Salut à tous
Tout est dans le titre...
J'attends vos témoignages
Merci
Marco
Original post
Qui a déjà fait Lee Vining - Bishop à vélo par la 395? (Californie)
by Marco263
This discussion is in French, the community’s main language.
Je ne l'ai pas fait a velo mais on voiture, si. Je crois que la route ne serait pas trop dur. Il n'y avait aucun village au bord de la route, je crois. Un beau massif jusqu'a l'ouest. Lee Vining est 800m plus haut que Bishop.
Bonjour Marco,
Est que c'est la même 395 qui part de Reno en direction de Carson City et Lake Tahoe ? Parce qu'à la sortie de Reno, à vélo, c'est une horreur coté trafic ! Heureusement, j'ai eu d'excellents indications pour en sortir et prendre une petite route beaucoup plus sympa.
Bonne route.
A vélo, ce n'est pas par hasard, si je ne m'arrête pas chez Total
http://www.grandpedaleurlibre.org
La route est très belle avec la difficulté majeure juste au sud de Lee Vining puisqu’il faut grimper jusqu’au Dead Man summit 🤪. C’est aussi une grande artère commerciale avec énormément de semi-remorques, donc s’il y a beaucoup de circulation, ça peut devenir un peu stressant.
J’ai fait ce tronçon maintes fois en voiture. A vélo, seulement quelques kilomètres aller-retour entre McGee Creek Road et Rock Creek Road au lieu-dit Tom’s Place, en encore je n’étais pas techniquement sur la 395 …
Pour les raisons de circulation évoquées plus haut, et parce qu'il y a très souvent du vent assez fort, je te conseillerais de quitter la 395 quand c’est possible, tout en la longeant de plus ou moins près :
Après avoir passé le gros embranchement avec la 203 vers Mammoth Lakes, tu verras l’aéroport sur ta gauche et Convict Lake Rd sur ta droite puis la route s’incurve vers la droite et la pente s’accentue. “En bas” de cette pente, tourne à droite sur Crowley Lake Drive qui est aussi connue sous le nom de “Old Hwy 395”, puisque justement c’est l’ancienne route 395 ! Tu verras, il y a un petit hameau d’une quinzaine de maisons. Continue tout droit et coupe McGee Creek Rd où il y a aussi quelques maisons, un hotel-restaurant et un grand camping. Tu arriveras ensuite au gros village de Crowley Lake. Au stop (il n’y en a qu’1) continue toujours “tout droit” sur Crowley Lake Dr. Après une belle côte et une belle descente (normal !) tu traverseras un autre hameau/village appelé Aspen Springs. Le coin est absolument superbe !!! Continue tjs sur cette route jusqu’à Tom’s Place, qui n’est rien d’autre qu’une intersection avec un bar/resto/magasin et quelques petits chalets. Là, à ma connaissance, tu es obligé de reprendre la 395, mais à peine pour + ou - 1 km parce qu’à droite il y a Old Sherwing Grade Rd, connue aussi sous le nom de Old Hwy 395 et/ou Lower Rock Creek Rd. Prends cette route sinueuse mais superbe qui longe un torrent. Là encore tu traverseras un ou 2 hameaux, (le 2e s’appelle “Paradise”) avant d’arriver dans la vallée fertile Round Valley – toujours superbe. Old Sherwing Grade Rd te ramène tout près de la 395 que tu peux reprendre jusqu’à Bishop mais je te recommenderais plutôt de prendre à droite Birchim Lane (ou Pine Creeck Rd si tu rates Birchim Ln) puis à gauche North Round Valley Rd, qui devient South Round Valley Rd. A Sawmill Rd tu tournes à droite (à gauche c’est la 395) puis encore à droite sur Ed Powers Rd et à gauche sur Red Hill Rd qui devient West Line Rd dans Bishop !
Si tu “Google Earth” la région tu verras toutes ces routes, il n’y en a pas tant que ça et tu peux décider entre le vraie 395 et la “scenic route” comme ils disent là-bas.
Ce doit être faisable en une journée et à Crowley Lake, si tu tournes à gauche au stop, tu entreras dans le village et il y a un magasin/station d’essence qui propose de la restauration rapide (pizza, burritos, sandwich, cookies etc) excellente et “tout frais - tout chaud” tous les jours ! Parfait pour la pause déjeuner 😉
Dernier point, je ne sais pas en quelle saison tu prévois de le faire, mais en hiver, il peut y avoir beaucoup, beaucoup de neige. Surtout entre Lee Vining et Mammoth Lakes. Et vérifie tes freins parce que c'est pratiquement tout en descente !
Bonne route !
