Like in previous years, I’m back here looking for potential travel companions—male or female—for a 3-month bike trip in early 2018 (from early January to early April). I haven’t chosen the destination yet, but I’m tempted by Colombia or possibly Southeast Asia (Southern Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Northern Vietnam, with a possible little detour to Thailand). For now, I’m alone, and since nothing is set in stone yet, I’m open to other destinations during these dates, as long as the climate isn’t too harsh for biking (I don’t like the cold).
To give you an idea of my travel style from previous years, I’ve included links below to the day-by-day journals I kept. I can adapt to other paces, especially if they’re less demanding. For past trips, we were two or three guys with fairly similar abilities. However, the group dynamic really deteriorated toward the end of the last trip. I’m not entirely sure why, but I won’t be repeating the experience with those same companions. In 2018, it’ll be with new travel partners—if I find any—or solo if no one steps forward.
Hi Jean-Marie, I followed your latest trip day by day and really enjoyed your site, photos, and comments. Too bad about the ending, but traveling with a group isn’t always easy.
I’m also in the Loire and want to hit the road again, but I can’t take three months off. For now, I’m heading to Canada, and I’ll decide what’s next when I get back at the end of September. Hats off to your fitness level—I’ll pass your message along to a friend from Savigneux (Loire) who traveled Cambodia and southern Vietnam with me. Have a great day.
Hi André,
Whether we travel together or not, we can easily meet up since we’re practically neighbors. Get in touch again in September if you’d like me to send you my address in a private message or by email.
Safe travels in Canada, and hopefully see you soon!
Jean Marie
Good evening Jean-Marie, I won’t be able to join you—I’m too busy, out of shape, and I’ll have to postpone if possible? I’m tied up until the end of September.
I had a great trip in Canada, and I’m heading to Andalusia in February with my wife, but… in a motorhome.
Now I need to get back on the bike to test my fitness. If I get back in shape and if I have the time—since I have to juggle several activities (table tennis, homing pigeons, etc.) and travel with my wife—I’ll do a cycling trip either at the end of 2018 after my return from Ireland or early 2019.
I hope you’ve found one or more travel companions, and I wish you a great trip.
André
Hello,
A few months have gone by since the last post. How is everyone doing? I hope you're all staying healthy and either on the road or getting ready for your next adventure.
Have a great day,
Catherine
Hi Catherine 936
No problem as far as I’m concerned—I’m hitting the roads of France and Belgium again in a few days,
even though I’m a bit out of practice this year because of the bad weather.
But I’ll be fine!
Thanks,
Jean-Marie
Hi everyone, as planned, I cycled through Spain, but had a minor health issue on the first day (TIA), then lost my mother-in-law, so I came back home.
I’ve started training again, very gently, and I’ll see what I feel like doing after our trip to Ireland with my wife and grandson. At our age, it’s really about physical fitness. Like Luc, I’m in awe of what Jean-Marie RIGOLL is still doing!
I’m hoping to do one or two more trips—time’s ticking!
Happy travels to all, André
I’m 59 and in pretty good shape physically. I just got back from an 8-day trip across the Alpes de Haute-Provence, and on the last day I experienced what’s called a "posterior vitreous detachment" (PVD for short), which required an emergency ophthalmology visit. Nothing serious, but it needs monitoring to avoid a retinal detachment. That said, I learned that this condition, directly linked to aging (common after 50), was triggered by too much strain in the eye—a direct result of the effort...
My right eye was affected, and it’s very likely the left one will follow, sooner or later.
Hi Thierry,
I won’t be able to help with that little issue here. It seems like you’re putting the issue down to effort. That’s fine, but remember we’re not all built the same!
Best,
Hi Gabey,
I’m just relaying what a doctor said… personally, I don’t have an opinion on it. I’d rather it had nothing to do with effort and that I could keep pedaling without any nagging thoughts…
Actually, it’s called glaucoma. I have a friend with it too, and there are treatments to lower eye pressure (just one drop to use every evening).
It’s not too much of a hassle, but you do have to stick with it and get regular check-ups.
Weird that your doctor says it’s from exertion when others say exercise actually lowers pressure.
