Our 1% for the Planet partner moors up in Nice port, spreading a message of environmental awareness. 

The French downhill superstar on injuries, women in mountain biking and why she loves to wear Café du Cycliste when she’s out riding the road.

As part of ‘Brain Week’ 2025, Café du Cycliste brought together ultra-endurance cyclist Adrien Liechti and Vendée Globe sailor Alexia Barrier with top scientists to explore the latest thinking around sleep…

Ultra-racer and long-distance tourer Adrien Liechti basically lives on his bike, and that makes huge demands on his kit. So when he talks about what works, we listen.

Meet Cynthia Carson, an ultra-endurance cyclist from Arlington, Virginia, currently living in Girona, Spain, who is our first new Café du Cycliste athlete for 2025… 

We catch up with our Mallorca store manager Marnix Stolker to find out more about his cycling history and relationship with the brand.

Café du Cycliste athlete, bikepacking ultra-racer Adrien Liechti, has been on the road since October… we catch up with him after his third-place finish at the Tassie Gift race in Tasmania to hear more about the life of an itinerant racer.

Thierry Baudier, our store manager in Nice, tells us about his love of cycling and his journey with Café du Cycliste.

From furious gravel to high-altitude trails, scroll on for a rundown of where we’ve been riding, running and hanging out this year.

4myPlanet is an organiation founded by Alexia Barrier that focuses on marine conservation and education. It leads projects that combine scientific research and raising awareness, targeting younger generations and encouraging them to become leaders in sustainability.

TOP TRAILS | INSIDE UTCAM Now ten years old, the Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour has become an unmissable race in the region, bringing athletes from across Europe and as far away as Venezuela and Singapore to where the Alps dip their toes into the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. With distances ranging from a 5km vertical race all the way up to the SkyUltra 75km and 125km solo or in pairs, it offers experiences for everyone from the amateur to the expert. Café du Cycliste partners with the event, so we sent our athletes Tom Laurent and Anouche Richalet (@anomadventures on Instagram) to represent our Forever Outsiders spirit over the 30km distance. It’s a rude awakening for Tom and Anouche, when they realise that their race numbers place them in the elite starting pen, alongside the crème de la crème of the world’s trail runners who are participating in the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series. The race starts very quickly – perhaps a little too quickly – but that’s all part of the adventure. The pair pulls back and settles into their own pace. The first climb is technical, and an unseasonal rain and cold stings the ends of their noses. Anouche loses feeling in her fingers, but they are not discouraged, and persevere. From the 2,674-metre summit of Mont Pépoiri there are 12 kilometres of descent. It’s a real thrill, even if Tom later admits it killed his quads! In this edition there’s a little sting in the tail: a few kilometres from the line, racers are faced with another little climb. It’s unexpected, and doesn’t go down too well with Tom! Normally our pair runs everything together, but for this race they decide to see how their legs were feeling, and they separate for a while. But chance sorts everything out, and a few hundred metres from the line they meet up again, and finish hand in hand. After the effort: relaxation. Home-made gnocchi and a cold beer await the participants. It’s time for each to look back and share how the race went. Tom and Anouche are happy, and sore, and a little surprised at how they did: “It’s given us more confidence about our trail-running capabilities,” says Tom. Join us in our backyard, a trail runner’s paradise! Here’s our guide to some of the best trails that are easily accessible from Nice. And here’s a list of our partner events in 2024 – road, gravel, trail – all in the Forever Outsiders spirit. Picture Credits : Eric Barnabé / UTCAM Picture Credits : Lionel Lecourtier / UTCAM

