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

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 | ICELAND AW23 NEVER RUN OUT OF ROAD The sun dips into the warm ocean of autumn and then the leaves shiver. Primed with summer’s blessings, surveying the landscape and the cooler rays of golden light. One door slams shut, but another is opening. Now isn’t the time to stop. Zip up and float into the new season with loaded legs and a brave heart. The sound of adventure: a jazz trio or entire symphony – the music is yours to create. Find solace in the darker times but stay out there. Light your lantern, keep your tools sharp. Wherever you tread, keep the devil off your back. Never run out of road, never run out of track. New season, new chapters. Signature styles, further adventures. 1. Faustine, Men's Air Channel Cycling Jersey, Forest Green; Faustine, Women's Air Channel Cycling Jersey, Sandstone 2. Suzette, Men's Rain Cycling Jacket, Lemon Chrome 3. Petra, Women's Cycling Jacket, Fuchsia; Lorenne, Women's Air Channel Cycling Jersey, Chalk 4. Irisia, Men's Lightweight Jacket, Navy; Gabin, Performance Cycling Sunglasses, Crystal Grey 5. Corinne, Men's Long Sleeve Cycling Jersey, Chalk; Petra, Men's Superlight Cycling Gilet, Grenat 6. Solange, Men's Fleece Cycling Jersey, Navy Green 7. Suzette, Men's Rain Cycling Jacket, Burnt Hazel; Road Shoes, White 8. Ondine, Unisex Fleece Top, Dark Green 9. Pascaline, Unisex Cycling Shirt, Henna 11. Albertine, Women's Thermal Cycling Jacket, Chalk Aster 10. Marie, Men's Winter Cycling Tights, Navy; Solange, Men's Gravel Cycling Jersey, Navy Orange

LOOKBOOK FOREVER OUTSIDERS With our home set between the ocean and the mountains, Café du Cycliste is a product of a beautifully diverse environment. To explore nature each day is to live a life of luxury. Every product is built from the ground up, and designed to stay above it – exploring further, riding faster, roaming free. We are committed and thankful to the great outdoors. We are Forever Outsiders. 1. Irisia, Women's Lightweight Jacket, Peru; Sylvie, Women's Outlands Jersey, Mahogany 2. Sylvie, Women's Outlands Jersey, Mahogany 3. Amelie, Unisex Down Jacket, Smoke Blue; Anais, Unisex Down Jacket, Black 4. Suzette, Men's Rain Jacket, Lemon Chrome 5. Faustine, Men's Air Channel Jersey, Sandstone 6. Faustine, Women's Air Channel Jersey, Sandstone 7. Lorenne, Women's Air Channel Jersey, Alpine Green; Ingrid, Men's Audax Jersey, Alpine Green 8. Lorenne, Women's Air Channel Jersey, Chalk; Solange, Men's Gravel Jersey, Orange Navy 9. Amélie, Unisex Down Jacket, Emerald Green 10. Albertine, Women's Thermal Jacket, Chalk Aster 12. Solenne, Unisex Gravel Jersey, Tangerine 11. Alexia, Unisex Three Season Gilet, Air Blue; Maya, Unisex Audax Gilet, Neon Orange 13. Zelie, Men's Audax Jacket, Caramel; Marceline, Men's Audax Tights, Black

Another Tour - Morzine, July '22. The Tour is life. From the northern cobblestones to the Alps, the Pyrénées to the Champs Élysées. Every dog has its day. The highs and lows, the mountains and the valleys, on and on they race. Punctures, flares, agony and ecstasy. The devil and the deep blue sky. Every year they try, the raging peloton, slogging it out again and again. Friends and foes, solo escapes, chasing teams, searing heat. Here today, gone in a flash. The Tour won’t last forever, will it? Enjoy it while you can.

