Shorts Stories: Josephine One thousand kilometres, some fifteen thousand metres of gain in elevation, riding day and night, completely unsupported, to be completed in under seventy-five hours. Each of us taking part, like each of us anywhere, have our own particular motivation that drive us on. For myself, it felt somewhere between love and hate. Love because I've been passionate about cycling forever, in all its forms. Hate because I understand that there are certain moments ahead of me. My pedal strokes will have turned from light and euphoric to heavy and laborious. The process will be mirrored in my mind. Doubts will enter my head. How am I doing, will I make it in time, will I even finish at all? But when they come during the second night, I'm ready for them. Not welcomed exactly but expected and I know how to respond. Long-distance riding has certain requirements and I've prepared well. Preparation in all it's forms. Physical, mental, spiritual even. And in return are the rewards. The ever changing landscapes, the nights under the stars, the people along the way, the explosions of the senses. Finally reaching the summit of the Col de la Coyolle at 3 o’clock in the morning after climbing completely alone, guided only by the beam of my single light. So many feelings I'll never forget. En général nous sommes coursiers ou randonneurs mais rarement les deux. Le Mille du Sud winds its way for a 1000 km through Provence and the Southern Alps, taking a different route each year. Our Josephine classic bib shorts are ideal for long, or short, rides. SHORTS OR LONG Shorts Stories Renée You know which country you are in if you know on which side of the ridge you are. Discovering a forgotten frontier in the Pyrénées. VIEW MORE Week-end Prolongé Add an extra day (or two). Get up, kit on, ride out, kind of trips. Père & Fils. VIEW MORE The Best Socca A niche local speciality, best enjoyed after a starter of Cols Eze and Madone, it's more niçois than Nice itself. VIEW MORE European Divide Trail Finding a new route across Europe in between civilization. Andy Cox explains the concept behind the European Trail Divide. VIEW MORE

Gravel Collection AW20/21 ROADS LESS RIDDEN Wider, deeper, further, for longer. A collection of pieces not so much about what is beneath the tyres but more about what is up ahead. Encompassing a selection of jerseys, shorts, bib shorts and accessories, gravel for fall winter 20/21 is inspired by a spirit, constructed to perform and features our Flying Fish motif. SOLENNE Light Grey VIEW MORE SALOMÉ Cinnamon VIEW MORE ALIZÉE Orange VIEW MORE SOLANGE Crème VIEW MORE SOLENE Blue VIEW MORE SOLANGE Red VIEW MORE SANDRA Mesange Bleue VIEW MORE ALBA Navy VIEW MORE HELENE Sunflower VIEW MORE VIRGINIE Navy VIEW MORE VIRGINIE Alpine Green VIEW MORE RENÉE Navy VIEW MORE BOOM TIME WHAT IS GRAVEL ? A simple question to ask but a more complicated one to answer. Most would agree the definition of gravel cycling is wide. As wide as an individual wants to make it because ultimately, like so much in life, it can be what you want it to be. READ MORE NOT JUST GRAVEL Part of a whole if you like, where the whole is a world of infinite possibilities. Be it bikepacking, adventure cycling, Audax, Brevet or Randonnée. If there is no umbrella term that covers every variation of exploring by bicycle, there is a consistency of spirit. A sense of being a pionnier. SOLANGE Solange matches signature style with high-performance fleece fabric. Off road, on road, all road. VIEW MORE VIRGINIE Constructed for deconstructed riding, Virginie feature innovative design with full freedom of spirit. VIEW MORE