TOUR DE FRANCE 2024 | NICE, THE WORLD'S CYCLING CAPITAL It is almost 7 p.m. on Sunday 21 July 2024 and the three leaders of the 111th Tour de France are locked in confrontation in the final time trial. From Monaco up to the Col d’Èze, amid a rowdy crowd, the race finishes with these last men. Drones film them eating up the roads that lead to Nice, where the final finish line is located, at an infernal pace. The images, broadcast to 190 countries around the world, are breathtaking: the riders’ commitment to their sport is intense, and the mountain roads, which overlook the azure-blue Mediterranean, form a picture-perfect scene that any cyclist worth the name will henceforth put on their bucket list. Helicopter cameras capture the yellow jersey rounding the headland on Nice seafront, demolishing the final few hundred metres to the finish. The hot summer evening light caresses the coloured walls of the grand houses on the edge of the old town; further down, the sea sparkles and laps gently at the famous pebbled beach under the Promenade des Anglais – which is itself celebrating its 200th birthday. It’s a dream backdrop to a sumptuous finale. The Slovenian champion, who lives on the Côte d’Azur, knows every centimetre of the road. He’ll leave not a sliver of a chance to his rivals on this TT, just as he has been ruthless in the General Classification all race. He wins a brilliant final victory on this Tour de France 2024. Two days earlier, the riders had entered the Nice metropolitan area via the Col de la Bonette. At over 2,800 metres, it is the highest paved road in France, almost in Europe, and has only been used five times in all the history of the Tour. Snow banks on the side of the road bear witness to the altitude at which the riders battle. As thousands of spectators discover via their TV screens just how close to Nice the roads flirt with the highest Alpine cols, Pogacar takes a tight stage at Isola 2000. The following day proves that – if it heaven exists – the Alpes-Maritimes are a cyclist’s paradise. The penultimate day is one of the most difficult. The most beautiful, too: from the hairpins of the Col de Braus and the Turini, the riders finish on the Col de Couillole. Halfway up the finishing climb, thousands of fans gather at the hilltop village of Roubion to watch the show. In a fitting setting for such majestic performances, Tadej Pogačar will once again triumph over Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz. The 2024 Tour has been the scene of remarkable events, and remarkable departures. In his last ever Grande Boucle, Romain Bardet finally dons the yellow jersey for the first time, with the panache that has characterised his career. He is not able to hold back the tears when appreciating this, the end of his time in the pro peloton. And what can be said about Mark Cavendish who, at 39, takes the absolute record for the number of Tour de France stage wins? On the final TT he freewheels along so that he can – after suffering so much under the Italian sun in the race’s first stages – make the most of these final moments. An old hand, he eventually found the opening to win the sprint concluding stage five of this 2024 Tour, and he celebrates his final participation in the world’s greatest bicycle race with his family. His achievement should stay in the record books for a few years at least. Hot on his tire tracks is a certain T. Pogačar, who, by the end of the 2024 race, has notched up 17 stage victories, and so might one day join – or even surpass – him. Biniam Girmay complicated Cavendish’s job this year. The Eritrean, who rides in the colours of Intermarché–Wanty, won three sprint victories, surprising the more experienced fast men. Behind him, a country – a continent even – erupted in celebration. His cheerful supporters did not hold back behind the finishing barriers whenever the sprinters had the opportunity to shine. These same fans, loudly supporting the new prodigy, will also wait for long hours in front of the team bus to celebrate his remarkable achievement with him. It's been a celebration of cycling in Nice as the Tour de France reaches an unforgettable finale. A recognition of the famous finish of Paris–Nice, Grand Départ of the Tour in 2020. Nice is not finished with top-level cycling: the Gravel World Cup will take place on its territory in 2025. Relive the grandeur and excitement of the 2024 Tour de France and experience cycling on the Côte d’Azur to the fullest, with Café du Cycliste’s 20 best rides from Nice port.

SOUTHERN BREAKAWAY | MVC RIDE THE ÉTAPE On Saturday 6 July, thousands of cyclists descended on Nice to ride the Étape du Tour, the mass participation event that pits amateur cyclists against a stage of the current year’s Tour de France. Among their number were our friends from the City of Lights, the Montmartre Vélo Club (MVC), who descended from their hillock in the north to ride some real southern mountains near Nice. Étapes always take on mountain stages, but this, the 32nd running of the event, was a particularly challenging one, taking in many of our favourite cols – Braus, Turini, la Colmiane and Couillole – and climbing more than 4,600 metres in only 138 kilometres. Luckily, many of the MVC members had just been on a cycling boot camp in the Cévennes hills of south-central France – this was the moment for the training to pay off! As for the pros, they will be riding this parcours on 20 July with 19 previous Tour stages in their legs, including the climb to the Cime de la Bonette, the highest road in France, the previous day. 6:30 a.m. on the Promenade des Anglais: around a dozen MVC riders wait in their separate starting pens for the starting gun to go off, ready to head off into the mountains of the back country. There were no team tactics for the Étape, but a certain team spirit rules nevertheless. With all the incredible mountain roads closed specially for the event, it’s a dream riding scenario; unfortunately, the weather doesn’t entirely play ball. On the Col de Turini, undoubtedly the wettest mountain in the area, a fine drizzle causes one of our riders to crash on the descent. He is unharmed, but his bike is less lucky, and he has to withdraw. After many long hours of literal ups and downs and metaphorical highs and lows, the MVC are reunited at the finish. After a quick shower, they head for a pizza in a village close to the finish, to refuel and to savour and digest their experience deep in the cyclists' playground of the Alpes-Maritimes – telling stories and comparing notes with laughter and beer. Challenging but magnificent, it is agreed. But there’s no rest for the wicked – or at least, only a night’s good slumber before our travellers from the Montmartre Vélo Club have to get back on their bikes to ride back down to Nice. This time, everyone rides together, sharing the mountain scenery – and the slight downhill all the way – with their club mates. Because of the Étape, Café du Cycliste on the port is very busy – but not too busy for a quick coffee and a shower before heading to the nearby Place du Pin for a hearty lunch. And, at 4 p.m., a final ride to the station to catch the TGV back to their little hill in Paris, with sore legs but good memories of a southern breakaway weekend. Come and watch the Tour in our café on the port for the best atmosphere in Nice!