L'ANNÉE 2019 Another twelve months, a few thousand kilometres, new friends, old friends, many bikes and the same love of cycling. From opening the doors to a huge network of gravel roads on our doorstep, to heading Due South in this year's shop-to-shop Audax, and heading north for a wheels to waves bike-surf adventure. This is, or should we say, that was 2019. #1 SHOT OF THE YEAR Getting outdoors, out there, as far or as high or as remote as possible has long been the aim of the game. However, escape within the city can be as much fun. During the heatwave in the middle of summer, Paris still delivered its famous light as we toured the city in the limited edition Bastille jersey. Let’s see if other cities can provide the same, shall we? #2 RIDE OF THE YEAR In less than twelve months Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin went from shooting the first scene of their film, The Climb, on the Col de Vence to winning the Coup de Coeur prize at Cannes Film Festival. Having supplied the riding kit and the peloton for the first scene, there was only one thing left to do - organise the first edition of the Tour de Cannes on the Corniche d'Or before the party began… And the film is due to hit screens around the world in early 2020. Watch this space…and the screen.     #3 ADVENTURE OF THE YEAR Biking to the beach in Asturias. First it was a winter adventure from pedals-to-piste with Audrey and Manon up in Auron. Then in Spring it was time to go from wheels-to-waves. Two passions, one adventure. Swapping the blues of the Côte d'Azur for the greens of Spain's northern coast, camping beside the sea to catch the best breaks. 2018 was fly fishing, 2019 was skiing and surfing. Answers on a postcard for 2020, please. #4 PRODUCT OF THE YEAR The Lisette Gilet. The Atelier Collection has been a joy to develop. The Fleurette sunrise summer jersey and accompanying raspberry Marinette bib shorts were a summer standout. The Solange winter jersey for the rough stuff was literally a sell-out. Lisette, from the Arrière Pays collection, is in part a celebration of the environment we cycle through. That it proved a popular product goes to show the inspiration is mutual. #5 AUDAX OF THE YEAR The North Cape 4000. Due South was the second in the ‘Due’ series, aka our reason to invent the next DIY Audax. The other compass points are on the ‘to do’ list. Due South’s stagiaire, Sophie Gateau went on to tackle her biggest challenge to date – the NorthCape 4000. She says it was just to avoid the mad dogs (literally) of the TCR. A bit extreme, or just audacious? #6 EVENT OF THE YEAR Further. An eventful year of events….The early season saw James Hayden chase down the race leader of Italy Divide only for the two riders to decide enough was enough and finish together. The second edition of Fête des Zinzins delivered crashes, climbs and a pizza party. But Further lived up to its name. Hike-a-bike across the Pyrenees via roads, tracks and smugglers’ trails. Next year though, it has to be a return to the traditional for L’Étape du Tour, but surely there is a twist in there. #7 RIVIERA GRAVEL OF THE YEAR La Turbie to Fort de la Revère. Via del Sale is one of the most dramatic gravel routes within riding distance of Nice, and is a 'must-do' for lovers of the loose stuff. But as part of the Riviera Gravel series, the climb from La Turbie to Fort de la Revère epitomises the flexibility of the cycling in Nice. Off the beaten track yet with a finale that delivers a baclony view over the great big blue and a quick descent back to Nice afterwards. With new gravel rental bikes arriving in the Café as we type, it's your turn to discover Riviera Gravel. #8 SWIMHOLE OF THE YEAR Rochetta Nervina. What's better than being able to ride into two different countries (don't forget Monaco stands in the way of the Italian border) via the Riviera coastline on a standard day in the saddle? Answer : being able to ride up a valley through ancient villages and olive groves to a crystal clear river pool to dive into for a mid-ride refresh in the middle of Mediterranean summer.     #9 MOUNTAIN OF THE YEAR Mount Fuji. Joining the Montagnes du Monde Series, Japan's tallest mountain made a big impact, helped by a local explanation of its hold over those that live in its shadow. Clouded in history and heritage, it’s definitely one to add to your badges for cols checklist. #10 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE YEAR Le Tour de France & L’Étape du Tour in Nice. Unless you’ve been hiding in a bunker, you’ll know that 2020 sees the biggest sporting event in the world starting on Café du Cycliste’s front door. Two stages with a surprisingly mountainous second day could shake up the GC from the off. And with L’Étape du Tour taking place the following week it’s time to ride the Riviera. Dates for your diary: Tour de France Stages 1 & 2 : 27-28 June 2020 L’Étape du Tour : 5 July 2020. See you there.