Lookbook Italie AW20 Doppio, Gelato and rides to live for. Our hometown of Nice was once part of the House of Savoy and so the connections runs deep. We slipped over the border as is often our want and made the most of what Italy has to offer. 1. Marguerite Merino Jersey, Orange ; Petra Superlight Gilet, Peacock Blue;  Marie Winter Tights, Navy 2. Viviane Long Sleeve Jersey, Ice Blue ; Adrienne 3/4 Thermal Bib Shorts, Navy 3. Women's Viviane Jersey, 80's Green ; Classic Cycling Cap, Navy 4. 5 & 6. Clemence Autumn Jersey, Yellow ; Adèle Thermal Bib Shorts, Navy 7. Nadine Hooded Top, Navy ; Adèle Thermal Bib Shorts, Alpine Green 8 & 9. Leonie Insulated Jacket, Orange ; Women's Marie Winter Tights, Navy 10. Irma Audax Jersey, Navy ; Marie Winter Tights, Alpine Green 12. Henriette Wool Track Pants, Navy ;  Cycling Cap Velvet, Gold 11. Women's Leonie Insulated Jacket, Yellow ; Women's Marie Winter Tights, Navy 13. Colle del Nivolet

Iceland Lookbook AW20 Continents collide to form volcanic views. It's enough to draw energy from the soil itself. This is Iceland. Roads that connect the past to the future. Launching from the edge of a volcano. 1. Leonie Insulated Jacket, Burgundy ; Marie Winter Tights, Black 2. Marguerite Merino Jersey, Orange ; Marie Winter Tights, Navy, 3. Anais Down Jacket, Orange ; Cycling Gloves Leather, Mustard 4. Womens Leonie, Isulated Jacket, Cyan ; Womens Marie Winter Tights, Navy 5. Irma Audax Jersey, Grey & Navy ; Marie Winter Tights, Navy   6. Viviane Jersey, Ice Blue & Navy ; Women's Viviane Jersey, 80's Green 7. Womens Albertine Thermal Jacket, Green Duotone ; Womens Thérèsa Cycling Tights, Navy 8 & 9. Petra Gilet, Cream ; Marie Thermal Bib Tights, Navy 10. Leonie Insulated Jacket, Orange ; Women's Leonie Insulated Jacket, Yellow 12. Womens Laetitia Gravel Tights, Navy ; Women's Sylvie Gravel Jersey, Grey 11. 13.

IN THE DEEP MID WINTER As the temperature falls, the need for warmth rises. Layers which protect with fabrics that still breath, designs which insulate with construction that traps heat. From jackets and jerseys to tights, gloves, warmers and hats. When the cold comes, our AW20 collection has it covered. 1.Zélie Audax Jacket, Silver Pine, Marie Winter Tights, Navy, Winter Cycling Gloves, Black. 2. Albertine Thermal Jacket, Green Duotone, Marie Winter Tights, Black. 3. Anais Down Jacket, Black,  Gravel Leather Cycling Gloves, Mustard. 4. Ondine Fleece Top, Crème. 5. & 6. Albertine Thermal Jacket, Green Duotone, Marie Winter Tights, Black, Winter Cycling Gloves, Black. 7.Anais Down Jacket, Black, Loulou Merino Neck Warmer, Navy Stripes, Women's Marie Winter Tights, Navy. 8. 9.  Ingrid Audax Jersey, Navy, Elise Deep Winter Tights, Black, Gravel Leather Cycling Gloves, Mustard. 10. Amélie Down Jacket, French Navy, Winter Flahute Hat Belgian Cap, Grey. 12. Women's Laëtitia Gravel Tights, Navy, Women's Cosette Base Layer, Elephant Skin, Loulou Merino Neck Warmer, Red. 11. Albertine Thermal Jacket, Burnt Gold, Marie Winter Tights, Black, Winter Cycling Gloves, Black. 13. Anais Down Jacket, Orange.

