Hey everyone, travelers! Here’s a little post to share our bike trip this summer. We did the Via Rhôna from Geneva all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It was a truly amazing adventure—no hitches, lots of independent greenways, and we felt like we had the Rhône all to ourselves as our guide for 700 km over 7 days. That averages out to 100 km a day. We thought we’d do less, but the Via Rhôna is flat and not too tiring, which let us push to around 100 km each day!
Here’s the full video of our route: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_cpBro6Df8
We’re not seasoned cyclists—we just love biking, and this trip was our first big bike touring adventure. As for our bikes (see photo), we had road bikes, sturdy ones with fairly large wheels and rear racks for our gear.
Speaking of gear, here’s what we brought: just the essentials for 7 days of biking and camping—1 tent for 2, two sleeping bags, a few clothes (not too many), 1 book each, toiletries, phone chargers, a basic bike repair kit... and maybe 2 or 3 things I’m forgetting. The idea is to travel light so you’re carrying as little as possible!
We camped every night. Along the Rhône, it’s pretty easy to find campgrounds, and they’re cheap too! Each morning, we’d decide on our destination for the evening (usually based on available campgrounds) and call during the day to book. We always managed to get a spot right away (except when we reached the Mediterranean coast, but we should’ve seen that coming 😛).
For expenses, we slept at campgrounds (between 15 and 25 € per site for 2) and either picnicked or ate at restaurants. Other than that, there weren’t really any other costs besides a few small souvenirs here and there. In total, we spent about 500 € for two over 7 days (so 35 € per person per day). I think it’s possible to spend even less—we decided not to restrict ourselves when it came to restaurants and campground prices.
For us, the most beautiful part was between Geneva and Lyon! The Rhône is still a bit wild there, as are its banks. Not too many roads, highways, trains, or factories around—just nature and peace. You gradually leave the Alps behind and head further south. It was truly stunning. We also loved the "Rhône Valley" after Lyon. The succession of dozens of suspension bridges and little villages, each more charming than the last, really enchanted us.
The trickiest part was leaving Lyon... The Via Rhôna disappears for a long stretch, forcing you to alternate between roads, traffic, danger, and pollution. We had to wait until Givors, further south, to finally get back to the quiet bike path and the Rhône showing us the way. Also, after Lyon, the Rhône becomes a bit more industrial—you pass by dams, factories, and power plants more often. But it’s really just a small detail, the exception that proves the rule of this magnificent Via Rhôna.
The Via Rhôna is a fantastic way to see how water from the mountains of Lake Geneva flows, travels, and winds its way for hundreds of kilometers to reach the sea. With this trip, you get closer to the Rhône—it becomes your accomplice, your guide. Plus, you cross a beautiful part of France, with its charm and little villages. It’s the France we love, and it’s great to explore your own country like a tourist.
That’s it for our little travel journal. I didn’t go into too much detail about our days since everyone will follow the same route, and everyone can go at their own pace :) But I’m happy to answer any questions (logistics, technical stuff, routes, etc.)—I’d be glad to help!
Here’s the video of our route again—I also composed the music, so I hope you’ll like it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_cpBro6Df8
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Great video! I only know the Via Rhôna from La Voulte to Orange, but I really enjoyed it. You get quite a shake-up on the Rochemaure footbridge—sometimes you end up going the wrong way, sometimes it’s all over the place. In Cruas, the noise from the wind turbines is deafening, but it’s still really fun. I definitely plan to do the whole route!
I’m from Lyon and I often ride the ViaRhôna. The Lyon–Givors section has been a major pain point for years... and progress is way too slow! What I usually do is take a detour through Vénissieux, Corbas, Marennes, climb the small Bel-Air pass, then go through Villette-de-Vienne and Vienne to reconnect with the ViaRhôna. With a good GPS to navigate Lyon, it’s perfect.
Anyway, congrats, and I hope this inspires you to keep traveling by bike!
True, Lyon to Givors isn’t obvious, but with a bit of local knowledge, a GPS, or a good guide like Claudio’s from La Faverges, you can make it—it’s even pretty thrilling to weave through all that chaos like a cat!
On the EAST side, that’s actually what Claudio’s been recommending for 15 years.
In October 2018, Claudio tested the route via the A7!! And it works, plus they’re currently redoing the bike path between Saint-Fons and Irigny.
After that, toward Vernaison, there are bike lanes—not very glamorous, admittedly.
From Vernaison to Givors, you follow the towpath—it’s pure Indiana Jones!
