Discussions Djalma took part in

Hello, Following our trip on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route this summer, we’re sharing our experience in this travel journal. We’re Richard and Bernadette, both 64 years old, and we’re gravel bike-packing cyclists. We’ve completed several gravel bike trips in France and neighboring countries, and Richard has also done some in South America. We left on July 22, 2026, from Geneva to Calgary via Frankfurt with our bikes carefully packed in boxes, and we returned on October 8 from El Paso to Geneva via Chicago and Frankfurt.

The GDMBR is a mountain route that closely follows the Pacific/Atlantic continental divide, starting in Banff, Canada, and ending at the Mexican border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. This crossing of the American West is one of the longest mountain biking routes in the world, winding through wild valleys, mountain ranges, and desert plateaus. It stretches about 4,400 km with a total elevation gain of around 60,000 m. The average altitude is 2,000 m, and the highest point reaches 3,600 m. The route is 80% off-pavement (gravel roads, dirt, and a few trail segments). It’s also known for the annual Tour Divide race, which brings together the best riders in the discipline every June and follows roughly the same route.

We prepared for this trip over several months, using a few websites and an older guidebook (the 2013 English edition).



With this, we were able to organize our journey with as much information as possible, a GPS track, and gear suited to the weather conditions, terrain, and sparse resupply points in remote areas.

Once we arrived in Banff, we picked up bear spray to handle a particular challenge: the wildlife we weren’t familiar with.



After landing in Calgary, we assembled and equipped our bikes at the airport. That first evening, we were welcomed by Mike, who invited us to his place when we were looking for a spot to pitch our tent. Then we made our way to Banff over two days, taking a fairly quiet road to Canmore and then a bike path.



A visit to Banff, a charming tourist town in the national park. Its famous Fairmont Hotel.



The starting point of the GDMBR at the arch of this hotel complex.



Here we are, immersed in the wilderness—just a few pedal strokes away from the town, the contrast is striking. Powerful rivers, vast landscapes, and our first encounter with a mule deer.



Spray Lake, our first basic campsite: no showers, dry toilets, no water fountain—we filter lake water. Most GDMBR campsites are like this.





We took the west side of the lake—a longer and wilder route. A few fallen trees blocked the path, forcing us to carry our bikes. But the stunning landscapes made it all worth it!



Our first single track through a forest marked by past wildfires.





Most campgrounds have tables and metal fire rings for safe campfires, which makes setting up camp much easier—especially nice after a long, tiring day! During this trip, we mostly slept in our tent, either in established campgrounds or wild bivouacs.

To be continued...

Hey everyone,

I’m planning a motorcycle trip to Nepal (renting a Royal-Enfield in Kathmandu) next April for 4 to 6 weeks. I’m in my sixties, used to self-organized trips, well-prepared with some knowledge of the terrain. Usually, I do this with my buddy Marco, but this year he’s aiming for Réunion while I’m heading to Nepal.

I’ve got a bit of experience (always with a partner), having ridden in Nepal twice before (but this time it’s the West I’m targeting). Once in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (China, so), the Thar Desert in India, and twice in Ladakh—from Pakistan to China via Khardung-La, the world’s highest road (5,600m), with snow-covered passes in August—and last year, Sikkim. That’s my track record—no bragging, just to reassure my future travel partner.

I’m looking for someone because this kind of trip isn’t done solo. I’m sociable, very curious about others, and I travel for the encounters, the immersion in cultures I don’t know, and that feeling of freedom when riding through stunning landscapes, feeling tiny against the vastness around you. I’d like someone who’s traveled before, knows motorcycles, is resilient, curious about others, and respectful of differences. I don’t want to be the guide of this adventure (which I know will be exceptional).

If this person lives in the Paris area, that’ll make planning easier. We’ll need to meet at least a few times. I can also show photos from previous trips.

Total budget: max 4,000 € (Flights, bike, hotels, food, and living expenses!). Bike choice: 500 Bullet or 500 Classic—I’m not a fan of the 450 Himalayan. The first two are tanks with much better ground clearance. Timing: April, with a possible 15-day extension to Bangladesh, which I might do solo or with a partner.

PS. This is really a trip for two, and two bikes. With three or four, it’s a different setup. Alone or as a pair, you can be invited by families or sleep in monasteries and discreetly attend morning prayers—not so much with four. It’s a physically demanding trip, but it’s the journey of a lifetime.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Hi everyone! 😊

I’d love to share some ideas for exploring beautiful Sri Lanka—a destination that offers an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences.

From tropical beaches and elephant safaris to tea plantations, lush mountains, ancient temples, and nature hikes, there’s so much to discover on this island.

For those planning a trip to Sri Lanka, which regions did you love the most? Any tips on safaris, hikes, private transport, or multi-day tours?

Looking forward to swapping tips and discovering Sri Lanka with you!

Hi everyone, I’m new to the community and I need your help. I know Morocco well but not the Ouarzazate region, and I’d like to visit the Skoura Palm Grove from November 9th to 14th—it looks amazing. My question is about the weather at this time of year. Is it not too cold? Or too rainy? Thanks so much to all of you.

Hi, my return flight was postponed to the next day, so I have to spend a night in Istanbul. I arrive at 11:30 AM and leave the next day at 8:55 AM for Marseille. What do you recommend: find a hotel at the airport and wait until the next morning, or find one halfway since apparently there are more than 50 km between the airport and the city center? Thanks for your advice!

