🚴 Riding well-equipped is great fun!
Choosing the right bike for a bikepacking trip is the beginning of a memorable adventure. Selecting the perfect two-wheeler involves balancing performance, load capacity and comfort. Touring cyclists often opt for models designed specifically for long distances, with sturdy tires, ergonomic handlebars and a resistant frame adapted to various types of terrain.
Panniers are essential for carrying equipment and provisions without weighing the cyclist down. The choice of these accessories has a direct impact on the pleasure of riding. It's crucial to distribute them in such a way as to balance the load for greater stability and ease of pedaling.
For families, considering the addition of a children's trailer or opting for an electric bike can transform the trip into an enjoyable experience for all. Not forgetting, of course, to opt for appropriate clothing to cope with the vagaries of the weather (here's [what to do in the event of a storm](<https://www.lokki.rent/media/orage-a-velo-que-faire>)! 😨).
Marie Coviaux, for [Le Parisien](<https://www.leparisien.fr/paris-75/leger-et-ergonomique-le-bikepacking-la-nouvelle-tendance-du-voyage-a-velo-21-02-2023-S46D2J6INNAYHBQCQYNES4VTTA.php>), stresses the importance of simplicity: *"This practice consists of traveling as light as possible, keeping to the bare minimum (supplies, repair equipment, spare gear) and eliminating the luggage racks usually found in cycle touring"*.
This minimalist approach to bikepacking doesn't just lighten the load on the bike, but also encourages a rethinking of the essentials of the trip, favoring total immersion in the travel experience.
🌍 On the road to the perfect route
Preparing itineraries is of paramount importance when organizing cycling trips, whether in France or across the globe. The key lies in choosing routes that don't simply link point A to point B, but turn each pedal stroke into a page of history, a discovery, an adventure. 🥰
Itineraries need to take into account daily distances, gradients, but also cultural or natural points of interest along the way.
The Loire à vélo experience is a perfect illustration of this quest for enchanting itineraries. This route, suitable for all levels of cyclist, invites families to plunge into the beating heart of France, between castles and vineyards, offering kilometers of safe, signposted trails.
To help in this search for the ideal itinerary, tools like [Hexplo](<https://app.hexplo.fr/home>) are proving invaluable. This planner, designed for and by cycling enthusiasts, simplifies the search for and organization of routes. It offers detailed maps, practical guides and advice on the best routes, taking into account the specificities of bicycles and the expectations of cyclists.
⛺ Bike-friendly accommodation and beds
Finding a place to rest your head after a day's bikepacking is a no-brainer for any cycling trip. Accommodation options for cyclists vary widely, from camping to bivouacs, to specially designed B&Bs and hotels.
Camping offers unparalleled freedom, allowing you to get closer to nature and enjoy an authentic outdoor experience. Bivouacs represent an excellent alternative with rustic simplicity and a direct connection to the environment (who said sleeping under the stars was reserved for adventure movies? ✨🌠).
In France, one option stands out for travelers looking for fair-trade, eco-friendly accommodation: [Greengo](<https://www.greengo.voyage/>). This platform carefully selects the best accommodations that stand out not only for their quality of welcome, but also for their commitment to sustainable practices.
Greengo makes it easy to find bike-friendly spaces. Securing your bike and finding a comfortable place to spend the night becomes an easy task.
🚉 Saddle and rail, flawless organization
The coordination between bike and train opens up endless horizons for bikepacking, suggesting a departure to far-flung destinations without the hassle of driving or flying (ooouuuh the plane! 😡🍃🌿).
The first step is to find out about each rail company's specific bike transportation policies, as they vary from country to country. Here's [a guide to the TGV](<https://www.lokki.rent/media/velo-dans-tgv>).
For a seamless journey, it's advisable to check the space dedicated to bikes and make sure that the equipment needed to secure the bike during the journey is available. Packing luggage carefully and attaching it firmly to the bike reduces the risk of any inconvenience. In addition, arriving well in advance at the station avoids any rush and ensures that the bike is placed correctly.
[Mollow](<https://www.mollow.eu/>) is a guide for people wishing to combine bike and train in their adventure. The platform is a mine of information on bike-friendly routes, bike-friendly train schedules and tips for a smooth experience.
🌱 Travelling by bike, an eco-friendly adventure
Bikepacking is positioning itself at the forefront of eco-responsible travel choices, in harmony with growing environmental awareness. By prioritizing cycling for their vacations, travelers are significantly reducing their carbon footprint (and increasing the size of their calves 💪).
This eco-mobility trend is gaining ground, as evidenced by reports from leading media outlets such as [BFMTV](<https://www.bfmtv.com/societe/le-bikepacking-une-nouvelle-tendance-pour-voyager-a-velo_VN-202308040043.html>) and [Le Parisien](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lInci5vFLFg>). The latter feature inspiring stories of people who choose cycling as their primary means of travel. These testimonials underline the changing mindset and encourage a growing number of people to consider cycling as a real lifestyle.
And if you don't feel like cycling back from your expedition, you can also take [the train with your bike](<https://www.lokki.rent/media/velo-dans-tgv>).
