I’m a student and I’d love to go on a 2-week bike trip in August with 4 friends. Since I’ve never done this kind of trip before, I wanted to ask for some advice—our plan is hard to figure out because we don’t know what’s even possible in 2 weeks.
If you’ve got any ideas for a bike trip in France, that’d be awesome!
Hey marco,
for a project in France, you’ve got the *voies vertes* (greenways), which are amazing—no cars, no stress, and really cool people in the campgrounds at night. Don’t set rigid goals like "we *have* to be there by 2:17 PM on the 15th." Instead, pick a well-equipped region from the *voies vertes* map of France (online) and just go with the flow. If a spot grabs you, stay a day to explore; if another doesn’t feel right, move on. The freer you are before you leave, the more your trip will feel relaxed and enjoyable. Don’t fixate on a daily kilometer goal—just enjoy gliding across the land toward somewhere new to discover.
We did the Nantes-Brest canal, then Roscoff, the Île de Batz, Armorique Park, and back via the canal—all in three weeks with a five-year-old on his bike. Super chill. I highly recommend it: Brittany is wild and gorgeous, especially away from the coast in summer, and the people are genuinely great. But there are tons of places to explore—have a great trip! 😎
Go for it, life’s short.
hey there, Provençal buddy
I don’t think I ever replied to your post about oval chainrings—I had one as the first chainring on my old Decathlon 520 back in the '80s (still took it on an 8-day trip in Lozère this March).
I’ve since swapped it out, but I’m convinced it’s a gimmick that’s totally out of style now. I adjusted without even noticing, and honestly, I’ve got plenty of other reasons for "dead spots"—especially my own fitness, not the crankset... cheers to Pomponette!
happy trails
Last year, I traveled solo from Guérande to Copenhagen round-trip, and since I loved it, this summer I’m taking my wife and son. To make the stages shorter, we’ll start from... Berlin! So it’ll be a Berlin to Copenhagen round-trip, starting July 23/24...
Hi there,
We’re thinking of letting our son ride a bit this summer on the bike paths in Vendée.
We tested him this weekend (he’s 4.5 years old) with a round trip to the beach—41.2 km total:
Outbound: 13 km all by himself like a big kid / 6 km towed behind my bike
Return trip in his trailer, napping away!
So far, so good.
We need to do another two-day trip to see if he can handle back-to-back days of pedaling.
Normally, it should work—we’ve been taking bike vacations with him in his trailer for two years now, and he loves it.
No stress in the planning—France offers tons of options, no need to book campsites in advance. You’ll always find a spot, etc...
Les Landes is great, with practically only bike paths. The weather’s nice, you pedal through forests, you can take swimming breaks, and the beaches are a bonus. Plus, it’s flat, perfect for beginners.
If you’re not starting from home, consider the Corail and TER trains—they have special compartments for bikes. Just remember to book when you buy your ticket.
My partner and I are planning to start from Toulouse in August, following the Canal de Garonne, then Bordeaux, the greenways along the ocean, Pointe de Grave, Royan, and Île d'Oléron.
We’ll be wild camping or not, depending on the day.
For us, this summer’s plan is a loop along the Loire, starting from Angers. When I say "us," it’s my wife, my 8-year-old son with his own bike, and the two little ones (5 and 2 years old) who I’ll be towing in a two-seater trailer with my bike :)
"Talk to me about me, that’s all I care about" was the title of a book by José Arthur, the eternal master interviewer. What’s the connection with the title of this thread? Guess! If Janodou gets a cut from the posts, he’ll be able to fund his next trip.
Best,
Jean
Hey, all this brings back memories. Maybe they’ll be useful for you. Last year, we set off to cycle the Loire by bike. But in the early morning after a night of partying and a few hours of sleep at a super small, cozy campsite—with a cabin more comfortable than a caravan and even bigger—we stuck our noses outside, and ugh, a main road with trucks roaring by. Bummer. We loaded up the bikes, packed our gear, and then—vvvroom! Our six-and-a-half-year-old on his trekking-ready mountain bike, the three-year-old in her trailer nearly taking off. It wasn’t exactly like the photos on the website we’d been dreaming over. We weren’t feeling it, a bit put off, to be honest.
