For me, it's either Lille to Bayonne along the coast or maybe Bordeaux to Santiago de Compostela. It all depends on whether someone's coming with me...
Ha! I see there’s at least one person following along 😮
Of course, for the Charentaise slippers, the gray knee-high socks, the leather-and-canvas panniers, the Canadian tent, the "vermeil" credit card, Jean Ferrat’s cassette tapes (the mustachioed one), the hearing-aid maintenance kit… Oops, I’d better stop there—I’m gonna get roasted!!! 🏴☠️🏴☠️🏴☠️
In early April, I’m setting off (for 10 days) from Le Havre to Luxembourg, passing through Belgium where I’ll pick up Adrien22 (we met by chance on the Croatian roads back in 2007 while he was heading to Turkey with his young and charming wife). We’ll tour Luxembourg as a warm-up for a trip in June. Then, I’ll take the train back from Metz to Le Havre.
From early June to early July:
train to Zurich. I’ll start cycling solo toward Innsbruck, where Adrien22 will join me (in a car—surprise!).
We’ll head together toward Ljubljana, passing by the Grossglockner and Triglav National Park.
In Ljubljana, Olivier (Adrien22) will ditch me like an old sock to return to his sweetheart’s arms.
I’ll continue to Nova Gorica, then pedal to Lausanne via Italy. For the Italian leg, I haven’t finalized the route yet—I’ll decide on the spot.
Ibarra, Ecuador, March 3, 2011,
Hi everyone,
My project is underway, but I won’t make it all the way to Ushuaia in the time I have left, so there’ll be a future project—just not sure when for South America. Plus, I *really* want to go back to Colombia and Mexico—those two countries totally won me over. A Colombian friend from Medellín offered me a bike tour around Colombia: amazing, I’m in as soon as I can! But it’s steep and long climbs, luckily there’s *panela* (pure cane sugar juice extract) to keep you going 🙂😛
Safe travels, everyone.
Hey Miloc, have a great trip!!!
I’m leaving in early May to cycle from my place to Nantes along the Loire, then heading back up toward Rennes, Rouen, Dunkirk, and with a Breton friend, we’ll ride down to Perpignan via the Méridienne verte before heading back up into the Forez.
A nice little adventure—I hope it goes well! Looking ahead to 2012, maybe a cross-Canada trip before I get too old ;);)
Have a good day
Hey Coulonneux.....before getting old!!!!!!! For my entry into my seventies, Carcassonne to the North Cape and back, leaving in early May.
Cool (coul), 4 or 5 months of adventures, mishaps, encounters, beauty, and all the little daily joys of a bike trip. If the old age stays tucked away in the panniers, what a burst of youth !😉.
Safe travels.
Hey Maxou11, I see you're young too, and travel really shapes the youth—especially by bike!!!
I’d love to do the North Cape one of these days, 2011 or 2012? It’s my dream to go back to Norway 50 years later because I made it to Trondheim in 1962!!! Hitchhiking, I was *really* young back then;
have a great day, and by the way, I also passed through Carcassonne in 1989—those hills are tough!!!
See you
Everyone’s all over the place—you can tell winter was long and we’ve all been itching to get going.
Come on, give it a little push! Lausanne is only a day’s ride from Mijoux, so come join us for the Eurovélogex! 🙂
Hey everyone.
Well, ours is super tiny 😊. Just a month of vacation to get away, so... we dream about it all year, save up, and then... 😇
This year, it's Burgundy with the whole crew—two years by wagon, seven by bike, a cast-iron pan for fries, diapers, and the "hostel under a thousand stars"... phew, we can't wait.
But all the amazing trips we read about on this forum really help—"humans are beings of desire, not need." Norway, Finland, the Camino de Santiago, a Europe tour... Bring on the layoffs and severance pay!
Hi!
I’ll know my departure date this week since a friend is coming with me, normally.
My route is still a bit unclear for now, but first from Saint-Quentin to Besançon, then heading down to Montélimar. Depending on how much time we take, either down to Marseille or straight to Toulouse.
Then back up via Bordeaux and Brittany, followed by Le Mans, Rouen, Amiens, and Saint-Quentin...
But for now, it’s just a rough plan. I’m leaving for 5 weeks if all goes well.
I practice in my area—if you’re from Lille, we could meet up and do a little bivouac halfway between us! ;)
Just a little cycling adventure in Sardinia....
By the way, if you have any tips or info about biking around Sardinia.
I'm going solo this time, all by myself!
Caro
"Le voyage est un retour vers l'essentiel." (proverbe tibétain)
Here’s the link to the travel journal my teammate wrote about our cycling tour of Corsica and Sardinia in May 2010. We didn’t go south. I have amazing memories of a village on the east coast—Ambatax, I think—and a campsite in the far north facing the Santa Madalena islands. We also climbed the highest peak. Happy travels! Jean
http://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=2667270;#2667270
For me, this is the perfect way to wrap up my backpacking journey. After 16 months of traveling between Australia and Asia, I’ve decided to bike part of the way back. I’m leaving from Istanbul to reach Annecy—I’m aiming to cover it all in about a month...