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
The camera I used is a GoPro Hero 5 Black. I think it stabilizes the videos automatically. Plus, I use a handlebar mount for the GoPro (easy to find in appliance or sports stores), which keeps the camera really steady on the bike, and the result is stable.
Plus, video editing software can stabilize the footage now.
claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Thanks for your message, Serge! The Via Rhona from La Voulte to Orange is indeed a stunning section! I hope you get the chance to ride the stretches further north or south—the rest of the Via Rhôna is just as beautiful.
The Rochemaure footbridge is breathtaking; it’s one of my standout memories from the Via Rhôna. What an incredible structure made available for us cyclists! You really feel privileged.
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
I watched your great video carefully, so I spotted the Rochemaure footbridge—the tunnel looks like the one in Comps, right? I think I passed through it recently during my trip to the Pont du Gard. Lovely bike path! In Tarascon, I turned off toward Les Alpilles.
claudio did it 3 times in 2018, the last one in Oct 2018
report in progress
no video this time
but photos showing the state of the route between Geneva and Valence via Lyon
some pluses and a few minor issues
stay tuned
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
The tunnel is on the greenway from Comps to Pont du Gard, heading toward Beaucaire and the south when following the ViaRhôna.
cbandiera.free.fr/vv/beaucaire-comps/
cbandiera.free.fr/...ire-comps/photos.php
claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Thanks for the info. I went through there on 15/09. After the tunnel, I turned left and went to see the Vallabrègues dam, then the village of Vallabrègues. After that, I turned back, took the bike path again, and in Beaucaire, I headed left toward the Alpilles. I took the bike path from Saint-Étienne-du-Grès to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, then some small roads (EuroVelo 8) through the orchards, and I camped in Cavaillon.
When can we expect your report on your latest trip?
I’ve almost finished the photos
The story should follow soon
claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Often, cyclists go all the way down to Port Saint Louis du Rhône to see the Rhône flow into the sea, then enter the heart of the Camargue via the Barcarin ferry, so they end up in Salin de Giraud.
(There’s a brand-new campsite that just opened—I’m supposed to test it out next Easter.)
They ride along the sea dike—it’s stunning—arrive at Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a really pretty typical village, and then head to Sète. Basically, they complete the loop from Avignon back to Avignon.
For the story, I need to jog my memory and find my travel journal...
Claudio
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
No problem, I really like your photos showcasing our beautiful rural FRANCE and the well-mannered comments that go with them. I’m right in the middle of olive picking—no time to hop on the bike. The weather here is gray and threatening. On Thursday, I tried going out and ended up with a more than memorable shower!
Yes, there are several possible routes at the end of the Via Rhôna when you reach the Camargue. You can choose to follow the "big" Rhône and see it flow into the Mediterranean at Port Saint Louis du Rhône, or follow the "little Rhône" and then the Rhône-to-Sète canal to Le Grau du Roi and also reach the sea.
We chose the second route (since we were heading back up to Montpellier). I think both paths are worth it and must be stunning. The Camargue is truly a beautiful region—it’s a joy to cycle through such a wild place!
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Great photos, I love the Camargue. After passing the Barcarin ferry, there’s a really special vibe. Your photos of Les Saintes are from Monday, March 15, 2016—funny enough, I was there with my buddy Jean Paul on Saturday, March 20, 2016, according to my archives!
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Thanks for your message—it means a lot coming from someone who knows the Via Rhôna so well!
That’s exactly the point of the video: to share as many beautiful images of the Via Rhôna as possible. To bring back memories or inspire new travel plans... Thanks!
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
finally got your inspiration back—great report!
The Cusset hydroelectric plant is stunning. What amazing work the old-timers did with so few resources. Love that Jonage canal and the lakes
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Hello fellow cyclists😉
Well done on your trip!
I myself did part of the ViaRhôna in June. I share your enthusiasm for the route of this itinerary, and I’m chiming in about the southern Lyon section, which is indeed very dangerous. I was strongly advised to skip that stretch. So I took the train from Lyon Part-Dieu to Givors to avoid that area. It’s a real shame that a better route isn’t being considered at the moment.
My own adventure was along the Rhine in Alsace all the way to Menton (06), following the Rhône-au-Rhin, the Doubs, the Saône, the Rhône to Arles, then the Provençal hinterland to Monaco.
It was a truly superb ride, very smooth except for the slightly hilly southeastern part.