Then luck struck: we found a map of Brittany’s greenways while paying at the campsite—*ding!* We reloaded everything and headed for Fégréac, the Nantes-Brest canal. And there, a whole different world: no traffic, the kids zooming ahead on the path without constant supervision, birds, trees, people smiling on their bikes, a tourist office with free detailed maps, landscapes, folks strolling leisurely, and often in the evenings around the pasta pot, we’d end up with a bunch of genuinely nice people and friends for the kids to share their little adventures with.
Seriously, for a first trip with kids, avoid stress at the start. For the first ten days, pick routes *without* traffic so the little ones can taste the freedom we all came to sip from our bikes. After that, everyone’s more independent, and you can safely dive into traffic when needed (like along the coast). And inland Brittany? It’s the real deal—proper wilderness.
This summer, we’re heading back to some remote spot with hardly any traffic, just trees and birds.
Hi there, if all goes well, in two weeks I’m setting off from Forez to Dunkirk via Évreux.
Then on June 6th, a cycling buddy with a recumbent bike will join me, and we’ll cross France along the "Green Meridian" route.
From Perpignan, I’ll head back to Forez, still by bike.
Maybe—I’ll see how I feel!!!—I’ll stop by the "EurovéloGex" meet-up, but I’m not there yet.
Have a great day
So many great rides ahead for everyone...
I wish you all good luck!
As for me, I’ll be waiting until the end of May 2012 for my trip to the States.
Here’s a little preview of the blog I’m setting up:
http//ontheroadavelo.over-blog.com
Also, take a quick look at the blog of a young woman who’s wrapping up her solo trip across the western U.S. using nothing but her own pedal power and sheer determination—she could use some encouragement, so let’s rally to support her: http://aveloavecflo.blogspot.com
Thanks on her behalf!
Marco
After a very short experience (one night) as a family a few years ago (my 5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son were riding, and the 1-year-old was in a trailer), and a slightly longer one along the Canal du Midi (5 days), where my 7-year-old daughter and 5-year-old son rode while the 3-year-old was in a follow-me with his mom and the 1-year-old in the trailer—it was an amazing experience!
We’re counting down the days until summer for a bike trip down the Loire River, starting from near Angers all the way to Pornichet. The two oldest (8 and 6) will ride, and the 3-year-old will take turns riding or being attached in the follow-me, while the little one will be back in the trailer. It’s not a long distance, but it’s all about the shared moments. And my 3-year-old son, who we told we’d go again during the holidays, has been asking every vacation since last summer if we’re leaving by bike… so the excitement is mutual!
Hi there,
for my part, this summer I’ll be heading from Fréjus to Barcelona via Béziers along the southern route.
http://www.decitre.fr/livres/La-route-du-Sud-a-velo-de-Menton-a-Beziers.aspx/9782737353543
Then on to Barcelona. After that, it’ll depend on how much time I have left from my 4 weeks of vacation, but I’m really hoping to make it from Barcelona to Corsica. From a previous trip to Corsica, I heard about a boat connection between Barcelona and Ajaccio. Does anyone have any info on this route? I can’t seem to find anything about it.
A loop in the works for mid-July—
bivouac / Bob trailer with my wife and... no kids this time!
Departure from Briançon, back to Briançon.
Between the two 😉 I’ll be taking secondary / local roads, GR trails,
and maybe even fields—who knows...
Based on my measurements, it’s around 1,300 km.
Elevation gain: I gave up calculating; it made my head spin 🤪
=>
Hautes-Alpes: 35 km
Isère: 140 km
Savoie: 60 km
Haute-Savoie: 10 km
Savoie: 30 km
Ain: 80 km
Jura: 100 km
Doubs: 70 km
Haute-Saône: 90 km
Vosges detour: 60 km, then heading back east, so:
Haut-Rhin: 1 km (let’s be precise 😉)
Haute-Saône: 70 km
Doubs: 100 km
Jura: 80 km
Ain: 50 km
Haute-Savoie: 90 km
Savoie: 120 km
Hautes-Alpes: 35 km
Okay, it’s twice what we usually do,
so if there’s an issue, we’ll cut the loop short 😊
this is an ongoing project for me,
and I currently need advice and info from the cycling community! :-)
I’m in the middle of a solo round-the-world bike trip, following the successive revolutions in the Arab countries... a coincidence of my space/time with History,
so I’m readjusting my departure plans (not crossing Libya, for example).