NATURE TRAIL | CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE AND THE UTCAM When you’re out in the mountains there are moments of great solitude, but also great encounters with like-minded souls. The runners of the UTCAM – the Ultra Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour – are some of those people. Now in its tenth year, the event takes place in between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains of the Mercantour National Park in the deep backcountry – the same open-air playground in which we ride, hike and explore. The 2024 edition, which takes place from 21-23 June, comprises six distances, from a ‘vertical’ 5km through 10km, a 30km Skyrace (part of the Skyrunner World Series), 50km and 75km courses and the big daddy 125km (which can be done as a relay in a team of two). The team behind the event hold similar values of exploration, community and respect for the delicate balance of the natural world that means so much to us all, which is why we’re supporting the UTCAM across all distances this year. Partnering with UTCAM is an opportunity to share our love of the mountains and enjoy the challenging trails, beautiful villages and the spectacular natural setting. It’s also an excuse to put on our Alix Technical Tank (for men and women) and our Anna Trail Shorts (Vaiana for women) and compete. Don’t forget your cap! While the 125km race starts in Monaco for an epic challenge that heads deep into the mountains, most of the shorter races start and finish in the picturesque town of Saint-Martin-Vésubie. All except the Vertical 5km, which heads straight up from Monaco to the roman ruins of La Turbie. The different events are designed to give a progressive series of challenges depending on your experience and your level. They’re all awesome challenges in their own right, taking to the crests and peaks of the Mercantour: the 30km Skyrace, for example, climbs to almost 2,700m above sea level! The Mercantour National Park is one of the wildest places in France, with strict controls on activities within its borders, and both Café du Cycliste and the UTCAM are serious about the ecological impact of our activities. As part of our 1% For The Planet commitment, we support the Trail Runner Foundation, which works to promote an eco-friendly vision of trail sports. UTCAM, meanwhile, also works with Trail Runner Foundation, and runs its events in a spirit of respect for the environment and harmony with the natural world, taking concrete steps like recycling signposting materials and organising a big trail clean-up after the race. If we all do our bit – and then some – we can hope to be forever outsiders now and in the future.Check out the UTCAM site for more info, or find out more about all our our 10 partner events for 2024.

Mountain Riders – 1% For the Planet Auron is a small ski station that sits above the Tinée valley about an hour-and-a-half north of Nice. For many Niçois, it’s the place to go for a mountain escape, and, winter or summer, it’s one of our favourite destinations: the roads and trails around the picturesque village are great to cycle or hike; then, when the snow falls we take to the pistes, or strike out into the deep backcountry for some ski-mountaineering. But thanks to climate change good snow is no longer guaranteed. And Auron, like many ski resorts, is thinking about its future. As a part of that process, it’s been working with a social enterprise called Mountain Riders. Mountain Riders, based in Chambéry, promotes sustainable development and works with young and old alike in mountain communities towards environmental awareness and a greener future "We’ve got to find a new way of thinking, so we can imagine ski resorts as a place to live and not just a site of consumption dependent on skiing,” a spokesman for Mountain Riders has said. Let’s enjoy what we have while we can, in other words, while finding a new way of being in the mountains. In 2013 Mountain Riders created a certifying process, Flocon Vert (‘Green Snowflake’), which helps mountain resorts – traditionally so dependent on skiing for their livelihood – transition towards a future in which winter sports are only one part of their offering, working to create a new paradigm for life in the mountains. Up to three Green Snowflakes are awarded to recognise progress and spur a continuing effort to live sustainably, using a framework of 20 criteria split between environmental, social and economic themes. Almost 30 of France’s 250 ski stations now have one, and plenty of others are working towards it. Mountain Riders is one of the six organisations Café du Cycliste supports as part of our 1% For The Planet commitment, and we’ve been keeping up with what’s been happening in Auron. One initiative is a new ‘rewilding’ programme on the pistes, ensuring that as the resort expands, the area of untouched forest is not diminished. Other commitments to a low-impact lifestyle include extending the possibilities for Auron’s visitors to arrive car-free, whether that’s on improved bus services from the coast, or via the cable car from the valley, as well as reducing rubbish and safeguarding local bird species. Mountain Riders encourages all local stakeholders – town councils, businesses and residents – to manage progress and confront issues together. In Auron this includes our friends Adventmount, a ski and clothing shop that is our local reseller, which is changing its own actions to conduct its business more sustainably. In November 2023 Auron gained its first Flocon – hot on the heels of Valberg, another local resort, which received its first Green Snowflake in 2018 and now has two. We’re proud of supporting local action, giving back to these mountains that we love so much, and which have given us so much in their turn.

