Chaussures ouvertes de vélo?
by Philbi
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Original post
Bonjour, existe-t-il des chaussures ouvertes (nu-pied) de vélo équipées de cales, pour mettre mes larges pieds
Merci
Oui il existe (le plus simple a trouver je pense) les Shimano que j'ai acheter sur le site bike-components.de
il y a 3 sangles pour le reglage donc assez pratique.
On en trouve aussi chez des velocistes. Attention Shimano taille assez petit.
SH-SD 65 SPD-Fahrradsandale
SH-SD 65 SPD-Fahrradsandale
J'utilise des sandales Shimano depuis Aout 2008, achetées chez Cycles et Sport 94€ cyclesetsports.com/boutique_fr_article_1130.html
et j'en suis très heureux; les orteils au frais, c'est le pied! mais il faut prendre une pointure au dessus, je chausse du 40 et j'ai pris 41/42.
N'ENVIEZ JAMAIS PERSONNE !
J'utilise des sandales Shimano depuis Aout 2008, achetées chez Cycles et Sport 94€ cyclesetsports.com/boutique_fr_article_1130.html
et j'en suis très heureux; les orteils au frais, c'est le pied! mais il faut prendre une pointure au dessus, je chausse du 40 et j'ai pris 41/42.
Tu as la version 3 velcro ou 2?
Si c'est celle avec 3, pas trop chaud l'été?
Tu as la version 3 velcro ou 2?
Si c'est celle avec 3, pas trop chaud l'été?
"Ils ne savaient pas que c'était impossible alors ils l'ont fait" - Mark Twain
Je me suis mis aux sandales shimano cet été (3 sangles).
Comme Jacky83, je chausse du 40 et j'ai du prendre du 41/42, un peu trop grandes quand même.
J'ai adoré le côté polyvalant de pouvoir rouler en sandales avec des pédales automatiques tout en pouvant les garder aux pieds lorsqu'on descend de vélo.
Par contre, j'ai eu des problèmes de circulation sanguine: petits picotements aux pieds en roulant, ce qui ne m'arrive jamais avec d'autres chaussures. C'est pas très agréable.
Par contre, j'ai eu des problèmes de circulation sanguine: petits picotements aux pieds en roulant, ce qui ne m'arrive jamais avec d'autres chaussures. C'est pas très agréable.
je précise, car le modèle n'est pas très facile à trouver sur leur site : chez Northwave, les sandales sont dans la gamme de chaussures vélo Special, modèle Shark: http://www.northwave.com/eu/shoes_det.php?itemid=464&catid=4&area=4chez Keen, elles sont dans la gamme Trailhead, modème Commuter: http://www.keenfootwear.com/product/fw09/shoes/men/trailhead/commuterchez Shimano, je n'ai pas retrouvé les sandales dans leur gamme de chaussures, mais dans leur rubrique "FAQ", il est écrit qu'ils les font toujoursJe n'ai pas d'avis sur ces sandales, je n'en ai pas encore acheté. De toutes façons, à chacun de trouver chaussure à son pied : Shimano fait de très bonnes chaussures, mais moi, pas de chance, elles me font mal au tendon d'Achille, alors que je suis bien dans les Northwave.
Bonsoir
J'ai la version a 3 velcros. On a vite les pieds mouilles en cas de pluie, On a vite les pieds secs.
En trois etes et environ 10 000 km je trouve que c'est genial, et nettement mieux que les chaussures de velo qui absobent la pluie, et mettent du temps a secher.
Voici mon humble avis ! Jean REMY !
J'ai la version a 3 velcros. On a vite les pieds mouilles en cas de pluie, On a vite les pieds secs.
En trois etes et environ 10 000 km je trouve que c'est genial, et nettement mieux que les chaussures de velo qui absobent la pluie, et mettent du temps a secher.
Voici mon humble avis ! Jean REMY !
Jean ((:-)
j'ai egalement des chaussures et des nu pieds shimano.
pour les nu pieds, j en suis a ma 2eme paire.
la 1ere m avait donnee totale satisfaction par contre je ne roule plus avec la seconde paire.
je trouve que la semelle est trop dure et j ai trop mal a la plante des pieds.
pour mes voyages, je prends de simples nu pieds avec mes pedales équipées de petits cale pieds en resine.
par contre en afrique, j'avais quand meme préféré rouler en chaussures fermées à causes des petites betes en tous genres.
l inconvénient des nu pieds, c'est que cela ne protège pas le pied en cas de chute ou d'accrochage
ab35
bonjour
j'utilise des pieds nus Shimano depuis 2 ans
L'inconvénient est leur couleur noire qui emmagasine la chaleur de la route
D'où la pathologie du pied en feu du cycliste par stagnation de sang veineux dans la voûte plantaire majorée par l'accumulation de chaleur par le noir de la chaussure .
Une couleur plus claire permettrait de minimiser de phénomène .....qui disparaît en faisant quelques pas à coté du vélo.
Sinon c'est super quand il ne fait pas trop chaud.
En effet je n'ai pas de soucis de pieds en feu avec des chaussures classiques alors qu'avec ces sandales ......ça brûle
Amicalement Alain
voyager pour se connaitre
effectivement, les anciennes étaient beiges ce qui était plus passe partout.
mais je pense que la rigidité de la semelle à était renforcée ce qui conduit au probleme que je constate.
le gros avantage des nu-pieds c 'est que l on peut passer des gues sans pb et que celq seche tout de suite
ab35
le mécanisme du "pied en feu" du cycliste est simple
il est du à une accumulation de sang veineux dans la voûte plantaire en l'absence de marche
en effet la marche provoque la chasse du sang veineux dans la voute plantaire du fait de la contraction des muscles de la voute plantaire
La non marche chez le cycliste + la vasodilatation des parois veineuses aggravent la stagnation veineuse sous le pied d'où des sensations de brulures qui disparaissent en marchant quelques pas