THE BIKEPACKING GUIDE : GETTING STARTED Sophie Gateau went from bikepacking ‘stagaire’ to an accomplished audaxer and North Cape 4000 finisher in a matter of months. She shares her thoughts on what it takes to get started in the world of adventure cycling. First... You Have To Try You have to put yourself out there, even if you might fail. That’s how we learn. My first experience of bikepacking didn’t go at all as planned. A group of us, all novices in bikepacking and biviouac decided to ride from Paris to Mont-Saint Michel, starting at 7pm in the evening just to heighten the challenge. After only 10 kilometers we were huddled together in a bus shelter, waiting for a downpour to pass. We eventually covered 100kms before picking a bivvy spot on the grass of a small village square. The night was horrendous. We learned that, even in August, the dew makes everything wet. Waking up after 30 minutes’ sleep with 300kms to reach the destination, our motivation failed and we rode to the nearest station to catch a train back to Paris. Practice makes perfect, doesn’t it? Building Your Distance There are no short distances in bikepacking. There are no limits either; but that’s another subject. To begin, all you should do is plan a trip over two days or more, with a reasonable mileage in relation to your own capabilities and fill your bags with enough to survive for the desired length of time. ‘Survive’ being a somewhat exaggerated term, meaning enough to eat, change your clothes (or not) and sleep during the trip. To increase the distances, it’s recommended to build up gradually to ensure you don’t hurt yourself. And for those who hesitate to take the plunge, a route that passes a few train stations will allow you to depart with some peace of mind. Planning Your Route Philippe Pollet-Villard said : « In a journey, it is not the destination that counts but always the roads traveled, and especially the detours ”. Unless you are in a race or performance logic, the best way to ride further and longer is to be blown away. The kilometers pass by themselves and time flies when the road is beautiful. Bad luck or bad preparation leads to head-down staring at the GPS when you find yourself on a big road full of traffic. To prepare a beautiful route, there is no secret, you have to devote time to it. I always use two different programmes to compare options and make choices. With practice, you can spot the small roads quite easily : if there are many corners, it’s a good sign! Think about passing through towns or villages, there is nothing like a coffee break, sandwich or other local specialities to rejuvenate you for the next part of the journey. Testing and Adjusting Your Equipment It seems obvious, but before leaving for several days on your own, it is necessary to have tested your equipment by riding on it, in it and with it. What could me more annoying than to notice along the way that your rain jacket is not as waterproof as you thought or that you really should have taken a headlamp when the dynamo powered light goes out while trying to fix a puncture in the dark and the patches don’t stick to this type of inner tubes. Riding safely is the most important thing. You have to be visible. Always take a back-up for front and rear lighting. We get cold faster when we are tired. Even in the middle of August, I take a down jacket in my luggage (see the introduction of this article for reference…) Just Do It In conclusion, I would say that we all learn from our mistakes. The days are getting longer and the temperature is rising again. Go for it, go on an adventure, and nevermind if it’s not perfect the first time. MORE FROM THE BIKEPACKING GUIDE

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.

