Discussions Wegg took part in

Hello friends Imagine waking up before dawn to total silence, crisp cold air, and a sky so clear that the Milky Way feels close enough to touch. You take a deep breath, click your shoes into your pedals, and look down. Spreading out thousands of meters below you, bathed in the soft golden glow of the rising African sun, are the vast, endless plains of Tanzania. Then, you release your brakes. Riding Mount Kilimanjaro isn't a story of extreme danger or terrifying drops. It is a story of pure, unforgettable freedom . It is the feeling of accomplishment when you realize that you—on your own two wheels, supported by an incredible local crew—just tackled the highest free-standing mountain on Earth. Here is what the journey actually feels like:Day 1: Entering the Enchanted Jungle 🌿 Your ride begins at the gates of the rainforest. The air is warm and rich with the scent of damp earth and tropical leaves. You're spinning comfortably up winding singletrack under a dense green canopy. Blue monkeys chatter in the trees above, and every turn reveals moss-covered roots, gentle gully berms, and loamy dirt that grips your tires like glue. It feels like riding through a real-life fairytale forest.Day 2 & 3: Riding above the Clouds ☁️ As you break out of the jungle into the open heather and moorlands, the world completely opens up. Suddenly, you are pedaling above the cloud line. You look to your side and see vast white seas of clouds drifting below, with the jagged peak of Mount Meru poking through in the distance. The pace here is slow, steady, and deeply peaceful. Pole pole (slowly, slowly)—as the local Tanzanian guides warmly remind you. It's not a race; it's a rhythm. You pedal, take in the breathtaking vistas, share laughs with your support team at lunch stops, and watch the landscape shift from giant flowering lobelias to dramatic volcanic formations.Day 4: Touch the Roof of Africa 🌅 Reaching the high camps and the summit zone is a feeling that stays with you forever. Standing with your bike at the summit—or high up on the mountain's shoulder—is a moment of pure emotion. Standing on top of Africa with your trusty rig, looking out over the entire continent, is a memory that no race medal or weekend trail ride can ever match.The Descent: 3,800 Vertical Meters of Pure Bliss 🚀 And then comes the reward you worked for. Dropping down from the alpine desert back to the rainforest is hands-down the longest, most exhilarating continuous descent in Africa. You float over black volcanic dust, carve through open mountain ridges, and flow down smooth forest singletrack. With every kilometer dropped, warm air returns, your smile gets wider, and the arm pump feels like a badge of honor."Can I actually do this?" YES. You don't need to be a professional racer or a daredevil. If you enjoy long weekend rides, technical singletrack, and a good day in the mountains, this ride is within your reach. With proper acclimatization days, expert local guides carrying the heavy gear, and a relaxed, steady pace, it is an achievable, deeply rewarding journey. It's more than just a bike ride—it's an expedition of a lifetime that connects you with nature, local culture, and the pure passion of mountain biking.

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

What’s the maximum weight of gear I can carry in my panniers: - For a woman on an e-bike - And for a man on a muscle-powered bike Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum! I’d like to buy some panniers for bike travel made of Cordura. I initially went for the Ortlieb Back Roller Plus, but while browsing the cylo-randonnée website, I came across the Extrawheel Wayfarer Premium panniers. They’re also made of Cordura, manufactured in Poland with German materials, and each has a 25-liter capacity—10 liters more than the Ortliebs. Has anyone here tried them or knows this brand? I know Ortlieb is super reputable, but I figured there might be other brands that are just as good. 🙂 Gabriele

Hi there,

I’m currently looking for a bike to do my first bike trip across France, with the ultimate goal of cycling through Latin America. I’ve got a lot of questions and I’d love to hear if you have any answers or advice to share. First off, I’ve been through this before with hiking. I want to get top-quality gear right away. When I started hiking, I ended up buying everything three times—first beginner gear, then intermediate, then expert, etc. For biking, I’d prefer to skip that process and invest right now in a bike that could ideally handle Latin America. I’ve set a total max budget of around 5000 € (roughly 4000–4500 € for the bike and the rest for accessories: panniers, helmet, cycling shorts, etc.).

So, I’ve got quite a few questions:

* I’ve read in several places that some people recommend buying the bike directly in Latin America. Since I need a first bike to train in Europe, would it be better to buy an entry-level bike in France (and sell it before the big departure)? Or is it preferable to start right away with my final bike to get used to it? Is buying it there just to save a bit of money?

