The men of the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team take on the penultimate Gravel Earth Series race...

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS | SIMON ROSMOLEN, FOUNDER OF LE PILGRIMAGE GRAVEL EVENT Le Pilgrimage is a multi-day Alpine gravel adventure marked by camaraderie and discovery running for the second year from Le Puy Saint Vincent, just a few Alpine valleys away from Nice. We talked to its founder, Simon Rosmolen, to learn more about its spirit. Tell us a bit about yourself My name is Simon, I’m 35 years old, and I live with my wife in Puy-Saint-Vincent. We moved to this mountain village four years ago, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Before this, I worked as a guide for cycling and trekking tours in developing countries. When the pandemic hit, my work came to an abrupt halt, and my wife, Anne, who is a chef, also found herself without work. That’s when we decided to make a change and move to France. We found a place in the mountains where we could blend our passions for food and mountain sports. Over the past four years, we’ve made this village, nestled on the edge of Parc National des Écrins, our home. My wife now owns and runs the restaurant at Hôtel Saint Roch, while I work as an outdoor producer, organising various guest experiences for the hotel, guiding groups and creating custom travel adventures for various clients. When did your passion for the outdoors and cycling grow? Cycling and exploration have been constants in my life for as long as I can remember. As a young kid, I travelled with my parents and sisters on cycling trips across Europe. Later, my work took me to some of the most remote parts of countries like Uganda, Malawi, Guatemala, Nepal, and India. After my work assignments, I would often embark on personal cycling journeys, either alone or with Anne. I’ve always sought out the most isolated and secluded paths, passing through small villages and crossing valleys and mountain passes, leading to encounters with people and experiences along the way. What inspired you to create Le Pilgrimage? With my cycling travel experiences, I wanted to test myself in ultra races. A few years ago, I started with the Further event in the Pyrenees. It’s a small, intimate event organised by Camille McMillan. Because it’s so small, you get to know everyone involved. The routes are gruelling, reserved for the few who can endure them – traversing isolated landscapes, often requiring hours of hiking with your bike on your back in sometimes brutal weather conditions. The experience is unlike anything else. Your entire world narrows down to covering kilometres, moving through the mountains, finding food and a place to rest. After I finished my first Further race, I spent several weeks processing the experience. I couldn’t stop talking about it – with fellow racers, friends and family. This intense social connection fascinated me. You travel like a pilgrim through the landscape, meeting fellow travellers, encountering unexpected challenges and overcoming obstacles. Le Pilgrimage brings these elements together, but with the added benefit of returning to a basecamp each night. This creates some comfort, as well as a strong social bond, as you share meals and stories of the day’s adventures each evening. On the first night, our pilgrims might still feel a bit awkward sitting next to each other, but by the last supper, they’ve become close comrades. How would you describe Le Pilgrimage to someone who has never heard of it? Le Pilgrimage is a gravel journey into the Alps, inspired by the travels of Saint Roch, the patron saint of pilgrims. Known for his pilgrimages through mountainous regions, Saint Roch faced many challenges along the way. He crossed hidden valleys, passed isolated refuges, reached high-altitude mountain lakes and tackled rugged trails. Our pilgrims follow in his footsteps. A pilgrim wanders, searches, pushes their limits and yearns for a safe haven at the end of the day – a basecamp to meet others and share stories before continuing the journey the next day, seeking new experiences and destinations, all in the spirit of Saint Roch. Le Pilgrimage has three stages, with each stage ending back at basecamp AlpeLune. The final stage is so long that pilgrims must find a place to sleep somewhere along the way. This year’s Pilgrimage will cover 461 km with an elevation gain of 12,820 m. The area around Puy-Saint-Vincent is blessed with breathtaking mountain summits in natural areas like the Parc National des Écrins, the Galibier and the Vallée de la Clarée, and the infamous military gravel roads such as the Strada dell'Assietta that run along and over the border with Italy. This year is the second edition of Le Pilgrimage after a successful launch in 2023. Anything different this year? In the previous edition, the long route took us through the mighty Tunnel du Parpaillon, which served as a checkpoint at an altitude of 2,700 metres. The tunnel provided much-needed shelter for the soaked pilgrims who made the climb in heavy rain, with thunder not far away. A campfire in the tunnel offered warmth and camaraderie. This year, the long stage will cross into Italy. We live near the Italian border, where there’s a rich network of old military gravel roads. The routes wind past forts that echo the historical tensions between the two neighbouring countries, which were once fierce enemies. Pilgrims will ride along ancient alpine paths, tracing the footsteps of history and the stories of past conflicts. Along the way, there are various treasures hidden at checkpoints and along the course. These are like little lifelines, small comforts that every pilgrim longs for on their journey. It seems you have a secret you want to share with us for 2025… A true pilgrim travels by bike, but also on foot. Our beautiful region is criss-crossed with ancient routes that are well worth exploring. From the 1st to the 6th of July 2025, we will host the first Pilgrimage Trail – a trail-running journey through the Écrins landscape, with Hotel Saint Roch serving as basecamp in between. Anything you want to add? This project wouldn’t have been possible without my friend Cyril Chermin, who helped to bring this idea to life and give this event its unique identity. Aaron Griffiths is responsible for the design and artwork, and thanks to his talent Le Pilgrimage has its distinct character. My wife, Anne, who is also the chef, will be nourishing our hungry pilgrims – her support in this project is something I am very grateful for. And last but not least, I want to thank Café du Cycliste for believing in this and adding great value to help us reach new pilgrims eager to start their pilgrimage journeys. This year Café du Cycliste is partnering with 10 events across road, gravel and trail… check them all out here.

