On our end, we're heading out this summer to cross a big chunk of the Carpathians! We plan to take the train to Kraków and from there, hop on our bikes to reach Bucharest in Romania. We'll pass through Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania. Then, depending on the mountain ranges we encounter, we'll do a few multi-day hiking loops. So the goal is: travel light!!! We did a first test last weekend for 4 days: at most 10kg of luggage each (including food), which was really nice...
This is our first trip like this, a huge desire for discovery... a dream coming true 🙂!
Hi there!
For us, it’ll be Norway in July—from Stavanger to Bergen along the North Sea cycle route, then a tour of the fjords... on a tandem!!!
20 years old, (very) little tandem travel experience, no physical fitness for the one in the back 😉, wild camping, a "we’ll see how it goes" kind of prep, a second-hand tandem we fixed up, a student budget... and a crazy desire to pedal!!!!!!!!!
To get some fresh air, move around, meet people, and enjoy the Norwegian nature and locals! 🙂
Your posts make us want to keep going on these amazing bike trips—hopefully, this is just the beginning!
Advice for tandem riders passing through—let’s swap stories and tips!
Hi there! For me, a plan to accompany friends from Kyrgyzstan to the Chinese border—they were heading to India for several months—but it fell through. I have to stay in France during the planned dates... *sigh*. So now, I’m thinking of continuing my Alpine crossing: after Menton to Annecy, I’d like to go on to Bergamo and then Trieste. Looking for cycling buddies available in July or September...
woili!
Menton to Annecy is already done... I'm continuing from my place in Annecy towards Trieste... Are you from La Colmiane???
I know the area for paragliding and for actually having crossed the Alps by bike... And also on foot via the GR5 and variants!
See you soon
bb
my Loire à Vélo project (Sancerre to Saint-Brevin) for 2 weeks of cycle camping, leaving July 12th. It’s my first multi-day trip and I’ve finally found someone to come with me—I didn’t dare go alone. If all goes well, I think there’ll be more trips after this one!
My plan for 3 weeks in August: cycling from Grenoble to the Mediterranean Sea, heading toward Marseille-Toulon in 3-4 days, enjoying the sea a little, then heading back to complete the loop.
I don’t know exactly which route I’ll take yet, or where I’ll sleep (wild camping is the plan), but I know I’m going =D My first bike trek (I’m 21).
I’m supposed to leave with my girlfriend, but for her, vacation means "rest"... We’ll have plenty of time for this during retirement!
I can’t wait to get away and discover the landscapes along the way
2010 : Grenoble -> Lyon -> Montpellier à vélo
2011 : Grenoble -> Strasbourg en trike
2012 : Grenoble -> Royan (côte Atlantique) en trike et en groupe (avec des cyclos)
2013 : Grenoble -> Laguiole en vélo de route et en groupe (avec des cyclos)
me and a buddy are planning a pretty big trip that should last over a year. we’ll start in France and hit: Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, then back to France. after that, we’ll fly to Canada and wrap up with the US.
About the trip I mentioned in a previous post, I’d like to get some info on the paperwork needed to enter these different countries, especially for Canada and the United States, since the others are part of the European Union and shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
Hello again!
Our blog is finally ready! Here's the address: http://carpatesavelo.unblog.fr
We’re leaving from Bratislava (which we’re reaching by car) since we couldn’t find any train tickets.... We’re heading out this afternoon and should start biking in about a week!
Have a great summer, everyone!
Hello everyone!
On our end, we’re heading out this summer to cross a big chunk of the Carpathians! We plan to take the train to Kraków and from there, hop on our bikes to reach Bucharest in Romania. We’ll be passing through Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Romania. Then, depending on the mountain ranges we come across, we’ll do a few multi-day hiking loops. So the goal is to travel light!!! We did a first test last weekend for 4 days: at most 10kg of luggage each (including food), which was really nice....
This is our first trip like this—a big desire for discovery... a dream coming true 🙂!
In January–February 2011, we’ll be pedaling from Thailand toward Cambodia, maybe taking a detour through Laos and the Mekong Delta in Vietnam (delayed a year due to a bad fall). If you're interested, we’ll share some practical tips.