J’ai fait ce tronçon maintes fois en voiture. A vélo, seulement quelques kilomètres aller-retour entre McGee Creek Road et Rock Creek Road au lieu-dit Tom’s Place, en encore je n’étais pas techniquement sur la 395 …
Pour les raisons de circulation évoquées plus haut, et parce qu'il y a très souvent du vent assez fort, je te conseillerais de quitter la 395 quand c’est possible, tout en la longeant de plus ou moins près :
Après avoir passé le gros embranchement avec la 203 vers Mammoth Lakes, tu verras l’aéroport sur ta gauche et Convict Lake Rd sur ta droite puis la route s’incurve vers la droite et la pente s’accentue. “En bas” de cette pente, tourne à droite sur Crowley Lake Drive qui est aussi connue sous le nom de “Old Hwy 395”, puisque justement c’est l’ancienne route 395 ! Tu verras, il y a un petit hameau d’une quinzaine de maisons. Continue tout droit et coupe McGee Creek Rd où il y a aussi quelques maisons, un hotel-restaurant et un grand camping. Tu arriveras ensuite au gros village de Crowley Lake. Au stop (il n’y en a qu’1) continue toujours “tout droit” sur Crowley Lake Dr. Après une belle côte et une belle descente (normal !) tu traverseras un autre hameau/village appelé Aspen Springs. Le coin est absolument superbe !!! Continue tjs sur cette route jusqu’à Tom’s Place, qui n’est rien d’autre qu’une intersection avec un bar/resto/magasin et quelques petits chalets. Là, à ma connaissance, tu es obligé de reprendre la 395, mais à peine pour + ou - 1 km parce qu’à droite il y a Old Sherwing Grade Rd, connue aussi sous le nom de Old Hwy 395 et/ou Lower Rock Creek Rd. Prends cette route sinueuse mais superbe qui longe un torrent. Là encore tu traverseras un ou 2 hameaux, (le 2e s’appelle “Paradise”) avant d’arriver dans la vallée fertile Round Valley – toujours superbe. Old Sherwing Grade Rd te ramène tout près de la 395 que tu peux reprendre jusqu’à Bishop mais je te recommenderais plutôt de prendre à droite Birchim Lane (ou Pine Creeck Rd si tu rates Birchim Ln) puis à gauche North Round Valley Rd, qui devient South Round Valley Rd. A Sawmill Rd tu tournes à droite (à gauche c’est la 395) puis encore à droite sur Ed Powers Rd et à gauche sur Red Hill Rd qui devient West Line Rd dans Bishop !
Si tu “Google Earth” la région tu verras toutes ces routes, il n’y en a pas tant que ça et tu peux décider entre le vraie 395 et la “scenic route” comme ils disent là-bas.
Ce doit être faisable en une journée et à Crowley Lake, si tu tournes à gauche au stop, tu entreras dans le village et il y a un magasin/station d’essence qui propose de la restauration rapide (pizza, burritos, sandwich, cookies etc) excellente et “tout frais - tout chaud” tous les jours ! Parfait pour la pause déjeuner 😉
Dernier point, je ne sais pas en quelle saison tu prévois de le faire, mais en hiver, il peut y avoir beaucoup, beaucoup de neige. Surtout entre Lee Vining et Mammoth Lakes. Et vérifie tes freins parce que c'est pratiquement tout en descente !
Bonne route !
Fa
Bonjour Fabplaty,
Ton témoignage est une vraie mine d'or et je t'en remercie. Je vais donc regarder tout ça de plus près sur google map dans un premier temps pour visualier le tracé et l'enregistrer sur mon GPS Je prévois de faire cette étape autour du 07 Juin 2012 à l'occasion de mon trip à travers les grands parcs dans l'Ouest. L'ensemble des étapes est consultable au fil des pages sur mon blog dans la rubrique "les étapes aux States" et si y jettes un coup d'oeil tu pourrais éventuellement me dire ce qui te choque dans ce tracé. Encore merci pour les infos. Marco ontheroadavelo.over-blog.com
Ton témoignage est une vraie mine d'or et je t'en remercie. Je vais donc regarder tout ça de plus près sur google map dans un premier temps pour visualier le tracé et l'enregistrer sur mon GPS Je prévois de faire cette étape autour du 07 Juin 2012 à l'occasion de mon trip à travers les grands parcs dans l'Ouest. L'ensemble des étapes est consultable au fil des pages sur mon blog dans la rubrique "les étapes aux States" et si y jettes un coup d'oeil tu pourrais éventuellement me dire ce qui te choque dans ce tracé. Encore merci pour les infos. Marco ontheroadavelo.over-blog.com
Bonjour Marco,
Voici un petit complément d’info suite à notre expérience d’hier entre McGee Creek et South Bishop à vélo (sans bagages ni remorque, ni Tioga Pass la veille, mais avec quand même 3 heures de ski dans les jambes le matin 😉).