* For a long-term trip (around six months) in Latin America, is it better to go for a gravel bike or a mountain bike?

* Should I buy a new bike or a refurbished one? Even more so given that I’m planning a long trip—could a refurbished bike end up causing more breakdowns?

If you have any advice on models, technical features to prioritize, or recommended sellers or resellers, I’d love to hear it. I’m a total beginner—I’ve only just started watching videos and reading up on the subject, and all the technical specs are new to me!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello, I have a TX400. We're heading to the Andes this spring, and I wanted to see about changing my cassette to switch from an 11-35 to an 11-42 so I can tackle the big climbs more easily. So far, I've only found discussions from cyclists who switched from a 48-36-26 chainring to a 44-32-22. Has anyone kept the original chainring and just changed to a larger sprocket?

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to figure out how to get from Paris to Marseille or Montpellier with non-disassembled bikes by train in early July 2025... and it’s a total flop!!! Can’t find any trains that offer the bike-on-board option! It’s so complicated between SNCF-CONNECT, OUIGO, and TER INTERCITÉS!!! Nothing’s simple! I want to take my teens and their cousins on a bike trip to the Camargue, but I’ll have to start planning way ahead to sort out bike transport!!! So glad I found VoyageForum for tips! !

Hi,

I’ve browsed the forum but can’t find an answer to my question: Which brand offers bikes suitable for bike touring for an 11-year-old / 140 cm tall? The D4 range is really limited... We’re looking at covering about 50/60 km max per day.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Hi fellow bike-packers, so I’m heading out solo by bike this spring, like I do every year—around 1,500 to 2,000 km in total. This time I want to explore the south of France. I’ll start by meeting up with a buddy in Ariège, and after that the road’s wide open toward the east, aiming for Drôme. If anyone has route ideas—especially quiet backroads, places I can wild-camp pretty much anywhere, and climbs that aren’t too steep—I’m all ears! Thanks, and see you around here or on the road. Take care.

I'm currently exploring how to create a travel itinerary using AI, specifically ChatGPT.

Question: Bike route from Bordeaux to Paris.

Rough response:

A bike route between Bordeaux and Paris is an incredible adventure, typically around 600 to 650 km depending on the chosen path. Here’s an example of an itinerary with key points:Main Option: La Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3) La Scandibérique is the French section of EuroVelo 3, connecting Bordeaux to Paris through stunning landscapes. This route is well-marked and takes you through small roads and greenways.Main Stages

Bordeaux → Libourne (about 40 km)

Follow the Garonne River, cross the vineyards of Entre-deux-Mers, and reach Libourne, a charming wine town. Greenways available.

Libourne → Périgueux (about 100 km)

Cross the Dordogne with stops in villages like Montpon-Ménestérol. Mix of quiet small roads and trails.

Périgueux → Châteauroux (about 160 km, in several stages)

Through the Parc Naturel Régional de la Brenne. This stage is longer but rich in nature and heritage.

Châteauroux → Orléans (about 110 km)

Reach the banks of the Loire to enjoy the famous Loire à Vélo, a beautiful section with châteaux.

Orléans → Paris (about 140 km)

Pass through the Forêt de Fontainebleau before joining the bike paths along the Seine all the way to Paris.

hi there After covering thousands of kilometers over the years with front and rear panniers, I’m now facing a problem: broken spokes on the rear wheel. Once, twice—imagine the hassle of fixing it when you're in the middle of nowhere in the Cévennes! So, drastic times call for drastic measures! I switched to a reinforced wheel and, following my bike mechanic’s advice, fitted a tire that’s a "tad" wider than the front one.

We set off on our summer adventure feeling confident, and guess what—"BAM"—a broken spoke after just 200 km. Seriously?! Not even that heavily loaded—just around 30 kg, plus my 80 kg. Even with the sturdier wheel, I still ended up with a broken spoke after 300 km! Back to the bike mechanic, and the only explanation: "It’s your pedaling style..." Not convinced at all! So here’s the idea: a Bob trailer! I’m done with this sword of Damocles hanging over my head—it’s a real buzzkill. Has anyone here tried a Bob trailer? Could you share your experiences—pros, cons, etc.? Thanks!!!