Safe travels, PILAN.
This year, the Loire by bike; in the future, I’d love to do the Camino de Santiago by bike. Has anyone here done it? It’s definitely a classic. I’d start from Bourges. When I read about all your plans, I dream of doing more biking—it’s my escape. So, traveling the world like some of you do is the ultimate freedom. To everyone: good luck and happy travels! 😎
Good evening,
I’m new to the forum, but after reading all of you, I wanted to share my bike trip plans for this summer.
Just to give you some context, my first trip was last year. I left on a bit of a whim—I decided just 3 weeks before departure, just enough time to buy the necessary gear and clear my head a bit—and ended up with 1,500 km under my belt over 16 days.
So, this year, I’m at it again. Yep, I caught the bug. And yet, I haven’t been back on a bike much (if at all) in the past year.
Here’s the plan: I’ll leave from the Vosges by train in early August, heading to Biarritz. The only thing that’s making me a little nervous is that the train route goes through Paris, and I’ll have to bike from Gare de l’Est to Gare Montparnasse. But hey, it should be doable… and I’ve got 2 hours to make the connection.
After that, I’ll arrive in Biarritz to start my journey back to the Vosges. My route will roughly follow the Atlantic coast up to Nantes, then head east along the Loire to Orléans. After that, I’m not entirely sure… Either I’ll head toward Fontainebleau to follow the Seine and then go toward Lac du Der in Saint-Dizier (that’s what I did last year), or maybe someone has a route suggestion to finish near Vittel. So, somewhere between 1,500 and 2,000 km over 3 weeks of vacation.
Okay, I’m not going to the other side of the world like some of the trips I’ve read about here—which, by the way, make me dream—but for a second trip, it’s already pretty great.
Happy travels to everyone, and if anyone has tips for the Orléans–Vittel leg…
Hey, I did part of the Camino de Santiago by bike. I set off with my luggage from Le Puits Enlevay all the way to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I didn’t always follow the route, but I really enjoyed it. Though there are some tough mountains in the Massif Central.
On the other hand, the most beautiful ride of my life was cycling through the Gorges du Tarn.
Hi,
welcome to the club of people who love traveling by bike!
If you ever get the chance to pass through Burgundy, it’s really great.
This fall, I’m heading to Alsace—still by bike.
I haven’t done the Loire yet, but I’ve heard it’s very flat, so no problem for biking.
If you need any info: caronl@videotron.ca
Who are you? Where are you from? Where are you going?
Like last year at this time, a post about bike travel ideas.
How many of us are preparing a trip planned for this year? Probably a lot.
What’s yours that’s been making you eager for so long, maybe too long? For us, it’s modestly PARIS-MARATHON by bike, and right after, MARATHON-ATHENES on foot, in June 2010. And you?
May the passion keep growing before, during, and after! Good prep and fair winds to everyone.
For me, it’s Saint-Quentin (Aisne 02 / Picardy) to Warsaw (Poland).
Departure: Tomorrow, Saturday, July 10 at 7 a.m...
Safe travels to everyone!!!!
Laurent
"Ils ne savaient pas que c'était impossible alors ils l'ont fait" - Mark Twain
hi
I came across your address while searching for something about biking in the Cape Verde islands... life goes on!
You wanted Mongolia—here you go:
My better half and I spent 6 weeks mountain biking in western Mongolia, between Ulangom and Ulgii, then in Altai Tavan Bogd Park and the surrounding areas. It was wintry at first (snow, cold, rain), scorching afterward, with lots of very dry zones in the north and many deep fords further south (big late winter from October 2009 to April 2010), storms, wind, sun, rain—typical Mongolian weather, really.
You can see why Mongolians sometimes come off as a bit, how should I put it, *rustic*!
A few admin bits to mention for anyone planning a self-supported tour (visa extensions, border permits...), plus a vibe that’s pretty money-focused in some areas. Mass tourism is starting to creep in there like everywhere else—lots to say about the behavior of some travel agencies or accommodations, even those hyped up by the indispensable Lonely Planet and promoted by the biggest tour operators. I’ve got names, but nobody’s perfect.
