My first cycling trip

Every details to prepare your bicycle trip !

Here, we offer advice – on the route, on what type of bike to choose, on equipment you might need – to ensure you are well prepared for your cycling trip along La Voie Bleue.

Add to a roadbook

Choosing your route and the level of difficulty

If it is your very first cycling trip, especially as a family, opt for the shorter stages (30km per day) that will also allow you to enjoy more time discovering the landscapes, heritage and activities proposed along the route.

La Voie Bleue presents no particular difficulties as regards slopes, but it is advisable, especially if cycling with children, to choose sections without motorized traffic (so sections reserved for cyclists – ‘en site propre’ in French) and that are well signposted. Avoid sections undergoing works and/or with detours in place.

Finally, it is important to decide clearly the stages you wish to undertake and to reserve accommodation in advance, especially during the summer holiday period and French spring public holidays.

Interactive map, guidebooks & GPS tracks

To plan your trip, make use of our interactive map (under the section heading ‘Cycle Route’). Here, you will find descriptions of the various stages and their distances in kilometres. To refine your calculations, consider using the function ‘Calculate my route’, accessible from the Home Page, or click on My GPS, accessible via the interactive map. This enables you to see precisely the recommended cycle route and distances between whichever towns interest you.

You could also consider investing in the French guidebook L’Echappée Bleue, published by Editions Chamina (covering the whole route), or the Guide du Routard Bourgogne du Sud à vélo (also in France, covering Mâcon to Auxonne), or then there are the GPX tracks available to download for each stage.

See here for further information

For long cycling trips:

Make sure you have comfortable clothes for cycling, and appropriate shoes
Always carry water and energy bars
Don’t forget to pack a first-aid kit
Opt for panniers rather than a rucksack, which can become tiring in the long run
A handlebar bag also proves very useful, for maps, guidebooks and other practical items
Carry a small repair kit including: a puncture repair kit, a spare inner tube, a cyclist’s multifunction tool, a bicycle pump and connection suitable for your valves
If travelling with young children, consider getting a bike trailer or three-wheel bike, or a trailer-cycle / trail-a-bike, much more comfortable than a baby seat.
Check the weather forecast before setting off
Remember to use a bicycle lock when leaving your bike unattended