Cycloscope

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Cycloscope

🚵 11+ Years Cycling Around The Earth (& counting)
🌍 The Number 1 Website About Cycle Touring & Bikepacking
🖇️ cycloscope.net

A bicycle journey around the earth
A blog to inspire and help people achieve their dream
A series of reportage
A book about this all
A new way of sampling landscape and sound environments

Cycloscope is this all, but even more. An adventure of the soul, a quest for a new lifestyle. "A vehicle of civilization", so the bicycle was described by a Dutch newspaper in the early '20s . As a means of transport fully integrated with nature, the bicycle is the ideal choice for a "respectful exploration of the world". We are Daniele Giannotta (1982, musicologist, cultural worker and sound artist) and Elena Stefanin (1984, Graduated in Culture and Human Rights), and our project is just a respectful exploration of Central Asia by bicycle for documentary purposes . We think that the documentation is the higher purpose that a traveler might aim: to gather knowledge and information, that shared, could simplify and at the same time deepen the experience of the next traveler . In contrast to non-human-powered transport (trains, planes, cars...) the bike puts the traveler in close contact with the road, the landscape and the people . When cycling is not the destination that matters, but the journey itself. A way to travel slower, closer to ancient rhythms, a kind of neo-nomadism which, we hope, will help us to empathize with the authentic nomadic culture of Central Asia, or at least with what's left. The basic idea of Cycloscope is that of a "cycle of cycles" of which the one presented here is only the first of a hopefully long series. A journey by bike from the Danube’s delta through Central Asia in search of images, sounds and words. A series of reportages about contradictions and conflicts, traditions and cultural evolution, natural wonders and environmental risks of the former Soviet republics. Travelling by bicycle will allow us to fully explore rural and remote areas in a path through the ancestral territories of humanity, hunting for unknown or forgotten treasures.

29/10/2026

Kunzum Pass

28/10/2026

🏔️ SPITI VALLEY BIKEPACKING: THE NUMBERS

🚲 Total distance: 425 km
⬆️ Elevation gain: ~8,500 m
⛰️ Highest point: 4,551 m — Kunzum Pass
📍 Starting point: Shimla, 2,205 m
🏘️ Destination: Kaza, 3,650 m
📅 Time needed: 16 days
🐐 Goats encountered: 786 (approximately…)
🌊 Rivers waded: 14
☕ Cups of chai consumed: 32
🥟 Plates of momos devoured: 18*2
🙏 Buddhist monasteries visited: 6
🛞 Punctures: 0
🔧 Handmade derailer hangers: 1
🧗 Times we wondered why we were doing this: 47
🤯 Moments when the scenery left us speechless: too many to count
🐑 Highest-altitude shepherd encountered: 4,800 m (a goat himself)
📸 Stops for photos: every five minutes

Some numbers are approximate. Some are highly questionable. But the memories? Absolutely real. 😂

27/10/2026

What does it feel like to cycle through the Himalayas, where ancient monasteries cling to rocky cliffs and the road climbs into a landscape that looks almost otherworldly? 🏔️🚲

Welcome to Spiti Valley, India — one of the most unforgettable bikepacking adventures we've ever experienced.

Our journey began in Shimla, among forested mountains and apple orchards, before following the Sutlej River deeper into the Himalayas. Gradually, the green valleys gave way to barren mountains, colorful rock formations, traditional Tibetan-style villages, and Buddhist monasteries that have watched over these valleys for centuries.

The destination was Kaza, but the adventure didn't end there. Beyond it lay Kunzum Pass at 4,551 metres, where snow, freezing water crossings, rough tracks, and thin air made every kilometer a challenge.

And yet, some of the most memorable moments weren't about the mountains themselves. They were the people we met, the family-run homestays, steaming plates of momos, and a cup of hot chai in a remote mountain teahouse when the weather turned against us.

A few things to know if you're dreaming of riding here:
🚲 Best season: generally June to September, depending on snow and road conditions.
⛰️ Altitude: much of the route is above 3,000 metres, so gradual acclimatization is essential.
🏡 Accommodation: local homestays and guesthouses make it possible to travel without carrying camping equipment.
⚠️ The challenge: landslides, narrow roads, rough surfaces, and unpredictable weather mean you need flexibility, preparation, and a willingness to change your plans.

This isn't an easy ride, and the mountains don't always cooperate. But if you're looking for a cycling journey that combines extraordinary landscapes, living culture, and a real sense of adventure, Spiti Valley belongs on your list.

👇 Would you dare to cycle above 4,500 metres in the Himalayas? And what's the most unforgettable mountain journey you've ever taken?

