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It’s Day 2 of my bikepacking trip through France. And it’s time to level up this adventure a bit. I’m finally out of the worst part the suburbs of Paris, and get to encounter a varied set of roads and trails. Everything from gnarly singletrack to wonderfully designed bicycle highways. But it’s all part of the adventure I guess. And the sights along the road are nothing to sneeze at either. Castles, picturesque towns and lovely bike paths along the Seine river make up the scenery on this day.
Since my last Bikepacking trip with Ryan van Duzer we had been experiencing such bad weather here in Sweden that I decided to go some place warm and sunny for my autumn Bikepacking trip. So I headed down to Paris to start my journey with the end goal being the wine region of Bordeaux. Join me for this amazing Bikepacking adventure over the next 10 weeks or so.
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
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29 Comments
I've been in similar heat conditions a while back when bikepacking Germany in de Black Forest. Combine that with lots of climbs too… on 100km/hr roads with cars hehe… I always made sure I had a bottle of Isotonic drink with me. Tried one day without it, it was unbearable. You can buy it in powder form and carry it in a zip-loc bag, I'd highly recommend it! Regarding the sound volume in some of the shots, doesn't you video editing software have a way of boosting the volume a bit? Otherwise, great video, can't wait till the next!
Mike we left Roscoff on the same day as you started on our way to Santander Spain,the heat was very intense that first week, great job so far.
It looks funny seeing the Sutra so naked 😂
The small community library is popular here in Australia.
Dù thế nào, cảm giác thật tuyệt khi có thể đi khắp nơi trên chiếc xe đạp
Great Video Mike! Super footage and editing. Was wondering if the 15L Ortlieb Front Bag is just the right size for the Kona Sutra? Ortlieb recommends a 9L for a drop bar. Thoughts? Tom
I too tagged over to your channel after seeing you on Ryan's Swedish adventure. I am really enjoying this France trip as I would like to cycle France some day, Mike, thanks ! Cheers from the UK
I am glad you got dressed up for that well deserved camping cup full of wine. LOL 🙂 I loved the views. 🙂 🙂
Hey Mike, when was that journey? It’s far from 35 degrees now end October?
Do you ever carry hydration powder packets? The ones that have salt in them are great!
I have been following you for some time now, before you met up with Ryan in Sweden.. it was great to see you both riding together!
Please stay hydrated! Love your videos!
Loving the vids Mike. Reminds me of my first solo bike trip in europe. I stupidly thought a 30 litre rucksack to carry my gear would be fine…no ike bags, no panniers! My first day was a 60 mile cycle in 35 degree heat! Never again…now have full touring bike set up!
Thank you, I I didn't know about Euro velo route.
What stunning scenery and very informative Mike. Merci 😉
When you go into the supermarket, do you have a lock for your bike?
Wonderful video! France is beautiful. Thanks for all the information.
Thanks for getting back to me Mike re the front panniers.
Looked like a better day. September was really hot this year, a cool glass of white is just the ticket. Be careful on the rough stuff while filming.
Much Love Ed
Thanks Mike for sharing your video of your french adventure & the trials and tribulations & the joy of the journey. I cycled north to south of Brittany along the coast to along the Loire river to Angers last May & the first week of June. It wasn't as hot as 36deg I think but it was approx 30deg, I sweated a lot for sure but I really enjoyed the adventure. As you show it had good and rough roads/tracks, some not really suitable for my Kona Sutra SE like yours. In fact it was you that convinced me to get a Kona Sutra SE & I love the bike. There were some though hills, or too many though hill maybe, but I made it & I'll definitely do it again.
I felt so sorry for you when you were so tired you could hardly think how to speak. You are though & way more experienced than I am. But a person can take it at their own pace which it the great thing.
Looking forward to your next episode.
All the best.
Liam.
Ireland 🇮🇪
Hello Mike 👋. We have those mini libraries here in MN also. Don't be too hard on yourself heat can drain your energy so fast. I think you did great. Beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Looks like you had a great day! Thanks for taking us along, Mike.
Your videos are shot and edited well. Plus you give tips that can help people bike the same route. I look forward to your new videos.
I’m also one of those who found your channel from Ryan. Good tip on the potato chips. I usually carry salt tabs, but may try potato chips next time. Calories, carbs and sodium all on one shot 👍🏽
Mike, thank you for your videos. I will definately watch your other tours – especially those in the nothern european countries. I felt in love with Sweden (after a vacation in 2022) and I will definately travel to Sweden again. Greetings from Southern Germany
What a nice trip through beautiful france. Enjoy a few good glasses of Bordeaux wine, you know about the prices in your local systembolaget 😅 greetings from Småland ❤
South Texas summer 40s extremely hot
Very nice
As always, a great video. Cycling in France is one of my hopes.
Do you not carry snacks with you? Although the heat seems to have been a major issue
I pack one or two tubes of hydration salts when cycling in the summer and even now in winter I add a tablet to my bottle on short local rides to improve the taste of the water to encourage myself to drink and because many times I have been caught out by dehydration when I haven't ensured I have hydration salts to hand. A substantial drink of salted water often revives me within 30-60 mins. I also carry salts if on a long day hike in summer, having experienced my most serious bonks when on solo day hikes.
When I am cold and wet in winter I imagine summer, and when I am burning and shrivelled up on a hot day in the summer I imagine winter. Summer and winter are like two different planets to me. Often I wish for the warmth of summer on winter days on the bike. Sometimes I wish for the reverse. Over many years and experimenting and with very expensive clothing I have still to find clothing that will keep me warm and dry when physically active. The best outcome for me is to be either warm and wet or else cool in winter. But most times I am cool and wet, and sometimes shivering cold and wet. I speculate that just as the clothing fashion industry selects specific women with specific body shapes to declare the brilliance of the clothing, so the sporting and active and cycling industry chooses people of specific body metabolism and chemistry to declare 'I am toasty dry and warm' using this product.
As for the hottest summer days, the shade of trees is the best clothing but when there is no tree cover it seems inescapable to me. I know the experience! But some of the most enjoyable rides for me is when during a hot summer I wake before sun rise and get to cycle in the cool of a summer morning before the sun rises high. I believe the discipline of pre dawn waking with a long mid-day siesta will be my plan if I bike-pack in southern Europe or the USA. In fact regarding these regions it is not the distance or the terrain that concerns me, it is cycling in 100 degrees F that concerns me.
You are making so chilled and cool videos Mike. Enjoy your content. Keep it up.! Greatings from Hardanger in Norway.