A bit like you in terms of average daily distance—1,300 km in thirteen days.
Plus, I was spoiled by the weather: not a drop of rain and a tailwind for two-thirds of the route. That’s not my usual luck!
Hoping that in the future, the crossing through Lyon will be more bike-friendly.
south of Lyon, you can get there—
they’ve even marked it with the ViaRhôna route.
It’s doable, but a few sections are, let’s say… a little stressful. And yet, some minor improvements could make a big difference.
But Claudio and many associations have been saying this for 20 years.
Claudio studied 9 possible routes.
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Thanks for this great report—just a heads-up for others in case... I made it all the way to the end of this route, meaning Port Louis, with about 40 km of stunning path after Arles. However, after that, there’s absolutely nothing left, and it’s a nightmare to reach Marseille (with over 20 km on a national highway, heavily used by trucks and, at times, without even a shoulder to ride on!).
On the way back, thanks to a friendly mountain biker I met by chance, I took a detour after Istres via Saint-Martin-de-Crau—just small roads with only about 4–5 km of admittedly rocky but very rideable path.
I stopped by the Arles tourist office to leave them the route (did they keep it?). Because whether it’s this one or Marseille’s, aside from nice brochures on the completed sections of the Via Rhôna, there’s little info on options available for cycle tourists.
If there’s any update on this section, I’d love to hear about it...
PS: For tunnel lovers, there’s an amazing cycling path in Wuppertal (Germany) with over 30 km of dedicated lanes, including several tunnels—some over a kilometer long! I did it this summer and loved it!
Claudio keeps the ViaRhona info up to date in his excellent guidebook here:
cbandiera.free.fr/...e-rhone-a-velo/topo/
As for Arles to Marseille—well, it’s no joke!
Here’s Claudio’s free study after several on-site trips:
cbandiera.free.fr/...marseilleclaudio.php
cbandiera.free.fr/...les/louis-istres.php
cbandiera.free.fr/...-marseille/F/90.html
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Hi there.
Le Grau-du-Roi. Thanks to the bike paths, especially here, it's safer for bike rides... but it lacks a few hills... oh well, given my age, my motivation isn’t what it used to be... so I’ll take what I can get. Happy trails to you both! Best, Rv.
There are a few bridges you can power through and some hills not too far into the hinterland.
In Sète, the climb up Mont Saint-Clair can be tough.
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
with that, no risk of getting tired; not long enough for me... I know the Gard area well, and to get some good hills, you’ve gotta take the car and get closer... thanks anyway!!! Cheers..
I was wondering if anyone has already done the Via Rhôna in its entirety, from the source of the Rhône in Switzerland? I’ve heard about this route, which must be pretty incredible too. The journey starts at the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps. It must be amazing to go from the glacier all the way to the sea!
For my part, just going from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean was a really great experience. Now I’d love to do the stretch between the lake and the Rhône Glacier!
claudio did it
From Geneva to the source, round trip, and then after a few days of warrior rest, from Geneva to Lyon to Sète.
But others have also done more of it.
This route is called the EuroVelo 17.
cbandiera.free.fr/vv/euros/euro-velo-17/
Watch out, it climbs! But you can reach the source by... bus or train, and yes, it’s not France, it’s Switzerland.
This time, it was a bit cut short because of... age...
cbandiera.free.fr/recits/2017-andermatt/
But here,
in 2007:
cbandiera.free.fr/...rces-rhone/index.php
Claudio de la Faverges.
Bonjour amis cyclotouristes, claude passionné de voyages à vélo favergien et défenseur du cycliste.
plus la carte bleue est foncée et plus le bagage est léger
en anglais "the more the card is blu the less the luggage is heavy"
Nouvelle sur ce forum, je recherche des infos sur la via Rhôna entre Valence, et Port Louis, comment faire pour l'hébergement, la restauration du soir, les…
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Voyager à vélo › France › Provence-Côte d'Azur / Rhône-Alpes · 11 replies
J'envisage de parcourir la Via Rhona entre Lyon et Marseille début février pour me rendre à un stage de voile. Je cherche un maximum d'info sur l'état des…
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
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?
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.
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.
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
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!
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!
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
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.
The tunnel is on the greenway from Comps to Pont du Gard, heading toward Beaucaire and the south when following the ViaRhôna.
claudio did it
From Geneva to the source, round trip, and then after a few days of warrior rest, from Geneva to Lyon to Sète.
But others have also done more of it.
This route is called the EuroVelo 17.