UNSUPPORTED | THE THREE PEAKS BIKE RACE I signed up for the Three Peaks Bike Race. A self-supported bikepacking race over 2300 kilometres and 35,000 metres of climbing from Vienna to Nice. In between, three checkpoints / parcours have to be tackled. This year, these are: a parcours in the Dolomites with Monte Grappa and Passo Manghen; the Grimsel Pass in Switzerland; and a parcours in the Vosges with the Grand Ballon and the Super Planche des Belles Filles. In between, all 350 participants plan the best possible route themselves. Every rider is responsible for food, navigation, accommodation and any technical problems. It’s a one-stage race: the first to tick off all the checkpoints and arrive in Nice is the winner. It's that simple... So now I'm on the train to Vienna - to the start of the Three Peak Bike Race. I’ve just built my new bike, a hand-painted Stevens Arcalis, a week earlier. Two short test rides will have to suffice, it'll be fine. And the legs? They've been under the office desk more often than on the bike in recent months. At least I still had some time on the train to tinker with the route ... Fortunately, I have experience from various bikepacking races all over the world. I know that as soon as it starts, everything becomes much more relaxed. Even if my form isn't perfect, I can benefit from countless kilometres over the past years and my legs actually know what to do. From now on, everything will be reduced to very primitive needs: Moving forward, eating, sleeping. At 10:40 AM it’s my turn to roll out of Vienna in the direction of Mariazell. As I have already finished towards the front of similar events and even managed to win some, I know that my current form is not good enough to attack. And we all know, nothing will be decided in the first two days. I'm looking for my rhythm, but I quickly realise that the final spark just isn’t there. This unconditional determination to do everything as efficiently as possible in order to minimise stopping time. Because races like this are not only decided by fast legs, but by short breaks. So I decide to allow myself a short stop at the bakery, a break in the cool shade or a visit at a gelateria every now and then. This doesn’t make me fast, but helps to keep the spirits high. By the evening I've covered around 330 kilometres. I treat myself to three hours of sleep on the floor of an open lounge at a lorry service area. A luxury place to spend the night, including a shower! Unfortunately, the various snack and coffee machines are buzzing, creaking and beeping the whole night. By the time the first grumpy lorry driver needs his coffee at four in the morning, the night's rest is over. I can't really get going. My legs are good but my head is tired and motivation is low. The last few months have been very intense with work and organising and running my bikepacking events Züri Escape and DEAD ENDS & cake. I totally underestimated how tired I actually was. Villach - a turning point. From here, there's a fairly direct train back to home in Switzerland... very tempting. But no, that's not an option! That’s not why I am here! I do what you should always do on long rides when doubts creep up on you - eat! Eat a lot! After a hearty second breakfast, I continued on the perfectly built Alpe Adria cycle path. Tunnels, bridges, gorges, mountains and all doubts were gone. A third breakfast in Tarvisio, this time typically Italian with cappuccino and brioche al pistacchio, revived my spirits and pushed me through the long flat section to the foot of Monte Grappa. The ascent to the Passo Manghen followed shortly afterwards. A beautiful pass, even in the constant rain. I reach the top of the pass and my bike computer shows that I have already covered over 4,200 metres in altitude today – at ten o’clock in the morning! Not too bad! After the cool, rainy Manghen, it gets warmer kilometre by kilometre. On reaching the Adige Valley, the thermometer climbed to 37° and the route became flat. I don't like riding flat. It's monotonous, it lacks variety. The longer it's flat, the less pressure I put on the pedals. Maybe it's my technique, maybe it's the fact that my physique is that of a climber. But mainly it's my head - I just don't like it.To distract myself, I deliberately planned my route along the cycle path on the flat sections. The winding paths, sometimes on gravel, are a little slower than the main road, but offer a lot more variety. Villages, bakeries, little lakes, .... Distractions. Although I have a bivy set-up with me, I often opt for a room during this race. Not because of the bed, but because of the shower. It was either 35 degrees or rainy and wet. Both are unhygienic conditions that encourage saddle sores. A shower and a hand wash of the bibs helped. I made it to the finish without any major complaints. After three hours' sleep, it's time to get back into my still slightly wet but clean bibs at three in the morning. It's a day I've been looking forward to for a long time. Perfect weather and one Alpine pass after another. We're in Switzerland and I know the route by heart. I could ride the next 300 kilometres without a navigation device, it clears my head. Still in the dark, I climb the first obstacle of the day - the Albula Pass. Switchback after switchback, I head towards the pass. Apart from me and the cows in the meadow, there's no-one around. Complete silence and a starry sky that you never get to see in our brightly lit cities. At the top of the pass, I take a quick breather, put on some warm clothes and eat the last bits of a sandwich from the previous day. Ready for a freezing cold descent at dawn. No traffic, no people. Until I meet the first early riser on a roadbike at the very bottom of the climb. We exchange a short encouraging ‘Allez’ and are happy not to be the only crazy ones. After breakfast at a petrol station shop, I treat myself to a ten minute nap on a bench. Power naps like this don't do any good for the legs - but they do wonders for the mind and morale. Next up was the Oberalp Pass. The pass itself is beautiful and actually easy to ride thanks to the many switchbacks. But the approach takes forever. Always slightly uphill, usually with a bit of a headwind. Ironically, there is a lighthouse at the top of the Oberalp. So far away from the sea, but somehow on the right track. More icons of the Swiss Alps follow. Furka Pass, the virtual checkpoint on the Grimsel Pass and Brünig. I decided to end this magnificent but hot day around ten o'clock in the evening. Thunderstorms were forecast for the night, and 320 km and just over 6000 metres of climbing were quite ok for day four. Thanks to a mixture of pity and disbelief, the receptionist let me raid the breakfast buffet upon my arrival in the evening. Apologies to the other guests who had a half-empty breakfast buffet the next morning. The alarm goes off three hours later - a thunderstorm is raging outside, the wind is whipping the rain against the window. I set the alarm again for half an hour. When I woke up, it was light outside and the clouds had cleared. I must never have set the alarm clock, so I ended up sleeping for almost eight hours. I overslept... never mind, it was nice! That is the big difference to race mode. There is no need to rush. I still ride quickly and try to be reasonably efficient. But the constant pressure and stress of always having to do everything as quickly as possible was gone. I could really enjoy it. I didn't care whether I finished 5 hours earlier or later. Self-supported races are often lonely. You spend countless hours alone, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. But you are never completely alone. Thanks to the GPS tracker, family and friends can always keep track of where you are. I receive countless messages. Sometimes a simple emoji or an Allez. Sometimes a story about a place I'm currently. It's distracting, fun and motivating. And then there are dotwatchers who come to the route and cheer you on. Sometimes these are friends or people I know from other races. But sometimes they are strangers who want to know how things are going and to wish me a good ride. But every single encounter puts a big grin on my face and gives me an incredible boost for the next few hours. The Vosges - mountains again at last. The mandatory parcours starts at the top of the Grand Ballon, leads over the Ballon de Servance and then to the notorious Super Planche des Belles Filles. A wonderful route. Secluded, hardly any traffic and crisp climbs - just the way I like it. The Planche des Belles Filles is a legend, a short stretch of road with an incredible amount of Tour de France history and a very steep unpaved section towards the top. The iconic image of André Greipel carrying his bike to the finish because the 24° gradient of the last gravelsection was simply too steep for the sprinter to ride. And of course the countless attacks by Thibaut Pinot, who was born less than 20 kilometres away. Unfortunately, he never managed to win a stage on his home mountain in the Tour de France, but perhaps that is part of why he won the hearts of the fans. And so his name is painted hundreds of times on the steep switchbacks. I climb up the road in the rain and get goosebumps when I think of the crowd cheering on their beloved Thibaut. Images of the Tour play back in my mind. How I sat in front of the TV with my father and how we kept our fingers crossed for our favourites. We were never for the big winners, who calmly executed their programme and rushed from victory to victory. Our sympathies were with the impulsive, often unfortunate riders who tried again and again. Just like Thibaut. Such mind games and distractions are extremely important in ultracycling. Most of the time you have something to do. Looking for water, shopping, finding a place for a power nap, putting on a rain jacket, taking off a rain jacket, ... But there are phases when you just ride along. The 400 kilometre long flat section from the Vosges to the foot of Alpe d'Huez was just such a part. Little variety, straight roads and enough food in the bags. Here you have to let your mind wander, talk to yourself, make plans for the future - keep yourself busy somehow. I saved a few of my favourite podcasts for this section of the route. So Justinas told me about his record-breaking ride on the Tour Divide while I was munching on pain au chocolat and rolling through the boring wasteland. The flat section wasn't just mentally draining, my body was also starting to fight back. My knees were aching, my Achilles tendon was twitching ... It was about time that I finally got back to the mountains, that the final parcours finally began. A mandatory route was set from Alpe d'Huez to Nice and the organisers wanted to really test us again. A whopping 10,000 metres in altitude await us on the last 390 kilometres. With already 1900 kilometres in our legs. As soon as I've completed the first bends to Alpe d'Huez, the knee pain is gone and my legs are turning almost by themselves again. I'm simply not made for the flatlands! The final parcours with Alpe d'Huez, Col de Sarenne, Lautaret, Izoard, Vars, Bonette, Colmiane, Turini made the Col d'Eze seem tiny at the end. All these mythical mountains with their magnificent views let your mind wander and time fly by. At the Col d'Izoard, I am briefly woken from my daydreams by a violent thunderstorm. I seek shelter and treat myself to a power nap in a bus stop. The road outside is completely white from the heavy hail. It looks like the middle of winter. But shortly afterwards, the sky clears again and soon reveals the surreal rock formations of the Casse Déserte. An incredibly beautiful place and, to my surprise, a dry road down to Guillestre. Now my plan is actually simple. I feel fit, my legs are good, so I want to ride through the night and be in Nice by midday. But you know how it is with these plans... On the ascent to the Col du Vars, thunderstorms are brewing again. The weather forecast for the night shows temperatures of around zero degrees, rain and wind for the Col de la Bonette. I decide that I don't want to take the risk. A thunderstorm at 2800 metres above sea level at night is uncomfortable. But then 70 kilometres downhill with wet clothes in the cold? That's just stupid. So I knock on the door of a restaurant in the village and with a bit of persuasion (or pity) I get a cheese-baguette and a bed. Happy me. At four in the morning, I set off on the last section. My knees are a bit rusty after the break, but it gets better with every pedal stroke. There are still 250 kilometres to the sea but the weather seems to reward me for my extra break. Bright blue skies and not a cloud in sight. I reach the Cime de la Bonette, the highest point of the route. The view is completely overwhelming. Hard to capture in pictures. I take a short break, enjoy the peace and quiet and know that I've actually made it. After over 2000 kilometres, the remaining 200 with a few smaller passes feel like a coffee ride. For breakfast I had a couple of pain au chocolat and a tarte aux myrtilles to fuel my legs. Col du Comiane and Col du Turini - pure pleasure! The landscape is changing, the houses are becoming more Mediterranean and, most noticeably, the tourists are changing. They are no longer hikers, climbers and campers. They are heavily perfumed beach tourists in pink polo shirts, white trainers and straw hats. It made me laugh. For a week, my contact with civilisation was limited to shopping and asking for a bed. And some conversations with other participants that I came across along the way. Mostly the same questions. How are you? Where did you sleep? How far are you riding today? And then the time had come - I could see the sea in the distance for the first time. An incredible feeling, a huge grin. All the doubts, the pain, the tiredness - everything vanished. The Col d'Èze was barely noticeable compared to the giants of the last few days. And then just downhill to Nice. Along the Promenade des Anglais to the finish. My girlfriend has bikepacked to Nice from Switzerland to meet me. Hugs, handshakes, a cold beer, sit down, gelato… Happy. Numbers: 2,303 km 35,240 m of up 7 days, 7 hours 25th place (out of 250 Solo starters) 0 flats or mechanicals 59,000 Calories burnt (equal to 34 pains au chocolat per day)

