Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

bike trip

Country forums / Africa / Madagascar

Hello everybody
I plan to pack my bicycle, and start a tour in April, from Tana for as far as I can in two weeks or so. I will be alone, unless my wife forces me to take a companion.
I can take care of the technical aspects of such a tour, I have done it before elsewhere, three times already. I also know some basic french, this will improve drastically during the coming weeks.

Any suggestions or comments (you are drunck, go get some sleep!) will be highly appreciated.

Thank you all
Mendy

Hi Mendy,
Many things in common, I also started April (this year), on a bike, from Tana, solo, knowing a little bit more than basic French. What I suggest is RN7 southwards - little traffic, beautiful scenery, great for mountain biking. Other directions have too much traffic. If you did such things before, you don't need comments...
Tana - Tulear took me less than 3 weeks. If I were to do such things again I would definetely skip Ambalavao - Ranohira part, which is flat and not so interesting (except for Anja park and maybr, I haven't visited, Andringitra park). The best part for me, although hard (sand and rocks), was RN10 between Andranovory and Betioky. So, if you have any questions...

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Hi Mpomorski
Any problems you had with food, lodging, sleeping in the wild (in your tent), places to avoid, places on the "must see" list?

Thanks
Mendy

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I did sleep a few nights in the tent and regret having no sleeping bag (chilly in the mountains). As for highlights for me it was Fianarantsoa, Anja, Isalo and RN10 off Andranovory. Food no problem, but don't count on comfort in "hotelys" - local restaurants. Carry 2 bottles of water, sometimes it's more than 30 km between villages. Beware of sun!

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