There was beauty, vastness, tranquility, stunning mountains, late-season transhumance, dreamy bivouacs, noodles—*so many noodles*—friendly Kazakhs and Mongolians, and others less so (or worse). Just normal life.
Our trusty, oft-repaired Decathlon 520s proved loyal once again: the only hiccup was losing a rack bolt. Not a single flat tire, all packed up by Aeroflot—disassembled, boxed, no extra fee (20 kg in the hold and 10 kg as carry-on, we packed *very* tight).
I’ll post stuff online when I get around to it.
DM me if you need info
I’m heading out at the end of the month for 3½ weeks of bike-camping in Alaska.
I’ve been seriously prepping this trip for about two months now. My provisional route is Anchorage–Denali NP–Fairbanks, then I’ll head back down to Cantwell, take the Denali Highway to Paxson–Glennallen, then Wrangell NP–Valdez. After that, we’ll see how much time is left…
Steve
C’est l’histoire d’un homme qui tombe d’un immeuble de cinquante étages.
Le mec au fur et à mesure de sa chute, il se répète sans cesse pour se rassurer : “jusqu’ici tout va bien, jusqu’ici tout va bien, jusqu’ici tout va bien”.
Mais l’important c’est pas la chute, c’est l’atterrissage..
hi everyone, I’m planning to leave from ST Brevin next week, either Tuesday or Wednesday, to cycle along the Loire, the Doubs, and then the Danube all the way to the Black Sea if I can make it;
all your tips are welcome—I’ve got my bike and pretty much all the gear;
the only downside is I sprained my wrist last Wednesday, and it’s on the mend, which is why I’ve pushed my departure back by a few days;
looking forward to your advice, and I hope to meet some of you on the road!
Like Coulonneux42, a few gremlins and unforeseen issues have delayed my departure... I’d planned to leave on August 1st for 4 weeks, cycling from Bordeaux to Brittany along the coast, then doing a big loop of Brittany—up, down, port side, starboard, dancing a Scottish reel with the korrigans in the Monts d'Arrée, and falling under the spell of the fairies in Brocéliande...
Now looking at leaving late August / early September.
hi everyone,
we’re back from our trip across Sweden with our 3.5-year-old son in a Gobug TREK trailer: an amazing bike destination. We covered 605 km in 15 days, including 3 rest days.
Departure from Skavsta (Ryanair airport 100 km from STK): bike transport with Ryanair was smooth, perfect.
Heading to the Gotha Canal,
Then Motala, Vadstena, Gränna along Lake Vättern,
Then Eksjö (really nice),
Huntsfred,
Oskarshamn,
Öland Island,
and back to Kalmar.
We rented a station wagon to fit all our gear and drive back to Stockholm.
Coasts, lakes, forests, the Baltic Sea, islands: Sweden from one end to the other. A change of scenery, not too crowded, a great nature trip.
A great destination for the whole family.
Some stages were pretty tough, like 74 km with a lot of climbing (it’s harder when you’re loaded down).
We’re thinking about our next destination and a follow-along bike solution for our son, who’ll be harder to tow next year!
Hi there, I'm Arnaud. That’s quite an amazing loop you’ve embarked on! Maybe our paths will cross. Hope everything’s going well for you. I’m planning to leave in March 2011. My route goes from Caen (English Channel) to Tehran.
Here’s my website: http://larouedalphonse.fr
See you soon. Arnaud
hi fellow cyclists,
I did 15 days in 2008 between Les Vans (Ardèche), the Causse Méjean, the Jonte Valley, the Tarn Valley, Mont Lozère, and back—it’s stunning and really exotic too.
good luck with your ride!
Dalut, this was the trip I originally wanted to do, but I changed my mind since it’s really sketchy in those Afghan and Pakistani areas. I’d love to hear about your route. Chitral, I’m guessing, then the Karakoram Highway?? I switched my plan to Caen–Tehran, with a departure set for March 2011. I’ll be thinking of you! But I’ll be in Istanbul two months later, I think. Here’s my site: http://larouedalphonse.fr
See you around!