Gravel Earth Series 2024 | A flying start at Santa Vall The Gravel Earth Series has earned a reputation as a growing international gravel circuit that continues to go from strength to strength. The 2023 edition certainly left a lasting impression. Races such as The Traka (ES), The Rift (IS), and Migration Race (KE) have become mythical. Klassmark put them together with the singular challenge of crowning the best female and male competitors across all races. The events promoted by the Gravel Earth Series have remained authentic, rooted in the DNA of gravel, embodying a universal cycling spirit that pushes each individual to the limits of personal effort amidst breathtaking landscapes. Café du Cycliste has fielded its women’s team in these races for two years now, with Annabel Fisher clinching the overall victory last year. In 2024, Café du Cycliste deemed it fitting, natural even, to become the main sponsor and will therefore be associated with this exceptional challenge throughout the season. A new season brings new ambitions for Café du Cycliste. The eight member team (four women and four men) will compete across the series, with the men making their debut at Traka in May. The women meanwhile kicked off proceedings at Santa Vall, building on the achievements of the previous two years with an almost entirely new line-up: Maria, Heura, Fanny, and Maria take up the mantle of a team that is recognised and eagerly anticipated on the circuit. Santa Vall is a three-day race with a unique format, three successive days that are anything but similar to each other. On Friday afternoon participants must tackle a 7-kilometre prologue resembling Pikes Peak leading to Ermita de Sant Grau perched atop a hill whose difficulty is not to be underestimated — some riders put on the afterburners right from the start, setting the tone. At the top, once everything is said and done, the same end-of-race atmosphere returns with the ritual of debriefs, laughter, and accolades. Day 2 sees a new format introduced by the organisers and inspired by enduro races: a 70-kilometre route with two timed sections, with a transition in between which is not timed. This allows riders to rest their bodies and also sows some confusion into strategies that are usually well-established. Will the format be retained for future races? It’s uncertain, but its originality is commendable. 70 kilometres fly by and spending the second half of the day in the streets of old Girona is rather welcome. Sunday will see a return to a more classic and longer format. On Sunday morning, the women start an hour ahead of the men. A lovely way to highlight the high level of women’s competition, making it a separate race and dispelling any doubts about the assistance that male riders could provide to certain competitors. The distances and difficulties remain the same which highlights the specificity and beauty of gravel — women and men competing in the same arena on equal terms. 115 kilometres are punctuated by two significant climbs in the heights of Girona for this final stage. Santa Vall offered a spectacle of great intensity. Not everyone was at the peak of their physical preparation just yet, but evidently the majority wanted to be present for the kickoff of the 2024 Gravel Earth Series, which promises to be highly competitive. For the Café team, this race marked the first rendezvous. An opportunity to get to know each other and ride together. Maria, Heura, Fanny, and Maria reached the finish line of all three stages without incident. The Traka is still far off; two months of preparation will be necessary to tackle this race of a whole different level of endurance, as some of the formats they opt for will be 200 km or even 360 km. The tone has been set!

