Monika Sattler
  • My story
  • Work with me
  • 124 Swiss Passes Challenge
    • Overview
    • Stage details
  • Other challenges
    • 2022 Gravel Transalp
    • 2018 The Vuelta Record
  • Press
  • Contact
    • Write to me
    • Book
    • Blog
31 May

7 Quick and dirty tips for your ultra-light bikepacking trip in France

Posted 31. May 2016 By Monika Sattler

1. Information on climbs:
Website that states what Cols are open: http://www.sport-passion.fr/parcours/etat-cols.php  (The German http://www.alpenpaesse.co is not always correct!)
The German website: http://www.quaeldich.dehas all information possible about a pass. Even as a non-German speaker, coloring and numbers tell more than any word. Just click on “Pässe” (meaning pass) and search for a specific pass or explore by region. Once you click on a pass and scroll down, you can see the elevation gain, profile and much more in detail.
2. Accommodation
For bike tourists on a budget, try www.warmshowers.org, a free “coachsurfing” website specifically for touring cyclists. I have used that site in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii and Switzerland and I had always fantastic experiences!
Otherwise, if you stay in a remote ski resort for a week+, they might have a great offer. I stayed in a 3 Star studio apartment in Modane, for 140 Euro/week. (In other places, I paid 50-70 Euro/night for a one person private bed and bathroom)

3. Maps:
I always navigated via paper maps (they never run out of battery) of at least 150000:1. I would not get anything bigger (like 200000:1) as the less-travelled cycling roads might not be on the map anymore.

Download the maps.me app. From there you can download maps for specific regions.
You can also make specific regions offline in Google maps.

4. Weather
The meteo earth app is fantastic as you can follow every single cloud and rain drop.
5.Phone
Always switch your wifi off while on the road, the battery lasts sooooo much longer.
6. Language
If you don’t speak French, I would get an offline French dictionary app. Otherwise smiling does most of the job.
7. Bike
Some stuff to know in regards to the bike might come handy like assembling your bike out of your bike bag and changing a tube.
Enjoy your trip!
Tags: Adventure, cycling in France, France, ultra-light bikepacking
Comments
  1. Jul, 22, 2016 8:47 PM
    Sophie Elise

    Hi, I desire to subscribe for this web site to obtain most up-to-date updates, so where can i do it please help.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Jul, 23, 2016 7:12 AM
      msattler

      Hello Sophie,
      Thank you for visiting the website. Please subscribe via the form on the right side on the website “Subscribe to the newest posts”.
      Thank you!
      All the best,
      Monika

      Log in to Reply
    2. Nov, 12, 2016 7:33 AM
      Monika
      Log in to Reply
  2. Sep, 23, 2016 12:05 PM
    JessOMahlman

    Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through
    this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
    I will forward this post to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
    Many thanks for sharing!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Nov, 12, 2016 7:32 AM
      Monika

      Fantastic, I am glad you enjoy reading it!

      Log in to Reply
  3. Sep, 28, 2016 6:54 PM
    SeritaUBoggi

    Greetings from Florida! I’m bored to tears at the job thus i
    chosen to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break.
    I like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a
    look as i go back home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog site loaded on my small cellphone ..
    I’m not actually using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great site!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Nov, 12, 2016 7:31 AM
      Monika

      Many thanks, Serita! Enjoy the blog!

      Log in to Reply
  4. Oct, 02, 2016 4:49 AM
    CameliaDRoby

    Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really
    enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

    Log in to Reply
    1. Nov, 12, 2016 7:31 AM
      Monika

      Hello Camelia, definitely! I am glad you enjoy the content!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Oct, 03, 2016 12:55 AM
    JamalNKunc

    Greetings! I’ve been reading your website for quite some
    time now and ultimately got the bravery to proceed to supply
    you with a shout out of Porter Tx! Just desired to say keep up to date the great job!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Nov, 12, 2016 7:29 AM
      Monika

      Many thanks, Jamal, for your kind words!

      Log in to Reply
  6. Oct, 07, 2016 1:58 AM
    ElviaWWilton

    Thanks for any marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re an excellent author.
    I will make sure to bookmark your website and will come
    back sooner or later. I wish to encourage someone to continue
    your great job, use a nice weekend!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Nov, 12, 2016 7:28 AM
      Monika

      I am glad, you enjoy reading it! Thank you for your feedback!

      Log in to Reply
    2. Nov, 12, 2016 7:32 AM
      Monika
      Log in to Reply
  7. Oct, 13, 2016 1:49 AM
    LorinaADoyan

    I actually do trust all the concepts you possess offered for the post.
    These are really convincing and can definitely work. Nonetheless, the posts are too
    brief for newbies. May just you please prolong them just a little from subsequent time?
    Thanks a lot for the post.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Nov, 12, 2016 7:27 AM
      Monika

      Hi Lorina, Thank you for your feedback. Please let me know if you have any specific questions and I am happy to dive into more detail.

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Comment Click here to cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

  • What a cycling record taught me about leadership 13. October 2021
  • Overcoming the barriers to change a career 13. October 2021
  • What keeps you away from making the change – #liveRAD 8 11. February 2021
  • Dare to Change – #liveRAD 7 14. January 2021
  • 4 Reasons that made me choose my 2021 goal. #liveRAD 6 5. January 2021
  • A goal is not a thought fling! #liveRAD 5 29. December 2020
  • What is the point of having goals? #LiveRAD 4 22. December 2020
  • The true purpose of pursuing goals – #liveRAD 3 22. December 2020
  • The excruciating pain of loneliness – #LiveRAD 2 22. December 2020
  • Ready To Make The Changes. – #LiveRAD 1 22. December 2020

Key Links

  • Home
  • Speaker
  • Workshops
  • Events
  • Cycling Record
  • Book
  • About
  • Why RAD?
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Blog

Legal information

  • Cookie settings
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
Copyright © 2021 Sattler Consulting GmbH. All rights reserved.
  • Imprint
  • Privacy Policy