ne pas le partager un max 🙂
Nos albums/carnets et vidéos de voyages dans mon profil, ainsi que:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/miguel.angulo/
Salut Pitichat
Désolé d'avoir autant tardé à répondre. J'étais en Teutonie depuis quelques jours et tu sais quoi en plus? J'y étais avec un sac à dos et ça a été génial! Pas de douleurs! Rien! Faut dire que je n'avais pas le vélo non plus ce qui explique peut-être bien des choses.
Merci à toi de t'intéresser à mon dernier trip avec la Bamboo Flomobile. Et merci à Margouillat de t'avoir rapidement mis sur les rails pour rattraper ton retard. Globalement, ça s'est très bien passé, avec même une belle grosse frayeur à un moment mais je ne sais plus si je l'ai raconté. Une très belle aventure.
Mais je pense qu'il vaudrait mieux ne pas polluer ce post ci avec des sujets aussi lourds qu'une remorque pas vraiment "ultra-light" et une chienne feignasse qui roupille tranquillement pendant que je la hisse au sommet des cols. Elle a refusé et la marche, et le sac-à-dos. La prochaine fois, je prendrai ton chat. Je préfère les feignasses de moins de 5 kilos.
Rendez-vous là-bas donc si tu as des questions particulières. Pour l'heure, je suis remonté à Paris où j'ai pris un boulot qui, après trois ans de mes diverses pérégrinations "zooropéennes" fait du bien à mon budget. Les prochains grands départs seront pour plus tard et en dehors de l'Europe.
Amitiés
Darryl
Désolé d'avoir autant tardé à répondre. J'étais en Teutonie depuis quelques jours et tu sais quoi en plus? J'y étais avec un sac à dos et ça a été génial! Pas de douleurs! Rien! Faut dire que je n'avais pas le vélo non plus ce qui explique peut-être bien des choses.
Merci à toi de t'intéresser à mon dernier trip avec la Bamboo Flomobile. Et merci à Margouillat de t'avoir rapidement mis sur les rails pour rattraper ton retard. Globalement, ça s'est très bien passé, avec même une belle grosse frayeur à un moment mais je ne sais plus si je l'ai raconté. Une très belle aventure.
Mais je pense qu'il vaudrait mieux ne pas polluer ce post ci avec des sujets aussi lourds qu'une remorque pas vraiment "ultra-light" et une chienne feignasse qui roupille tranquillement pendant que je la hisse au sommet des cols. Elle a refusé et la marche, et le sac-à-dos. La prochaine fois, je prendrai ton chat. Je préfère les feignasses de moins de 5 kilos.
Rendez-vous là-bas donc si tu as des questions particulières. Pour l'heure, je suis remonté à Paris où j'ai pris un boulot qui, après trois ans de mes diverses pérégrinations "zooropéennes" fait du bien à mon budget. Les prochains grands départs seront pour plus tard et en dehors de l'Europe.
Amitiés
Darryl
Darryl
--
https://twitter.com/Cycl0pathe
Salut Darryl,
c'est pas très sympa d'encourager les gens de partir avec leur sac à dos, sachant qu'ils y veulent transporter toutes leurs affaires de camping à vélo, et ne pas avouer que tu as fait du couch-surfing sans le tien! Alors là! Et encore en caractères gras...! 😊 Je m'étonne de plus rien!
@+ Barbara
c'est pas très sympa d'encourager les gens de partir avec leur sac à dos, sachant qu'ils y veulent transporter toutes leurs affaires de camping à vélo, et ne pas avouer que tu as fait du couch-surfing sans le tien! Alors là! Et encore en caractères gras...! 😊 Je m'étonne de plus rien!
@+ Barbara
estoy loca, ya lo sé...
Chère Barbara
Pour ma part, je ne m'étonne guère qu'étant toi-même une teutonne à roulette, tu ne t'énonnes plus de rien. Comme tu l'ignores sans doute, j'ai fait de longues études de phénoménologie cyclopathique avant la maternelle et j'ai eu plus d'une fois le loisir de constater que le teuton ou la teutonne t'étonne souvent plus qu'il ne s'étonne. Même de rien. Ça t'étonne peut-être? Il y aurait je te jure de quoi s'en mordre les té...
Bon!