Je confirme à 200% qu’éviter de rouler sur la 395 quand tu peux est un bon choix. Mon mari à fait la portion McGee Creek – Round Valley en suivant les routes mentionnées dans mon post du 15 décembre : Crowley Lake Drive = r a s 395 pour 1km = r a s Old Sherwing Grade Rd / Old Hwy 395 / Lower Rock Creek Rd (même route 3 noms) = début en descente pas très agréable à cause des fissures sur la route, puis montée sur environ 1.5km, dure dure. Grimpeur correct, il allait à 7km/h de moyenne ! Mais après, la route est bonne et comme il y avait du vent de face, il n’a jamais pris trop de vitesse ! Une fois dans la vallée, plat et superbe. J’ai pris le relais au coin de Birchim Ln et Round Valley road qui devient South Round Valley Rd. Il y a une petite bosse juste avant de tourner sur Sawmill Rd et après c’est tout en faux plat, (soit ça monte un peu soit ça descend) jusqu’à Ed Powers Rd, puis Red Hill (à gauche) qui devient W Line St (encore à gauche). N'oublie pas de lever les yeux vers la droite de temps en temps et de profiter de la superbe Sierra !
Mon but était d’éviter Bishop, donc j’ai pris Reata Rd à droite qui devient Underwood, puis à droite encore sur Barlow et à gauche sur Shober. Je vois sur ton blog que tu prévois de camper à Brown’s Town Campground, qui est au coin de Shober et de la 395, donc tu pourrais arriver jusque là en évitant la rue principale de Bishop (395). Prends à gauche sur Sunland reservation road puis à droite pour retrouver Shober et au bout le camping.
As-tu cherché sur Warmshowers pour un hébergement à Bishop ? Il y a beaucoup de cyclistes là-bas…
Et pour partir le lendemain, pareil, tu peux gagner quelques km de calme et de verdure en rebroussant chemin sur Shober vers l’ouest jusqu’à Sunland où tu tournes à gauche (sud) et tu restes sur Sunland jusqu’à Gerkin Rd (à droite) pour rejoindre la 395 via Collins à gauche… Il y a une route très mal entretenue qui peut te conduire jusqu’à Keough Hot Springs, moitié vieux bitume, moitié sable, juste avant d’arriver à la 395 sur Collins mais je ne sais pas si c’est une bonne idée avec la remorque ; voir Google Earth qui montre très clairement l’état de la route…
Sinon, sur Sawmill Rd, juste avant Bishop donc, il y a le parc Millpond http://www.inyocountycamping.com/millpond_rec_area.html où tu peux te baigner, si tu as besoin/envie de te rafraîchir 🙂
Bonne fin de préparation
Voici un petit complément d’info suite à notre expérience d’hier entre McGee Creek et South Bishop à vélo (sans bagages ni remorque, ni Tioga Pass la veille, mais avec quand même 3 heures de ski dans les jambes le matin 😉).
Je confirme à 200% qu’éviter de rouler sur la 395 quand tu peux est un bon choix. Mon mari à fait la portion McGee Creek – Round Valley en suivant les routes mentionnées dans mon post du 15 décembre : Crowley Lake Drive = r a s 395 pour 1km = r a s Old Sherwing Grade Rd / Old Hwy 395 / Lower Rock Creek Rd (même route 3 noms) = début en descente pas très agréable à cause des fissures sur la route, puis montée sur environ 1.5km, dure dure. Grimpeur correct, il allait à 7km/h de moyenne ! Mais après, la route est bonne et comme il y avait du vent de face, il n’a jamais pris trop de vitesse ! Une fois dans la vallée, plat et superbe. J’ai pris le relais au coin de Birchim Ln et Round Valley road qui devient South Round Valley Rd. Il y a une petite bosse juste avant de tourner sur Sawmill Rd et après c’est tout en faux plat, (soit ça monte un peu soit ça descend) jusqu’à Ed Powers Rd, puis Red Hill (à gauche) qui devient W Line St (encore à gauche). N'oublie pas de lever les yeux vers la droite de temps en temps et de profiter de la superbe Sierra !
Mon but était d’éviter Bishop, donc j’ai pris Reata Rd à droite qui devient Underwood, puis à droite encore sur Barlow et à gauche sur Shober. Je vois sur ton blog que tu prévois de camper à Brown’s Town Campground, qui est au coin de Shober et de la 395, donc tu pourrais arriver jusque là en évitant la rue principale de Bishop (395). Prends à gauche sur Sunland reservation road puis à droite pour retrouver Shober et au bout le camping.