Lookbook AW20 Atelier Fewer restrictions, more freedom, less pull, more push. Atelier celebrates a design philosophy outside of the normal parameters. A selection of pieces in limited numbers, using heritage colours and ultra-modern fabrics. 1. Atelier Collection 2.Women's Viviane Atelier Jersey, 80's Green ; Women's Juliette Active Trousers, Black 3. Noemie Summer Shorts, Desert ; Women's Viviane Atelier Jersey, 80's Green 4. Estelle Atelier Gilet, Sand ; Henriette Wool Track Pants, Navy 5. Estelle Atelier Gilet, Sand ; Gravel Cycling Cap, White Grey Wine  6. Nadine Hooded Top, Navy 7. Viviane Atelier Jersey, Ice Blue 8. Viviane Atelier Jersey, Ice Blue ; Diane Merino Beanie, Red 9. Clementine Sweatshirt, Navy 10. Atelier Collection 12.Viviane Atelier Jersey, Ice Blue ; Noemie Summer Shorts, Desert 11. Women's Laëtitia Gravel Tights, Navy ; Cycling Socks Block Colour, Navy 13.Estelle Atelier Gilet, Sand ; Diane Merino Beanie, Navy

Arrière Pays Lookbook AW20 A time and a place and a piece. Each item in our Arrière Pays Collection reflects the valleys, peaks and landscapes of the back country Niçois. A world of natural beauty, a space of hidden treasures, a backdrop of changing seasons. From autumn through winter and into the first shoots of spring. 1. Clementine Sweatshirt, Grey 2. Lisette Outdoor Vest, Alpine Green ; Nicole Merino Roll Neck, Black 3. Amélie Down Jacket, Emerald Green 4. Clementine Sweatshirt, Tangerine 5 & 6. Ondine Fleece Top, Crème 7. Amélie Down Jacket, Emerald Green ; Clementine Sweatshirt, Grey 8 & 9.  T-Shirt Col Series, Alpe d'Huez ; Henriette Track Pants, Navy 10. Amélie Down Jacket, Navy ; Clementine Sweatshirt, Tangerine 12. Clementine Sweatshirt, Navy ; Socks Textured, Red Navy 11.Amélie Down Jacket, Navy ; Nicole Merino Roll Neck, Grey 13. Lisette Outdoor Vest, Alpine Green

LOOKBOOK GRAVEL AW20 We travelled north. A land of lakes and rougher routes. A place of peace, pionnier spirit and flying fish. A selection of pieces for roads less travelled, suitable for conditions less benign. 1. Solange Gravel Jersey, Creme ; Virginie Gravel Shorts, Alpine Green 2. Women's Solange Gravel Jersey, Red 3. Virginie Gravel Shorts, Alpine Green 4.  Virginie Gravel Shorts, Alpine Green ; Gravel Cycling Gloves, Navy 5 & 6. Solange Gravel Jersey, Red ; Renée Gravel Shorts, Navy ; Solange Gravel Jersey, Creme 6. Women's Solange Gravel Jersey, Red 7. Solenne Gravel Jersey, Light Grey ; Renée Gravel Shorts, Navy 8. Women's Solange Gravel Jersey, Red 9 & 10. Solenne Gravel Jersey, Blue ; Renée Gravel Shorts, Navy 11. Virginie Gravel Shorts, Alpine Green

Colour & Air What colour is air? Air is colourless. But add some sunlight, refract it and air displays colour. From blue to yellow to red and all the fades in between. The Fleurette lightweight jerseys are also built to mix the air with the sun. Their semi-mesh construction channels the breeze to keep you cool when the sun shines its brightest. A modern take on dotted style upon striking colour designs, to stand out in the summer light.