Et quand à tes allusions concernant le Couch Surfing sans sac à dos, sache qu'elle sont totalement infondées. Et sache aussi je pédale droit moi madame! Avec ou sans sac-dos. Je ne fais pas "encore" de vélo couché. Ce n'est pas que je cherche à lancer un débat comme ceux qui opposent les Mac et les PC Users, Les Sargo ou les Seko à moins que ne soit le contraire, les "soupeurre extra mega light" et les lourds dans mon genre, les hommes et les femmes, ... mais bref moi, moi quand je me couche, ce n'est jamais pour avancer.
Et je fais des caractères gras si je veux hein?
Bonne journée à toi l'amie et ne va pas commencer à t'étonner que je te trasmette toute mon amitié en même temps que mes sarcasmes d'écolier.
Darryl
Pour ma part, je ne m'étonne guère qu'étant toi-même une teutonne à roulette, tu ne t'énonnes plus de rien. Comme tu l'ignores sans doute, j'ai fait de longues études de phénoménologie cyclopathique avant la maternelle et j'ai eu plus d'une fois le loisir de constater que le teuton ou la teutonne t'étonne souvent plus qu'il ne s'étonne. Même de rien. Ça t'étonne peut-être? Il y aurait je te jure de quoi s'en mordre les té...
Bon!
Et quand à tes allusions concernant le Couch Surfing sans sac à dos, sache qu'elle sont totalement infondées. Et sache aussi je pédale droit moi madame! Avec ou sans sac-dos. Je ne fais pas "encore" de vélo couché. Ce n'est pas que je cherche à lancer un débat comme ceux qui opposent les Mac et les PC Users, Les Sargo ou les Seko à moins que ne soit le contraire, les "soupeurre extra mega light" et les lourds dans mon genre, les hommes et les femmes, ... mais bref moi, moi quand je me couche, ce n'est jamais pour avancer.
Et je fais des caractères gras si je veux hein?
Bonne journée à toi l'amie et ne va pas commencer à t'étonner que je te trasmette toute mon amitié en même temps que mes sarcasmes d'écolier.
Darryl
Darryl
--
https://twitter.com/Cycl0pathe
Cher Darryl,
ouh là, je ne savais pas que j'allais tomber sur un Québecoisensible! On a le droit de surfer sur des couchs de temps en temps, je ne m'y oppose pas... Par contre il me semble que le fait que les teutonnes t'étonnent soit déjà une bonne base! J'avoue de m'étonner des fois plus de moi-même que des autres mais peut-être il me manquent tes expériences peri-maternelles! Une chose est sûre c'est que si tu vas t'attarder à t'étonner d'une teutonne à roulette, tu n'avanceras pas beaucoup de la journée une fois les vélos repris, avec ou sans sac à dos!
Et c'est bien des fois de faire des double sens en double épaisseur de caractères, tu as raison!
D'ailleurs - tu n'as jamais eu l'impression que te coucher ca peut te faire avancer? Comme je pédale droit et couché je peux te dire que là c'est définitivement le cas...
De toute facon je ne m'étonne pas de ce que tu me transmettes ton amitié, je l'ai bien méritée! Et le sarcasme je l'ai cherché, alors va, t'inquiète...!
@+
Barbara
Et c'est bien des fois de faire des double sens en double épaisseur de caractères, tu as raison!
D'ailleurs - tu n'as jamais eu l'impression que te coucher ca peut te faire avancer? Comme je pédale droit et couché je peux te dire que là c'est définitivement le cas...
De toute facon je ne m'étonne pas de ce que tu me transmettes ton amitié, je l'ai bien méritée! Et le sarcasme je l'ai cherché, alors va, t'inquiète...!
@+
Barbara
estoy loca, ya lo sé...
euh... c'était quoi la question déjà?
Mes carnets de voyages à vélo: http://julteam.over-blog.com/
A la base, la question était : Ne détonnes t'on pas en cherchant à étonner une teutonne pas atone en faisant du vélo couché sur le ventre avec un sac à dos dans le dos...
Enfin, je crois😏
Enfin, je crois😏
Cher cékankonvaou
Tu ne seras pas étonné d'apprendre qu'un aussi bon esprit de synthèse chaque fois m'étonne.