Cheers! 🙂
«La vie, c’est comme une bicyclette, il faut avancer pour ne pas perdre l’équilibre.»
Albert Einstein
hi everyone
for me, it’ll be crossing the Vercors, Chartreuse, and Bauges around July 14th for about 3 days—just to warm up before summer vacation.
I’ll probably go in August, planning for around 10 days. It’s not much, but I don’t have more vacation time :(
I’m thinking of starting from Bourgoin-Jallieu, passing through Haute-Savoie and Savoie, then heading down to the Southern Alps before looping back through the Vercors to return. The goal is to hit as many mountain passes as I did last year.
Just a heads-up, wild camping in Sardinia isn’t super easy.
Access points are often blocked by big gates locked with padlocks.
I did my bike tour in FEBRUARY.
for me, it'll be Switzerland/Germany/Austria/Italy. I haven't studied the route in depth yet, but it'll need to fit into 15 days, probably in August, with my bike and trailer.
Quick stop in Briançon!!😇 So you’ll be crossing the Lautaret pass 😛?
Beautiful area—you’re gonna love it, the scenery is amazing.
Safe travels!
As for me, I’m heading to the Costa Brava from Roses for a week, just to get started. Then Lozère a bit later.
Costa Brava end of March
Lozère mid-April
BERNARD "Aucun conseil n'est plus loyal que celui qui se donne sur le navire en péril.
Voiture : Invention ingénieuse, permettant de contenir 110 chevaux dans le moteur et un âne au volant.
I’d also like to do a little bike tour in Bavaria, but for this year, I’m driving from the Var to Oberammergau by car first, then switching to bike.
Any suggestions for scenic rides once I’m there?
It all depends on where you're arriving! Based on the map, I think it's Grenoble!! If that's the case, you won't have to climb the Galibier but the Lautaret 😄;; from the tough side (the longest and steepest), but if you're not in a hurry, it's really beautiful.
Just in case, I'm from Briançon!! I'll send you my number in a private message.
have a good evening
BERNARD "Aucun conseil n'est plus loyal que celui qui se donne sur le navire en péril.
Voiture : Invention ingénieuse, permettant de contenir 110 chevaux dans le moteur et un âne au volant.
😎 hey there! I saw your route—Mont Galibier 😛 is gorgeous but it’s gonna take a lot of effort, well done!
Here’s Lac de Serre-Ponçon attached.
You’re going through Risoul!!! You love the mountain passes, huh? lol
BERNARD "Aucun conseil n'est plus loyal que celui qui se donne sur le navire en péril.
Voiture : Invention ingénieuse, permettant de contenir 110 chevaux dans le moteur et un âne au volant.
hi
in my opinion, nothing beats a project that's free of any commitments—just a personal philosophy thing.
anyway, I’d avoid Belarus—it’s a hotspot for administrative hassles. Not necessarily serious, but often a real pain.
happy planning,
ciao
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a sponsor search around here 😉
If you ask me, this isn’t the right place to ask for money 😉
I took a quick look at your site—when I see stuff like: polar fleece 2x239 € 🏴☠️
With that, I could buy four polar fleeces myself.
The best way to fund your trip is to work or go for less "bling bling" gear.
Anyway, just my two cents—I don’t really care, I hope you find what you’re looking for.
The journey to Moscow was the first part of my ordinary 2007 adventure (info online). For you, there’s one key point to check: the length of your stay in Russia and getting a long-term, multiple-entry visa!!
Minsk and Smolensk are two cities you shouldn’t miss (especially the first one). Following in Napoleon’s footsteps, Moscow isn’t far but the access is impressive. By bike, the entry is dangerous—it’s doable since I did it myself, but I can’t recommend it due to the risks involved.
Have a great trip in an unforgettable world filled with endearing characters.
PS: The last city, Bela (the name escapes me, even though I know someone there), deserves an extended stop—the locals are incredibly warm.
I saw you're leaving in December and heading straight east—aren’t you worried about facing some seriously harsh weather right at the start of your trip? It can be really tough psychologically, especially in the far east in December...
It’s a really nice project, and I agree with the comment above about the budget. I think you could cut costs significantly by playing with the seasons and regions and maybe heading in the opposite direction, for example...
Hi,
You're right—the weather will be really harsh starting in the east, and we think that’ll be the toughest part of the trip. The constraint is arriving in Mongolia in summer, but it might be possible to go the other way around. We’re considering it because it could also help with the Russian visas.
We’re not sure yet because the prevailing winds in Russia go from east to west—something to think about.
For the budget, we’ve planned as generously as possible to avoid any last-minute surprises. As they say, better to have too much than not enough.
hi there
my old MBK and I are taking a little spring ride between Vans and Marvejols round-trip from March 20th to 30th, through small roads and trails in Lozère and Margeride, just to clear our heads—bike camping (wild or not), if it doesn’t rain too much.