The Best Lunch Ride In The World No-one likes to brag. But. If something is good, it is worth sharing. In this case that ‘something’ is what we regard as the best lunch ride in the world. It’s a product of the pressure of time, which has a habit of focusing the mind. A mix of studying the maps, getting lost, getting guided by MTB riders and just riding the damn thing resulted in the final route. But it’s not just the route that makes the ride. Like lunch itself, here is our list of ingredients for the midday hour of joy: 1.The right group – enough to make it fun, not enough to make an administrative burden. The right group wants the same thing and each individual can hand out the attacks, but accept with grace if beaten. 2. Mix it up – Multi-surface is multi-purpose. It’s amusing and testing at the same time. Steps that require ‘porter porter’ increase the heart rate, sharp gradients afterwards stretch the effort, tarmac in between provides recovery. And the gravel provides moments of escapism even though you've just left the city limits. 3. A little bit of magic – That stretch of road that triggers the wanderlust, and that offers a view to the mountains to spark ideas for the weekend when time allows for higher mountains, bigger loops and deeper exploration. In this case, it’s the Route Stratégique to Eze from where you can see the peaks of the Alpes-Maritimes all the way to the Italian border. Dream of Col de Tende as your next gravel riding adventure. 4. Classical climbing, with a twist – to be able to ride to Col d’Eze, a road soaked in cycling history, by gravel, in one hour from the office is the pinnacle of the best lunch ride in the world. It’s special. 5. The unexpected – Never, ever settle on the traditional route. There is more above the Col. And up there, take the single-track to the right, sharpen your bike-handling skills by dodging the big rocks and brushing the tree trunks. Everyone follows the leader, crashes ensue, reputations are both inflated and deflated in equal measure. 6. The perfect end – From 670m high, back to sea level. Drop like a stone down steep descents to the Café and a lunch of the Best Pan Bagnat in the world beside the sea. Take a quick espresso and be back in the office with enough endorphins to tide you over until the next one. Perfection.

Somewhere between the sea and the sky, the fresh air and the deep blue. The flying fish badge is placed on pieces built for riding off the beaten track. 

LOOKBOOK SS20 The SS20 Collection ranges from race-cut classics to pioneering pieces. Pushing colours, fabrics, form and function of every item of cycling clothing to inspire your spring summer riding.  

THE ART IN ATELIER If the Atelier is where the artist creates, what is the art in atelier? This season, on top of the craft of fabricating the limited edition jerseys themselves, the spirit of visual styles from three separate artistic movements has been channeled into the Atelier collection. Aesthetic statements made on exclusive pieces to make a new style for the road. ART DECO “Art Deco represented modernism turned into fashion”, whether it be in architecture, the visual arts, or clothing. Born in the 1920s, the decade is known in France as ‘Les Années Folles’, art deco reflected the post-war desire to exhibit prosperity and ambition. Right in the middle of the Promenade des Anglais, The Palais de la Méditerranée is a lasting souvenir of the art deco of 'the roaring twenties'. Art deco design was done with long lines, crisp edges, geometric patterns and subtle ornamental detailing. The inclusion of various expensive materials often meant buildings, pieces and garments were one-off or limited edition productions. Agnes follows this form for a sleek, anti-traditional and elegant design. SURREALISM The power of the imagination. Unconscious creation by way of continuous and unrestricted flow of what is inside the mind on to the chosen medium. As one of the leading founders, french poet André Breton said it is "Dictation of thought in the absence of all control exercised by reason, outside of all aesthetic and moral preoccupation.” From Freud’s interpretation of dreams to Dali’s melting of time, the theme of surrealism is to free your mind and see what you find. Opheline’s badges pay lip service to expression of the mind's eye. GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTION With links to both art nouveau and art deco but evolved in later years with an emphasis on the use of shapes, geometric abstraction speaks through structures and forms. The point is not to create a reference to any visual reality. Instead, minimalism and self-imposed rules are mixed with spontaneity and chance to create unique compositions not normally experienced in daily life. Yvonne's geometric design creates a completely new pattern for an aesthetic and function like no other cycling jersey. Shop the Collection : FOR HIM FOR HER

LOOKBOOK SS20 FEMME The SS20 Women’s Collection is a blueprint of inspiration based on fabrics, colours and patterns that spark the imagination. Style and performance to increase the enjoyment of your favourite roads, your dream roads and your yet-to-be-discovered roads this summer.  