Amitiés
Darryl
Tu ne seras pas étonné d'apprendre qu'un aussi bon esprit de synthèse chaque fois m'étonne.
Amitiés
Darryl
Darryl
--
https://twitter.com/Cycl0pathe
Darryl,
Si tu étais chez nos amis en Teutonie tu es pardonné d'avoir tardé à répondre !! Mais heureusement il y à des gens sympathiques qui ont du reflexe et qui répondent à certains spécialistes des loupés...🏴☠️ C'est aussi ce qui fait vivre ce type de forum...la sympathie des gens ! 😉
Pour ton voyage chouette aventure et chouette récit ! je n'aurais pas le courage d'enmener un hienche, non pas que je n'aime pas les chiens mais le bonhomme est trop indépendant et la pauvre bête plutôt que d'être un compagnon deviendrait vite une charge...donc félicitation pour ta sympathie partagé même avec les animaux..
Pour ce qui est de mon chat, dabord il dépassait les 5 kgs...c'était un gros mâle (je précise bariton et non soprano...) donc le roi du village..., mais qui est partit sans me demander mon avis, vivre sa deuxième vie de chat 🙁, peut de temps avant que je n'immigre en Mai 2008 dans ce beau pays qu'est le Quebec....Tout ça pour dire que désolé mais tu ne pourra pas l'emmener. (sauf s'il c'est réincarné en chien, dans ce cas c'est peut-être lui que tu as trainé dans les cols...😛)
à +
Si tu étais chez nos amis en Teutonie tu es pardonné d'avoir tardé à répondre !! Mais heureusement il y à des gens sympathiques qui ont du reflexe et qui répondent à certains spécialistes des loupés...🏴☠️ C'est aussi ce qui fait vivre ce type de forum...la sympathie des gens ! 😉
Pour ton voyage chouette aventure et chouette récit ! je n'aurais pas le courage d'enmener un hienche, non pas que je n'aime pas les chiens mais le bonhomme est trop indépendant et la pauvre bête plutôt que d'être un compagnon deviendrait vite une charge...donc félicitation pour ta sympathie partagé même avec les animaux..
Pour ce qui est de mon chat, dabord il dépassait les 5 kgs...c'était un gros mâle (je précise bariton et non soprano...) donc le roi du village..., mais qui est partit sans me demander mon avis, vivre sa deuxième vie de chat 🙁, peut de temps avant que je n'immigre en Mai 2008 dans ce beau pays qu'est le Quebec....Tout ça pour dire que désolé mais tu ne pourra pas l'emmener. (sauf s'il c'est réincarné en chien, dans ce cas c'est peut-être lui que tu as trainé dans les cols...😛)
à +
Attention, une coalition avec des québécois dedans envahit le forum.
Faut fermer le parlement, euh ... le sujet avant qu'on en perde le contrôle.
Je n'aurais pas pu mieux dire! Mais vraiment, il y a tout dedans 😮! Merci! On aurait peut-être pu remplacer "détonner" par "déconner", mais à part ca...
Le mieux qu'on puisse faire dans une discussion qui pour celui qui l'a démarrée devait seulement être la confirmation de ses idées, non? On a quand même le droit de se marrer aussi comme on voit...
Bonne giournée
Le mieux qu'on puisse faire dans une discussion qui pour celui qui l'a démarrée devait seulement être la confirmation de ses idées, non? On a quand même le droit de se marrer aussi comme on voit...
Bonne giournée
estoy loca, ya lo sé...
salut
en voyageant leger, tu peux mettre sur un porte-bagage qui se fixe sur la selle ta tente, ton sac de couchage et un petit matelas auto gonflant(en gros 2, 5kg au total);en plaçant une petite sacoche à l'avant tu peux mettre le reste, dans un petit sac à dos ...faut juste qu'il soit très leger, très peu de rechange, etc.
je voyage toujours comme çà et d'année en année, je suis de plus en plus leger;çà t'oblige à faire des lessives souvent, mais c'est tellement plus agréable que de trainer des sacoches!
le truc, c'est de prevoir très leger au départ et de voir ensuite si il te manque qq chose sur place .
