I'm thrilled that you post about this route. I've never done the full route as presented here but I've cycled almost all of it over the last years and various journeys. The effort required to ride this route is well worth it, the rewards in landscapes, vistas, picturesque villages and good food are plentiful.

The official V86 seems to start at La Canourgue (East to West, downstream). I'm surprised to see it start at Col de Finiels. Beautiful spot but how to get there? Also, I see that the route doesn't detour through Conques. It's unimaginable to ride this route skipping this unique village and historic masterpiece, the roman basilica Sainte Foy, a highlight of the Compostella pilgrimage since the middle age.

There is a choice of train stations to choose from which one could get to the Lot River and, possibly, to the col de Finiels. But the latter is the 2nd highest pass of the Massif Central. With a laden bike, not to underestimate.

2 comments/ suggestions :

1) reach the start of V86 at La Canourgue riding through the magnificent plateau of the Aubrac. There exist a few train stations to choose from which can help one do a good chunk of the elevation gain by train, ride across the vast plateau then do a great downhill to the Lot valley.

2) The V86 downstream can be combined with the V73 Via Allier (which itself can be done after the Loire à vélo) to the region of Langogne (with several possible routes), and other vélo-routes coming from the Rhône valley across Ardèche.

Anyone seeking detailed advice is welcome to contact me.