Our partner events for 2024 We are extremely pleased, and indeed proud, to lend our support to a variety of exceptional events across this coming year. In a variety of ways, in a variety of formats and in a variety of places. What they all have in common is the passion behind them, a focus upon the impact they make and a desire to build and strengthen the communities that we are all invested in. From our doorstep in the Mercantour National park to the heart of the US, from following greatness to watching the flowers bloom and from watching the clock to counting the hours, we hope there’s something for everyone in the mix. For the fizz and occasional fuss, ultimately taking part on the ground is all about riding or running routes that are easy to love and being surrounded by like minded people. We appreciate it more than we can say and we look forward to meeting you out there, somewhere. EVENT CALENDAR Race Calendar 2024 16 Feb Santa Vall Spain + 13 Apr Desertus Bikus France, Spain + 30 May BeNice Spain + 21 Jun DEAD ENDS & Cake Switzerland + 21 Jun UTCAM France + 20 Jul VIA RACE France, Spain, Italy + 31 Aug Fistful of Dirt USA + 12 Sep Le Pilgrimage France + 21 Sep Superbloom USA + 12 Oct Ranxo Spain + Santa Vall OFF-ROAD The first stop on the Gravel Earth series express. An exciting multi-stage gravel event that covers the best roads in Girona over three days. Santa Vall offers an exciting experience to meet the incredible community and connect with nature. As official partners, members of our own Gravel Team will be at the starting line, ready to take on the challenge. Santa Vall transcends the typical cycling competition as teams come together away from the course and engage in weekend activities culminating in a festive evening celebration. DESERTUS BIKUS ALL-ROAD A Rally-Raid Bike event that rides faster than its shadow, pays homage to the pioneers of the 80s Paris-Dakar Rally. This year, it ventures through desert zones in Spain and Portugal, featuring the Bardenas Desert, La Siberia Extremena and Ruta de las Caras. The concept involves a 1,350 km ultra-cycling challenge with self-navigation, complete autonomy, and no assistance. With over 300 participants from 15 different nations and a cumulative altitude gain of 13,500 meters, Desertus Bikus 2024 promises an exhilarating experience. Above all, it's a human adventure designed to be friendly and warm, with main aim to be a "beneficiary" rather than just a "finisher". BeNice OFF-ROAD Nestled in the mountains bordering Teruel and Castellón, the BeNice bike camp unfolds its charm from May 30th to June 2nd this year. Set against the picturesque backdrop of stunning landscapes, participants will discover a delightful rural house and camping facilities—an ideal space to connect with fellow cyclists and embark on a variety of rides along the intricate gravel paths. In addition to the cycling adventures, BeNice offers premium quality vegan cuisine, local beverages, invigorating yoga sessions, captivating adventure talks, and soulful music. More than just an event, BeNice is a haven for forging new friendships, embracing the spirit of Pedal Together and spending time in the heart of nature. DEAD ENDS & Cake ALL-ROAD Unleash the outdoor spirit at this unique bikepacking adventure in eastern Switzerland. Starting and finishing in St. Gallen, the route takes you through remote and stunning landscapes, featuring dead-end checkpoints that are reachable by road bike as well as shorter off-road options. These unconventional routes offer unparalleled scenic beauty and solitude, embracing the challenge means being rewarded with breath taking views. At each checkpoint a delightful fresh cake awaits you to fuel your onwards journey. Whether you choose to sleep under the stars, camp by a fire, or stay in guesthouses, this gravel adventure promises a memorable experience. Ride through the night for a unique encounter with empty roads and the beauty of sunrise. UTCAM TRAIL RUNNING Organized by the New Dream Côte d’Azur association, UTCAM seamlessly blends serious sport, citizenship, and environmental commitment through trail running. Core values of environmental respect, solidarity, and connection with nature are highlighted through concrete and positive measures. The course, nestled between the sea and mountains in the stunning Côte d'Azur region, offers a remarkable experience for participants. The event, consisting of 8 diverse races, aims to become a catalyst for local associations by involving multiple partner municipalities. The variety of formats caters to every athlete, from beginners to the more seasoned, encouraging progression on this unique world-class playground. This event embodies a harmonious fusion of trail running passion, the breath taking landscapes of the Mercantour national park and sustainable commitment. Photo credit : Lionel Lecourtier Activ’images VIA RACE ROUTE The first chapter of VIA RACE follows the epic journey of Hannibal, who traversed the Pyrenees and the Alps with 38 elephants, crossing Europe from Spain to Italy. A meticulously chosen route of 4,000 km with over 40,000 meters of elevation takes cyclists through and over a classic series of mountains: the Sistema Central, Picos, Pyrenees, Massif Central, Alps, and Apennines, tracing the path of greatness. Born from a love for ultra-cycling, the event will prioritise participant well-being, environmental consciousness, and sportsmanship. It goes beyond a mere adventure or competitive challenge, aiming to foster a welcoming community for cyclists of all levels, from experienced riders to bare naked beginners. It is built on shared values and passion, with the goal of creating enduring memories and promising an experience that transcends a simple race and leaves an indelible mark on participants and spectators alike. LE PILGRIMAGE OFF-ROAD Embark on an extraordinary journey into the heart of the French Alps for the second edition of Pilgrimage. This exceptional event promises an exhilarating experience amid the breathtaking landscapes around Puy-Saint-Vincent, in the Écrins National Park. This year riders will uncover the secrets of forgotten military roads hidden within the folds of the mountains and discover incredible routes while venturing all the way to Italy. Simon Rosmolen, the cartographer of Pilgrimage, has created a journey sure to please even the most demanding fans of the unbeaten track. Sign up and get ready to be immersed in a thrilling adventure that explores the summit of the mountains while offering a unique and unforgettable cycling escapade. Photo Credits : Yorit Kluitman SUPERBLOOM OFF-ROAD Nestled among the hills of southwest Iowa, the Glenwood Superbloom promises far more than just another gravel race. Its name echoes the extraordinary natural phenomenon that occurs as a multitude of wildflowers bloom simultaneously, a happening which in many ways captures the essence of this unique competition. With a higher ratio of women cyclists than is usual and location in the heartland of the USA, this event offers a course which is both challenging and stunning in equal parts, ensuring a memorable rough route adventure. With both 50 km and 100 km distances, it provides a distinctive opportunity for gravel enthusiasts to come together and share their passion. FISTFUL OF DIRT OFF-ROAD Saddle up for the Fistful of Dirt, an exhilarating gravel riding experience set in Cody, Wyoming, and experience the thrill of the wild wild west. Cyclists can choose to navigate the untamed terrain of The Good (20 Miles), The Drifter (40 Miles), The Bad (60 Miles), or The Ugly (100 Miles) routes, encountering smooth gravel, packed dirt, single track, rocks, and a dash of sand. Hosted by The Sheriff of Fistful Of Dirt, the event promises exclusive access to iconic locations such as Yellowstone's historic highway and the Hoodoo Ranch. After crossing the finish line, riders can revel in a lively post-ride celebration with music, cold beer, and the authentic charm of Cody—a wild west weekend to remember. RANXO OFF-ROAD The last station on the Gravel Earth line 2024. The word “Ranxo” only acquires its true meaning deep in Catalonia where a series of trails has been the backbone of agricultural life for hundreds of years. Infinite tracks that connect the most remote points of Noguera and Segarra. There is no better place than Ponts to take on a steep personal challenge, pun intended, as well as decide the winners of the Earth Series. With three distances to choose from, everyone, professionals and amateurs alike, can be part of the last dance of the year. It’s gravel as we know and love it and done with two eyes on doing it in the most sustainable and responsible way possible.

