Bikepacking France - Where Cyclists Get Priority Over Cars

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I’m riding the Eurovelo 3 from Paris to Bordeaux, and after lacking a bit behind I decided to make up some time in the last episode by taking a train that would propel me about 80 km forward along the route. This entailed me to have a couple of pleasant days in the French countryside ahead of me rather than pushing it to be able to make it to Bordeaux. For the first time I’m even able to have a bit of a siesta in the afternoon to get away from the heat. The lovely French countryside keeps surprising me with fantastic greenways and roads made for cyclists rather than cars. Join me for a great day of bikepacking in France.
Bike:
Kona Sutra
Bike Bags:
Ortlieb Handlebar Pack 15L
Ortlieb Frame Pack 6L
Ortlieb Seat Pack 16,5L
Clothes:
Adidas Adilette Flip Flops - amzn.to/40eKFyQ
Craft Core Enduro Jacket
2 Forclaz Merino Wool T-Shirt
Nike Mens Dri-FIT Short Sleeve Polo Shirt - amzn.to/3j2aq1w
Padded MTB Shorts
Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants - amzn.to/3jalGfE
2 Pair of Socks amzn.to/40dU4H6
Merino Underwear - amzn.to/3XRU9hZ
Merino Wool Buff - amzn.to/409sYkd
Giro Fixture Mips Helmet - amzn.to/3XKHsoZ
Science In Sport Water Bottle - amzn.to/3WLLsV9
Northwave Cycling Shoes
Sunglasses
Cooking Gear:
Sea To Summit X Mug - amzn.to/3Hg7GJ1
Light My Fire Spork - amzn.to/3Dncn2J
Wine Bottle Opener ;-)
Tools:
Lezyne HV Bicycle Hand Pump - amzn.to/3lHxnJc
Park Tool VP-1Vulcanizing Patch Kit - amzn.to/409NhOC
Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool - amzn.to/3j0A86D
Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube - amzn.to/3iWqYIf
CTC Plastic Bag + packaging
Inner Tube - amzn.to/3Dq1oFP
Bike Lock - amzn.to/3HHcWqs
Toiletries:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shaving Gel
Mach 3 Razor - amzn.to/3j2bYsm
Contact Lens Case
Travel Schampoo bottle
Camping Equipment:
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent - amzn.to/3aA1MTp
Sea To Summit Collapsible Backpack - amzn.to/3RvanLP
Aegismax UL Down Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3BVCStv
Aegismax Nano 2 Ultralight Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3RcZcqR
Sea To Summit Reactor Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner - amzn.to/409RLVs
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad - amzn.to/3Y98qGC
Nabaji Microfibre Towel L - amzn.to/3Y3KDbh
Electronics
Samsung S20 - amzn.to/3Y544jR
Dji Mavic Pro Drone - amzn.to/3FKsVBk
GoPro Hero7 Black - amzn.to/3JoetTC
Canon G7X Mark II - amzn.to/3XO7lnY
Zoom H1N Recorder - amzn.to/409ewZA
Rode Smartlav+ Lavalier - amzn.to/3RcZcqR
2 Anker PowerCore 20000 mAh - amzn.to/3JpPxvg
Bag Of Cables and Extra Batteries
DISCLAIMER: This description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Watch a sneak peak of Episode 7 over at Patreon: www.patreon.com/BikeTouringMike460. Next Sunday I'll also host our monthly Patreon live zoom call where you get some help in planning your bikepacking trip for 2024.

[@Scor-ah]

On long bike trips I get really tired of eating seated on the ground. It is funny how a picnic table becomes a luxury and a sit down restaurant meal is very much appreciated.

[@tonypaddler]

Indeed Susan, after the effort we put into self-propelled travel, we sure do deserve a comfortable position for eating!

[@yann1543]

Vos vidéos sont toujours très agréables à regarder et s'avèrent être très inspirantes. Merci pour ce partage.

[@PumpkinVillage]

What beautiful country and that was a lot of motorcycles. Nice roads to ride on. Not like some of our roads here. Thanks for another well done video and take care, Al

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you Al! Glad you enjoyed following along on the French roads.

[@neilpenny5475]

Mate, I have spent the past couple of days watching your bike trips in France. I would love to do a trip there one day. Very entertaining and informative. Thank you.

[@rabh6746]

Another nice ride Mike, France is so beautiful👍That was quite a line of motorcycles😁Up until this year I was a cyclist and a motorcyclist but I sold my motorbike this year, I do miss it but it was time to stop after riding for 43 years! I will never stop cycling though, until its not possible anymore...

[@goldenstardust]

That connection between all people on any adventure that takes them out of their ordinary life is really special! Another great episode Mike! 👍

[@tomsitzman3952]

Mikael, Thanks for taking us along on your journey.

[@robadr13]

Not sure I share your kinship with motorcyclists, especially in groups of 20 or 30...never has so much noise been made by so few people. 🙂 Great episode!

[@ianmatlock1]

Great video Mike. I prefer cycling when its cool as well, rather than really hot.

[@simonwiltshire]

Great being able to follow your adventures, thanks mike!

[@Scor-ah]

Excellent videos Mike, I love your story telling ability and photography.

[@bruce2keys270]

Love your videos, they are so soothing and enjoyable to watch ! Thanks for sharing the adventures, they're awesome !!

