Travel with your hands on the handlebars

Discovering a region of the world on the handlebars of your bike, exploring its landscapes, marrying its relief, soaking up its scents, rubbing shoulders with its inhabitants.

Travel with your hands on the handlebars

Discovering a region of the world on the handlebars of your bike, exploring its landscapes, marrying its relief, soaking up its scents, rubbing shoulders with its inhabitants... this is a journey that makes you dream and deserves reflection.

According to Pascale Charron, guide coordinator at Vélo Québec Voyages, pedaling on vacation abroad allows you to perceive the flavors that characterize the region, such as those that come from the sea, the forest, the fields and the villages.

In addition, "we are able to observe the landscape longer, because the bicycle offers a good scrolling speed", says the one who has several cycling trips to her credit.

On their mount, cyclists sometimes take paths with little traffic, which brings them closer to people who often greet them when they cross a village.

What is my destination?

In organizing such an adventure, the choice of the place to visit is not random.

"Beyond the destination that interests us, we must ask ourselves if the relief of it corresponds to our physical abilities," says Ms. Charron.

Given the craze for electric-assisted bicycles (VAE), she finds that many cyclists forget that a minimum of effort is required and that they sometimes choose destinations beyond their abilities.

For example, beginners shouldn't go to the Alps, even on an eBike, because "it's not a moped," she says.

Before departure, Ms. Charron suggests “having already made outings equivalent to the longest days planned during the trip. You have to leave in good physical shape, with a bike in good condition and of good quality,” she says.

And above all, with a repair kit in case of a problem and space on your bike for hydration.

Go on an organized trip

For a first trip abroad, choosing an organized trip rather than leaving in complete autonomy has many advantages.

For example, being met at the airport by a guide who accompanies cyclists, who is present in the event of a problem on the road, who ensures that luggage is transported from one hotel to another, etc.

Discovering a proven route, staying in hotels that have been reserved for us and offering secure places to store your bike, receiving advice from local partners before visiting the region, all of this is also part of the advantages of a trip. organized.

Bring your bike or rent?

“We see more and more cyclists who want to rent on site, notes Ms. Charron. Traveling with a bike is expensive, then boxing and flying comes with some risk. Moreover, a quick phone call to his property insurance company before leaving is ideal.

At the same time, there are more and more rental services offering good quality bikes. However, adopting a different position on a rented bike and sitting on a new saddle can cause discomfort and loss of power.

The decision to rent or not will therefore be influenced by the type of trip planned (pleasure or performance), its duration and the mileage covered by bike. It might be necessary to put your bike in locker at the airport, for example.

NEXT NEWS