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

Col de la Bonette: Nos montagnes à la carte #2 Don’t look too hard at the Bonette’s claim – seen on signposts the length of the ascent from Jausiers in the north and from Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée in the south – that it is the highest road in Europe. There are a few paved roads that are higher. And it’s only the highest inter-valley route (ie, the highest road that actually goes anywhere) if you accept that the Cime de la Bonette loop around the mountain’s peak, above the col, is not cheating. Look instead at the Tinée river, which you follow up to where it is but a tumble of clear water flowing through a high valley to rival in beauty any further north in the Alps. Look at the white pinpricks of the tiny Alpine daisies in the meadows that, for a few short weeks after the snow’s retreat, lose their ochre colour and blasted demeanour and turn the most intense, celebratory acid green. Look at the sheep following their shepherds across the folds of the mountain above the tree line. Stand for a moment on the top of the cime, that dark pyramid with its 15% slopes that rip any remaining air out of your lungs, and then walk to the very top. There, at 2,859m, you’ll see the painted panorama naming each peak around you, and you can listen to the bells of the flocks on either side of the dividing ridge, those on one side dwelling in the high Alps, and on the other in the lower pastures towards the Mediterranean. Look at the remains of the grand forts that guard this ribbon of Tarmac, and imagine the life of the soldiers up here in the winter - when they would throw planks between the roofs of the barracks to create tunnel walkways under the thick snow above, and winch up their supplies from Bousiéyas, a hamlet hundreds of metres below. The Bonette road was built by Napoleon III when Nice and its surrounding county were ceded to the French by the Italians, in 1860. By pledging to create this Route Impériale, the Frenchman was making a statement that he would protect Nice, a jewel on the azure waters of the Mediterranean, and not let this part of the world be menaced by the Italians any more. Then look at the concrete hulks of the Second World War bunkers that also guard the road and the passes towards the border, and realise that one man’s determination can only last so long, and that the life of a mountain is almost infinitely longer. Find, if you can, the secret road to the Col de la Moutière, and take the tough gravel track from the Moutière to the top. Then descend back into the world of heat and scent where you’ll find the best pizza in the world waiting for you.. And there you’ll realise, if it hadn’t struck you already, that this is one of the best climbs in the Alps, of whatever height, and that the prodigious altitude just gives you longer to appreciate its charms. Read more about where we ride and our local climbs in our Montagnes à la Carte series. Or visit us in Nice and experience them for yourself. Photography : Greg AnnandaleWords : Max Leonard NOS MONTAGNES À LA CARTE Madone d’Utelle Sitting on a bluff that dominates the Var valley at the confluence of the Esteron and the Tinée, is a fixed point of navigation. VIEW MORE Col de Tende If you like getting off the beaten track, you will like the Col de Tende. VIEW MORE Col de la Madone It’s a dramatic start to arrive in Menton and climb immediately from sea level, Col de la Madone is famed as a training hill for the pros. VIEW MORE Mont Ventoux When Napoleon wanted to construct the best naval fleet, he went for the toughest wood, coming from Mont Ventoux. VIEW MORE Col de Turini The thick forests of the Col de Turini are testament to the unpredictable weather the highest of the coastal climbs near our home town of Nice. VIEW MORE Col de Braus Find the point on Col de Braus where René Vietto, one of cycling’s greatest ever climbers, broke away to win his first professional race. VIEW MORE Col de Vence The Col de Vence lies at 962m, above the bustling town of Vence and if you can tear your eyes off your stem, you’ll enjoy the stunning view. VIEW MORE Mont Vial Mont Vial, standing at the confluence of the Tinée, Esteron and Var valleys, where the three rivers combine. VIEW MORE Col de Brouis For the people of Breil-sur-Roya before the Second World War, the Col de Brouis was a lifeline. It was the only route for them to the rest of France. VIEW MORE Mont Chauve Mont Chauve is Nice’s hidden mountain. It is hiding in plain sight, sitting there just to the north, right above the city, but nevertheless it is hidden VIEW MORE