SEVEN DAYS | THE MTB BC The BC Bike Race is a celebrated – almost infamous – challenge. Seven days’ racing of up to 50 kilometres, around 6,000 metres climbing: a dream ticket for a committed rider with a childlike spirit. Taking part in the BC Bike Race was always a dream for Thomas Lapeyrie. It promised to be an experience completely outside of his everyday: as a cross-country rider on the French national team, and then riding enduro as a pro, the former champion was more used to having a team with coaches and mechanics at his side, all working together to prepare for a single race. The BC, on the other hand, could not be any more different: multiple stages, multiple days, and a focus just as much on the experience as on performance pure and simple. Travelling with a friend, Jerôme Clementz, Thomas began with two weeks’ visiting all the best mountain-bike trails in the West – Vancouver, Bellingham, Squamish, Kamloops, Whistler – before setting a course for the ferry to take them to Vancouver Island. All this before seven days’ racing, averaging 40 kilometres a day. Though the distances aren’t that impressive, the parcours are very physically demanding, on very technical terrain, with very little respite or flat sections. The BC Bike Race isn’t just a race; the experience also comprises seven nights’ sleeping in a tent in the midst of the 550 other participants. They are either also in tents, or sleeping in vans, or – for a few elites – in an AirBnB. Everyone is woken each morning at 5:30 a.m. by the sound of the rooster mascot being made to ‘crow’ by one of the staff – that’s the kind of atmosphere there is at the BC! Between the camping and the physical demands of the race, it's fair to say the week was a very tiring one. For Thomas, the best parts of it were the ambiance, discovering new experiences, and sharing them with the people he met. Across the week, meals were taken in large communal tents, with different groups at different set times, in a friendly atmosphere that encouraged riders to share their stories of the race. Thomas’s goal wasn’t to win, but to have fun – while seeing new places and glimpsing new horizons. Conversely, the desire to compete on the downhill timed sections was very present – irresistible even, for this particular enduro rider! But in the race situation, this wasn’t at all easy. The first few days, blocked by riders in front, he found it impossible to find sufficient room. One day, it was his own chain that got in the way, jamming and forcing him to finish on foot. But his luck turned and, the following two days, he was able to perform, and he won the timed sections. Another stage, another problem: his back brake broke early in the race. Not great news when big off-road descents are the order of the day. Luckily, there was a pit stop each day, staffed by mechanics from a workshop in the vicinity. For Thomas, it’s easy to put all these small issues into perspective: they were an integral part of the adventure he was seeking. The most important thing was to savour each encounter, each new landscape. He arrived back home tired, but nourished by an experience he’d dreamed about having, and that he won’t quickly forget. Now, he’s contemplating his next adventure for next year – the Trans NZ in New Zealand, perhaps. Watch this space…

VENI VIDI VICI VIA | MEET THE FOUNDERS The first edition of VIA follows the epic journey of Hannibal, the Carthaginian general who in 218BC crossed Europe from southern Spain into Italy to attack the Romans, traversing the Alps with 38 elephants as he did so. Over 4,000 kilometres, VIA competitors trace this path of greatness, taking mountain ranges from the Sistema Central, the Picos and the Pyrenees, to the Massif Central, Alps and Apennines. The race features mandatory points to pass through – unmanned ‘Gates’, and ‘Refuges’ where there’ll be people, supplies and a roof to sleep under – but the rest of the route is up for the competitors to decide. In all, there’ll be more than 40,000 metres of elevation. Born from a love for ultracycling, the event will prioritise participant wellbeing, 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 beginners to experienced riders. In 2025, Chapter II of VIA will start from where the first year left off, creating a whole new adventure, while the final edition in 2026 will again continue from 2025’s finish. We interviewed the founders, Ian To and Ingeborg Dybdal, just a few days before the start of VIA on 20 July. Tell us a bit about yourself Ian: 43, father of three girls, gets around mostly by bike Ingeborg: 41, bonus mum for two of Ian’s girls and a workaholic.   What made you start ultra cycling and how did you start? Ian: I received a rejection by a 4,000km ultra race on Christmas day 2015 (Merry Christmas!) and decided to do three other events in 2016, all of which I won, so I figured this sport suited me. Ingeborg: I started by riding to work, and it kind of snowballed from there. My first ultracycling event was a 4,000km one in 2017, and I surprised myself (and my friends and family) by completing it. Ultracycling (just like ultramarathons and trail races) is gaining in popularity and recognition. What do you think is so enticing? The simplicity. Unsupported ultracycling is the purest form of cycling. Rider against the road and the elements. No team car, directeur sportif, mechanic, chef. Do everything yourself and expect nothing. Enjoy the solitude, the feeling of empowerment and adventure, racing yourself or others. What made you want to create VIA? Giving back to the sport and giving the best experience to riders. Whenever we participated or dotwatched races, we had so many ideas for how to make a good race. Of course, when you’re actually doing it, it’s hard to turn all those ideas into reality. The ultra distance scene is diversifying and developing with a growing number of races and participants. What makes VIA unique? In three words: adventure, community and competition. We focus on all of them, and bringing all of them to the same race. We’ve also put focus on being welcoming to all, regardless of gender, sexuality, disability What are your hopes (and fears) for VIA, when it starts in a couple days? We hope that our riders will have the best experience ever. We hope they will have a great adventure by riding to beautiful places, make many friends, and have learned something about themselves by pushing their limits further than they knew possible. Fears? We have been watching the weather forecast closely and we hope it won’t be a heatwave. The safety of the riders is our biggest concern. Anything to add? We’ve already been hard at work on Chapter II, and we are looking forward to the party at the finish – the Triumphal Celebration as we call it – to reveal what comes next!

The Circus | The Tour outside our door. It was a week in Nice like no other week. As the Tour came to its conclusion outside Paris for the first time in over a century, the cycling world descended on our home town for a period of revelry and racing. A celebration of everything bike, an ode to the power of pedalling fast. Unusual, almost unprecedented and certainly unforgettable. The old port and the calm before the storm. Yellow is the colour. Riders from around the world, hills of home. Runners refusing to be upstaged. The best seats in the house and switchback heaven. Race faces from the elite. The crowds are out in force and everybody is looking for a hero. Eyes front and total focus. From admiration to exultation and standing ovation. The man, behind the mask. Nothing else to say. The final knockings. Gone but never to be forgotten.

DREAMS WITHOUT END | UNBOUND GRAVEL Living an experience you've dreamed of can often disappoint or leave you wondering why you longed for it all this time. In our minds, we build up all facets, the scenery, the atmosphere, and the result, but is it ever really what our dreams think it will be like? We were worried we had hyped up Unbound Gravel too much. Isn't it just another very long bike ride? In an area most often referred to as being part of what people in the USA call "Flyover States"? How could this race ever live up to the hype that preceded it? Well, it did. Months of careful preparation led to that one Saturday in June when nearly 5,000 cyclists embarked on their adventure in the Flint Hills, creating stories and leaving with memories that would last a lifetime. The start-line nerves hit differently than at other events, but as soon as the gun went off, a bike race's oh-so-familiar rhythm and cadence took hold of our minds Riding 203 miles in 10 hours and 13 minutes was an almost zen-like experience. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be capable of the ride I did, while appreciating the beauty of my surroundings, connecting with people along the way and digging deeper than ever. For Jess, riding 108 miles in 6 hours and 14 minutes was filled with big and small wins. When you've spent all winter training for your goal race, there's no room to quit, even when persistent calf cramps are trying to slow you down. Everything was left out there on those dusty Kansas gravel roads before the finish line, which brought sweet relief with a heavy dose of emotion. Did we end up overhyping Unbound? No. Did we have to deal with derailleur-destroying mud and otherworldly weather conditions? No. Would we recommend this event to anyone driven to push themselves and experience something truly unique? Absolutely. The physical emptiness you carry across the finish line is met with a mental and spiritual fullness that can only be experienced and understood by those who have completed this event. We will for sure be back to chase after that satisfying feeling again.

TOUR DE NICE | AN INSIDERS GUIDE TO THE HOME OF CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE The Tour de France is coming to town in the summer of 2024, and we’ll be showing the race every day on our big projector screen. The Étape du Tour is being held in Nice too, but in truth cyclists are always coming here – for the Nice Ironman, a cycling boot camp or simply a weekend’s riding. For the best cycling out of town, you can find our riding guide to the Alpes-Maritimes here, and our gravel guide here, but here’s a few other things to do in town and further afield. TOURIST SIGHTS A stroll along the Promenade des Anglais is always a treat, and the colline du château (castle hill) in between the port and the old town has great views. The Cours Saleya flower market can be charming, but for a real working market with great fruit and vegetables head to the marché de la Libération at the Libération tram stop every morning from Tuesday to Saturday. And if you want a dip, head away from the main beach and swim with the locals off the rocks and in little coves just around the corner at the Plage de la Réserve. DINING OUT For good pizza, try Made in Sud. Like many of our recommendations, it’s in the buzzing old port area of the city, close to Café du Cyliste. Thanks to the city’s proximity to the Italy there are hundreds of pizzerias in Nice, but this one is run by a lovely Neapolitan family and makes some of the best dough and tomato sauce this side of the border. Chez Davia, meanwhile, is also close by and does high-class Niçois specialities and French bistro food. LUNCH AND LIGHT BITES Try Hely, housed in an old petrol station, and Panineria Ceresola, in the antiques quarter, for amazing paninis in fluffy home-made bread. ICE CREAM Showing the Italian influence, most of the good ice cream in town is gelato. Fennochio in the Old Town is a favourite, and has a vast range of flavours. Arlequin, near the main train station in the Libération area, is perhaps even better, and it has the best chocolate ice cream in the world. DRINKS There are a thousand terraces to sit on in Nice, but for classy wine there’s Les Oeillets bar à vin. And the Brasserie de Castillon has a good selection of local craft beer from the passionate owner of a local brewery. It does very good food too! COFFEE If you’re not near the Café du Cycliste and need a caffeine fix, head to Brume in the Old Town or Hug Café in the Jean Médecin main shopping district. If you’re out on your bike, we can recommend Nomads in Antibes, but really any cafe with a nice terrace is worth a stop – and the average coffee is 200% better once you cross the border into Italy! BOULANGERIES France wouldn’t be France without a world-class baguette, and our favourites include Les Petits Marchands in the port and Bakery Jean Marc Bordonnat nearby. If you’re out riding, try Saines Sauveurs in La Turbie, Boulangerie Alexis in Levens and Pan d’Aqui in L’Escarène for a sugary tart or a savoury snack. HIKING Take the bus up into the Mercantour National Park from the Grand Arénas stop for a wide range of hiking routes. Saint–Étienne–de–Tinée, Isola 2000 and Roquebilière (for a shuttle up to the Gordolasque valley) are good starting places, and the bus only costs €1.70 for a single ticket (find the timetables here). Alternatively, the sentier littoral (coastal path) leads eastwards from Nice to Monaco and beyond – pick it up at the plage de la Réserve. Or the Sentier Nietzsche (Nietszche path) takes you straight up from Èze-sur-Mer (where there’s a train station) to the picturesque Èze village high up on the cliffs. It’s also good for trail running ! Don’t forget that there are road and gravel bikes for hire at Café du Cycliste. Or just come in for a coffee and a chat and to watch all the racing action!