So, my first bike trip is done: Grenoble to Copenhagen in June. 2,500 km through France (following the canals), then Belgium, the Netherlands (gorgeous except for the north), Germany (with a short train ride to avoid Hamburg), and finally amazing Copenhagen.
I really wanted to keep going all the way to the North Cape... Maybe next time... 😉
My next project? Uhhh ... A tour of Europe! But I don't have the money!
Can you do a Europe tour that goes through Greece, Moscow, and covers Sweden-Norway with 6000 € in your pocket?
Of course!! It all depends on how you approach it—I did a little Europe tour with 20 € a day for 42 days. And I could’ve spent even less if I didn’t eat so much and drink so much beer!
I’m aiming for the American West in spring 2011 (San Francisco-L.A.-Salt Lake City). But like Harptallica, I need to find some cash! Though less than him—6,000 € would be more than enough for me to do a coast-to-coast 😉!
Well, my first bike trip is done: Grenoble to Copenhagen in June. 2,500 km through France (following the canals), then Belgium, the Netherlands (gorgeous except for the north), Germany (with a short train ride to avoid Hamburg), and finally amazing Copenhagen.
I really wanted to keep going all the way to Nordkapp... Maybe next time...😉
Kudos on this lovely loop—Copenhagen is just gorgeous with all those bikes... and those pretty girls... it gets the wheels turning, and the head too! *Shhh.* Arnaud
Great idea for this thread about your prep! ??
Some of you are going far or taking advantage of getting fired 😎 to escape, I quit—I know, I’m a small player, but I don’t have the patience to wait to get fired... 😛
I’m aiming for Santiago de Villeurbanne on my own this October 2010, then if my ride lives up to my expectations, northern to southern Portugal, and after that, who knows—Morocco on the way back or up Spain’s east coast? Unless from Santiago I cross Spain toward Catalonia to lounge for a month before heading back to Villeurbanne. It all depends on my mule’s mood 😄
The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear
(William Lovett)
I read your travel journal. Congrats on the trip and the write-up! Some of the same stops let me revisit cities and landscapes—I almost felt the saddle soreness!!!😛
to stick with the theme of this discussion, here’s the project that’s taking me away in a few days and for some time: Par Monts et Par Vaux (Through Mountains and Valleys).
The idea is to set off on a long journey after a few great years in specialized education, for a beautiful trek around our blue planet.
Mountains and people are at the heart of the adventure: exploring mountain ranges here and there, by bike and on foot, meeting, exchanging, and sharing.
I’m leaving on October 23/24, 2010. My banker is kind (though she’s not Santa’s mom, but hey ;-)) and is giving me two years of freedom—I think I’ll disobey her, time will tell... :-)
In short, I’m excited and scared, confident yet full of doubts... but the anxiety of departure matches the scale of my hopes and desires.
First, heading south to the Maghreb, then the Middle East, followed by the Caucasus region before venturing into Central Asia via the Himalayan arc, then on to Southeast Asia—and we’ll see what comes next...
If you’re curious to learn more about this experience... or even ride together for a while somewhere along the way, who knows?
Hey everyone, I’m also prepping for a big bike trip that’ll first take me around Europe, passing through Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Belgium. Once in Belgium, I’ll take a little ferry to England, then hop back on my bike and head to Southampton—the port where the Titanic set sail before sinking. From there, I’ll fly to Canada, get back on my bike to reach the United States, and then make my way home. Lucky for me, I’ve been road cycling competitively in a club, so physically, I don’t think I’ll have too many issues.
This is the second time I’ve posted about this topic, but my excitement for this trip is so huge that the wait feels even more unbearable. 🙁🙂
Of course!! It all depends on how you approach it—I did a little Europe tour with 20 € a day for 42 days. And I could’ve spent even less if I didn’t eat so much and drink so much beer!
There are so many heroes in this discussion, I swear!
Quitting your job to travel, spending 20 € a day...
How do you all do it?
I guess there’s a lot of learning involved, the path of a journey, which I’ve only just started on myself.