I had a (serous) retinal detachment over a year ago, along with chorioretinopathy—see here. It was stress-related, with no real physiological cause, but that didn’t stop me from continuing to do sports (cycling and running). I’m still young, though—turning 52 soon. The weird, scary symptoms lasted six months. I went through several scans and an angiogram. For someone who never goes to the doctor, it was a big deal—and not just for my eye.
No doctor told me to stop exercising. They just advised against taking corticosteroids, which works out fine since I wasn’t planning on doing the Tour de France anyway. My ophthalmologist reassured me by saying it’s a "young person’s disease," because my GP suspected early-stage glaucoma, and I was worried about AMD or other "old people’s diseases." ;-)
Anyway, retinal conditions—even detachment—aren’t caused by sports or physical activity. In my case, exercise helps me destress, so it’s actually an effective treatment.
The main issue stems from health-insurance coverage in foreign countries. Typically, insurers have clauses that exclude pre-existing conditions from their policies.
On the other hand, risking a hospital stay or an emergency medical consultation can sometimes be very expensive abroad if you're not covered by adequate insurance. Your savings and financial reserves could melt away faster than expected...
These are, I believe, important financial considerations before any cycling trip abroad. If in doubt, it might be wise to stick to your home country. But if your health and insurance coverage allow it, then the world is yours, no matter your age when you set off!
--
We're 62 and 50 years old, respectively, traveling by tandem, and we're nearing the end of a continuous 2-year journey (31,000 km across the Americas—from Quebec to Calgary, Vancouver, Victoria BC, San Francisco, Ushuaia, Buenos Aires, Iguazu). Currently cycling through Brazil toward Rio, then returning to Quebec at the end of June 2018 (to respect our insurance limitations... max. 2 years covered outside the country!).
For the years ahead, as long as health and enjoyment are there, we plan to continue our cycling trips, spending 6 months per year outside Quebec (our home!). The other 6 winter months in Quebec are reserved for skiing!
In short, all retinal conditions, including detachment, aren’t caused by sports or physical activity. In my case, sports help me de-stress, so it’s actually an effective treatment.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I’d like to be sure that sports can’t be the cause of a detachment issue… but not all doctors seem to agree. Regarding vitreous detachment, an ophthalmologist explained to me that the increase in blood pressure during sports can trigger it. It would’ve happened anyway, but sports just sped up the process a bit…
On the other hand, I read on a forum another specialist’s opinion saying that sports aren’t a triggering factor and that there’s no need to restrict activity after the issue.
I’m 64 and I just finished a one-way trip from Compiègne to Oslo on my old bike (2,550 km). Camping and youth hostels in the cities. Neither the bike nor I had any issues. Icing on the cake: not a single minute of pedaling in the rain!
Blog
2018lanorvege.wordpress.com
I’m not exactly "old" yet, but I’ve just finished a nearly 3-month trip in the Philippines. I’m 68 and had no problems covering the 4,650 km. I cycle fairly regularly when the weather allows and take long-distance trips of three months every year since 2011 (except 2012) to escape winter a bit.
Every year, I find myself wondering more about the question: "How old is too old for cycling trips?" When I find the answer, I’ll post it here (if I’m still able to). For now, everything’s fine, and I’m already looking for a destination for next winter.
For those interested, my 2019 trip to the Philippines is documented day by day, with route tracks (downloadable on Bikemap), a Google map of the route, and photos.
Highlights of the route: Luzon (south of Ninoy Aquino Airport), Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor (via Negros), Negros, Guimaras, Panay, Boracay (just a few hours—no interest for me), Tablas (also called Romblon by Filipinos), Romblon, and Mindoro.
The first 8 km from the airport to the hotel were done by taxi for safety (arrival at night, travel fatigue, and an unfamiliar city). That’s the only part not done by bike.
I was expecting very difficult and dangerous traffic, but I was pleasantly surprised—it’s actually manageable and no worse than other Asian countries or even France (and probably other places I don’t know). Major roads in and around big cities on Luzon are very congested and polluted, but cycling isn’t particularly problematic. On most islands, traffic isn’t very dense and is perfectly bike-friendly. Some roads are even very quiet.