Gravel Collection SS20 ROADS LESS RIDDEN Wider, deeper, further, for longer. A collection of pieces not so much about what is beneath the tyres but more about what is up ahead. Encompassing a selection of jerseys, shorts, bib shorts and accessories, gravel for spring summer 20 is inspired by a spirit, constructed to perform and features our Flying Fish motif. BOOM TIME WHAT IS GRAVEL ? A simple question to ask but a more complicated one to answer. Most would agree the definition of gravel cycling is wide. As wide as an individual wants to make it because ultimately, like so much in life, it can be what you want it to be. READ MORE NOT JUST GRAVEL Part of a whole if you like, where the whole is a world of infinite possibilities. Be it bikepacking, adventure cycling, Audax, Brevet or Randonnée. If there is no umbrella term that covers every variation of exploring by bicycle, there is a consistency of spirit. A sense of being a pionnier. LAURELINE Constructed from a highly technical woven fabric, the lightweight gravel jersey is imbued with the spirit of adventure and unique Café du Cycliste style. Ideal for warmer weather wherever the route might lead. VIEW MORE BEATRICE Built using recycled materials, a tank style gravel jersey with three cargo pockets and a Café du Cycliste flying fish badge on the chest. For lost roads and long days of sunshine. VIEW MORE

ATELIER noun: a workshop where an artist creates.  An atelier gives the artist the space needed to create. An atelier is a place for vision and invention. An atelier is part workshop, part gallery, part hideaway. An atelier is a place for unique designs, where ideas travel from the imagination to the drawing board and into the fabrics. From the heart to the hand to the mannequin. An atelier is where focus is on the individual piece and every single element that makes up the whole. An atelier is where the métier takes place. The work required to turn materials into prototypes, the refinements and alterations that evolve into the final piece. An atelier is where a way of doing things becomes a professional habit and a lifetime obsession.

SOFT TOUCH Of the sensory experiences on the bike, touch is one that is sometimes overlooked. Sight, smell and balance all flood through the cerebral connections to deliver the riding experience. Perhaps it’s because the touch points are prepared pre-ride and simply function when on the road. Every touch point is its own multiple-choice question and requires thought and customisation to the rider's requirements. Handlebar tape : leather, ribbon, silicon and even rubber ? Not to mention how it's wrapped. Saddles. Narrow, wide, cut-out, carbon, titanium, and, again, leather ? Shoes – lace-ups, boa straps, custom moulded in-soles, cleats at a specific angle. If one of these three is off, it can ruin a ride. When they are all right, they are invisible. That allows you to get on with the task at hand. Merino blends have been around since what some might call the renaissance of cycling clothing. For a period it was THE fabric to provide a modern yet classic look whilst delivering the famous breathability and thermoregulation that the natural wool fabric provides. The first Café du Cycliste jerseys were made from merino and it has continued to form a crucial part of each and every collection ever since. Striking designs may have become more popular in recent seasons. It can’t be denied that such designs have their place and help increase the choices available. Indeed the Fleurette Faded jerseys and Floriane R X Centifolia collection are prime examples. However such designs can’t be transferred onto merino cycling jerseys. Merino sports blend requires to be dyed. That results in deeper, richer shades and block colours. It doesn’t mean style decisions are reduced : mono-colour jerseys can provide a timeless look or, they can be combined with coloured bib-shorts and socks to make a statement. But. The real rider experience is in the touch. Hold a merino jersey in your hands and there is a distinct impression of a premium fabric. Because that’s what it is. Put in on and feel the difference. Ride in it, sweat in it, climb in it, descend in it, drink espresso in it, fix a puncture in it. Maybe you won’t notice it. That would be a good thing. A great cycling garment disappears during the ride and merino cycling jerseys are a fine example. The Marina is a central part of the Café du Cycliste merino collection. With a race fit and a lighter blend, it has been ridden through the Niçois summer and wicked every bead of sweat into the atmosphere. merino cycling jerseys is nature’s finest fabric and it is here to stay.

