Bikepacking The Car-Free Greenways Of France

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I’m only a couple of days away from my end destination, the wine region of Bordeaux. This specific day is a Sunday, and in France this usually means a little bit of a logistical problems, since most of the supermarkets and restaurants are closed. But, it being a Sunday also means less cars out on the roads. Or does it? Maybe it doesn’t matter that much since the route I’m taking goes mostly along wonderful lush greenways. So 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!

[@alafenetre81]

On Sundays in France, nearly every town or village has an open market in the morning, most of the time located on the main square. You can buy food and various things, but also have a typical French experience 🙂

[@martinohnenamen6147]

I'm a little surprised that so many restaurants have closed on Sunday in France. I'm used to most shops being closed on Sunday since it is the same here in Germany but at least restaurants aren't closed here on that day.

[@samhklm]

Beautiful. France has its landmarks, but this land your videos is what makes France well French. Hope you are planning another trip to France.soon.

[@franknobody5965]

I love it!!! "Talking about the future", when you are referring to a camp ground in 20km! That's life on a bike. Most people would be referring to maybe next year? 😂😂. 👍👍👍

[@stevedavis8065]

I would agree that the municipal campsites are the best, I have been to quite a few where the facilities are really good and a lot have pools as well and reasonably priced. I have paid 22 euros in the summer in a 'non-municipal' campsite, just for a patch of rough ground! (near Uzes). The converted railway lines in France are a gem, most that I have been on have a tarmac surface but some however have that compacted sand type surface.

[@GreyStreet14]

Dear Mike, thank you so nuch for sharing this. I am preparing for a bike tour from singapore to the mainland asia, thailand to south korea. I have been watching the experts for a couple days know to see what it takes and I feel ready now. A month to go and i am off. Just want to let you know that you are a good man. Godspeed, Mike and may the Gods bless your way on all your journeys. Cheers boys!

[@Rlaplante73]

What a great day of bikepacking. Such beautiful scenery and paths to ride. I cracked up when I heard you use the phrase, 'me likey' :) Here's the context, "This seems like an old abandoned railroad that they've made into a bike path, 'me likey!'" Blessings.

[@SB-hr5yr]

There's one thing I like about my home country of England..... It's close to France :-)

[@JamesCorbett]

This was your best video yet Mike. You seemed to be really settled in and enjoying it. You didn't even get grumpy when you couldn't get your pizza 😅

[@PumpkinVillage]

Some more beautiful country and some car parades. Another well done video. Take care, Al

[@edlaws6867]

Loving these Mike, reminding me of warmer times. Much Love Ed

[@seansixfive]

I like the new bikepacking setup Mike. No mudguards👌. Handlebar bag👍. Frame bag🤘. Fork bags. 💪. I use a Tubus Vega rack with a dry bag on the back. I prefer it to the seatpacks. Cool trip, thanks for sharing.

[@guybrown4752]

21:56 Spot on video Mike. At the same time you were on this trip, I was cycling from London to Cannes along multiple Avenue Verte, including the Euro Velodrome 3. The French have invested millions in cycling routes which makes cycling there an absolute dream; it’s a cycling paradise as far as I’m concerned - I even enjoyed cycling through the heart of Paris!

[@Two-wheeledCuriosity-yt3xo]

I always plan ahead for Sundays when touring in France. Also beware that some businesses stay closed on Monday's. I always take a small stove setup to boil water, and a couple of dehydrated meals as a backup. This has saved me going hungry a couple of times. Loving your videos Mike!

[@brandX15]

Brilliant Mike. Thanks for that, its my Sunday treat.

[@annerobertson3315]

Thanks Mike, we are enjoying your travels immensely. Keep up the good work.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you Anne, for your very generous contribution. It means a lot!

[@harrygrimley4352]

This is a great adventure. Thanks for sharing this with us. I love the old little French towns.

[@reeceholmes8546]

some lovely trails and towns over there Mike, thanks for taking us along

[@carolinewilmer7925]

Very enjoyable, seeing you in France.

[@lancecrawley9542]

Gorgeous, Mike! See you next Sunday. Thx!!!

[@grazza-cm8oj]

I use the Elite Fly water bottles same as you. But I use the MTB version, which comes with a cap. Much better for keeping the mouthpiece clean during dusty and dirty bike trips.

[@2mpoida]

I love to camp and much prefer it over expensive accommodation options. Are there many camping spots in this area? Thanks and great vid

[@harrygrimley4352]

Such a cool adventure. Thanks for sharing this with us. Stay safe and stay strong.