BIKING NICE AT BENICE Back in January, I received a call from Alex about an event they wanted to launch. I knew it would be the kind of event I would enjoy. I met his crew from Valencia last year, and I couldn't be more grateful to the bikepacking community we are building in Spain and around the globe. When I started traveling by bike some years ago, I never expected this incredible feeling of belonging – no matter where you are, you always feel close to your ‘tribe’. These guys from Valencia were my tribe. BeNice was introduced to me with a mix of joy and doubt, knowing it involved a risky decision: investing not only money but also a significant amount of work on an inclusive event, in their free time outside their jobs. It wasn't an easy decision, but people were always asking how they could join the gatherings we’ve had over the last few years around Spain. I was eager to enjoy the event from the moment I first heard about it. June came quicker than I expected, and soon enough, the event was here. From Bilbao to Valencia is just over 600 kilometres, but there are some differences in climate and the character of the people. I love that in one country there is so much diversity. BeNice not only brought together people from these two regions but also from various parts of Spain and Europe. We had our most international member, Sara, who came from her native Scotland, and Iñigo, who lives in Brussels. The rest of us came from Andalusia, Aragon, Madrid, and other parts of Spain. Some of us already knew each other; others didn't. The mission of the event was to bring together more members and create a small community. On the first day of BeNice, on our way to our basecamp Alex says to me "Now is your time. We have already enjoyed creating this." The basecamp, Mas de Cotanda, was a few hours away from Valencia. A masía or mas is a type of rural construction common in the eastern regions of Spain and derives from the Latin word mansus, meaning "country house". These historical buildings have been central to agricultural life for centuries, serving as family residences, farms, and production centers. Beyond their function as simple rural structures, masías symbolise a deep connection to the land and local communities. Mas de Cotanda offerz incredible views of the Sierra de la Batalla and the adjacent massifs. This area is part of what is commonly known as la España Vacía (Empty Spain). This term describes the depopulation and ageing of many rural areas in Spain, the migration to large cities and the abandonment of rural regions. Arrived on bicycles or in vans or cars we were happy to meet familiar faces and pleased to discover some new ones ! The magic of BeNice was bringing together people beyond our small community of cycling friends. Almost sixty people gathered in front of Alex and Will, who explained the basic rules. We immediately began discussing which route we would choose for Friday - Alex and Will planned 8 differents routes with various difficulity levels - as well as our anticipation for dinner and the delicious food being prepared in the kitchen. The incredible aroma of baked vegetables made our stomachs growl even more. The first dinner gave us a wonderful preview of the incredible vegan recipes we would enjoy over the next few days. Leek cream, curried tofu, hummus with various ingredients, and excellent coffee were just a few of the breakfast, lunch, and dinner combinations. Hooray for the cooks! Some slept in tents, others in vans, and the rest in the rooms of the Mas. We woke up to sunshine and a bit of morning freshness after a rainy and stormy night. We started the day with a yoga session led by Cris from Surya Bikepacking. Cris's class was enjoyable, interesting, energising, and relaxing, giving us the opportunity to stretch our stiff bodies after the humid night. A delicious breakfast followed, bringing with it the first BeNice connections at the long table outside the house. The first departures are starting. I joined the group on the route 7, because it was one of the longest and most demanding routes, leading to a deserted town, La Estrella. After dressing in some of the clothes from the new Café du Cycliste collection, I prepared my bike with food, snacks, and enough water for the 79 kilometres and 1,500 metres of elevation gain ahead of us. We had the whole day ahead and needed to return by 6:30 p.m. We shared the start with route 4, which the organizers had designed to take the most direct paths with the least elevation gain to reach the town of Mosqueruela. To avoid the road entirely before reaching the town, they included a small stretch of path. The first section was rideable, but it soon became rougher, and more than one person had to dismount and walk for a short distance. The downside of this route was the lack of water points, shops, or bars to refuel or buy food at. We passed by farmhouses and skirted gentle hills before beginning the descent to the Monleón River and the Estrella neighborhood Reaching La Estrella was special. We had high expectations for this place because we had heard many stories locals. Martín and Sinforosa had been the only inhabitants of the remote village of La Estrella for over thirty years, but the only residents today are the cats that Martín and Sinforosa cared for. After a lunch break, we had to climb a few kilometres and some steep slopes to leave the Monleón River and reach the Vistabella plain, then head back to the camp. After dodging some mud, we arrived back at the Masía with big smiles on our faces and exhausted bodies. The large group had divided into two, so we gathered to share experiences before Juan's talk. Juan has been dealing with multiple health issues all his life. He has been a long-distance racer against the tumours forming in his digestive system as well as a real ultra-marathoner, and a long-distance cyclist. An incredible person, we were honoured to hear his experiences as he presented his book, Vacío (Empty)! We woke up early to light rain and a grey day – this wasn't pleasant news for us, but it would be beneficial for the area – but Cris managed to brighten it up with the first asanas of the day. After breakfast, we geared up for Saturday’s adventure: tackling route number 5. A group set off to explore the slopes of the Vistabella plain. This place was truly a delight to experience. Following a section of the GR7, we crossed several farmhouses nestled between the Sierra de Boi and the depths of the Monleón River, eventually reaching the San Bartolomé Hermitage. With origins tracing back to the Templars, at the foot of Boi Castle, it offered a unique and beautiful balcony with views of the town of Culla. After climbing back up to the Vistabella plain, the trail led us directly to the town centre, where we replenished our energy at one of its bars and a pastry shop, nearly emptying its shelves of sweets. Slightly soaked from the persistent rain and sugared up from the treats, we returned to the camp. After completing the second route, enjoying a hot shower and some snacks, it was my turn to speak. It was incredible to share my experiences surrounded by people with the same cycling vision, souls who understood the journey on wheels and sparked debates about today's world. I am still grateful to the organisation for this wonderful opportunity. After a delicious dinner, it was time for the raffle drawing, with incredible prizes from all the brands that supported the event. Nervous and intrigued, we gathered in the main hall for the show. Some lucky winners walked away with up to three prizes! Sunday arrived, bringing shorter routes to ensure we could savour the giant paella at 2 p.m. With a group of girls, we strolled around the Masía, stretching our legs and enjoying relaxed conversations. We didn't want to miss the paella or the chance to pack up camp early and air out the tent. Although the rain had stopped, the humidity lingered in the air. Two large vegan paellas arrived at the table ahead of schedule, concluding a few days of connection and reconnection that wouldn’t have been possible without all the hard work by the BeNice team. Goodbyes are always bittersweet, but none of the organisers said no to a future reunion, so… see you in a few months! Thank you, thank you and thank you. Much love!