SANGHA
vous aimez les Vosges?
http://reequilibre.over-blog.com/
bonjour,
J'ai déja fait un roadtrip avec sacoches, et un autre avec une remorque. J'ai aussi fait un roadtrip version "light" avec un petit porte bagage et une sacoche guidon... Mon prochain roadtrip se fera avec un sac à dos. Pourquoi ? le vélo est entièrement maniable en monté on peut faire aisément de la "danceuse" besoin de moins pousser dans les cuisses on peut lacher les mains du guidon le sac contient uniquement une veste d'alpinisme (pour le froid et la pluie), un duvet léger et un abri. Soit gros gros maxi 3 ou 4 kg le sac complet. pour la bouffe, principe du juste à temps. eau : un bidon sur le cadre
J'ai un vélo de 8kg, et des pneu en 700x23, je peux foncer, j'ai du plaisir.
Bon courage
J'ai déja fait un roadtrip avec sacoches, et un autre avec une remorque. J'ai aussi fait un roadtrip version "light" avec un petit porte bagage et une sacoche guidon... Mon prochain roadtrip se fera avec un sac à dos. Pourquoi ? le vélo est entièrement maniable en monté on peut faire aisément de la "danceuse" besoin de moins pousser dans les cuisses on peut lacher les mains du guidon le sac contient uniquement une veste d'alpinisme (pour le froid et la pluie), un duvet léger et un abri. Soit gros gros maxi 3 ou 4 kg le sac complet. pour la bouffe, principe du juste à temps. eau : un bidon sur le cadre
J'ai un vélo de 8kg, et des pneu en 700x23, je peux foncer, j'ai du plaisir.
Bon courage
>> Et encore tu n'as pas lu son autre discussion ou il demande si on peut trouver un sac de couchage pour dormir sur le ventre...........
> J'ai pas trouvé, y'a quelqu'un qui a le lien? Y'a des fils de discussion qui détendent les zygomatiques...😉 Merci d'avance.
> J'ai pas trouvé, y'a quelqu'un qui a le lien? Y'a des fils de discussion qui détendent les zygomatiques...😉 Merci d'avance.
"Ils ne savaient pas que c'était impossible alors ils l'ont fait" - Mark Twain
J'ai pas trouvé, y'a quelqu'un qui a le lien?
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2173853;#2173853 😏
Nos albums/carnets et vidéos de voyages dans mon profil, ainsi que:
http://pagesperso-orange.fr/miguel.angulo/
Hola Skipouane,
Tu ne serais pas un pot à Jean Gabriel Chelala ? 😉
Tu ne serais pas un pot à Jean Gabriel Chelala ? 😉
Salut,
Bourre ton sac au max, disons presque 20 kg. Pars rouler une heure. Reviens-nous là-dessus. Ça va te donner une bonne idée. Personnellement, ce sont les sangles aux épaules et la pression sur la posture (mains, cul, etc.) qui me rendent particulièrement intolérant pour le sac à dos. Je ne ferais même pas mes courses avec. Puis, les porte-bagages, tu ne les sens pas. Minimalisme, c'est bien. Mais éviter de finir ton voyage en taxi, c'est mieux.
Bourre ton sac au max, disons presque 20 kg. Pars rouler une heure. Reviens-nous là-dessus. Ça va te donner une bonne idée. Personnellement, ce sont les sangles aux épaules et la pression sur la posture (mains, cul, etc.) qui me rendent particulièrement intolérant pour le sac à dos. Je ne ferais même pas mes courses avec. Puis, les porte-bagages, tu ne les sens pas. Minimalisme, c'est bien. Mais éviter de finir ton voyage en taxi, c'est mieux.
Et il poursuivit sa route
Celle que voulait sa monture
Car en cela consistait
L'essence de l'aventure
— Cervantes
lol !
j'ai pas précisé que c'est pour gros maxi 10 jours, en France, en été et avec 3 autres potes qui eux portent bcp plus.
Mon vélo étant singlespeed c'est galere de porter plein de truc, donc j'ai mes porteurs.