[@rabh6746]

Thanks Mike, I forgot what the sun looks like😂Another nice ride in the French countryside, I'm glad the heat was more bearable for you this time👍Freezing fog here in Scotland today so no ride for me!

[@niallshakeshaft1524]

I think you were tapping into your inner Duzer a bit there!

[@RedHeadAgent]

Oh. My. Goodness.... the antique cars! It's crazy to see how dry everything is because of the heat. It's great to see you, Mike. Bourdeau is beautiful! So glad to see that you've been able to get a downhill ride every once in a while. It's so interesting to see how the topography changes and how the dryness changes. It's nice to hear your description of the evolution of getting used to riding on a trip; that's so important for us to hear. I'm excited to see your next video in St. Amion (sp?). A good video episode and great editing!

[@CC-me7bc]

Any videos on how to keep your gear safe when showering in campgrounds?? Many thanks.

[@hammockdweller]

I take my valuables with me, in my handlebar bag. Normally showers have a place for clothes in the same cabin, there I can also hang my bag.

[@bui340]

Thanks Mike for another great video. And that goes for the Patreon video aswell.

[@TheAngloAfrican]

Another great video Mike. Also nice to see your subscriber count ticking up nicely. Well deserved.

[@simonwiltshire]

Thankyou mike that was great as always, love watching your videos.

[@matryderadventures]

Hi Mike. I'm really enjoying this series. One thing, I bought a Kona Sutra largely on your recommendation, I also fitted mudgurads because you had them. Now yours have gone..I'm curious why. Cheers, Mat.

[@Elvisking1977]

Fantastic video

[@gimydaloot]

Mike, just curious how do you bathe on these bike packing trips? Thank you love the content

[@kizzmitten1]

Nice stuff Mike, thanks!

[@ianmatlock1]

I do hope you had something to eat for dinner? We've been caught out several times with opening hours in france.

[@showstimer]

How do so many bikepackers seem to be able to ride for so long and far, but I just got started riding to prepare for bikepacking and I am nackered/tired after 1 hour of riding lol. I am in very good shame aswell is it just that biking takes time to adjust cardio wise or am I doing something wrong?

[@CandidZulu]

Is it OK to stop and cook your own dinner on a Trangia. Doubt I could eat pizza that much!

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

@11:19, Sorry but No. There’s a lot of technology involved in the construction of modern (or modernized) bike trails. Modern trails are self draining, you do not navigate your way avoiding puddles. Counterintuitively, when wet these bike lanes have a lower rolling resistance, for a reason which I can’t explain ( does the dust aggregates and fills, at granular level each and every tiny hole, Dunno ?). France is home of Civil Engineering giant corporations, Bouygues, GTM, Eiffage, Vinci (the later at some distance ahead of Skanska) which experiment, on home turf, with new construction technique such as zero VOC (Volatil Organic Compound), you don’t want to inhale carcinogenic stuff when you are cycling, do you ? Ditto, bike lanes across fragile ecosystems which release zero polluting run-offs in their close environment. Final coating is made out of sand+ extra fine gravel glued together with a vegetal glue, for the time being, AFAIK, there a small section of such a Green-track, a prototype, before Agde-Canal du Midi. If it lives up to its builders expectations, the technology will be exported worldwide.

[@SB-hr5yr]

I have been to France on many occasions, driven through many small towns and villages on a Sunday. They are like ghost towns. What do people do, stay in the house watching TV?

[@gregsaga682]

Hej, Hittade Ryans KZbin channel när jag tittade på ditt Sverige äventyr från i somras. Kul. Har du cyklat mycket kring Åmsele, Hällnäs, Vindeln?

[@BikeTouringMike]

Hej! Mycket är kanske att ta i, men ett par gånger har jag cyklat längs Vindelälvsleden. Finns en del videor därifrån bland mina äldre video om du söker. Hade tänkt cykla Vindelälvsleden MTB ifjol, men tiden räckte inte till, så det kanske blir 2024 istället. Är speciellt nyfiken på Isälvsleden, den ser fin ut.

[@gregsaga682]

Gick isälvsleden för många år sedan. Väldigt fint, vet inte om det går att cykla. Svårighetsgraden på Vindelälvsleden?

[@3sons4fun20]

Hi Mike. Thank you for another great video! What was the app you use to find bike trails? And, have you ever thought about riding the US? Are there good bike routes in the US?

[@rvberloo]

Why not bring some freeze dried food to be independent of supermarket availability?

[@peteschwarz2689]

And what did you eat after riding?