Hi there. I'd like to change the chainring on my Riverside 5 with trigger shifters. I’m attaching a photo for advice. I’m lacking power and want a larger chainring for road use because I’m spinning out on the highest gear even though I still have power to give on flat terrain. At Decathlon, they were supposed to get back to me after checking it out in the workshop but never did. It was outside their standards, and the salesperson clearly forgot about me... What are your recommendations and suitable products for purchase, please? Thanks. Best regards,

Hi,

First off, I just want to say how happy I am that the forum’s back up. It really means a lot. When it went down, I realized how much time I spent here and how much I valued this space for sharing. :) Hopefully, it’ll regain its momentum.

Anyway, I’m starting a thread. I’d like to get a saddle bag. I’m working on making my touring bike more versatile. It’s currently set up with racks for panniers, but for shorter rides, I’d like to remove the racks and switch to "bike-packing" mode. I’ll also be using a lighter set of wheels.

Long story short, I’d love to hear about your experiences with saddle bags you’ve used. This way, I can make an informed choice before buying.

Thanks!

Matt

Bonjour Je suis passé hier (19/09/20) par le tunnel du Mortier qui permet de rejoindre le Vercors à la vallée de l'Isère en descendant sur Montaud, ou l'inverse si on vient de la vallée de l'Isère. Le tunnel est fermé pour la période du 21 septembre au 16 octobre 2020. Il y a des panneaux en bas qui préviennent de la fermeture. Sinon le Vercors c'est super chouette à vélo, il y a pas mal de dénivelé mais les paysages sont variés et magnifiques.

Je suis a la recherche de menus idéal pour avoir une alimentation équilibré en voyage a vélo qui pourrai donner assez d'énergie pour la journée et éviter les carences et autres fringales . Merci pour vos idées .

Mésaventure avec Probikeshop, ou les joies du commerce en ligne: Je précise que je n'ai pas l'habitude d'utiliser ce genre de service mais la marque n'étant pas distribuée près de chez moi j'ai opté pour la commande par internet .

J'ai passé commande le 11 aout, le 12 Probikeshop m'informe que le colis vient d'être confié à Chronopost qui doit livrer sous 48h. Jusque la tout va bien ... Le 19 aout, soit une semaine plus tard ! Chronopost m'informe que le colis ne sera pas livré ou cela était prévu (la boulangerie à deux pas de chez moi) mais à un autre point relais à 40km ! (pour quelle raison ? aucune explication) J'informe par mail Probikeshop que je ne suis pas en mesure de me déplacer jusque la et qu'en outre si je dois faire 80km AR pour un colis je ne vois pas l'intérêt de commander par internet , donc soit ils font le nécessaire pour que le colis arrive à mon domicile soit je demande le remboursement. Probikeshop me répond prés d'une semaine plus tard ! (27 aout)que le colis va etre retourné chez eux et que je recevrais le remboursement total des qu'ils l'auront reçu . On est le 11 septembre et je n'ai toujours pas été remboursé ! Voila un site qui n'assume pas ces fautes, je comprends qu'en l'occurence ce soit le transporteur qui est le fautif mais dans ce cas Probikeshop aurait du premièrement s'excuser du préjudice et deuxièmement se débrouiller pour ré acheminer ma commande d'une autre manière et à leur frais ! Donc que tout le monde soit au courant avec ce revendeur ne comptez pas sur lui en cas de probleme !

Bonjour à tous🙂

Je souhaite rejoindre Roucoules grâce à la Via Fluvia, soit en partant depuis l'Ouest à Lavoute-sur-Rhone ou bien depuis l'Est à Sarras.

Selon vous, quel serait l'itinéraire le plus abouti ? Apparemment entre Sarras et Annonay la voie n'a pas été crée mais la route est tranquille. SI possible je souhaite éviter les portions accidentées avec beaucoup de cailloux, mon VTC n'est pas vraiment confortable 😄 .

Bonjour à tous,

J’aimerai m’équiper d’un vélo me permettant un usage quotidien et des randonnées bivouac sur quelques jours comme j’aime le faire. J’ai également l’envie de faire le tour de la Méditerranée avec ce vélo. Je pense donc acheter un vélo robuste et fiable.

Mon choix s’oriente vers le Surly LHT, surtout que j’ai trouvé une belle occasion sur LBC. Je vais l’essayer mais vu la distance, j’aimerai bien avoir un avis avant. Le vélo est un cadre 62 roue 26’. J’ai peur que le cadre soit trop grand pour moi. Avez-vous des conseils à ce sujet ?

Je mesure 1m91 avec un entrejambe de …( je le mesure ce soir 😊) Le dernier vélo sur lequel je me suis senti à l’aise était un Trek FX3 XL

Dans l’attente de votre retour, belle journée à tous.