WISH ONE AND ALL After kicking off the season with Santa Val and then high tailing it to Traka in April, the next stop for the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team was the Wish One Millau Grands Causses. The only French stage of the UCI Gravel World series and a qualifying event for the related World Championships. Run in the shadow of the famous Millau Viaduct, the race takes place in the heart of the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park. Famous for its impressive cliffs and rock formations - the causses - the course includes part of the Templière du Larzac trail as well as passing through the Causse Noir. Moonlighting from their day jobs with the Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur Pro Continental squad, it is the first time we’ve had all four male members of the team together on the road (or the gravel come to that…). It is a change of scene for the guys, and equally a change of atmosphere. Illustrated by our race preparation which included a spot of fishing in the Tarn. When in Rome, or in Aveyron. Preparation also included a more classic course recce but only the day before. The exact route was kept under wraps until twenty-four hours before the start due to it passing through a military zone, a quirk just crying out for inappropriate battle analogies somewhere down the line. Compared to other races on the calendar, and at only 145km, the format is short. But still intense. Once finally unwrapped in all its glory, the route is revealed to feature mixed terrain and a 50/50 split between gravel and road surfaces. The course is designed to be fast. In theory this split should suit Andréa, Noah, Paul and Axel down to the smooth(er) ground but gravel sections in general are not what they are used to. The main difference is, in their minds, the level of concentration required. While zoning out or zoning into autopilot, relatively speaking, is possible out on the road it is down right impossible when racing on the rough stuff. Gravel is unforgiving and demands concentration for every moment of the five plus hours in the saddle. And as the riders roll of the start, the challenge begins. Andréa held the leading group as much as possible but unfortunately wasn’t able to hang on from gun to tape. An 18th place finish was nevertheless an excellent result in this field, and it gained him qualification for the Elite category in the Gravel World Championship. A save the date for October. While Andréa had raced with the team at Traka, it was the first outing of the season for the other three ‘Nicoise’ riders. “It’s more fun than the road” Axel said after he finished 49th overall. “But it’s still competition and the rhythm is the same as among the pros”. His mountain biking background certainly helped him quickly feel comfortable on the technical sections. Paul rode hard throughout and came home a very creditable 27th but unfortunately Noah was all out of luck on this occasion. A double puncture led to an early exit from proceedings as he was forced into a DNF. However our vigil at magnificent arrival under the Viaduct, in front of the building where the bikes of the French Gravel brand, Wish One, are designed, ended on another positive note as Stephan Mifsud crossed the line. Wearing Café du Cycliste colours he finished 122nd in the general ranking and 3rd in his age category, like his son Andréa qualifying for the gravel world championships. The next race for the team will be in Finland in mid-September. The Falling Leaves Lahti, part of the Gravel Earth Series and the scene for what will surely be another unforgettable adventure.

SIERRA ULTRA | DESERTUS 2024 WITH SOPHIE GATEAU Café athlete Sophie Gateau got down and dusty at Desertus Bikus for the third year in a row, riding from the Basque country to the Costa del Sol by way of a selection of Spain’s most desolate and dusty deserts – and this time she brought some friends. Desertus is a 1,350km (840 mi) ultracycling race that pays homage to the first days of the Paris–Dakar Rally in the 1980s. Desert areas this year included the Bardenas, the Siberia Extremeña and the Ruta de las Caras. Desertus is about speed – but is also concerned with orienteering and self-sufficiency. Riders must pass through four crossing points on their journey across Spain, verified by GPS tracker. How they get between them is up to them – as long as it is without assistance – and dotwatchers of the world scrutinise their choices. Sophie describes her Desertus experience as a ‘challenge’ rather than a race. Since it’s her third participation, she took the scenic route, taking photos and discovering new roads. More than 300 people took part this year. About 5-10 per cent of the ride is on gravel, depending on each individual’s route planning but these are ‘rolling tracks’ and can be ridden on road bikes. Last Desertus Sophie rode a gravel bike, but this year she switched, in part to prepare for VIA Race in July. Café du Cycliste also kitted out a bunch of Sophie’s female friends, to help them on their adventure. Among them was Hélène Fromenty, who finished third woman! Among Sophie’s ‘must haves’ for this kind of adventure are: the Annette jersey, for its breathable, quick-drying and odour-free merino; the Mona jersey for its super light weight and large pockets; and the Edith windproof jacket for cool mornings and evenings. For Sophie, the stand-out moment came near Toledo, around halfway through, when, to the sound of cicadas as the sun set, she shared the road with another Desertus rider she had encountered and they improvised a bivvy together in the Parc des Cabañeros, where the soft-impact flooring of a children’s playground gave them just that little bit of extra comfort. Sophie admits that swapping the grey skies of Paris for the ultra-dry deserts of Spain was a bit of a shock to the system – but it was worth it for the incredible variety of landscapes the journey from the north to the south of the Iberian Peninsula presented – whatever route the rider chose. Café du Cycliste is partnering with ten events this year, taking in road, gravel and bikepacking, including Desertus and July’s VIA Race. For a full list click here.

HITTING THE HEIGHTS | THE MONTMARTRE VÉLO CLUB Montmartre is perhaps the most romantic neighbourhood of the world’s most romantic city. It sits on a hill of the same name on Paris’s northern edge, commanding an unrivalled panoramic view of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame and all the other attractions of the City of Lights. Home to a famous community of bohemians and artists (and now tourists too), it also houses vineyards, Paris’s last functioning windmill and the white-domed basilica of Sacré-Coeur. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the steep cobbled streets will play host to the final circuit of the men’s and women’s road races. When that comes around there will be a few local cyclists who will know the climbs better than most. The Montmartre Vélo Club was founded during the big lockdown of 2020. At that time in France, people were only allowed out to exercise within a kilometre radius of their house – which definitely presented a challenge for cyclists who wanted to keep fit! It started with a small group of friends who lived in Montmartre, who previously had met every Saturday to ride out of town. Instead, they began to get together and loop up and down and around the historic roads of the neighbourhood – rue Blanche, rue Lepic, rue Azaïs – and spend their allotted hour of recreation in some semblance of normality. Antoine Ricardou, was one of the first to call this informal gathering the ‘Montmartre Vélo Club’. Every time they passed a cyclist on the road, he’d ask him or her to join them. “We’d meet a bunch of guys,” Antoine says, “and we’d say to them, ‘See you next Saturday.’” And little by little it grew. So Montmartre became a social space as well as a training ground. The streets were otherwise deserted, leaving plenty of space for the Montmartre Vélo Club to take shape. A place to make new friends. Riders all had nicknames – the ‘President’, the ‘Landlord’, the ‘Pilot’, the ‘Swiss’ – and it wasn’t all about sport: group discussions might range over cultural or political subjects, and not only the last Strava KOM. The club became ‘renowned for its good spirit and frank camaraderie’ – or so its motto tells us. The good vibes and the camaraderie are real, but watch your back: MVC members are likely to turn on the afterburners on the hills. These days, with life more or less back to normal, the club still meets on Saturday, starting off together to head out of town and finishing a little more spread out – although you’ll find many of them at the local bar Au Rêve for an après-beer. The biggest group rides out on the road, but there’s a gravel contingent too. Each year it’s been possible, they head out on a training camp: Mallorca, Switzerland and, this year, the hilly Cévennes region in southern France. This year they’ll be wearing their new kit – bibs and jerseys designed and made in collaboration with Café du Cycliste. If you see them on the streets of Paris, or further afield, give them a wave! Picture credits : Luc Frey

TRICKY TRAKA All eyes were on Girona, one of the homes of cycling in Europe, in the first week of May, for the eagerly anticipated Traka, the largest race on the European gravel calendar. But the week started ominously, with significant storms and rain – a forecast that led to the organisers cancelling the 560-kilometre ‘adventure’ route that had been due to debut this year. Never had the race taken place in bad conditions, but Café du Cycliste was there – for the third year running – with athletes in each event ready to compete come what may. For our gravel team women, this was the second race of the season after Santa Vall, the first event in the Gravel Earth Series, of which Café du Cycliste is a title sponsor. Meanwhile, it was the new men’s gravel team’s debut outing of the year. Check out both teams here. The gravel team women were taking on the 360km and 100km races, alongside some athletes from the extended Café du Cycliste family, while the men’s gravel team were riding the 200km event; and employees, including our founder, Rémi Clermont, had signed up for the shorter distances. In the event, the Friday morning dawned cold and very wet underfoot, but the blue skies would return as the day went on. And so the gun was fired to start the 360km event – reduced slightly in length to avoid flooding – only an hour behind schedule. Every race brings something new, and new to the Traka this year was the mud! Gravel riding has many faces, from smooth and dusty to large and rocky, but one thing is certain: when it’s been raining, there will be mud. Riding in mud brings its own challenges, as does keeping an eye on the changing ground conditions. Add to that navigating by GPS – the races are not signposted – and the potential for mechanical problems, and it’s easy to see vigilance is required at all times. After a long day in the saddle, gravel team riders María Ögn Guðmundsdóttir and Heura Piñol finished 15th and 32nd women respectively – María smiling all the way and Heura coming in after midnight! Male Café athletes Hafsteinn Geirsson and Thibault Viarengo, meanwhile, finished 25th and 81st. The women’s race was won outright by Poland’s Karolina Migon, and the men’s by Peter Stetina from the USA. On the 200km race, a lightning-quick start meant a competitive selection right from the gun. Andréa Mifsud established himself in the second group, battled to stay in contention on the technical sections and came in 53rd. Noah Knecht started fast but a series of punctures, and 10km rolling on his back rim before a change of wheel, left him in 101st place. The men’s race was won by the Czech Petr Vakoc and the women’s by Germany’s Carolin Schiff. In the women’s 100km race, our Maria Capdevila came in 32nd, breaking her 100km personal best on the way. And Café employee Marvin Gruget podiumed in the 50km race, coming third! Next on the schedule for the men’s gravel team is the Wish One qualifying race for the UCI World Championships, in Millau, south-central France. Check out the new gravel team kit here!