J'aurais à partir seul je prendrais un porte bagage et une tres bonne sacoche de guidon.
lol mc comber, tu prends quoi dans tes voyages à vélo pour arriver à 20 kg ?🤪
jl
vous aimez les Vosges?
http://reequilibre.over-blog.com/
Oh, moi, tu sais. J'ai roulé tout l'été avec mon ordi plus trois disques externes, mon appareil-photo, tous mes vêtements, une tente, puis deux tentes pendant un mois (mon habituelle, plus une plus grande, petite copine oblige), les casseroles, le vin, l'huile, trois kilos de riz et quatre kilos de semoule… quelques boîtes de conserve, et euh… une bibliothèque de 70 bouquins dans la remorque. Heureusement que j'ai coupé la moitié des essentiels !
Et il poursuivit sa route
Celle que voulait sa monture
Car en cela consistait
L'essence de l'aventure
— Cervantes
Oah !
:0)
Et il poursuivit sa route
Celle que voulait sa monture
Car en cela consistait
L'essence de l'aventure
— Cervantes
le singlespeed c'est pas si horrible que ca.
heinz stucke est bien en singlespeed et si tu vois tout ce qu'il a fait c'est effrayant !
http://heinzstucke.com/
bonne soirée
heinz stucke est bien en singlespeed et si tu vois tout ce qu'il a fait c'est effrayant !
http://heinzstucke.com/
bonne soirée
le singlespeed c'est pas si horrible que ca.
heinz stucke est bien en singlespeed et si tu vois tout ce qu'il a fait c'est effrayant !
Non non, Heinz Stucke n est pas en single speed. Il l a peut etre ete a un moment avec un velo mais ca n a pas du dure bien longtemps ; son but est de voyager, pas d en chier avec un velo en single speed.
Je l ai croise il y a 3 ans et il avait un velo avec plein de vitesses!
heinz stucke est bien en singlespeed et si tu vois tout ce qu'il a fait c'est effrayant !
Non non, Heinz Stucke n est pas en single speed. Il l a peut etre ete a un moment avec un velo mais ca n a pas du dure bien longtemps ; son but est de voyager, pas d en chier avec un velo en single speed.
Je l ai croise il y a 3 ans et il avait un velo avec plein de vitesses!
le singlespeed c'est pas si horrible que ca
pour voyager en velo en single speed il faut soit etre un peu fele, soit voyager dans une regione toute plate, soit le faire par defi!
pour voyager en velo en single speed il faut soit etre un peu fele, soit voyager dans une regione toute plate, soit le faire par defi!
Bonjour,
A la lecture de ces échanges relatifs au sac à dos sur le vélo et aperçus ce jour on peut se dire que statistiquement il vaut mieux éviter. Mais cela étant chaque personne est unique et perçoit les avantages et inconvénients de manière différente.
J'ai déjà lu sur des sites de routards que la meilleure formule pour voyager était probablement un petit sac de moins de 7 kg sur le dos. Personnellement je pense que moins on transporte et mieux c'est. J'ai traversé plusieurs fois la France avec un sac à dos de 12 kg et une sacoche guidon de 3 kg et c'était génial et ce d'autant que j'ai un dos fragile. En effet le sac sur le dos, à condition qu'il ne descende pas trop sur le bas du dos, n'est pas un handicap, on ne le sent absolument pas et le comportement du vélo est quasi identique à celui de la pratique dominicale.
Mon prochain périple sera fait dans cette configuration et cherchant à limiter le poids sous la barre des 10 kg. Le plus difficile étant de trouver le bon sac à dos.
A la lecture de ces échanges relatifs au sac à dos sur le vélo et aperçus ce jour on peut se dire que statistiquement il vaut mieux éviter. Mais cela étant chaque personne est unique et perçoit les avantages et inconvénients de manière différente.
J'ai déjà lu sur des sites de routards que la meilleure formule pour voyager était probablement un petit sac de moins de 7 kg sur le dos. Personnellement je pense que moins on transporte et mieux c'est. J'ai traversé plusieurs fois la France avec un sac à dos de 12 kg et une sacoche guidon de 3 kg et c'était génial et ce d'autant que j'ai un dos fragile. En effet le sac sur le dos, à condition qu'il ne descende pas trop sur le bas du dos, n'est pas un handicap, on ne le sent absolument pas et le comportement du vélo est quasi identique à celui de la pratique dominicale.
Mon prochain périple sera fait dans cette configuration et cherchant à limiter le poids sous la barre des 10 kg. Le plus difficile étant de trouver le bon sac à dos.
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More discussions
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
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!