La couleur noire des sandales majore l'absorption de la chaleur au niveau du pied et donc la dilatation veineuse.........
Amicalement Alain
voyager pour se connaitre
le mécanisme du "pied en feu" du cycliste est simple
il est du à une accumulation de sang veineux dans la voûte plantaire en l'absence de marche
en effet la marche provoque la chasse du sang veineux dans la voute plantaire du fait de la contraction des muscles de la voute plantaire
La non marche chez le cycliste + la vasodilatation des parois veineuses aggravent la stagnation veineuse sous le pied d'où des sensations de brulures qui disparaissent en marchant quelques pas
La couleur noire des sandales majore l'absorption de la chaleur au niveau du pied et donc la dilatation veineuse.........
Amicalement Alain
Je suis du même avis que meg2, je ne crois pas du tout que la couleur noire des sandales soit un problème, çà aurait pu être vrai pour des chaussures, mais des sandales sont par définition ouvertes. C'est pour moi uniquement un problème de forme de la semelle par rapport à celle de ton pied et un problème de serrage.
J'ai porté les sandales shimano pendant plus de 4 mois tous les jours du matin au soir, sans avoir de problème, alors que certains jours il faisait très chaud. Récemment avec des chaussures de vélos jaunes (donc couleur claire!), j'ai eu un petit problème de circulation du sang dans un pied. et je n'ai jamais eu de sensation de brulures, avec aucune chaussure ni sandale.
Je suis du même avis que meg2, je ne crois pas du tout que la couleur noire des sandales soit un problème, çà aurait pu être vrai pour des chaussures, mais des sandales sont par définition ouvertes. C'est pour moi uniquement un problème de forme de la semelle par rapport à celle de ton pied et un problème de serrage.
J'ai porté les sandales shimano pendant plus de 4 mois tous les jours du matin au soir, sans avoir de problème, alors que certains jours il faisait très chaud. Récemment avec des chaussures de vélos jaunes (donc couleur claire!), j'ai eu un petit problème de circulation du sang dans un pied. et je n'ai jamais eu de sensation de brulures, avec aucune chaussure ni sandale.
le mécanisme du "pied en feu" du cycliste est simple
il est du à une accumulation de sang veineux dans la voûte plantaire en l'absence de marche
en effet la marche provoque la chasse du sang veineux dans la voute plantaire du fait de la contraction des muscles de la voute plantaire
La non marche chez le cycliste + la vasodilatation des parois veineuses aggravent la stagnation veineuse sous le pied d'où des sensations de brulures qui disparaissent en marchant quelques pas
La couleur noire des sandales majore l'absorption de la chaleur au niveau du pied et donc la dilatation veineuse.........
Amicalement Alain
En vélo couché (trike dans mon cas) le phénomène devrait donc être moindre?
En vélo couché (trike dans mon cas) le phénomène devrait donc être moindre?
"Ils ne savaient pas que c'était impossible alors ils l'ont fait" - Mark Twain
accumulation de sang veineux dans la voûte plantaire en l'absence de marche
jusque là, d'accord, mais
La couleur noire des sandales majore l'absorption de la chaleur au niveau du pied et donc la dilatation veineuse
la vasodilatation thermique est un phénomène relativement lent, à cause de la masse à chauffer ou refroidir, et de la transpiration qui permet d'éviter en partie cet effet. C'est pour ça que je pense plus à un problème de semelle + serrage : dès qu'on marche, on modifie les appuis du pied sur semelle et brides, et ça, ça peut réactiver rapidement la circulation
jusque là, d'accord, mais
La couleur noire des sandales majore l'absorption de la chaleur au niveau du pied et donc la dilatation veineuse
la vasodilatation thermique est un phénomène relativement lent, à cause de la masse à chauffer ou refroidir, et de la transpiration qui permet d'éviter en partie cet effet. C'est pour ça que je pense plus à un problème de semelle + serrage : dès qu'on marche, on modifie les appuis du pied sur semelle et brides, et ça, ça peut réactiver rapidement la circulation
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Ca y est j'ai mon billet d'avion, départ mi novembre, retour mi-mars. arrivée santiago et je repars depuis Buenos Aires. J'ai deja été dans le sud de l'argentine, notamment le parc torres del Paine, et j'ai très envie d'y retourner pour faire le grand W, j'avais fait le petit. Je souhaite aussi randonner qq foois et pourquoi pas faire un sommet. Je grimpe et je fais occasionnellement de l'alpinisme, donc ce sera avec un guide de toute façon.
Je compte démarrer vers temuco au chili, j'ai dans l'idée d'aller vers les lac, puis prendre la careterra austral. Je sais pas si je vais aller jusqu'à Ushuaia, parait que cela vaut pas tant que cela la peine, à part pour dire qu'on a été au bout de la terre.
j'ai vu vite fait qu'il y'avait des lac en Argentine.
Je n'ai pas d'itinéraire précis. Mais ce que je souhiaterai, c'est qu'une fois arriver le plus au sud de mon vooayage, faire une mini croisière pour voir des annimaux. Des conseils pour cela?
qu'avez vous pris comme sac de couchage? un 0 degré suffit?
et ultime question, réchaud à essence ou est-ce que je peux m'en sortir avec mon réchaud gaz?
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Coming soon:
https://www.Biclou.com/parcours/durance/
Starting from Faverges: 900 km over 9 days

Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon

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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!
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Hi there,
I’m planning to build a new touring bike. I want to prioritize lightness. That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads. The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper. I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm. It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring. And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear. More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
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I’m planning to build a new touring bike. I want to prioritize lightness. That said, I’m tempted by a suspension fork that could offer some comfort on rougher roads. The recent appearance of gravel suspension forks on the market might meet my needs—at least on paper. I’m particularly considering the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR fork. Unlike MTB forks, its travel is short: either 30 mm or 40 mm. It weighs 1400 g, which is 400/500 g more than a steel fork.
Any thoughts or real-world feedback on this?
I’m also wondering about the durability of magnesium (lower leg) for long-distance bike touring. And what’s the impact of skipping the manufacturer-recommended maintenance every 50 and 200 hours? That’s bound to happen on a long trip unless you carry extra gear. More generally, how reliable are these kinds of forks?
Thanks in advance
Hi everyone,
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You can follow his route on the link below—he’s currently in Sweden:
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You can zoom in on the map and click on each stopover town to see the photos
Hi there!
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Our full story:
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You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
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S.
I’m making an exception and creating a separate post this time, since it’s all about France. In May, we spent a week in Provence, specifically in the Luberon, exploring the cycling routes *Autour du Luberon à Vélo*, the *Véloroute du Calavon* (part of EuroVelo 8), and the shorter *Les Ocres à Vélo* route. Together, they gave us an amazing journey through rolling hills, vineyards, lavender fields still green in spring, and some of the most stunning landscapes in southern France.