Rose de Mai : Amazing Grasse We call it “May Rose”, “Rose de Mai”, or even “cabbage rose”. “Centifolia” is the emblematic rose of the city of Grasse, and if it holds this status, it is probably because of its exceptional perfume. Among the existing 40 000 roses in the world, this rare one is the most appreciated by master perfume manufacturers. Its hundred petals gave its name to this precious and fragile flower : it needs to be picked up by hand with the dew on the very day when the bud opens up. Here in May we celebrate it, Grasse and other towns nearby organise festivals on its name. At Café du Cycliste we are dedicating a series of four jerseys to this rose in order to honour its fine touch and the delicate way to produce it. Our Ride of the Month will take us to the foothills of Grasse on a route slightly longer than 120km. We will get some altitude with Col de l’Ecre reaching as high as 1100m, an ideal combination when season changes. As I leave Nice harbour in the morning towards La Colle Sur Loup, the first stage of my adventure, I know that the first 20 kilometers will be a nice stroll along the seashore. The weather forecast predicted some sun but the clouds piling up over the foothills remind me that I should have probably taken my gilet. Well, we’ll see up there. As I ride through La Colle sur Loup, the sun is still shining and the temperature is very much pleasant, but what awaits me in the gorge of the Loup river is much cooler ! After 40 kilometers I reach the Courmes waterfall : the river doesn’t usually flow much in the summer but the spring snowmelt makes it bigger today and I can even feel some spray as I ride along. Outside of the gorge, I am being watched by the village of Gourdon, nestled on its rock. It will take me some good 45 minutes to reach the “Eagle Nest” as they call this famous perched village, classified as one of the most beautiful of France. Upon arrival, there is a strange feeling of quietness in this 350 inhabitants place. The grey clouds give a winter feel, something completely different than the summer vibes when flocks of tourists flood the streets. However, I really don’t want to get cold so let’s focus for now on the hovering Col de l’Ecre, 400m above me. I climb at a good pace which brings me into the clouds settling on the plateau de Caussols. I am slightly disappointed that the mist is still there as I turn on this amazing little road of the plateau which usually displays a lunar landscape. I could only get a short glimpse at the mountain ridge over the sea because of the foggy atmosphere which also spoiled the summit finish at the top of Col du Ferrier: I hurry back down into the descent to Grasse for milder weather. A ray of sun warms the heart of the old town of the perfume capital of the world. It is here that the most famous perfume manufacturers gave a second life to perfume plant growing. The precious centifolia rose is grown here over 40 hectares of prestigious gardens for Dior or Chanel…You can get close to the Rose de Mai in the International Museum of Perfume in Mouans Sartoux : an unforgettable memory for your eyes and nose that I highly recommend for one of your off the bike activities. The route then goes downhill for the next 20 kilometers and brings me down quickly to the seashore. The sun is back again. It is my first ride over 100kms this year and I start feeling it ! The last kilometers riding back to the Café allow me to peacefully gaze at the sea and feel the gratitude for being able to ride from sea to mountain with just my own two legs in such a short amount of time. It is the end of this ride full of colours and fragrances… I promise I will take you to a garden in glorious bloom soon ! Paris - Nice Paris- Nice didn't end as it should this year but the roads not ridden are still there. A local classic that says spring has arrived. VIEW MORE Back to basics If you’re looking for flat, look somewhere else. It may be close to home but it's time to climb. This is two times up and two times down. Really what riding is about. VIEW MORE Corniche D'Or Early in the year it can be cold, even on the Cote d’Azur. The days are shorter, the sun is weaker and even the water seems less blue. VIEW MORE The perched villages Joining the dots that are the perched villages of the arrière-pays niçois for a roller-coaster ride that peaks over the Col St Roch. VIEW MORE The Deconfinement All-Road Ride Linking Col de Braus and Col de la Madone via a beautiful double track traverse and finishing with a 25km descent back to the sea. VIEW MORE The Secret Vésubie Climbs Sharing two almost secret climbs that take you up past the tree lines to provide a window on to the wild high peaks of the Mercantour National Park. VIEW MORE Download the GPX file from Strava here.