[@marcodeijmann5064]

Hey mike, following you for 2 years now 😃👍 but when in france you should get your breakfast at a boulangerie and dine at the most simple restaurant/cafe and have the day menu 😀 it’s faster healthier and probably cheaper; you are eating to much supermarket/gas station crap 😜 love your videos 😎

[@harrygrimley4352]

Mike. I don't do many long rides anymore but i always had two water bottles. One was thermos type and would keep water cold for a day. Which was great for later in the ride. Just a few ounces more in weight. Worth it. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Another great episode in this series! I don’t envy you in the heat. What a deal for a campground, 8 euros! I’m very interested in your next stop.

[@samhklm]

Love this series. Sorry it was so hot this summer. Are you going to shift your travel to the spring or fall due to the heat.

[@danielwyvern8892]

Nice music selection.

[@colinwellman9480]

I've followed your travels for a number of years and enjoyed every one of them. I wonder, as you mostly travel alone, do you ever feel lonely? Thanks for sharing your trip.

[@stuwhite2337]

Looks lovely Mike!

[@brandX15]

Great video Mike. I just cant relate to you giving out about the hot weather, while I'm sitting here in front of the fire nearly a month away from Xmas 🥶🥶🥶

[@cherj960]

Really enjoying your videos Mike your trip looks amazing! Safe travels and stay hydrated!

[@ningenneko-coversong]

Amazing cycling adventures 😊 And nice breaktime you had, too

[@Rlaplante73]

Mike, what a wonderful ride through the countryside. Totally enjoyed spending this day with you on this ride ... but feel bad you had to deal with such high temperatures. Blessings!

[@lv2keepfit493]

Looks like a great trip and a well deserved ice cream. How's the Kona holding up? Looks like you've put on 1000's of Km's since purchasing it. I just bought my Kona Sutra SE 56cm here in Canada and looking for some adventure rides starting next spring. For now I'll just keep it local since winter is around the corner and once salt hit the roads I'll be putting it away. Safe cycling Mike, enjoy!

[@gogorobandles]

Really enjoying your trip through France Mike. Do you miss not having your cooking setup with you?

[@Grangeburn]

Lovely part of France Mike but in hot weather it is incredibly exhausting on a bike. Did you not take a wee walk up to the Le Mémorial de la Resistance? You couldn't have missed seeing it straight ahead of you as you turned into the campsite. Over 2,255 soldiers and resistance fighters are buried there. Very impressive monument and moving cemetery.

[@fm7319]

I like Mike!

[@madisondeans5566]

Great calm feeling,love your style,as I can relate,I take it all in much better being Slow Af!😊

[@lancecrawley9542]

Thx, Mike! Maybe at home you might be missing the heat right about now?

[@BikeTouringMike]

Sure do. We've had harsh winter conditions for the last two weeks now. -12C/10F right now. Brrr!

[@liamahern8527]

Great video Mike 🚴👍

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

Just amazing content

[@mikascamp]

Hi mike, I remember watching one of your videos where you said you needed a certain power adapter/plug (you had to buy one on trip) at certain camp spots but cant remember which video can you remember what it was called? thanks👍

[@TouringTony]

Another great video How hot was it?

[@lastone8896]

It's always nice to be recognized by the hot biker babes and be honked at If you could invite a cross country female bike packer to join you let her lead My uncle told me if your not the lead dog on a dog sled team the view is always the same but in this case would be awesome 😊 Be Safe Out There Brother

[@marshallq]

Do you like the ortlieb front fork packs? And would you recommend the 4.1 or 5.8 L version?

[@tomnorton8218]

What were your dates of travel? We ran into a week of hot weather this September in Northern France while touring.

[@pertzian.sounds]

Hi Mikael, how do you search for those pretty places while planning your routes?

[@DanielEarlester]

I once missed the sign that the toilet was for ladies and had a wash and shave in there. Thankfully no one came in 🤣

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Salut Mike, @9:22, Indeed it is the worst time of the day, 14h30 is 12h30 solar time. Don’t get me wrong but I can’t help feeling sorry for you. You give the impression that you ride against the weather/the elements instead of riding *with* the weather. If you pay to the camping lady that 8€ upfront, when you arrived, you’re free to leave as early as you wish the following morning. You’d have arrived at that Saturday market one hour earlier, could have bought your breakfast and even a lunch to go at the market, e.g. cured ham Bayonne or Parma and anything preserved in vinaigrette (aka French dressing) won’t go off and will keep in your panniers until lunch time) + freshly baked bread from the local baker, instead of wasting time in a supermarket, later on. At 13h30 when it gets definitely too hot for cycling, time to indulge in a proverbial French 2h lunch break + 1h siesta. At the end of the day, you have covered the exact same distance but will arrive at your camping spot far less exhausted, if exhausted, at all. Else.... seriously, Mike, of all places, in France, sustaining yourself on a sandwich, with hundreds of km on the clock, and made in a sandwich factory somewhere in🇧🇪, 🇳🇱or even🇩🇪 😢

[@CandidZulu]

Va, en norrlänning som inte dricker kaffe!? Hur gör du för att skydda packning och cykeln när du går in någonstans?

[@Pori9392]

Cyclists shouldn’t be riding on the roads. It’s all well and good pottering about but do it somewhere where you won’t disrupt people just trying to get from A-B without being forced to follow a bicycle.

[@tomsitzman3952]

Public roads are for the public not just for cars.

[@bladesman7701]

Shut up you weapon 😂😂