Hi It's hard to tell from Maps or anything else whether the road along the Tessaout is fully paved from Amezri all the way to the junction with the road connecting Demnate to Ouarzazate (RN23). Thanks for your replies! Herviche

Hello, I’d like to head to Mauritania between November 15th and the end of December. I’m looking for a crew or group we could join for this adventure. I’ll already be in Morocco, and my wife will meet me there. We’re traveling in an HDJ80 equipped for camping. Dates and organization are flexible—we’re easygoing.

Hi everyone! My friend and I are planning a trip to Paris, and we're looking for a cheap place to stay. If you have any recommendations for a budget-friendly accomodation, we'd really appreciate them. Also if you know any reliable car rental companies that aren't too expensive, please share your suggestions in the comments. Thanks for your help ;))

Hi fellow traveler,

I was wondering where the 'Gare du Nord' stop is when you arrive on the 39 bus from Montparnasse, and whether the 'Gare du Nord Dunkerque' stop in front of the station is served by this bus? From what I've read, there's no stop there on the return trip, which seems odd to me.

Thanks a lot!

Hi, Which bank is the best in Mindelo and Porto Novo for exchanging euros into local currency? Should I exchange cash or use my bank card? Is it accepted in restaurants? Thanks

Hi,

We’ll be in Nepal from November 1st to 12th, 2026. We paid for our flight tickets with a Visa Premier card. Is it worth getting additional insurance? And if so, which one would you recommend? Thanks, Guylaine

Hi, do you have any great tips for spending New Year's Eve away? Destination doesn't matter. Thanks!

I'M PLANNING TO GO TO CORSICA IN 2027, EITHER IN JUNE OR MAYBE SEPTEMBER (haven't decided yet). I'd like to know which is the most cost-effective way to get there from La Rochelle: by plane or by boat? Once there, I'd rent a basic car (though I don’t know which agency yet). I plan to do the 10-day *Mare a Mare* hike.

Hi there,

In November-December, we’re planning a 6-week road trip in Morocco, spending two-thirds of the time south of the High Atlas and away from cities. We’ll be staying in gîtes, kasbahs, riads, and the like—no big hotels. Usually, we stay 1–2 nights in the same place.

Six weeks means we’ll need to do laundry at some point, so here’s our question: Can we generally count on finding a washing machine/dryer in these accommodations? Or should we look for a laundromat or *lavandería* (are there any?)?

Worst case, we’ll hand-wash with a tube of detergent, but we’d rather avoid that if possible…

If you’ve got experience with how laundry works in the area, we’d love your tips! Thanks everyone! !

Hi, I’d love some tips for visiting Costa Rica with someone who can’t walk for long distances. Is it doable? Thanks for your feedback!

Hello,

Can anyone tell me what the current road conditions are like around Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Australian Camp? Thanks! Guylaine

Hello,

I’ve booked my flight ticket to China, arriving in Hong Kong and departing from Chongqing.

I have 27 nights there.

Here’s my draft itinerary:

Hong Kong arrival (minimum 3 nights + 1 night for Macau) Shenzhen (1 night – immigration, day and night city visit) Guangzhou (2 nights – 2 days of sightseeing) Yangshuo (3 nights – 2 full days) Passing through Guilin (0 nights – 1 day) Longsheng or Longji Rice Terraces Green (2 nights) Sanjiang (1 night) Kunming (1 night) Dali (2 nights – 1 day of sightseeing) Lijiang (2 nights – 1 day of sightseeing) Shangri-La (1 night) Chengdu (2 nights – 1 full day for Buddha) Zhangjiajie (4 nights – 4 days) Chongqing (2 nights)

I have an efficient travel style (I wake up very early and generally move quickly).

I don’t want to see the Stone Forest in Kunming because it looks too much like the Tsingy in Madagascar.

What do you think? Thanks for any kind of feedback.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of markets. No matter where I go, in every country or city I visit, I won’t leave without having seen one. I’m mostly talking about food markets. I love the smells, the colors, and watching people from all walks of life stroll around. It’s like a mirror of a country’s culture, and I love soaking it all in.

Thai markets are particularly appealing to me. In my province, there are so many. Maybe more than elsewhere—I’m not sure—but every day, you can find a "Talat Nat." These are traveling markets that set up in specific places on specific days. They only stay open for a few hours. Some attract more shoppers than others because they have more stalls and a wider variety of products. Sometimes, they’re set up in pretty unusual spots: temples, roadside, even on train tracks...

On top of these, there are also markets in the city that stay open all day.

I’d love for you to share your photos of markets, local product stalls, and why not, let’s talk about gastronomy and cuisine too!

I’ll start with my favorite market—it’s 8 kilometers from my place and happens every Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM. I never miss a Tuesday unless there’s a downpour... 😉 It’s located in the countryside, in a village famous for its coffee (ThamSing), and inside the grounds of a slightly unusual temple. It’s easy to get to—over the past 10 years, the roads have been paved, which wasn’t the case before and made the trip a bit risky when it rained...

In the first two photos, you’ll see the temple courtyard on a normal day, without the market.

Hi everyone.

My partner, our daughter, and I are planning a walking trip to Madagascar in July-August 2027. We’d love any tips or info you can share about this plan. Which regions should we prioritize? Is a local guide better than a well-established agency? Where’s the best place to buy our flight tickets from Réunion? Thanks for your input!

My first trip to Morocco dates back to the early 90s.

Four more followed...

I’d never gone further north than Casablanca, Volubilis, or Fez—it was time to fix that!

So I planned a route that would fill in the gaps while revisiting a few places.

This route is pretty classic—if you’re looking for something original, you might want to skip it!

The starting point of the trip: the city of Rabat.

The stops?

Azrou, Fez, Al Hoceïma, Akchour, Tetouan, Tangier, Asilah, and finally Rabat.

Mostly an urban trip, then.

Too much?

We’ll see at the end of the travel journal!