It was, of course, the perched villages that impressed us the most. We visited Gordes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin, Ménerbes, Oppède-le-Vieux, Cucuron, and Lauris. Many of them are among the most beautiful villages in Provence, and it’s hard not to agree with that reputation.




One interesting point is the route of EuroVelo 8 in this part of the region. The official path mainly follows the old railway line of the *Véloroute du Calavon*, which is very comfortable and safe. But in our opinion, cyclists traveling EuroVelo 8 around the Mediterranean would discover even more treasures if the route passed through villages like Bonnieux, Lacoste, or Oppède-le-Vieux.


We were also pleasantly surprised by how safe cycling felt. Most of the route takes small local roads, but traffic is light, drivers are respectful, and road design really takes cyclists into account. It’s one of those places where you can ride peacefully even without separated bike lanes.



Our full story:
Around Luberon by bicycle - the most beautiful villages of Provence
You can also find all our cycling travel stories on the forum:
Cycling Thread - Europe’s most beautiful bike routes
S.
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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/
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claudio

the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio

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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.
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The suspension is gone, and there’s an oil leak from the seals.
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Does the track exist, and most importantly, is there sand (for biking)?
Any info is welcome.
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diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
diego ambilobe: mangaoka, manondro, ramena vohemar sambava: masondrono, tanambao
Hi there,
New to bike touring,
I’d love to start with a section of the Via Rhona to explore and share (route to be decided).
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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?
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I’m landing in Madagascar with a buddy before the end of April 2026. We’re planning to bike around for about twenty days or so. We don’t have a specific goal other than exploring the country and meeting the locals.
Ideally, we’d prefer a loop route starting from Antananarivo with a good chunk of it along the coast. On the bike side, we’re used to riding 6 to 8 hours a day, depending on the needs, encounters, and mood 😉 Any feedback or tips from trips around this length?
Thanks in advance, Jérôme
A big thank you to Lazarou for all the info you share in this forum!
I'm passionate about Morocco, which I cycled through back in 2009.
Last year, my wife and I explored the High Atlas by tandem. Completely smitten, we're heading back in April (Anti Atlas) and May (High and Middle Atlas), still on our tandem.
Do you have any info on the track between Amezri and Ali Ait Nito? Are the river crossings in the Tessaout still there? It's not easy to navigate with a loaded tandem... especially if the river level is high due to this year's heavy snowmelt!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
Thanks in advance for any tips you might have, and best wishes for health in this new year!
A shout-out to a cycling colleague from Savoie
Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes Here are his travels Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place Rural and quite peaceful A road cycling route created by Serge B...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php

The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php

Claudio specializes in the route of the Savoie lakes Here are his travels Between Bornes, Chartreuse, the Savoie foothills, and Dauphiné Five lakes: Léman, Annecy, Paladru, Aiguebelette, Bourget, not to mention a few ponds along the way Plenty of accommodation options: camping, hotels, and more...
A lovely route not far from his place Rural and quite peaceful A road cycling route created by Serge B...
N+1 reconnaissance trips on a loop of about 400 km This way, he avoids the SNCF and its troubles http://cbandiera.free.fr/vv/lacs-savoie/recos.php


The latest reconnaissance trip from April to May 2026 http://cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2026-grenoble-H/index.php