YOUNG AMERICANS | RIDING THE CAPE EPIC Noah Warren, a USA cycling development programme – and Café du Cycliste – athlete lined up at the Lourensford wine estate in Cape Province, South Africa, last month, for 605 kilometres of the toughest mountain-bike racing possible. Over eight days, competitors in this celebrated and infamous Cape Epic climbed more than 16,050 metres and journeyed into the heart of South Africa. He was riding in a two-person team with fellow American Griffin Hoppin. All competitors must ride as pairs and team-mates must stay within two minutes of each other – and repair any mechanicals they have on course. Every year the harsh weather and unbelievably rugged course take their toll on both riders and equipment, leading many to drop out before the final finish line. Noah has never had a DNF (‘Did Not Finish’) in his racing career, and he did not intend for this to be his first. Warren is only 19, but he was bitten early by the cycling bug – and bitten hard. While in high school he raced in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association, and the National Mountain Bike Championships; and in 2021 and 2022 he finished on the podium of the USA Cycling Marathon. But, for him, it was never all about speed. Noah was always looking for adventure too. The young American made his first long trip at 15, riding east to west across the USA. His bib short of choice for this 5,200 kilometre feat? Mathilde, from our Audax range – his first ever Café du Cycliste purchase. In 2019, at the age of 14, Noah went to spectate at the Cape Epic, where he met the legendary champion Nino Schurter. This inspired in him a dream to participate in the race as soon as he could. Little did he imagine that a few years later he would be on the start line with Schurter. The minimum age to enter the Cape Epic is 19. In 2023, at 18 and four months, he participated with pair Hadden Beykirch alongside Schurter and became the youngest UCI rider to finish. In 2024 Warren was due to take on the adventure with team-mate Patrick Balls, but two weeks before the race, Balls injured his knee and dropped out; Griffin Hoppin filled in. For Noah, it’s this team aspect and atmosphere that makes the race special – that sharing of emotions, helping out and overcoming things together. “Cape Epic is less about the race and more about the community and the culture,” he says. Now back on the Côte d'Azur, where he moved to study, he looks back on the experience. A stand-out moment was on Stage 3, between Saronsberg and Wellington: another rider, Casey South, found himself out of the race when his partner was injured, and so helped Noah and Griffin, sitting in front of them to keep them out of the wind. “Having that support from somebody who had no reason to help us was just amazing, and reflects the mentality of the Cape Epic,” Noah says. Noah did all of preparation for the race around Nice, and admits he spent more time on his road bike than his mountain bike while training – so good are the region’s roads. He gives special mention to the road up to Gourdon, one of the famous ‘perched villages’ in the back country, as well as the coast road from Antibes to Nice, which he rides most days to get to university. The Côte d’Azur cycling community has, he says, welcomed him with open arms, and in particular the regulars at our café on Nice port. Thanks to the friendliness of all the local cyclists, he’s got to know the roads. Next up: the region’s trails. Noah’s goal is to win the Cape Epic one day; and with a few more years’ riding in Nice, that could become a real prospect… Picture credits : Nick Muzik

FROM SNOWPARKS TO GRAVEL FLOAT | GRAVEL EARTH SERIES Gérard Freixes is the brains behind Klassmark, the company that organises the Gravel Earth Series – of which Café du Cycliste is one of the title sponsors. He sat down with us to give us some insight into the events, and where they might go next. Are you a cyclist through and through? No, I wouldn’t consider myself a pure cyclist. Though I raced mountain bikes from a very young age, my career took a turn towards snowboard and constructing snowparks. That was where I began as an entrepreneur. How did you start riding gravel? I took my first steps in gravel via mountain biking. In 2014 I tried a gravel bike and fell in love with the discipline, and I haven’t stopped riding gravel since. I’ve always combined it with trail running, I appreciate the contact with the natural world. How would you define gravel? For me, ‘gravel’ evokes that special sensation of floating you get when you’re on gravel roads. It’s about adventuring on gravel tracks and feeling that combination of technique, float and contact with the earth that speed gives you. How did you get the idea for Klassmark and the Gravel Earth Series? The idea for Klassmark goes back over 15 years, a time when I was deeply involved in organising action sports events. The idea for the Gravel Earth Series came later – an attempt to capture the original essence of gravel and launch a world circuit that would recognise all athletes. The Gravel Earth Series has grown rapidly, why is that? How do you see it changing in the future? It has grown due to the growth in gravel enthusiasts around the world, and because our series of events foreground the fundamental values of the sport – and the discovery of diverse places. Tell us about the shape of the 2024 GES… For the 2024 season, we’ve come up with a more inclusive format, with more events on each continent, so as to reduce the number of long-haul flights – above all for the professional athletes. We’re also seeing longer formats (650km on the Migration Race). At the moment, our events tend to reward pure performance, but our vision of the future is to include more ultra events, long-distance challenges that require planning and organisation. What were you hoping from the season opener, the Santa Vall, and what about the season as a whole? We were pleased to hit our target of 300 entries at Santa Vall. We’re sure it’s going to grow, which is how it has to be for us after the first year of a new project. Next season is looking bigger and better – we’re planning to change the format to include three pure gravel stages, to attract even more participants. Anything more to add? It’s so important to me not only to work in something I’m passionate about, but also to try to contribute positively to society in general. I think that the Gravel Earth Series is well received by the community, and this is the most rewarding thing for me. I truly value being able to go to bed each night knowing we’re making a contribution to the sport and to the community, it brings a lot of satisfaction to our work. Read more about our 2024 gravel teams, and the first event in the 2024 series, the Santa Vall, where Café du Cycliste was a headline sponsor.

SOPHIE POTTER RIDES THE ATLAS MOUNTAIN RACE. Intrepid adventurer Sophie Potter has just finished the Atlas Mountain Race (AMR), an ultra mountain-bike event that crosses Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and passes via the Anti-Atlas to finish in Essaouira. It’s a serious business: 1,300km and 21,000m of elevation over sand, stones and colonial-era gravel tracks. Sophie explains how it went… You set off for Morocco three weeks early – was it all just tagines? Before getting there I’d spent two months on my home trainer, so I really wanted to get used to the bike again, without bags on. The time allowed me to refine my riding position and get an idea of the temperatures in Morocco at low and high altitudes, to choose the right clothing and sleep system. Unfortunately, I was ill those three weeks and ended up coughing so hard I cracked a rib. I had to rest a lot, and couldn’t recce as much of the route as I’d hoped. Tell us about the equipment you rolled on… I took a Scott hardtail that I’d bought second hand. Before the race I’d ridden around 3,500km on it, including the Silk Road Mountain Race and the Pamir Highway, up to altitudes of 4,700m. It’s specially equipped with lightweight but reliable parts… I added aerobars to take the pressure off my hands, but even so I lost feeling in six of my fingers. With my lightweight René Herse Fleecer Ridge tyres and custom cargo wheels, total weight was around 10kg." And what was in your bags? I took the lightest possible equipment, without skimping on the essentials to finish the race. Some people take risks because their goal is to finish first, but that wasn’t me. Nevertheless, I didn’t take anything ‘just in case’. In the frame bag I mainly had electrical equipment: two 10,000mAh battery packs, a charger, cables, a multitool, pump and a tubeless repair kit, as well as my documents, money and some food (I also had some supplementary food pouches). In my top tube bag, essentials for on the move – sun cream, sunglasses, moisturiser, lip balm. In my saddlebag, a first-aid kit, sleep system, warm jacket, leg warmers and gloves. I didn’t take a change of clothes. Every 12 hours I changed and washed my bibs, leaving the other pair to dry on the saddlebag. Because there’s not much water in Morocco, I used taps outside the little shops I passed to both ‘shower’ and wash my clothes! What couldn’t you do without in a multi-day race like this, in terms of repair kit? Chain oil – no hesitation! A tubeless kit, an inner tube fixed to the frame and tyre levers; two pumps (including a 30g back-up); multitool, cable ties and duct tape; two pairs of brake pads; pliers, a quick link and a derailleur hanger. And for sleeping? I prefer sleeping inside during races as I recover better. However, I knew that for the AMR this wouldn’t always be possible. So I opted for an ultra-light inflatable sleeping mat and a 450g sleeping bag rated to 2 ºC. How were the vibes pre-race? The afternoon before the race, Nelson, the race director informed us that the police had ordered a 24-hour delay to the start, because of storms that were about to hit. I’d been very stressed and hadn’t slept properly for three nights, so the news came as a relief – I’d have another night to try to rest. The start was uncertain even up to 16h00 the next day: Nelson said it wasn’t guaranteed, but we should go to the start line for 17h30… Did you have any rituals for the first intense 24 hours? Night fell quickly, so you naturally got tired straight away, but I forced myself not to sleep in the first 24 hours. Around 3h00 in the morning, after 120km, I took a mini-break at Checkpoint 1. The hours after that were the most difficult until the sun rose around 7h30 – when the adrenaline kicked in. I had an idea of where I wanted to stop, but I stayed flexible – I made decisions on the fly based on how I was progressing. Did you spend much time riding with other people? With more than 200 people racing, the first nights seemed busy, but then the gaps built up. In the first 24 hours I was often with a rider called Romain who shared a similar rhythm to me. Over the third and fourth days I regularly saw the same five riders; then, after a long break at Checkpoint 3 on the fifth day, I encountered new faces. Sometimes we chatted, sometimes not, sometimes sharing a place to rest. It was a first for me, and very enriching! What did you eat and where did you sleep? How did you manage your water in the desert? Food-wise I had 24 hours’ worth at the start, and then I relied on what I could find on the road. Little shops sold a range of biscuits, often individually wrapped, and I went for ones containing dates, which are rich in carbs. In the big towns there were restaurants and fast food, whereas elsewhere it was mainly Berber omelettes and bread. I slept out under the stars three nights and twice at checkpoints, around 4-5 hours each time. As for water, I planned it according to the distance between resupply points, but always had 2-3 litres with me, and sometimes more if I’d bought fizzy drinks. We followed you via the tracker and social networks, and saw you suffered from some health issues that slowed you down… I tried always to eat, drink and sleep well, but nevertheless some serious problems started on the fourth day: a lung infection, which I thought had healed, came back with the fatigue, effort and the dryness of the air. This changed into an asthma attack in the last couple of days. By the time I stopped at Checkpoint 3, I’d had swollen legs since day two, and was having an inflammatory attack, which I tried to manage with medication, but it didn’t work as I hoped. I never thought about abandoning. If I stopped, my inflammation would have won, so I got back on the road despite the pain, cutting the bottom of my bibs to relieve the pressure. I rode for a while with a guy called William, who was in jeans and Vans, and I began to get control. In the last 90km a headwind added to the challenge, but I gave everything I had left in my legs and overtook five people before finishing. At 5h00 on the morning of the seventh day Sophie, physically tired but in good spirits, crossed the finish line where her friends were waiting for her. After stamping her brevet, she rode to a hotel where fellow Café du Cycliste athlete Adrien Liechti bought her a delicious hamburger. Only the next day did the aches and pains get the better of her and a trip to hospital confirmed the asthma attack she’d been suffering in the race final. After a few days, however, all that remained were the good memories of rising to the challenge of this incredible adventure. For Sophie, the finish line was only the beginning: with Adrien in tow, she is now heading for Dakar, and is currently somewhere in the middle of the Sahara. Bonne route Sophie!