Here we go again today! Syria is no longer an option... I need help and advice right now to get to Turkey: I’m back in Jordan after being turned away at the Syrian border (no visa arranged in France).
What options do I have to reach Turkey at a reasonable cost and with acceptable safety conditions?
(Through the East and Iraq? Nah, not great.
Through the West and Israel, then take a boat?
Take a flight from Amman directly to eastern Turkey?)
Thanks for your feedback, tips, and invaluable help during these moments of doubt.
My project is really starting to take shape. After quitting my job and freeing up my apartment, I’ve got about a month left to prepare.
Then, it’s off to the east by bike for roughly 14 months.
Here’s the planned route:
(June 2011) Italy - Croatia
(July) Greece - Turkey
(August) Georgia - Azerbaijan - Caspian Sea - Uzbekistan
(Sept - Oct - Nov) China - Nepal
(Dec 2011 - April 2012) India
(May - June) Southeast Asia
cargo
followed by a few months in Latin America: riding down the west coast from Panama to Santiago de Chile
All of this with stops along the way, including a 2-month break in India (woofing, meeting with associations...) and without ruling out bus or train rides to spend more time in places I love.
Anyway, a blog is in the works—I’ll share the link soon.
As for me, I'm heading west. I'm going to explore Brittany for a month—something I couldn't do during my last trip to France because I didn't have enough time. Departure in 20 days! 🙂
I took advantage of my Easter break to roughly follow the Camino de Santiago through its French section before heading back up to Biarritz and Dax. 15 days of total change of scenery and disconnect!!!
It gave me itchy feet, and now I’m dreaming of the Basque Country or the Jura and Vosges regions.
I think I’ll even bike to visit my parents in Lisieux this weekend. I’ll take the coast to get to Cabourg before cutting through the Pays d’Auge. I’ll return via the Dives marshes on Sunday.
For my part, I’ve got two plans for 2012. First, if I get my paid leave approved, I’ll be redoing the Nantes-Brest canal (in that direction) between Friday, July 8th and Tuesday, the 12th.
Then, I’m tackling a cross-France trip from Redon (35) to Cluses (74). Departure on Monday, August 8th, and arrival on Sunday the 14th. Planned stops at Chalonnes-sur-Loire, Loches, Dun-sur-Auron, Issy-l'Évêque, Montrevel-en-Bresse, and Nantua.
I’m planning to camp, but if you’ve got a little spot near the dog’s kennel, I’m all ears! 😉
Happy planning to you all!! 😉
Frédéric sur un specialized awol, Honda Deauville 700.
For us, it’ll depend a bit on the weather in the Alps because last year Bavaria was flooded... after 5 days of pedaling in the rain, we headed home! So this time it’ll be the Salzach Valley from Zell to Salzburg and the lakes on the map below:
http://www.esterbauer.com/db_detail_druck.php?buecher_code=SKG
Otherwise, we’re thinking of the Burgundy loop for the history, food, and varied landscapes.
Happy trails!
My wife and I are turning 40 this year, and we’re hitting the road in the south—from Avignon to Carcassonne this summer around mid-July for about 10 days. We’ll be following the Canal du Midi all the way to Carcassonne. Hope it won’t be too hot! We’re trying to stick to the recommendations from the book we bought, which gives us maps, accommodations, and sights to see!
Here’s the route:
Avignon, Pont du Gard, Nîmes, Montpellier, Sète, Gignac, Saint-Bauzille, Clermont l’Hérault, Béziers, Carcassonne
If you’ve got any great tips for this route, feel free to reach out—I’m open to all suggestions!
Well, here I am again—my project isn’t just in the planning stage anymore since it’s already done!
I covered Istanbul to Turin, a total of 2,700 km in less than a month.
My trip was cut short just two days before the end (I was supposed to finish in Annecy) because my bike was stolen—along with all my stuff—in Turin. 🙁
So just a heads-up for everyone (can’t say it enough, right?): keep an eye on your belongings if you’re passing through there....
🙂
«La vie, c’est comme une bicyclette, il faut avancer pour ne pas perdre l’équilibre.»
Albert Einstein
I’m starting to plan my trip! My project: January to June 2012, a solo bike tour of Southeast Asia.