Here’s the link to the trip website. There are plenty of other options, and this probably isn’t a model route, but cyclists considering this destination might find useful info.
To browse all the site pages, click on the horizontal menu (yellow bar under the title). The homepage (accessible by clicking the title or via the "accueil" menu) explains how to navigate.
Hi there, I’ve been following your past trips and really enjoyed them—well done!
Today I’m 74. I traveled by bike until I was 68 (Cambodia, Vietnam, EuroVelo 6, etc.).
I don’t train much anymore, I’m pretty tied up with my volunteer side projects, and I haven’t been going anywhere. It’s a shame, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever hit the road again. I’ll just have to live vicariously through your stories. Have a great evening!
André
Hey there! We’re almost the same age! I still ride without any issues. Love that photo of yours in Silistra—I know the place well since we must’ve taken the same route!!! Mine was back in 2014 (EuroVelo 6). So many memories!
I’ll cite an American cycling friend who lives in Thailand as an example:
he was born in 1945...started traveling by bike in Southeast Asia...at the age of 60...
He’s heavy, around 95 kg, has had both knees operated on, has minor heart issues,...and he still rides a little every day, and takes trips lasting several weeks, even several months, every year...
In 2011, he was covering between 1,500 and 2,000 km/month.
In 2019, he adapted and now rides between 1,000 and 1,500 km/month
with a bike that weighs about 40 kg including luggage.
Now, he avoids mountains and is happy with a maximum of 80 km per day.
He allows himself a bit more comfort and rest.
So, those born after 1945 still have some great years ahead—
but don’t wait too long...
Best,
Patrice
le vrai voyageur n'a pas de plan établi et n'a pas l'intention d'arriver.
LAO TSEU
..seventy-five ... not much stamina left and a skeleton that’s a bit stiff.... But hey, I can still leave the Jura (or Montbrison), usually in France during spring, staying in B&Bs ... and less often with my tent heading to foreign countries (though I’m planning Croatia and Italy soon—
But, much to my embarrassment, with a "little" e-bike assist (4 kg total, no more) for the hills (140 kg to climb, all in, is just a bit too much).
My "travel journals": lethieu39.fr .... Keep riding!
seeing what you're still doing at 75 gives me hope and a bit of time. We're always a little haunted by that question: how long can we keep going?
At the end of last year (2018), we took a beautiful 2.5-month trip through the northern deserts of Argentina, first with three of us, then just two. We were 65, 67, and 72 years old. But we still wonder if we might push it too far with heavy panniers and long climbs:
voyageforum.com/...ost=9245053;#9245053
Hello,
I’m 68 and currently on a journey from San José, Costa Rica to Orlando, Florida.
The secret to staying in great shape? Regular training. I rode 3,000 km in the three months leading up to my departure from San José.
My blog: costaricatousa.canalblog.com
Best to you all.
Hi Michel, I see you’re talking about Montbrison—I live in Montbrison.
Back in 2014, I was supposed to go on a tour of Cuba. I was feeling tired, and after a check-up, I was diagnosed with anemia caused by helicobacter pylori, which took several months to discover.
Now everything’s back to normal, and I’m thinking about the future of my bike trips!
I’ve got too many activities taking up my time, so I need to make some choices.
Have a great day, everyone. André
Enjoy all your bike outings while your health and age still allow it. As for me, I’ve just turned 77, but more importantly, I’ve had a recurrence of a cancer that had left me alone for 10 years and now leaves me without strength. I’m cheering you on in my thoughts to help you keep pedaling.
Cyclo 78 😉
Le vélo et la marche sans faire de compétition, ça maintien la forme
This reply isn’t just for member Sitik, but for all seniors and anyone who feels age might be an issue.
Age has nothing to do with it—what matters is the joy of riding. My post #8 still stands; for example, with Pédalote IV, my recumbent tricycle bought in January 2023, I’ve already covered 32,370 km to date, and I plan to keep going for several more years. The gear isn’t the same anymore—this one has full front and rear suspension, a 250 W mid-drive electric assist motor, and a 25 km/h speed limiter, letting me ride between 150 and 180 km.