Tout d'abord... bonne année ! De belles routes à vous en 2017 !
Je voyage depuis quelques années avec un VTT de très bonne qualité mais équipé de freins à disques hydrauliques. Je vis (pédale) avec l'inquiétude d'avoir une panne (fuite, bulle d'air, chaleur qui fait que le liquide...). Mon vélociste me dit qu'il est impossible de les changer pour des V brakes.
Qu'en pensez-vous ? Est-ce que je prends un gros risque à continuer (seule) avec ces freins ? D'avance je vous remercie pour vos bonnes idées.
Hi everyone,
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
You’ve been warned.
First post here to share a quick recap of our west-to-east bike trip along Algeria’s coast in January 2025. It was just the two of us—my partner and I—with French passports and not a word of Arabic. No friends or welcoming hosts in the country.
Under those conditions, we’d strongly advise against going.
Our original plan was to follow the coast from Algiers to Tunis. We ended up cycling from Algiers to Béjaia, then took the train from Béjaia to Annaba (with a stop in Constantine), and finally biked to the border. We were tailed by police the whole way—whether on our bikes, on the train, or even on foot while exploring towns. On top of that, we couldn’t wild camp and were limited to the few state-approved hotels that accept foreigners. Under those circumstances, connecting with locals was especially tough.
With such an omnipresent and intrusive police presence, we’d definitely recommend against this destination for bike touring. A really sad situation that completely cuts you off from the local population...
We’d been warned, we went to check it out, and we weren’t disappointed!
You’ve been warned.
Hi there,
I’m planning the route to cycle from Lille to Nordkapp with my partner.
Duration: 3 months, from May 1st to July 31st, 2026.
In the attached details below, I need to add some "non-riding" days (rest days, basically).
So I’m looking to "shorten" the trip by taking ferries or trains for some stretches. Which areas could I skip?
Thanks in advance for your great tips.
Have a good evening.
https://www.komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/4023980/-lille-cap-nord-1er-mai-au-31-juillet-2026?ref=collection
Hi there,
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure! Thanks in advance.
I’m planning to bike back from Poland this summer. Does anyone know a way to ship it there without having to take it apart? Otherwise, it’s a real hassle to fine-tune all the settings before departure! Thanks in advance.
Hi, has anyone recently bought Primus or Butagaz gas, possibly puncture-style, in Dubrovnik or the surrounding area? Same question for Albania... thanks. aichatou
Hi there,
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Coming from Laos (*), I’m planning to enter Thailand by bike via the Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.
Before this bridge was built, I’d already cycled the road from Louang Namtha to Houei Sai and crossed the river by boat to reach Thailand.
At the time, the condition of that road was impeccable, and most importantly, traffic was light.
So I’m wondering if anyone who’s taken it recently can tell me whether traffic has increased since the bridge opened.
Thanks in advance!
(*) I’m currently cycling in China (Yunnan)
Hi there,
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Just a few words about the loop I did by bike in Yunnan.
Entry and exit
I entered China through the Sino-Vietnamese border crossing at Lào Cai / Hekou under the 30-day visa exemption currently available to French nationals and others.
The process was simple and quick. A Chinese police officer even helped me complete my electronic pre-registration at a computer kiosk. I wasn’t aware this formality was required—it’s similar to Thailand’s TM6.
No issues with the bike.
I left the country via the Sino-Laotian border crossing at Mohan / Boten.
The atmosphere was a bit chaotic there, but again, no problems with the bike.
The timing
I visited Yunnan in February 2026.
Weather-wise, at higher altitudes (between 1,500 and 2,000 meters), it was around ten degrees at night and in the mornings, and around twenty degrees at the hottest part of the day.
I had two days of rain, so I took the bus to keep moving. Otherwise, clear blue skies.
Culturally, Chinese New Year fell on February 17th (and the 15 days following), right in the middle of my trip. Because of this, my take on the traffic might be off.
Accommodation and food I always found a hotel to stay in for prices ranging from 8 to 15 €. Except in Kunming (the capital), where many hotels were fully booked (Chinese New Year). I ended up at a 100 € hotel with great value for money.