R. x Centifolia PETAL TO THE METAL Inspired by the scents of summer in the south, a new collection of jerseys, bib shorts and gilets for men and women that found their form nestled in the hills away from the sea. In the sun and the soil that nurtures the flowers and makes the town of Grasse the perfume capital of the world. There is a familiarity about the confluence of natural conditions and the combination of elements to make a whole. Each piece we make combines the performance needed to handle the roads we ride with signature design fed by the enduring beauty of the Alpes-Maritimes. Floriane, Capucine and Petra are no exception. R X Centifolia for Summer 2020. A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME A TOWN & A FLOWER Grasse is perched on what we call a ‘colline’, a small hill. Behind are the higher mountains of the Park National Préalpes d’Azur. Around the town, riders will find many rollers, some longer hills but no hors category climbing. One of the most famous flowers for its scent is the rose. And at the top of the rose tree is the centifolia variety. It’s also known as the Provence Rose, no prizes for guessing why. Hermès, Chanel, and Dior, all source their roses here. READ MORE CAPUCINE Featuring a premium chamois and grippers integrated into the main fabric, the bib shorts feature a deep print paquerette pattern leg section, a technique only compatible with premium textile fibres. VIEW MORE PETRA A super lightweight race cut gilet, featuring a fully windproof and water repellent core section which covers the front and shoulder areas. Available in paquerette for men. VIEW MORE

FLEURETTE AND LA FOURNAISE LIGHT AND SHADES Summers in the south can be hot, riding can be hard and climbing can be brutal. La Fournaise, the furnace of a French Riviera summer, descends on the coast and the back country behind Nice and holds the region in its grip for weeks on end. The Café du Cycliste Fleurette jersey was built for the heat and badged to celebrate La Fournaise rather than hide away from it. A super light construction, semi-mesh fabrics and slightly longer cut sleeves are the type of details that count. And that make riding in the heat just that touch easier. In five new fades for Summer 2020. NOT JUST HOT BUT HEAT THE HEAD The casquette is almost as French as the baguette. In fierce heat out on the road, a cycling cap will not only keep the sun from your eyes but absorb sweat as well. Ours come in different designs, including classic as well as animal and col series. MEN'S CAPS | WOMEN'S CAPS THE HEART It's counter intuitive to some but adding a base layer in hot weather will help keep you cool. Choose the ultralight Cecilia which has a specifically designed horizontal mesh construction to fully optimise air flow across the body. MEN'S BASE LAYERS | WOMEN'S BASE LAYERS MEN'S FLEURETTE Each cycling jersey is inspired by not just where we ride but the conditions we ride under. In SS20, Fleurette for men comes in three shades of fade. Red, blue and yellow. The classic block colour Fleurette jerseys are available in black, white, navy and new orangeade. MEN'S FLEURETTES WOMEN'S FLEURETTE Each women's cycling jersey is inspired by not just where we ride but the conditions we ride under. In SS20, Fleurette for women comes in two shades of fade. Blue and pink. The classic block colour women's Fleurette jerseys are available in misty rose and new orangeade. WOMEN'S FLEURETTES

TOILE DE JOUY PAINT A PICTURE Toile de Jouy paints a picture and whatever the palette used or scene depicted, the picture is almost always indomitably French. Our Toile de Jouy collection for SS20 includes Valentine jerseys for men and women, the Annabelle bib shorts for men, the Cecilia base layer for women and both a classic musette and casquette. All in bleu, blanc and rouge. What else? FRENCH BY DESIGN THE OLD With an iconic French aesthetic, the famous fabric pattern Toile de Jouy was born in Jouy-en-Josas which sits only a few kilometres from the palace of Versailles. READ MORE THE NEW From French cycling royalty going head to head and shoulder to shoulder, to cobbles from the classic, the Café du Cycliste Toile de Jouy reinvents the genre. It is a selection of scenes with meaning which is what it should all be about. READ MORE VALENTINE MEN Featuring a modern take on a French design classic, the men's Valentine is a high performance road jersey built for warmer weather. Available for men in both gravure bleu and gravure rouge and can be matched with Annabelle bib shorts. VIEW MORE VALENTINE WOMEN Featuring a French design classic re-imagined, the Women's Valentine jersey is built for maximum performance during warmer weather rides. Available for women in both gravure bleu and gravure rouge and can be matched with a Cecilia base layer. VIEW MORE