The weather’ll be chilly, the mountains rugged, as usual around here.
If anyone’s got honest suggestions for a place to stay, a cozy gastronomic-philosophical evening by the fire, or anything else within good taste, I won’t charge for the trip...
ciao
I’m totally going off-topic, please forgive me, but I also own an old MBK (Rock Fighter) from 1990. I use it for my bike commute and I’m thinking of upgrading it to go a bit further...
Could you tell me about yours and what you think of it?
Thanks in advance, cheers,
Le Ziquet
Hey there,
poor little cycling fisherman, you're fully forgiven.
"Re-cycling"—bad puns and all—has always appealed to me.
My old MBK is named "Baroudeur" (Adventurer), and I didn’t make that up—I’ve lived up to it.
Even as a kid, I dreamed of being a garbage collector when I saw the trash truck pass by on my street.
Ended up a doctor, so life does have meaning... not always the right one, but let’s move on.
My 1995 MBK has undergone some radical modifications.
All that’s original:
Me, the pedaler; the handlebars; the fork (though not the bearings); the frame. That’s it.
Everything else has been swapped out as needed: V-brakes (way more functional), the whole drivetrain replaced multiple times (cheap, easy, and effective), the wheels, etc.
The racks are steel from the local bike shop, tweaked as needed (cutting, welding, etc.).
Basically, I’ve got a custom-built bike on demand for under 200 € and a bit of elbow grease at every major overhaul.
This whole mess holds up for 5,000 km each time—plenty of breathing room (three times in fifteen years, case closed).
I haul up to 35 kg of gear, including a tent, and it holds strong.
And we have fun!
Yes, you totally answered my question—it really put my mind at ease,
because I see that our good old Motobécane (MBK) bikes are still relevant today.
So I’ll pamper mine; I’m almost in love with it (hoping my wife
doesn’t make a scene over it).
My ride’s name is Pomponette—very fitting for someone from the Var region.
Cheers,
Le Ziquet
Hey there!
No matter the vessel, as long as we get... the aroma, the taste, the thrill, the intoxication—let’s go big or go home!
It’s clear that with my trusty old steed, pretty basic but well-prepped, tested time and again over the past twenty-odd years in all sorts of scenarios, I’ve had some truly amazing moments—whether close to home or far away, from three hours to three months, in heat, cold, dry or wet conditions...
It’s clear that prepping your gear—your bike, but not just that—takes on a whole new meaning when you’re 100 or 200 km from the nearest sign of civilization, in some godforsaken corner of the world.
It ties into managing emotions when conditions are rough.
I’m not saying precarious, that’s not the same thing.
It brushes up against a philosophical choice about risk-taking, but the only real risk is life itself. Without a satellite phone (which, in an emergency, isn’t much use if you’re more than 15 minutes from a top-tier hospital), so no SAMU or other high-tech lifelines that modernity traps us with every day, playing on our passive, consumerist submission.
We could go on with a tedious list of pointless examples...
I’m rambling, I’m rambling,
"The escape, small spring" — René Char
Alright, ciao!
Hey there,
We might be far from our good old "MBK" bikes, but what a hopeful message for me—a 62-year-old bike touring newbie!
For now, since I’m still working, my rides will be limited to day trips or maybe a weekend here and there, if the weather finally decides to grace Provence with its presence.
"Slip into seven-league boots, telling yourself there’s no rush" — Aragon
Le Ziquet
Not at all outdated—recycling bikes and their riders is full of potential!
We’re just expanding the topic.
No matter our age (I’m not exactly brand new either), we’ve got our whole lives ahead of us,
and our choices matter.
Safe travels!
For this summer, I’m planning to cycle along the Burgundy Canal. The region looks so peaceful and charming! I’m thinking of stopping in towns like Tonnerre and Chablis, as recommended by escapadegourmandecom, and of course, visiting some winemakers along the way ;)
If you’re new to bike trips like me, there’s a luggage transfer service that moves your bags from one stop to the next—check out bagtransfertcom.
Can’t wait to be there!
Hi everyone, hi Kikilecyclo,
Here’s finally a bit of sunshine over our Provence—I’m thinking of taking Pomponette out for some fresh air this weekend.
Quick question: on my MBK, I’ve got oval chainrings—is that the case for your Baroudeur too?
If so, what do you think of them? If I remember correctly, my bike shop guy back in the day told me they were to avoid "dead spots" while pedaling.
See you soon,
Le Ziquer
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!
Storm in the Canary Islands
New adventures from Perpignan to Ranchi (Jharkhand)
Breathtaking Kyrgyzstan!
Argentine and Chilean Patagonia from El Calafate to Ushuaia
Turkey 2026: Riviera, Antalya, and Cappadocia
Page by Page on the Assisi Way – 1,200 km on Foot
How to nail your trek in wet climates: which pants keep you truly dry?
Densha Otaku - Lesser-Known Regions
