Cycling : Campsites in private gardens

How to combine camping & cycling? Best bikepacking campings!

Are you a nature-lover? Would you like to combine the large range of landscapes you will find on your way with traveling by bike? For both young and older campers, this section will be perfect for you! It is time to saddle up and travel the roads of Europe. Wherever you are, you will find a HomeCamper host.

Are you a veteran or an amateur cyclist, a cyclist traveller, a mountain biker or an hiker ? Cycling is your passion and as soon as the weather is good go criss-cross the roads of France with your bike in the campsites.

Close to your route, there is surely a HomeCamper host ready to welcome you for your bike camping holidays. Even better, it can be a great way to discover a region where everything is planned to make it easier for you to practice your favourite leisure activity: information point for cycle tourism, closed garage for bikes and mountain bikes, washing point... Our "cyclo campsites" are just waiting for your stopover visit during your cycling trip.

Where to sleep with a bike?

Along the famous EuroVelo routes (Loire à Vélo, ViaRhôna…) you will be welcomed in private gardens or in unusual glamping accommodation (hut, yurt and lodge) with all the comfort you need to just relax and take your time. Cyclists looking for relaxing walks or athletes in seach of adventure will find their happinness, over the 21,000km's of cycling routes that count the French hexagon. 

Bicycle camping preparation

Unlike other types of travel, cycling requires both physical and mental preparation. Although you don't need to train intensively, there are certain conditions and steps that should not be overlooked.

If you are a regular cyclist and want to travel around the world, it is quite possible to make your dream come true. However, such a trip requires a great deal of preparation and effort, which is not always so easy. The least you can do is to set yourself a goal to achieve according to your ability and possibilities.

Set a distance

First of all, set the distance to be covered and the level of difficulty in a reasonable way. And secondly, remember that cycling should be an activity that should be fun. You can start with a short two-hour cruise before gradually increasing the duration of your outings.

Know your rythm

Besides, it is also necessary to know how to keep a good pedalling rhythm. For example, use a small gear ratio with a rhythm of around 80 pedal rotations per minute. This will allow you to maintain a certain regularity during the ride. Alternatively, you can also use bike gears that will help you evaluate your progress and performance. The most important thing is to keep your own rhythm without being influenced by the speed of other cyclists. That's how you'll improve your endurance.

Warm up before cycling!

Since we are talking about an activity that combines travel and sport, it is always necessary to warm up well. So prepare your body before every ride. And once on the road, start riding slowly before gradually increasing your efforts. This way your muscles will be able to adapt to the exercise it is about to do. This will also help you keep a good heart and breathing rhythm.

Bring accessories and repair kit according to your journey!

Apart from your bike, it is important to bring different kits and accessories depending on the duration of the trip. You can opt for saddlebags or a trailer at your own convenience. Both alternatives have advantages and disadvantages. If you choose a trailer, all your accessories will be within reach so easy to access. Plus, motorists will be able to spot you easily. The trailer is especially convenient for a family trip. But if you choose to take along panniers, they'll take up less space and therefore are much lighter. Just try to distribute the saddlebags evenly between the front and back of the bike. That's why it's so important to have quality luggage racks. Otherwise, you should also have a small handlebar bag in which you will put the utensils that you will need to use quite often. Avoid large backpacks that will only make you heavier.

As far as the repair kit is concerned, it depends on your itinerary and your level of mechanical knowledge. However, it is always necessary to have one or two spare inner tubes, a hand pump, two tire levers, a rasp and glue. Also carry a multi-tool such as a screwdriver or Allen wrench that is compatible with your bike. Otherwise, pliers may also be useful. And if you're going to ride long distances, carry a rear brake and derailleur cable as well as screws and bolts. In short, choose your kits according to the condition of your bicycle and the problems that may occur along the way.

Don't forget to take a map!

Don't forget to bring maps to prepare your itinerary. It is even better to print them so that you can fold and unfold them as you wish. You will also be able to highlight your route and note down some comments given by the locals. It is also possible to bring a plastic folder that you can hang on your handlebars therefore you always have the map in front of you.

Hydrate yourself

Another indispensable accessory for all bike trips would be a bottle holder. This will allow you to hydrate yourself from time to time. In fact, most modern bikes already have diagonal tube attachments.

Bring comfortable clothing

On the clothing side, choose your clothes according to the seasons, but remember to bring comfortable, light and waterproof clothing. For shoes, ideally wear sneakers, and don't forget waterproof shoe covers to avoid walking around with wet feet.

And finally, bring a small medicine box, your tent, a duvet and an inflatable mattress as well as your stove.

With HomeCamper, explore Europe while cycling.