You’ve got to know how to pace yourself to keep going.
I got back from Brittany about a dozen days ago, and I’m heading out again in early June—to wherever the wind takes me.
Happy trails to everyone!
Michel.
je fus navigateur navigaterre , je reste navigaterre.
Qu'importe d'où nous venons, car nous pouvons aller beaucoup plus loin que ce dont nous avions révé .
Hi Michel, congrats on your consistency! At a sprightly 71, I’ve just wrapped up a little 7-day trip: 460 km and 6,000 m of elevation gain across the *causses*. Amazing experience with two buddies aged 72 and 73. It went really well, though we cut it short due to some pretty rough weather. Sure, we don’t pedal like we did at 50, and I don’t train much anymore—my fairly active lifestyle kinda replaces that. We could’ve gone farther and longer. Maybe one of the best things about these kinds of rides is swapping stories with old friends who’ve got a lifetime of bike-travel experience, but it’s not *just* that.
Hello everyone,
While reading the latest messages, I realized that there hasn’t been a single post on this topic in six years (apart from the last two). That means we’re all six years older than we were when we last posted. So far, only two participants have checked in and let us know they’re still traveling by bike. I’ll add myself to the list of those who, despite being six years older, are still cycling.
I’m now 74 and just completed a three-month bike trip in India and Sri Lanka this winter, covering about 4,500 kilometers and 20,000 meters of elevation gain. Aside from a few mountain days, the terrain was fairly easy, and I still felt good.
Link to the trip website: https://voyage-velo-inde-et-sri-lanka-2025.e-monsite.com/pages/le-voyage/
Google Maps route: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Wj1_Uj-CBI0rMQkxxb5YO9184rgvi3w&usp=sharing
To this day—and I hope it lasts a few more years—I still enjoy traveling by bike. The difference now is that I try to avoid challenges rather than seek them out, unlike a few years ago when I was still "young."
Happy trails to all, and stay in shape.
Jean Marie
My most recent trip at 70 was last winter in Southeast Asia. This time, I stayed exclusively in Thailand, covering 2,700 km in two months.
I treat every trip as if it might be my last. And then, once I’m back home, I start dreaming all over again 😎. Maybe next late winter, I’ll do a round trip from Bangkok (Thailand) to Kunming (Yunnan, China), passing through northern Laos—where I’ve already cycled—and northern Vietnam, where I’ve never been.
That said, since I travel solo, I find I need to muster more mental energy than I used to. The biggest challenge is still the journey from home to Roissy with my bike box 😉 ...
"""Back in 2014, I was supposed to cycle around Cuba. I felt exhausted, and after seeing a doctor, I was diagnosed with anemia caused by Helicobacter pylori, which took months to uncover.
Today, everything’s back to normal, and I’m thinking about the future of my bike trips."""
Glad your issue’s sorted! Ours (my wife and I) stems from long COVID—chronic fatigue syndrome and exercise intolerance. Long story short, we’ve gone straight from self-sufficient bike-camping (with a little electric assist) to our fourth age, pre-retirement home… Tough when you’re 81 and the urge to travel is still strong. Our last trip was in 2019, well past 75… For those of you who aren’t held back—keep traveling, again and again. Hugs and fair winds to all, oldest first…
Hello
What a question—how old can you keep making love? As long as you can ride, well, cycling’s the same: as long as you can pedal…
I’m turning 80 and I still have bike plans… I’ve switched to an e-bike, and as long as I can push the pedals… keep going, folks!
Don’t overthink it.
Awesome! I’m ten years younger but I definitely plan to follow your lead.
I’ve slowed down on bike trips a bit since I bought a sailboat that takes up a lot of my time, but winter’s still mine—I love it!
Thanks for the inspiration! !
Hello
I can confirm that age is only what we feel in our heads.
I’m nearly 69 and have plenty of plans in mind.
I can assure you there are lots of young people who are much older than we are.
Electric scooters, then electric bikes—they don’t know what it means to push themselves.
Fortunately, not all of them are like that!