Combien sommes-nous à préparer notre projet prévu dans l'année? Nombreux sans doute. Quel est le vôtre qui vous fait crever d'impatience depuis bien longtemps,…
Je me permets d'ouvrir un sujet après avoir glaner pas mal d'infos sur le forum ou sur la toile en générale (petite pensée au "braquet de la liberté") pour…
Je prévois de partir pour un long tour à vélo (sans itinéraire précis, au grès des envies et des rencontres) d'ici le mois prochain. Mon équipement est presque…
J'ai récemment été en Angleterre et j'ai eu l'occasion de croiser plusieurs cyclistes sur des vélos de la marque Rouxbikes. À première vue, ils sont vraiment…
I just took a trip in Tunisia from Tozeur to Douz, skirting Chott el Jerid to the south. I’m back with the urge to keep going further south via the 4x4 tracks to connect Douz to Ksar Ghilane. Has anyone driven this route recently or explored southern Tunisia?
Thanks for your tips!
fix
😎Fellow traveling cyclists or not, all of you who love travel, the pleasure of physical effort, nature, beautiful machines, people with true passions they seek to fulfill, and who also enjoy reading great literature about all this—the *200* magazine is for you just as it is for me. I should mention I have no financial or other interest in this (in an era where we accuse our politicians of all sorts of vile interests, I prefer to take precautions). I’ve been subscribed since the beginning, and every three months, I get my 130 pages of dreams (the magazine just went from 110 to 130 pages).
It covers everything from the trans-America route to the TCR (Trans Continental Race) from Belgium to a small town in Turkey, with mind-blowing averages—4,000 km and 80,000 m of elevation gain in 8 days and 15 hours for the winner. Let that sink in, and all of it without assistance—accepting a patch could penalize you. There’s also a story about crossing Iran, encountering one of the world’s most welcoming populations, following in the footsteps of Nicolas Bouvier, as well as retirees leisurely traversing France. The common thread in all these stories? Beautiful writing. Take, for example, a stunning article: *"Passengers of the Cold: From Edinburgh to Thurso, at the very north of Scotland, 550 km of moors, coasts, and icy wind. In Thurso, the road ends at a quay, facing the Orkney Islands. We wanted a November trip, off-season. We wanted to surprise winter. Just before the snow."* A sublime piece on the experience of facing adversity and the chance encounters along the road and in the elements.
Before I embarked on my own bike trips, I dreamed a lot about them—from the Atacama to the Gobi, along the Mekong, and not forgetting France. And now, these 130 pages every quarter keep those dreamy vibes alive through stories written in the most beautiful prose.
I’ll stop here because it might sound like I’m advertising, but if you don’t know *200*, I invite you to discover it. It’ll give you wings for the most incredible challenges or simply reinforce your desire for slow rides with your eyes open to others and nature.
A little news to wrap up: Axel Carion and a friend just broke the record for crossing South America from Colombia to Ushuaia in 59 days. On its own, that doesn’t mean much, but I can’t help it—it makes me dream. You should see how he talks about it, the flashes of that wild nature he’s stored away: a snowstorm at Paso Jama and the surreal sight of the suddenly snow-covered Licancabur!
Luc
PS: The magazine is called *200* because a day’s ride starts at 200 km—well, I’ve never done a ride like that since my longest was 167 km (with 18 kg of luggage, mind you), but why not one day? The magazine will explain how to tackle your first 200, and then the question in conclusion: when will you do your first 300?😏
Looking for a female travel companion for a cycling trip (arriving by plane in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and cycling toward Montevideo, Uruguay, returning by plane to France from Buenos Aires, Argentina) – 1,500 km
Hello everyone!
I’m planning a cycling trip across Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with a departure set for late October, November, or December. I’m looking for a travel companion to share this long-distance adventure with.
Experience:
I already have solid experience in bicycle touring in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Currently, I maintain excellent physical condition by cycling an average of 250 km over 3 days per week (4 hours a day at 20 km/h).
The trip & the pace:
Daily pace: Between 50 and 80 km per day, to make steady progress while taking time to explore.
Accommodation: Flexible and authentic. We’ll alternate between wild camping, campsites, Warmshowers, small guesthouses, and budget hotels depending on opportunities and the weather.
Looking forward to reading your message and planning this amazing journey together!
I’ve got my flight ticket sorted—departing in mid-November and returning in mid-March. I’ll arrive in Santiago and leave from Buenos Aires.