The European Divide Trail in 80 Days | With Nicolas & Julien It all begins with a phone call, ideas on where to go on holiday become plans for riding adventures rather quickly. One week is good, we say, but three months better. The desire to go long grabs us without warning. The obvious choice is there on the horizon; this journey will be the two of us bikepacking in Europe, from the Northeast to the Southwest, off-road. After a few months of physical and mental preparation, it's decided that our route will follow the European Divide Trail from the top of Norway down through Finland and Sweden into Denmark, Germany, France, Spain and the southernmost tip of Portugal. We take a plane to Kirkenes in Norway. Packing the bike (and the stress that comes with it) is no small task. Upon arrival, Julien's box has been flung wide open due to rain damage, his belongings scattered all over the hold. The Norwegian staff are lovely and manage to retrieve everything. No need to panic. We head towards the easterly point of Grense Jakobselv, in Finnmark, along the border with Russia. As we ride our gaze is drawn to views of the Arctic Ocean. We appreciate the vastness of this landscape that contrasts with the cityscapes of everyday life. It's six degrees here, and from now on, we will only be going south… We quickly leave the Norwegian tundra for the Finnish lakes. We discover a marshy ecosystem; beautiful bodies of water to reflect upon whilst turning the pedals. At the same time, we encounter our first mosquitoes. We were warned, and yet, when it's time to pitch our tent, we are under much duress. Hundreds of them have formed a welcome party, all over us within seconds. We choose to keep riding and make the most of the absence of darkness provided by the ‘midnight sun’. In the end, we will knock on the door of a kind Finnish grandmother just before bedtime and ask for accommodation. This is a lucky lesson in ensuring we plan sleeping arrangements better, now knowing that every stop is a sacrifice of time (and potentially blood). The first few weeks allow us to get our bearings. Arriving in Lapland, near Lake Inari, we eat heartily. Meal management and planning are crucial because it can be up to 200km between supply points. Sometimes we feel like we're alone in the world, with no sign of human life. We encounter only reindeer, whilst keeping an eye out for bears, without actually seeing any. We are a long way from home. We ride between six to eight hours a day. The rest of the time, we tend to the basics: eating and sleeping. Added to that is the pleasure of taking photos of these unique moments we find ourselves in. Tired of battling mosquitoes, we find a shelter just before the Swedish border, where we can do some hand laundry and eat in warmth. The wood-burning stove is running at full blast, warming our toes and our hearts. This shelter turns out to be a real trap; it's not airtight, and about ten mosquitoes regularly break in. We leave the accommodation around 3am and learn that wherever we are up here, we need mosquito protection. During the first break in Jokkmokk, Sweden, we buy head mosquito nets. And then a day or two later, we'll have pizza and a burger each for lunch. We've clearly entered a new dimension of survival tactics. But this life is still full of pleasure. Every day, we make progress while enjoying the extended hours of daylight in the polar regions. But mosquitoes aren’t the only foe of the bikepacker, there's also the wind. And after the wind, there's rain. Our shoes are no longer dry, but our spirits remain high. And the rain makes the few river crossings feel more immersive. Don’t ask nature questions if you can’t handle the answers. To finish our time in Sweden, the route arrives in Gothenburg, the country’s second-largest city. This dose of civilization is good for us, and we celebrate completing this northern section of 2800 kilometres (about twenty days) with a good beer. We also toast to the end of our battle with the mosquitoes. But who won? We will remember this as the ‘Land of Gravel in an Endless Forest’, where encounters with life are rare, but beautiful. Denmark is flat, with a gorgeous segment on the northern seaboard. The Danish shelters are numerous and well-maintained, although sometimes fully booked. Friends join us for a week, and we camp, cook and have drinks by the fire. Special thanks to Max, who brought Alpine Comté sausage. In Germany, big breakfasts. This section allows us to discover cities such as Hamburg, Hamelin and Cologne. The weather improves as we reach the French-German border. The Vosges and Jura mountains are demanding, with technical sections and significant elevation. It's not uncommon to find ourselves hike-a-biking. The pace now demands three to five cokes a day. After an energy-draining ascent, we reach La Bresse ski resort and ride a few slopes before setting up a grand bivouac at Lac Blanchemer. A feast of Tipiak couscous, sausage, and Saint-Nectaire cheese that has slowly ripened in the saddlebags. Delicious. We devour it before a night of thunderstorms that offer an incredible sound and light show until dawn. After a 48-hour break in Pontarlier, where we reunite with family and friends, we enter the Jura region and embark on a journey down memory lane, returning to the terrain of our first gravel trip three years ago. An exceptional bivouac awaits us near Crêt au Merle. After setting up the tent, we realise that we're in a pasture. About fifteen cows arrive and surround the tent. The night is going to be long; listening to them eating, doing their business, and licking Julien's flip-flops that stick out from the vestibule. The next day, a special day, we tackle the Grand Colombier. We take great pleasure and enjoy yet another coke at the summit, along with a crepe. We take advantage of the mild temperatures at high altitudes because down in the Culoz basin, a heatwave is waiting. Riding under 42 degrees to Valence is a memorable moment of the journey. The sun delivers heavy blows as we reach true southern France. We hear crickets, smell pine trees and figs, and the roads are dry and the wind is warm. France has a magical and comforting aspect for us; discovering the profoundness of the Ardèche and Hérault. The diversity of landscapes is impressive. To reach Perpignan, we endure the Tramontane and ride against 30-knot winds.Into Spain and a particularly hilly stretch. Our efforts are quickly rewarded; each passing day surprises us, the unexpected greenery of Catalonia and picturesque villages where we can always find a café and a bocadillo. We encounter some wild boar and deer. Our bodies are now extremely tired but accustomed to the effort, and the 10km ascents with an average gradient of 10% are eventually appreciated. Julien's chain derails and we need to replace the worn pedal. Not easy. Catalan kindness saves us, and the owner of a cycle café helps find a single chainring before we wave him off to Granada for the Badlands gravel race. The journey required two changes of chain and cassette each. Julien changed his brake pads three times and broke two spokes, as well as his pedal. Nicolas had less luck with punctures at rather difficult moments. Spanish trails offer a big variety of topography. We traverse national parks, taking dips in the gorges, and ride the deserted landscapes of the Celtiberian Range or ‘Spanish Lapland’. We eat bocadillos in various cafés. After Cazorla, we ride amongst vineyards and olive trees, where we come across some deer. Soon it’s Portugal, where poorly trained dogs frighten these weather-beaten cyclists. We always find a way to escape with unscathed calves. The last days are spent amidst Iberian pig farms. It's been several weeks since we last saw the sea, but it's approaching. Eighty days after our departure from Grense Jakobselv, we arrive near Sagres for the sunset amidst the Volkswagen campers of surfers ending their sessions. We reflect on everything we have seen and what this journey has offered. The landscapes are extremely diverse; Europe is beautiful and still very wild in places. The goal is achieved; this journey was neither a walk in the park nor an ultra-endurance test, but a bikepacking adventure between friends. READ MORE Etienne Hubert | From Kayak to Gravel: Traversing the Alps. The summer months are synonymous with heavy training loads for the kayak racers of the French national team. 2023 was no exception to the rule. Ultra Spirit & Anomadventures | A Human Adventure. A unique trail running event, Ultra Spirit takes place in the Haute-Savoie Alps and consists of teams of three runners accruing points rather than the average race against time. TRANSMISSION #2 | Serge and Carla Lamy. The second in our series of profiles on the family connection of cycling, capturing on film mother and son, Carla and Serge Lamy. SOPHIE GATEAU | Adventure in the Ardennes. Forests alternate with steep valleys, peat bogs with verdant pastures, moors with rocky escarpments, and multiple rivers with ancient stone villages.

