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    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 – https://amzn.to/40eKFyQ
    Craft Core Enduro Jacket
    2 Forclaz Merino Wool T-Shirt
    Nike Mens Dri-FIT Short Sleeve Polo Shirt – https://amzn.to/3j2aq1w
    Padded MTB Shorts
    Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants – https://amzn.to/3jalGfE
    2 Pair of Socks https://amzn.to/40dU4H6
    Merino Underwear – https://amzn.to/3XRU9hZ
    Merino Wool Buff – https://amzn.to/409sYkd
    Giro Fixture Mips Helmet – https://amzn.to/3XKHsoZ
    Science In Sport Water Bottle – https://amzn.to/3WLLsV9
    Northwave Cycling Shoes
    Sunglasses

    Cooking Gear:
    Sea To Summit X Mug – https://amzn.to/3Hg7GJ1
    Light My Fire Spork – https://amzn.to/3Dncn2J
    Wine Bottle Opener 😉

    Tools:
    Lezyne HV Bicycle Hand Pump – https://amzn.to/3lHxnJc
    Park Tool VP-1Vulcanizing Patch Kit – https://amzn.to/409NhOC
    Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool – https://amzn.to/3j0A86D
    Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube – https://amzn.to/3iWqYIf
    CTC Plastic Bag + packaging
    Inner Tube – https://amzn.to/3Dq1oFP
    Bike Lock – https://amzn.to/3HHcWqs

    Toiletries:
    Toothbrush
    Toothpaste
    Shaving Gel
    Mach 3 Razor – https://amzn.to/3j2bYsm
    Contact Lens Case
    Travel Schampoo bottle

    Camping Equipment:
    Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent – https://amzn.to/3aA1MTp
    Sea To Summit Collapsible Backpack – https://amzn.to/3RvanLP
    Aegismax UL Down Sleeping Bag – https://amzn.to/3BVCStv
    Aegismax Nano 2 Ultralight Sleeping Bag – https://amzn.to/3RcZcqR
    Sea To Summit Reactor Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner – https://amzn.to/409RLVs
    Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad – https://amzn.to/3Y98qGC
    Nabaji Microfibre Towel L – https://amzn.to/3Y3KDbh

    Electronics
    Samsung S20 – https://amzn.to/3Y544jR
    Dji Mavic Pro Drone – https://amzn.to/3FKsVBk
    GoPro Hero7 Black – https://amzn.to/3JoetTC
    Canon G7X Mark II – https://amzn.to/3XO7lnY
    Zoom H1N Recorder – https://amzn.to/409ewZA
    Rode Smartlav+ Lavalier – https://amzn.to/3RcZcqR
    2 Anker PowerCore 20000 mAh – https://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!

    View 30 Comments

    30 Comments

    3. last one on

      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

    4. Rlaplante73 on

      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!

    7. Susan Scorah on

      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.

    14. Cycliste Froissé on

      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🇩🇪
      😢

    18. colin wellman on

      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.

    19. Rab H on

      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…

    20. robadr1 on

      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!

    21. lv2keepfit 49 on

      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!

    22. Marco Deijmann on

      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 😎

    23. Nicholas Ridgway on

      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.

    24. brandX15 on

      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 🥶🥶🥶

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