A bowl of noodles costs about 1.5 € on average.
Onboard electronics Since my smartphone doesn’t support eSIMs, I subscribed to a China plan with my carrier. Otherwise, for much cheaper, Alipay offers eSIMs for foreigners that allow access to services usually blocked for Chinese users (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.).
An internet connection is essential for paying with Alipay or WeChat, as this payment method is widespread.
I only managed to use Alipay.
Either way, always carry cash because sometimes there’s no signal, or the merchant only accepts WeChat.
Also, it’s best to bring a power adapter when you arrive rather than struggling to find one.
Traffic and roads The Chinese aren’t reckless drivers. They follow traffic rules and watch out for cyclists. This is slightly less true in Xishuangbanna (the region bordering Myanmar and Laos).
In urban areas, there are almost always wide bike lanes, separated from other roads, where bikes, electric mini-scooters, and scooters share the space pretty harmoniously.
The roads are in great condition, and traffic is generally manageable—even light—except for one stretch (Eshan -> Yangwu).
Most traffic is absorbed by expressways, China’s equivalent of highways: toll roads that are off-limits to slow vehicles.
You’re never far from these expressways; sometimes you even ride alongside them, which can be noisy at times.
The climbs are usually reasonable, around 5% to 6%. From what I remember, the steepest section was between Menglun and Mengla, with gradients of 8% to 10%, sometimes more.
Riding at these altitudes—though modest—took a bit of getting used to.
The route I didn’t plan anything in advance. My only goal was to reach Kunming. I don’t know why, but just hearing the name of that city, like Yunnan, always felt dreamy to me.
Here’s the breakdown: Hekou -> Man Hao (94 km); Man Hao -> Yuanyang (64 km); Yuanyang -> Jianshui (bus); Jianshui -> Tong Hai (78 km); Tong Hai -> Chenjiang (85 km); Chenjiang -> Kunming (60 km); Kunming -> Kunyang (60 km); Kunyang -> Eshan (67 km); Eshan -> Yangwu (58 km); Yangwu -> Yuanjiang (59 km); Yuanjiang -> Pu'er (bus); Pu'er -> Dadugang (75 km); Dadugang -> Jinghong (80 km); Jinghong -> Menglun (67 km); Menglun -> Mengyuancun (51 km); Mengyuancun -> Mengla (43 km); Mengla -> Boten (67 km).
Otherwise, I’m currently in Thailand and just hoping my return flight with Qatar won’t get canceled.
Oh well... 😉
Hi! I’m planning to visit the Stockholm Archipelago by bike in early April.
Do you know if the boats will be running between the different islands at that time of year? For those who’ve already been, all your tips and recommendations are welcome—accommodation, etc. Also, do you know where I can rent a bike in Stockholm? Thanks so much in advance for your help!
Hello there, pedal-powered Young Boys!
Claudio (still from Faverges)
dreaming about a cycling getaway in Italy from Faverges (train all the way to Turin)
from Turin down to Venice along the Po River and back via the Padana (Alta Italia da attraversare – Northern Italy to cross)
The tricky part is getting from Chioggia to Venice.
I read it’s possible by hopping on a boat from island to island,
but it sounds a bit stressful.
Has anyone already tackled this route?
Thanks, and cheers to all! http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/Padania/
Claudio
Thanks, and cheers to all! http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/Padania/
Claudio

Hi there,
I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).
So, I’ve got quite a few questions:
* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?
* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?
* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?
If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!
Thanks in advance for your help!
I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).
So, I’ve got quite a few questions:
* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?
* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?
* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?
If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!
Thanks in advance for your help!
Calling all travelers.
We’ll be landing at Lyon Airport and want to bike to La Verpillière train station (with panniers and camping gear, etc.) to catch a TER to Voreppe.
What’s the safest route for this bike trip?
Thanks in advance
hi,
I'm planning a recumbent bike trip from the Pyrenees to Greece. On the EuroVelo 8 route, it doesn't specify the path through the Alps.
Are there any experienced cyclists here who can tell me where they go to avoid climbing too high?
Also, is there another traveler/bike forum better suited for broadening the responses?
thanks