The Year Ahead With Café du Cycliste Now we’ve all put the darkest days of the year behind us, here at Café du Cycliste we’re working hard to fill your season ahead with Côte d’Azur sunshine. From shredding gravel to new products, to Provençal surprises, to the world’s greatest race on our home cols, there’s a lot to look forward to. We can’t give too many details just yet, but here are some highlights to put in your riding diary and products to get the pulse racing. Gravel grinders We’re doubling down on our commitment to gravel. On top of our recently announced sponsorship of the Gravel Earth Series, we’ve got a new team in the offing this season to race the routes we’ve spent the winter dreaming about. Sneak peeks The finishing stitches are being put on our Spring/Summer 2024 products. Touching down first are an ultra-lightweight wind jacket and Americana-inspired jerseys. Peak anticipation There’s something special happening near Mont Ventoux. We can’t let on what it is just yet, but join us in the shadow of the bald mountain in April for a special occasion… Florence–Nice Talking of special occasions, there’s a big race happening in July this year starting in Florence and heading to Nice. Join us as we celebrate the pros and embark on our own “outsiders” version. #MyAlps Love the Alps as much as we love the Alps? We’ll be showing you some of our favourite spots in the mountainous playground in our own backyard. Share yours with us via the hashtag #MyAlps and take your inspiration to new heights. Here and there We’re putting together a calendar of events we’ll be sponsoring, participating in or simply admiring in the next twelve months. Keep an eye out for when it lands and join us if you can out on various roads. B-ing sustainable Our impact and responsibility commitments will remain front and centre of everything we do in the year ahead. With new partnerships as a 1% for the planet contributor, new advances in our production processes and some big sustainability news to bring you very soon.