ROAD RACERS OFF ROAD For 2024 the Café du Cycliste women’s gravel team have some new teammates: four men from Team Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur, a UCI Continental team based in our home city of Nice. They will be seconded from their usual road racing duties to explore with us both the amazing gravel tracks of the Côte d’Azur backcountry and the growing calendar of competitive gravel events across the globe. Like the women (and we will be announcing the 2024 women’s team very soon) their programme will be based around the Gravel Earth Series, and will take in the Traka one-day race and Ranxo stage race in Spain, plus two other events from the global series. Given our long-time love of gravel, we’re excited to see the scene grow and evolve, and are super pleased to be sending along a double contingent of racers to this year’s Gravel Earth Series. We’re also sponsoring some key events – firstly the season opener Santa Vall stage race in Girona in February, and Ranxo, the finale, in October. Our women’s team has been winning gravel events since 2022, so perhaps they’ll be able to give the guys some tips – the four men, ranging from 21 to 25 years old, have long experience racing and are now in the upper echelons on the road, but are new to competing on the rough stuff. “I love gravel when I’m bikepacking, but I’ve never experienced it competitively,” said team rider Noah Knecht, a 23-year-old originally from Monaco just down the coast. “I don’t know how I’ll measure up, but I know I’m going to love it!” Gravel has been Café du Cycliste’s thing since before gravel bikes even existed, and we’ve also long supported local riders. Another team rider, in fact, recalls being given a jersey by Rémi, Café du Cycliste’s founder, at the (cycling) Grand Prix in Monaco when he was just 13 years old. It just shows that in cycling what goes around comes around, and that, sometimes, you really do get back out what you put in! Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur rose to the professional ranks after Nice hosted the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2020. Since then, it has represented the city over 90 days a year on the UCI calendar, investing in local talent and the future of cycling in the region, so it seemed natural for us to partner with them. More than just teammates, our four conscripts to the wild side are friends and true comrades on the bike, and are looking forward to expanding their horizons beyond the tarmac and getting lost in a new world of adventure. To find out more about the guys, their thoughts on gravel and hopes for the season, read our interviews here.

Café du Cycliste Gravel Team Café du Cycliste Gravel Team Women Café du Cycliste Gravel Team Café du Cycliste Gravel Team CAFÉ DU CYCLISTE GRAVEL TEAM 2024 For 2024, Café du Cycliste is bringing double trouble to gravel racing Our long-running female team is being joined by four men conscripted from the Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur Pro Continental road racing squad. All aged from 21-25 and based in and around the Côte d’Azur, the men will be taking time out from racing UCI road events to bring their athleticism and focus to the gravel arena. By bringing them into the Café du Cycliste fold, we’re investing in promising local talent – as well as showing the world the gravel playground that is the Nice backcountry. Needless to say, we will again be supporting women’s racing with a four-strong team of female riders. Returning for her third year is María Ögn Guðmundsdóttir, and she is joined by three new teammates. Read on for news on their race programme and interviews with all eight of our team athletes. So, men and women, bring it on in 2024! The Race Program 2024 This year the teams’ programme is again based around the Gravel Earth Series, where our women riders have scored some notable successes, including winning the Rift and the Traka (100km), both in 2022. In total, each team will race four events, including the infamous Traka, in Girona in May, and the series finale, Ranxo, also in Spain, in October, with the other two yet to be announced. On the women’s side of things, our veteran team member María Ögn Guðmundsdóttir will pass on all her experience to three new teammates, and hope to inspire them to new successes. For the men, top athletes as they are, the learning curve will undoubtedly be steep, but they are all eager to take on a new challenge in the dynamic world of competitive gravel racing. RACE CALENDAR 2024 16 Feb Santa Vall, Sant Gregori Spain A gravel stage race during three days to launch the season. + 01 May The Traka, Girona Spain Europe’s most coveted race and home to incredible tracks. + 15 Jun Wish One, UCI Race, Millau, France Qualifying round for the UCI World Championships in the heart of Aveyron. 20 Sep Falling Leaves, Gravel Earth Series, Lahti, Finland A Nordic race of the Gravel Earth Series in the heart of the Salpausselkä National Park. 12 Oct Ranxo, Ponts Spain The series final to decide the very best riders of the Gravel Earth Series. + FOLLOW THE TEAM Sign up to our Newsletter and follow us on social media to stay up to date with the team. Submit