Liam Yates : West to East Suddenly it’s the middle of 2022 and riding our bikes around Europe is normal again... But, the world being as it is, there’s no time to waste. Grateful to the cycling gods, I’m always looking at where to go on the next adventure. When I suggested cycling from north to south Germany to a few riding friends, the general consensus was: ‘maybe something shorter?’ I consulted the map again and thought: let’s just flip it 90º and travel across from west to east. Fast forward a few months and a group of six of us are lubing chains and filling bidons in an Airbnb in Aachen on the western border. Ready or not we’re here to take on this next adventure. The route is 660km of mixed terrain, and we plan to do it in five days. Crossing the country, with a combination of camping and accommodation along the way, we all felt pretty excited. Day 1: We set off without too much faffing, rolling out to the sound of church bells and it was a smooth introduction to the Rhineland. 160km on mostly paved roads and cycle paths as we began our journey eastwards. After some climbing at the start of the day, followed by that all important downhill, the final 50km was almost completely flat as we rode alongside the river Rhine to finish in the city of Koblenz; where the Rhine joins the river Moselle. The name Koblenz is in fact a derivative of the Latin for confluence. Day 2: We started with breakfast in Koblenz at Canyon bikes’ showroom and café. It was super cool to see the HQ and check out some of their radical machines. Obviously, it’s great to be associated with the brand, and we probably wouldn’t be here without them. From here we continued along a mostly tarmac route with just a few surprise off-road sections to keep everyone on their toes. We finished the day with a five–star supermarket dinner, before rolling about until we found a suitable camping spot for the night. Day 3: Wild camping meant we were up nice and early, the sunrise and birds made sure of it. We packed up and dropped down along the route until we found the next town. We came across a wonderful smelling bakery and stopped for breakfast and chatted about the day ahead. Whatever we might have expected, day three in fact turned out to be a pretty epic. About midday the weather started to change as big rain clouds closed in on us, Alizée rain jackets at the ready we continued until the heavens opened completely and didn’t show any sign of stopping. The group split as we all tried to stay warm and in brief moments of communication beneath the downpour we all decide to continue to the town of Eisenach. After three hours in the rain (thanks again to another of our sponsors) we made it, and decided that camping didn’t seem such a fun idea. It was a hotel and a bed for the night! We were resting our heads peacefully having made it to pretty much the centre of Germany. Schlaf gut! Day 4: As you might agree, the fourth day is always a bit of a hump, and the legs are either singing or crying (or maybe a bit of both). We were now well into our adventure and climbing out from Eisenach on our way to join the Rennsteig ridge trail. This well-established route traverses the Thüringer Forest from Hörschel to Blankenstein. This section would make up for a significant amount of our off-road kilometres, as well as most of the climbing on the trip. One of the best things about this trail is that every 5/10 km there refuge huts available for people to hangout in when bad weather hits, or indeed spend the night in. After a sublime day of riding forest trails followed by another stellar supermarket dinner, that’s just what we did. In Scotland they call them bothies, in Germany a schutzhütte. Whatever you call them they are a bike-packer’s dream. We slept well. Day 5: It was the final day of our west to east bike-packing expedition; and we left our log cabin shelter and continued along the trail. Today featured more downhill and we made some good progress, with everyone hitting their stride. As we left the forest trails we joined an old tank service road, and it was one of the most amazing stretches I've ever ridden. It really made you think about the history of this great country and the worlds beyond us in the east. We finished the trail at the town of Blankenstein and from here followed a more standard tarmac route to the border. The town of Cheb was our finish point, a welcoming place with plenty of accommodation and food options for the hungry cyclist. What a cool feeling seeing a spontaneous idea turn in to a real-life experience just a few months later. Prost! FURTHER RIDING Il Giro dell'Ichnusa. Sophie Gateau explores Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, which boasts landscapes of breath-taking beauty. The legend goes that the island was imprinted by the giant foot of a Greek god; the Greeks may have started that one but it’s easy to imagine when you look at the map. View more Tracing the Torino-Nice Rally. Tracing the Torino-Nice Rally. A legendary gravel ride travelling from Italy to France. Sophie Gateau and Mathias Riquier explore the route ahead of the start of the Rally this September. View more An Atlantic Adventure. If there is an ideal route for embarking on your first bike-packing adventure, the Vélodyssée is in an excellent option. The 1200 km route gives riders of all abilities a true taste of the diversity of France and all its topographical richness. View more Between Two Waters. At The mouth of the Loire marine waters mix with fresh water and the phenomenon of the tides is felt over more than 100 kilometres back up the river. The landscapes of the estuary and its wild wetlands meet the shipyards and their hyper-industrialized mechanisms. View more