For me, cycling is therapy. When something’s wrong (headache, backache), I hop on my bike and everything feels better.
Back in 2002, I was in rehab for two herniated discs that were never operated on.
At the center, a doctor came up to me and said, "Sir, you need to stop cycling."
He annoyed me, so I left for a three-month bike trip from my village all the way to Bamako in Mali.
My back hurt so much that my wife had to help me pack my panniers. At first, I really struggled, but by the time I reached southern France, the pain was completely gone.
My two hernias dried up, and since I stopped breaking my back at work, I haven’t had any more pain.
The brain does amazing things—if you’re in a good place mentally, the rest follows.
Keep going!
Hi Michel, not much to add to what you said.
Sure, we always come up with good reasons not to leave or to stop, and age is one of those reasons.
I wrote a little story about my second-to-last bike ride this summer with two old adventurous friends from the other side of the world, which I titled: *71, 72, 73 Taking on the Grands Causses*. I’ll post it in the travel stories section—I haven’t written anything there in ages.
If you’re tempted by an interview about bike travel, let me know in a private message so I can give you all the details. In this show, the interviewee sets the theme. In fact, for over 7 years now, I’ve been hosting a monthly one-hour radio show on Résonance.fm in the Hautes Vosges called *A Country Through the Eyes of a Cycle-Traveler*. It’s always a wonderful moment of exchange.
Luc
PS: If anyone’s up for trying the interview experience about bike travel, don’t hesitate to contact me. The guests (and there are a lot of women who often travel solo and go very far—or not) always bring amazing stories, no matter their level of cycling experience.
Hi everyone, I’m reviving this post that’s over 10 years old—just like the rest of us—after starting it way back when.
I’m 81 now, still alive and traveling by bike after moving to the Berry region, Argenton-sur-Creuse, and getting back on the road after a break.
- 2023: Planned Berry to Gavarny but stopped in Lourdes
- 2024: Berry to Annemasse
- 2025: No trip—health issues and the heatwave
- 2026: Planning Berry to Brest or Berry to the Black Sea if I can find a group to join.
That’s the update—any of my old conversation partners still around?
"Ne cherche pas à suivre les traces d'un autre, cherche plutôt à savoir ce qu'il cherchait."
Hi everyone, first off, I’m so glad this forum is active again. I stumbled upon it while digging through my spam folder.
I’m 72 and I ride 7,000 to 8,000 km a year, including a roughly 3,000 km summer trip around France and Europe, camping along the way. My bike is over 30 years old and it’s still going strong. No reason to stop, and I hope it stays that way for all of you!
Well done, Catherine—we’re the same age! As long as you’ve still got the desire and your health holds up, everything’s good. Actually, when you do sports, your health often follows. Mind and body are one. Sure, we’ve got a bit more trouble with arthritis lurking for all of us. An adjustment—like raising the hand position on your handlebars one way or another—really eases the strain on your neck vertebrae.
In another sport I do, I see some dedicated climbers who, past 80, are still tackling big walls on lead and at high difficulty levels. Climbing demands more regular training than biking because it engages an unbelievable number of muscles. After all, on a bike you’ll always manage your 30–40 km a day, and with steady practice, the kilometers add up fast. With climbing, if you don’t have the minimum training, things go a lot worse because you’re moving in a vertical world.
At the end of the day, you just have to keep loving life, connecting with nature, and maybe keep loving that "little" bit of suffering.
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Bonjour,
Je prévois de faire la partie hollandaise de l'Eurovélo 19, de Maastricht à Rotterdam.
Comme c'est trop compliqué d'amener mon vélo en train, je cherche à louer un vélo sur place.
Je suis preneuse de conseils ou d'adresses de loueurs de vélos, j'ai du mal à en trouver même à Rotterdam.
L'idée serait de le louer à Rotterdam, de partir avec en train jusqu'à Maastricht, pour faire Maastricht/Rotterdam à vélo
Merci d'avance pour vos conseils ou suggestions.
Nath
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
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’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?
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.
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?
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
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
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
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.
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
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!
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?
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!
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...
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!
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!
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
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
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.
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?
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!