Read our full guide, including the itinerary, road conditions, accommodation, safety advice, and practical tips:
https://cycloscope.net/spiti-valley-bikepacking-tour-shimla-to-kaza-kunzum-pass/

26/10/2026

Madonna (that's his name) was in the mountains looking for gold when the cyclone hit. When he came back he found dozens of massive boulders had completely swallowed his village. Under there was his wife and baby daughter.

When we met on the dirt road in east Zimbabwe hmwe didn't know that, we just learned from him the road was gone, and a new waterfall was there instead.

Quite pi**ed by having to backtrack a whole cycling day and then go around some terrible track for a couple more, he told us not to worry... He'll help us make it through... He needed to do something to keep is mind busy.

So we followed his motorbike to the former-road-now-turned-waterfall and then we saw it: water flowing fast, a ravine at least 30 meters deep, and only a log as a way to get to the other side. One missed step and we gone.

He takes the bikes, one by one, with bags and all... around 45/50kg... And goes crossing above the slippery log... We are quite scared of even going without any things on us, I cross crawling.

At the end we are on the other side, thanks to Madonna, a young father and husband who had just lost it all, but didn't loose his kindness.

He accepted no money, so I gave him my tablet as a token of gratitude.

21/10/2026

What's your favourite country in the world to explore by bike? 🌍🚲

I've visited more than 70 countries, and Indonesia always makes it into my top 3.

You could explore these islands forever. Every island feels like a different world, with its own languages, architecture, culture, food and landscapes. One day you're riding through rice fields and traditional villages, the next you're climbing towards a volcano or following a quiet coastal road with the sea beside you.

We have cycled 9 different cycling itineraries, and each one offered a completely different adventure.

If you're thinking about escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter, Indonesia deserves a place on your list. ☀️🌴

👇 Have you been to Indonesia? How many of its islands have you visited? And which country would always make it into your personal top 3?

19/10/2026

There’s a city in Europe where statues seem to be everywhere… but why? 🚲🤔

Kings, warriors, historical figures, giant monuments, and grand neoclassical buildings fill its streets and squares.

The story behind them? Skopje 2014 — an ambitious and controversial project that transformed the city’s appearance and sparked debate about its identity, history, and architecture.

Cycling through it feels like riding through an open-air museum… with a few surprises around every corner.

Have you ever visited this unusual city? 🇲🇰

EuropeByBike TravelReels

18/10/2026

Here's another quiz: this is quite a famous road, a short section but incredibly beautiful ❤️ can you identify it?

16/10/2026

Would you dare to cycle through the Mountain Kingdom? 🇱🇸🚲

Full guide in the first comment 👇

We took on a 564 km cycling adventure through Lesotho, with almost 14,000 metres of elevation gain, over ten days of mountain roads, rocky tracks and some seriously tough climbs.

This is not your usual bike tour. Some roads were so rough that riding was barely possible, river crossings meant getting our feet wet, and on the infamous Matabeng Pass, we faced hours of pushing and carrying our bikes over rocks and boulders.

But Lesotho kept rewarding us: enormous valleys, dramatic canyons, carpets of wildflowers, remote villages and Basotho shepherds on horseback. It felt like entering another world, far from the usual tourist trail.

We also learned that in Lesotho, the kilometres don't tell the whole story. On these roads, 50 km can be a very good day!

Our full guide covers the itinerary, road conditions, mountain passes, accommodation, camping and practical tips to help you plan your own adventure.

👇 Your turn: What's the toughest road or climb you've ever tackled on a loaded bicycle? Would you take on Lesotho?

14/10/2026

One of the hardest passes we ever conquered. Can you guess which one is it?

Hint: it's in the Southern hemisphere

13/10/2026

Route and guide on the 1st comment 🇿🇦🚲

Would you take on a 3,033 km cycling adventure across South Africa?

We set off from Cape Town and pedalled east through mountains, dry open country, rural villages and some seriously beautiful landscapes, eventually reaching the Kingdom of Lesotho before heading back towards the coast.

South Africa surprised us in so many ways. There were long gravel roads, steep climbs, unexpected encounters with locals, and plenty of moments when we had to figure things out as we went along.

And the hospitality? One of the best parts of the trip. We spent many nights hosted by locals, sometimes after simply asking if we could pitch our tent on their property. Those encounters often became just as memorable as the landscapes.

Of course, cycling here takes a bit of planning. Distances between towns can be long, wild camping isn't always easy, and choosing the right roads matters. But the variety is incredible: mountains, coastline, rolling farmland, semi-desert landscapes and wildlife along the way.

Our route guide covers the practical side too, including where to sleep, what to eat, safety tips, and the full itinerary with maps and downloadable GPX tracks.

👇 **Let's hear from you:**

Would you ride 3,033 km across South Africa? And if you've already cycled there, what was your favourite part — the landscapes, the people, or the unexpected moments along the way?

Tag a friend you'd take on this adventure!

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Shëngjin

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https://cycloscope.net/

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