As-tu cherché sur Warmshowers pour un hébergement à Bishop ? Il y a beaucoup de cyclistes là-bas…
Et pour partir le lendemain, pareil, tu peux gagner quelques km de calme et de verdure en rebroussant chemin sur Shober vers l’ouest jusqu’à Sunland où tu tournes à gauche (sud) et tu restes sur Sunland jusqu’à Gerkin Rd (à droite) pour rejoindre la 395 via Collins à gauche… Il y a une route très mal entretenue qui peut te conduire jusqu’à Keough Hot Springs, moitié vieux bitume, moitié sable, juste avant d’arriver à la 395 sur Collins mais je ne sais pas si c’est une bonne idée avec la remorque ; voir Google Earth qui montre très clairement l’état de la route…
Sinon, sur Sawmill Rd, juste avant Bishop donc, il y a le parc Millpond http://www.inyocountycamping.com/millpond_rec_area.html où tu peux te baigner, si tu as besoin/envie de te rafraîchir 🙂
Bonne fin de préparation
Fa
bonjour
J'attends vos témoignages
Ce n'est pas mon témoignage, mais celui de deux jeunes aventuriers, rencontrés l'été dernier en Alaska, et qui descendent à Ushuaia en velo. En novembre dernier, ils ont fait cette portion de route. Voir ICI, puis ICI. Et comme l'écrit Fabplaty :
je ne sais pas en quelle saison tu prévois de le faire, mais en hiver, il peut y avoir beaucoup, beaucoup de neige. Surtout entre Lee Vining et Mammoth Lakes.
J'attends vos témoignages
Ce n'est pas mon témoignage, mais celui de deux jeunes aventuriers, rencontrés l'été dernier en Alaska, et qui descendent à Ushuaia en velo. En novembre dernier, ils ont fait cette portion de route. Voir ICI, puis ICI. Et comme l'écrit Fabplaty :
je ne sais pas en quelle saison tu prévois de le faire, mais en hiver, il peut y avoir beaucoup, beaucoup de neige. Surtout entre Lee Vining et Mammoth Lakes.
De l'Alaska à l'Arizona : contrastes. Voir https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=4396533#4396533
Dans la vie, le pire qui pourrait nous arriver serait qu'il ne nous arrive rien !
Dans la vie, le pire qui pourrait nous arriver serait qu'il ne nous arrive rien !
Log in first, then come back to this page.
You might also like
More discussions
Hi there,
I’m planning to cycle from Morlaix to Brest (via Roscoff and the V45 coastal route). We’ll start riding on August 16th for 13 days (with stops for island visits, surfing, etc.). Is there a lot of traffic at this time of year? I’ve got two kids, 11 and 13, and we don’t like riding in the middle of cars (we’ve already done the Vélomaritime—Caen to Cherbourg—the Loire route from Orléans to Saumur, the Vélodyssée from Nantes to Royans, and the canals like the Nivernais and Bourgogne, where there were plenty of bike-only lanes, which isn’t the case on this route).
Thanks for your help if you’ve already done this route in late August! Virginie
I’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 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?
Nath
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?
Nath
Hi there,
I’ve been road cycling for several years, and I’m about to switch to gravel in the next few days—I’m waiting for my bike, which should arrive this week.
I’m planning a bikepacking trip in a few weeks along the Véloroute V81, also known as the Vélosud, from Biarritz to Le Barcarès.
Has anyone here already done this route? Any info is welcome, whether it’s about the route itself, gear, or accommodation. I’ll prioritize staying with locals as much as possible. On that note, I just signed up for the brand-new site *Guidon et Couette* ((www.guidon-et-couette.fr)), which offers free accommodation between cyclists across the country, but there’s almost no one listed along my route!
Thanks in advance.
Laurent.
I'm 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.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
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.
Source code: https://github.com/patricklmarie/GPX-Route-Planner Online demo: https://patricklmarie.github.io/GPX-Route-Planner/
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.
Can you take an electric bike on trains in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland?
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!
Hi everyone,
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
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
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
Here’s the detailed Durance route starting from Briançon
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?
Thanks in advance
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 there!
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.
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.
Hi there, we’re a group of 4 cyclists looking to get from Treviso in Italy to Munich with our 4 non-folding bikes. It seems complicated! Are there any solutions? Thanks so much.
hello fellow cycling enthusiasts
here’s a travel journal of the cycling tour through the Rhône-Alpes Auvergne region by Claudio
zouli
it was the plan
http://cbandiera.free.fr/parcours/auvergne-Ralpes/
the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio
the trip was completed story being posted online soon 1100 km in 11 days beautiful and varied regions
claudio
Hi, I'm looking for a Pino tandem bike for sale in Quebec and I can't find any. Does anyone have any info, please? Thanks a bunch!
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.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
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.
Thanks for your help! Have a great day, Alexandre
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
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!
hey everyone,
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
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
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!
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... 😉