I’m still pretty unsure about the countries... Definitely: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos.
Less sure: Malaysia, Indonesia (which would mean taking a flight).
I was also thinking about continuing into China, going as far as Mongolia, and returning via the Trans-Siberian Railway, and if I have a little time, biking from Eastern Europe... But 6 months is so short ^^
My summer 2011 project: biking around Okinawa (Japan).
June bike project:
Bordeaux-Sète 😉! It’s not as dreamy as all your exotic destinations, but since we’re going as a pair and it’s my girlfriend’s first time, we’re starting easy 😎... We’re only 24, the bike touring future is ahead of us...
Safe travels to everyone, anyway!
Quand vous doublez un cycliste, laissez-lui toujours la place pour tomber...
Hi everyone,
This year, we drew several destinations out of a hat. And the Veloroute 6 heading east from Orléans won. We’re not cyclists—just travelers on bikes—and we’ll be covering "only" 900 km in 3 weeks. This is only our second year biking, but what a joy! Just frustrated we can’t go farther or longer with that incredible sense of freedom. Maybe a sabbatical one day will let us go...
Hi everyone, I’m starting on June 30th to ride the route from Hendaye to Cerbère. I’ve got about twelve days ahead of me, so I’ll play it by ear—depending on the weather too, since mountain conditions can change fast!!! I’m going bike touring/camping style.
We're now just 20 days away from departure (yes, we're counting the days!) and our holiday roadbook has finally been signed off and approved by the whole family. Throughout our stay, we're only planning 4 campsites that will serve as our base camps for sightseeing. In total, we've set a distance of 50 km (round trip) for our outings, which is a bit further than last summer for Miguel (our youngest son), but it'll be on flat terrain and, what's more, mostly on greenways.
We'll leave on 05/07, early in the morning, to catch the TGV that will drop us off in Angers. From there, we're heading to Les Ponts-de-Cé, where we plan to spend 5 days (4 for visiting the area and 1 for lazing around).
After Les Ponts-de-Cé, we'll head to Chalonnes-sur-Loire for 4 days (3 for visiting and 1 for lazing around).
For the 14/07 festivities, we'll be in Oudon for two days before moving on to our final stop, Saint-Georges-sur-Loire, where we'll spend our last two days of vacation.
On 20/07, we'll pick up our bikes again to head back to Angers and catch the TGV that will take us back to Marne-la-Vallée.
For places to visit, I got a lot of help from the website l’Anjou à vélo, as well as the official Tourism site. However, we haven't really set a precise route (apart from two or three places we absolutely want to see), because based on the info I've gathered, we should find all the necessary details on-site to perfect our stay. That said, if any of you reading this have any great tips to share, we're all ears and would really appreciate it in advance.
For us, it’ll be a family departure on June 25th, heading from Paris to Carcassonne via the Massif Central.
No set plan—just a flexible route with a deadline of July 18th.
I haven’t planned anything yet because going solo doesn’t really appeal to me, and none of my friends or family do long-distance cycling...
I’d love to go away for about ten days in August, covering around 50-60 km a day (no rush or endless hours in the saddle) and exploring a region while avoiding busy roads and super flat terrain.
If you haven’t got anything planned yet, feel free to get in touch (I can still request time off until July 3rd).
For my part, I’m planning a little trip along the Loire by tandem—my daughter in the back and my 4-month-old son in the trailer! Visiting castles as a bonus to motivate the older one to keep going...
And in the long term, I’m preparing a "big trip" in over a year (departure January 2013?)—six months by tandem with a trailer to cross Southeast Asia (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam), then China and Kyrgyzstan!
Happy trails to all!
Claire
"Le voyage est ton Père. Quand tu te seras trouvé tu rentreras et la Terre sera ta Mère" Proverbe Zanskari
For me, just six more work days, and then the bike adventure finally begins.
This year it's Burgundy, with all those canals crisscrossing every which way—my son on his bike, my daughter in the trailer, and occasionally on her little bike (she's three but determined to taste the world, so she won’t stay in the trailer anymore).
The whole family’s buzzing with excitement—days spent soaking up the sunshine and wind together, at last. 🙂
Heard that in fifty years there’ll be no more oil left (everyone on bikes), so it’s gonna be a long wait.
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