I’ve already been to southern Argentina, specifically Torres del Paine National Park, and I’d love to go back to do the full W trek (I only did the shorter version last time).
I also want to do some hiking and maybe even tackle a summit. I climb and occasionally do some mountaineering, so I’ll definitely be going with a guide.
I plan to start around Temuco in Chile, with the idea of heading toward the lakes, then taking the Carretera Austral.
I’m not sure if I’ll go all the way to Ushuaia—it’s supposed to not be *that* worth it, except for the bragging rights of saying you’ve been to the end of the world.
I saw there are lakes in Argentina too.
I don’t have a precise itinerary, but what I’d love is, once I reach the southernmost point of my trip, to take a mini-cruise to see some wildlife. Any tips for that?
What kind of sleeping bag did you take? Is a 0°C (32°F) one enough?
And one last question: white gas stove or can I get by with my gas stove?
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed
story being posted online soon
1100 km in 11 days
beautiful and varied regions
Hello,
We’d like to go on a 3- to 4-month bike trip starting in December, crossing from Assam (northeast India) to New Delhi via Nepal.
Are there routes with light traffic along the Brahmaputra and through Nepal?
We’re also looking for any info on accommodations, wild camping, local interactions, etc.
Thanks,
Michel
Hello,
Has anyone here had experience using a gas stove in Sardinia and Sicily? I’m wondering if screw-on gas canisters (not the blue Campingaz ones, but brands like Coleman, Primus, etc.) are easy to find.
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August!
Virginie
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
After testing it for three years across various modes of transport, I’m sharing this video of a bike packing case. It’s made from recycled cardboard and shrink-wrapped, with adjustable thickness and added bubble wrap depending on the level of protection you want.
Installing spacers at the fork and chainstays makes the packaging compact. With the fifteen-odd euros for shrink-wrapping at the airport, this case travels really well.
https://youtu.be/_GDJi-GqmkM
- Low bulk (1.10m x 0.70m x 0.25m for a large frame), it fits vertically in train luggage compartments and the total dimensions (x+y+z) don’t exceed 2.40m.
- Two carrying solutions for public transport and easy handling by airport staff (no more tears in the cardboard from openings).
- Discreet packaging when dealing with bus drivers and train conductors, as it looks like an ordinary parcel.
- No need to return to the starting point to retrieve the case from your outbound trip, which you’d otherwise have to store somewhere, or deal with a bulky cover to pack in your panniers.
- You can still check tire pressure through the plastic film without damaging the packaging too much.
Drawbacks: Around 3 hours for this lengthy and meticulous process—removing the wheels, pedals, handlebars, and derailleur without misaligning them, then securing all components to the frame.
If you get a chance to test it, send me your feedback for future improvements.
Hi there, I’m planning a cross-Canada bike trip, and I’ve got a question that might seem silly, but could someone tell me how to pack a bike (in a box, with a fragile sticker... I don’t know) for a flight? Thanks in advance!
This summer, we’re planning to cycle along the EV 19 that follows the Meuse River from Langres all the way to Rotterdam.
My question is about getting back to Nantes.
Do any of you know what the best return option might be? I’d love to hear about your experiences.
I saw that FlixBus doesn’t take bikes.
By train, I think it’s possible but would involve multiple local trains.
We were also wondering if there’s a boat from Rotterdam to Saint-Nazaire that could take passengers with bikes.
Any tips or experiences you can share would be really helpful—thanks in advance!
Have a great evening
I’ve gotten used to crossing Europe by bus to return by bike.
It was really convenient to take the bike without having to disassemble it.
But FlixBus no longer accepts bikes...
What alternatives do you know about?
Thanks.
Hi there,
I’m planning to ride the Dutch section of the EuroVelo 19, from Maastricht to Rotterdam.
Since it’s too complicated to bring my bike on the train, I’m looking to rent one locally.
I’d love any tips or bike rental shop recommendations—I’m struggling to find options even in Rotterdam.
The plan is to rent in Rotterdam, take the train to Maastricht with the bike, then cycle back to Rotterdam.
Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions!
Nath
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?
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.
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!