Ultra Spirit & Anomadventures | A Human Adventure Sponsored by Café du Cycliste Ultra Spirit is an ultra-trail like no other, placing emphasis on team-work, sustainability and experience, rather than just racing. Couple Carline and François D’Haene are the creators of the event, now in its second year. A three-day ‘human adventure’ over 100km, Ultra Spirit takes place in the Beaufortain Massif in the Haute-Savoie Alps and consists of teams of three runners who accrue points rather than race for time in order to compete. There is a playful element to proceedings, where competition gives way to friendship and enjoyment, whilst still running, walking, climbing and laughing your socks off. Café du Cycliste ambassadors, Tom and Anouche AKA Anomadventures are currently editing a documentary called Ultra Naturel, involving Ultra Spirit and a number of other subjects in the ultra running and adventure world. Ahead of the release of their film here is their report on this year’s Ultra Spirit. A Human Adventure We spent three days immersed in Ultra Spirit, a unique trail event organised by Francois d’Haene. The aim was to make our second film, Ultra Naturel, about the evolution of outdoor sports. The event is unique and that's what drew our attention. It's not a one-day race with a ranking, but three days of trail running for a total distance of around 100km in the highly technical terrain of the Beaufortai. There are activities throughout the day and a bivouac at an altitude of over 2000m at Beaufort, in an exceptional region that we hadn't yet discovered. We arrived in the sunshine on Friday at the Gymnase de Beaufort, where the runners were welcomed. We didn't know it, but the event really brought everyone together. From Belgian mountain-racing enthusiasts to the world's greatest champions like Katie Schide, Camille Bruyas and of course Jim Walmsley, this year's UTMB winner. We were very impressed by the closeness of everyone and the humility of the world's greatest runners, with whom we shared meals. And what food it was, we should add. The emphasis on local cuisine was everywhere, and we enjoyed ourselves throughout the event. We were there to film, but also to take part. So we set off for a full day of trail running on Saturday, starting under the first snow for a real tour of the Beaufortain, covering some forty kilometres over varied, hilly and technical terrain. At the refreshment stations, accordions were played as we dined on invigorating soups. On the trails we partook in very interesting discussions with participants, giving us the chance to run side-by-side with some of the world's greatest trail athletes. Francois, who was in charge of marking out the route and running back and forth between the groups was also there to chip in. The atmosphere was always so friendly and the encounters with are always unexpected. We met legends such as Kilian Bron and Michel Lanne, and had some fascinating conversations about the meaning of sport and competition. We talked on the importance of the link with nature in outdoor sports, and how the event has a ban on mobile devices and encourages sustainable transport to base camp. On Sunday it was already time to head back to Beaufort and enjoy the sunrise over the Pierra Menta opposite our camp. Our bodies were tired after two days of racing, but the atmosphere was as festive as ever. Michelin-starred chef Jean Sulpice took care of breakfast at the top of the Col de la Forclaz, under 10cm of snow.It was a magical, timeless scene. Ultra-trailers drink beer and party like everyone else of course and the most successful game was the Beer Mile: run up a hill, downing beers along the way. The atmosphere and camaraderie really kept us going. We achieved things we'd never thought possible having never run so many kilometres in the mountains before. But seeing everyone doing it, and refuelling in style, changed the game completely. You realise that your body is capable of walking and running for much longer than you think. However, that’s not to say we didn’t suffer from more than a few aches and pains. Happily, everyone discovered that Café du Cycliste make beautiful trail apparel, and our orange jackets made us the most visible part of the race, easy to spot on all the drone shots taken during the adventure. We carried the brand colours high! The images we got ourselves from this event are exceptional and we can't wait to start editing the film. Café du Cycliste supported us in this unique project and we thank them again for their help. READ MORE An Outsider’s Guide | Trail Running Mont Cima. Convenience isn’t just on the street corner, it’s in the palm of our hand, strapped to our wrists, counting every step, click, beep and tap. Trail Running Guide Mallorca. A demanding yet highly rewarding territory not just for cyclists, but also runners, you can really uncover this enchanting island in the middle of the Mediterranean with just a pair of running shoes. Runpacking the Route of Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB. In August we run-packed some of the route of the world renowned Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB, an off-road 100 mile race through the Mercantour mountains. Ride of the Month: Tracing the tracks of the 2023 Ironman. The Ironman World Championship, which usually takes place in Hawaii, relocated to the French Riviera for the 2023 edition.