LE PILGRIMAGE | DE SAINT ROCH | A GRAVEL JOURNEY INTO THE ALPES ‘I'll fear not what men say,
 I'll labour night and day, 
to be a pilgrim.’ The inaugural edition of Le Pilgrimage took place in auspicious circumstances, setting off in mid-September from Puy-Saint-Vincent, a small village in the Ecrins Massif, part of the Haute-Alpes. For this premier edition, Café du Cycliste was one of the official partners. St. Roch is the patron saint of Le Pilgrimage, an icon who allegedly took on ‘towering mountains and lush valleys’ during his time on earth. He was also rumoured to be a very nice guy, and Le Pilgrimage places a lot of emphasis on conviviality as well as incredible riding. 22 pilgrims in all set off on a journey across the most breath-taking terrain the high Alps can offer, pushing through mental and physical boundaries, and making friends along the way. A spiritual test and tribute to the gravel gods of Europe and the pursuit of happiness on two wheels. Did they discover any deities out there? They certainly needed to draw on their faith for good legs… This four-day gravel journey comprised of three self-supported stages out and back from the event’s basecamp Chalet AlpeLune, and one of these riders was Café du Cycliste’s very own Lucie Denis, from our HQ in Nice. Our woman on the ground takes up the story. The Pilgrim’s Progress I decided to take part in this event rather carelessly. Without looking too closely at the map and the figures indicating the climbs and kilometres to be covered. But I was enchanted by the concept. I just knew that I would feel at home there, in the heart of the mountains – ‘the sanctuary of the summit’ – in a rather intimate setting and an event with only a small group of people. I loved my time on the bike, because the longer the days in the saddle, the happier it made me. Pass after pass, despite the bad weather and sometimes tired legs; there was always a warm-welcome at the checkpoints, and on the way back to the chalets we all shared a moment together – chatting, dreaming and clinking glasses over good food. And even if some of us arrived as evangelists and others not at all, we were all there, and we all made a date for next year. DAY 1 STAGE 1 - 119 km / 3,510 m Checkpoint at Fort Janus (one of the Forts around Briançon on old military roads) The first day, predictably, we all set off like children, excited by majestic surroundings, the mountain air and new faces. On the way there's a delicious bakery in Briançon where we all stopped for pizza, pain au chocolat and coffee (of course) before dispersing, each at their own pace. A good pace is important on such an outing. The first climb is steep, in a forest on an old road that turns into a track. We climb higher and higher and see in the distance a little point with a flag flying – the checkpoint, that's where we're going. I look down to see that my giant 10-50 cassette has only one sprocket left… DAY 2 STAGE 2 - 131 km - 3,010m Col du Galibier + Vallée de la Clarée We reach the checkpoint called refuge des Drayères with hot coffee, slices of pie, a small omelette, cakes and more coffee. They also had a fire place, and Crocs shoes seem to be mandatory. It was hard for my body to get into the rhythm of a hilly first day and the ascent of the Col du Galibier in the rain and fog was no picnic. I just focused on pedal after pedal. I feel alone at this point, barely able to make out the silhouette of my route partner, Matthieu. But at the top, through heavy rain we see an open restaurant and bicycles in front of the door. Superb. Big smiles all round after a hard climb. We drink one or two cups of coffee and eat Snickers, since that's all we have left... Some of us buy expensive waterproof gloves. A smart move as now we have to descend into the wind. We take a track to a lake and a wild expansive landscape . “C’est beau” … The wind is blowing hard, but we don't care. Now we have to walk, run and hop, AKA ‘hike-a-bike’, along a long-distance footpath to get to the checkpoint. DAYS THREE & FOUR STAGE 3 - 250 km / 3,700 m Serre Ponçon, Ubaye & Tunnel du Parpaillon The checkpoint to be hit is up at the Tunnel du Parpaillon, a mythical place, between two valleys carved out by military engineers at an altitude of over 2600m. It is the fourth highest pass in the French Alps. A two-day tour with our saddle bags, we booked a refuge near Barcelonette with other pilgrims so that we could get together in the evening and share a bowl of soup, a bottle of wine and a night of snoring. The first day sees some beautiful roller coaster climbs through the woods, and a ‘chute’ on the first descent but nothing serious. Carefree, playful kids, that's what we are. We came across a few fountains but no coffee, it being Sunday in France. Almost in the middle of nowhere we meet a group of friends and family having a huge picnic. They offer us homemade apple juice, fresh water and cake. They laugh, they ask us questions and wish us good luck. At the end of the day we meet up with our refuge mates, with whom we make our way to our host for the night. We are nearly devoured by eight ferocious patous (big sheep dogs), but the situation was well managed by Matthieu, our dog whisperer. In the evening, we share the table with platters of local cheese and meats. We are drunk with tiredness and raise a toast to tomorrow’s final stage and the long-awaited magic spot – the Parpaillon tunnel. We wake up, aching all over, and spread our slices of bread with jam while it's still dark outside. Everybody is quiet. Two of our crew have already left at 4am to escape the forecasted thunderstorms, the brave ones... I tell myself it's going to be a long way to the tunnel, the only way is up, up, up. In the village of Barcelonnette we stop at a bakery. It's the only one we come across today, so we might as well make the most of it. Some of the other pilgrims have slept in town, so we'll pass each other and then naturally go our separate ways. It's 8am and we won't reach the summit before at least 1pm, just to give you an idea... Once up there though, you forget everything, the whole climb, the rain, the mud. An incredible view impossible to forget. Friends by the fire at the refuge lit by Simon (the organiser) our very own Saint Roch. The smiles, the victory, the beauty all around us. And two big Patous puppies who were much friendlier than their bigger cousins and followed us for cuddles in this wild and isolated place. We really have escaped up here. The storm is coming though. The thunder rumbles, the rain intensifies and we have to leave. We put on everything we had so as not to feel the cold of the mountains and not let the rain penetrate, but the long descent won't spare us. We were drenched. But another 80 km and we reach Basecamp at the AlpeLune chalet of Mountain Hotel Saint Roch. Welcomed by fellow pilgrims, a shepherd's bell, hugs and a plate of pasta. See you next year, my fellow pilgrims. Photo Credit: Yorit Kluitman READ MORE 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 Major Seven - 3 riders, 7 mountains, 24 hours. Yes, it’s the adventure of the summer, the Forever Outsiders spirit, an unforgettable experience with a little bit of a laugh (and maybe some tears). 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.

Ends of the (Gravel) Earth, Annabel Fisher reigns supreme So here we are. The finale of the Gravel Earth series marks a full stop for Team Gravel Café du Cycliste. While some of the girls will still compete individually in the world championships in a few weeks’ time, this finale represents the setting sun for the team in 2023. It's been a season full of highlights and high drama, with exceptional races ridden around the world – Traka (Spain), Migration Race (Kenya), The Rift (Iceland), Octopus (Switzerland). Each battle fought on challenging terrain, each seemingly more difficult than the last. In pure sporting terms some of these races were successes while others were less so and gave rise to moments of doubt. But all of them united the team, drawing them closer from a common understanding only available to those who appreciate the secrets of supreme physical and mental effort. Traka, run a lifetime away last April, marked the beginning of this Gravel Earth adventure. And from that very first race, American Amity Rockwell has been holding a solid series lead. At this point it would take an extraordinary effort, a combination of factors, a black swan if you will, to upset the overall standings. It's not a possibility uppermost in anyone's mind but Annabel Fisher, the leader of Café du Cycliste's team, certainly wants to shine in this final event. She’s been preparing well and her victory in Octopus and her consistently high rankings have shown she deserves her place in the top 4. Clearly there will be a battle and, in retrospect at least, perhaps even an extraordinary achievement. Cardona, Catalonia. The small town exudes history, culture, and Mediterranean charm. It’s famous for its salt mines, once among the largest in the world. What remains is a vast, earthy expanse marked by long whitish tracks; salt is still omnipresent, but its exploitation no longer seems to interest many, as illustrated by the abandoned facilities. Its impressive medieval castle perched on a hill overlooks the rugged terrain and numerous trails and paths, a veritable playground for Gravel riding. An impressive storm shook the sky the day before the race, soaking the already churned ground. The terrain will be muddy in places, adding to the challenge of this demanding 189 km course with 3100 meters of elevation gain. A first climb of 1500 meters awaits the riders and will set the scene. After a long flat section of nearly 100 kilometres, 40 more kilometres of steep slopes will greet those still racing. More than 1600 meters of elevation in this last section, testing legs, lungs and willpower. The men will start first and 5 minutes later the women will set off in pursuit. The field is uber competitive; the best from the series are here, with several having at least one victory on the circuit. For a handful of them, the overall podium remains a goal, and they will have to give their all today. After the first long climb a pattern is already emerging. Up front, a group of three women have engaged in battle and Annabel Fisher is at the heart of it. Behind them our the other team members are fighting their own battles. Lydia, still feeling the effects of the 760-kilometer Badlands race is struggling with weary legs. Isabelle maintains a steady pace and will not relent in her effort to conquer this gruelling day. Completing this race at the speed they are going is an achievement reserved for very few. Maria turns back shortly after the start, a worrying sign as her heart is pounds and won’t slow down; For her it's time for her body a rest. After more than 100 kilometres of toil and trouble, the leading group reaches the feeding station where all teams can assist their riders. Annabel is still among them and the report is good. She’s feeling fresh and good in the saddle. Filling bottles, greasing a struggling chain, and then charging into a decisive section – the leaders do not linger long. There is a race to be run. And on this final stretch, the last section, this end of the end of season is where magic begins to happen. Annabel pulls away from her competitors, increasing her lead as the elevation unfolds and track rises ahead of her. And as she crosses the finish line she is still pulling away. Winning this finale is no small feat and she has done it with both style and grace. There is jubilation, warm tears and big smiles fuelled by the knowledge of the effort and sacrifice it takes to experience moments like this. Back on the course Amity Rockwell, the leader of the overall standings, is struggling. She will finish only 8th and soon after she does, the loudspeakers come to life to announce Annabel Fisher as the champion of the Gravel Earth Series. Unexpected and almost unbelievable, the team celebrate together at this perfect ending to the year they have lived side by side. Gravel riding is exhilarating. Whether racing or shooting the breeze with friends. In racing the format itself is an enormous challenge, clearly evidenced by the special atmosphere at events and the bonds formed among riders and all those involved. Positions and places or winning and losing are not the only lines entered into the ledger at the end of each day. Determination, dedication and downright bloody mindedness are what it takes for anyone to complete these incredibly demanding events. They are, and have always been, a race against oneself as much as against others and long may that continue. VIEW MORE Gravel Advice: Women of the CDC GT. We sat down with the CDC GT, our female trio of Gravel racers, to talk about women’s racing and community, and how it feels to be a female athlete in a traditionally male-focussed sport. VIEW MORE The Lauf Life. Conceived on the windswept and desolate trails of Iceland, Lauf are the bike sponsor of the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team. Having begun their journey as a suspension fork manufacturer, this fledgling brand now also produce beautiful carbon fibre bikes for gravel racing across varied terrain. VIEW MORE The Gravel Team | 2023 Season So Far. So far, so Gravelled. The Café du Cycliste Gravel Team are well and truly off into their second season of racing. And it’s obvious they’re well-seasoned. VIEW MORE The Traka: The reference for European gravel. For the Café du Cycliste Gravel Team, arriving at The Traka is a little like visiting an old friend. There’s a familiarity born of previous experience and two of the team were winners last year (Annabel Fisher in the 100km and Lydia Iglesias in the 200km). VIEW MORE