The Traka : The reference for European gravel As dawn breaks over the small town of Girona it is not only the birds which are warming up. Barely past 6 o'clock and the clamour that rises around almost any start at almost any event like this bursts into life. Hundreds of riders jostling for position and mentally jousting for a clean line, some of them knowing that taking on the 360km route means they’ll still be in the saddle as darkness eventually falls again. 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). But this familiarity breeds the polar opposite of contempt with all four riders fully aware of the steep challenge ahead. The Traka is perhaps one of the most rewarding Gravel races on the European calendar. It’s an event where everyone seems to be having a great time, an event where, if the word is still allowable, the ‘vibe’ is just consistently good. Of course this doesn’t happen by accident and Gerald Freixes, who leads the event organisation, has to take a lot of the credit. He’s a constant presence on the course and around every corner, greeting and encouraging, helping and fixing. Ensuring not only that everything runs smoothly but that the unique identity and atmosphere that has been built up since its inception is nourished for the years ahead. At a time when Gravel, now an official UCI event, begins to enter the realms of pure competition, it is reassuring to find such a large number of people determined to ensure it doesn’t lose its original renegade spirit. Traka is certainly an event where this holds true and the approach is proving successful as it lays claim to becoming perhaps the most important European Gravel rendezvous. This year saw over 2500 riders heading to the start line and what greeted them was nothing like the plethora of road bikes and 32 tires along with the much too clean and far too smooth paths of the last world championships. Here, Gravel reasserts its roots, taking riders on the type of course which built the genre, alternating between ascents, single tracks and long dusty tracks. Time to roll; The Traka marks the first race of the season, an important step on a four month long journey. For some preparation has been going on for months while for others, as they hang up their skis or wait for blue skies, this will be a baptism of fire to begin the new racing year. Either way the course will be long, and ultimately it will be tough for everyone. When Maria, Annabel, and Isabelle start the 200km and the Costa Brava sun starts to make itself felt, they are under no illusions about the task ahead. And as for Lydia, at this point she has already been riding for an hour. Along with 500 others, she is tackling the 360km course. A group of riders for whom the length of the effort is directly connected to the pleasure gained. She will have to stay in the saddle for more than 15 hours, braving not only the sun and the wind but also the rain that will sweep in as night falls. When she crosses the finish line around midnight, many of fellows will still have to spend long hours in the darkness to complete the race. Lydia Iglesias finishes in eighth place. "The toughest race I've ever done," she tells us. Not discouraged though, because after all that often only holds true until the next time ...For our three other warriors, the 200km are just as demanding an adventure. The pace at which they must be ridden is impressive, an average speed of 25 km/h to 28 km/h on a route including 2000 meters of elevation gain and an omnipresent wind. They will complete the race in under 8 hours, placing them all in the top third of the race. Annabel Fisher places fourth in 7H13, narrowly missing out on the podium.The Traka is done for another year. Box ticked and far far more than that, memories created. Of the landscapes that start to feel a little like home, of the friends found, the experiences shared and the event itself. A race that will continue to go from strength to strength, delighting both the best and the amateurs, as long as it continues to plough its own unique farrow. The Gravel Earth series is run very much in the same spirit and will play a big part in the team’s 2023 season but next stop is Germany. A UCI qualifying event which will present a whole raft of different challenges to our four exceptional riders. More from the Gravel Team The Café du Cycliste Gravel Team A new year and new season on the horizon for the Gravel Team. The all-female squad will once again test their endurance, spirit and commitment on an international circuit. VIEW MORE The Traka 2022 Girona’s location and laidback atmosphere make it irresistible to Gravel enthusiasts. The surrounding countryside is riddled with trails as far as the eye can see and, unsurprisingly, The Traka has established itself here as the benchmark European Gravel race. 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 Traka - Sound and Force Café du Cycliste’s Gravel racing trio tackled their first event in Girona on Saturday May 1st 2022. Annabel Fisher took top spot in the 100km distance, her first ever Gravel race. VIEW MORE

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.