Physical preparation for a long-haul trip
Before embarking on our long-haul journey to the American continent, we need to do some semblance of physical training. Not that we really feel the need, but apparently it reassures our loved ones to know that we're "ready" ... or almost!
We've therefore focused mainly on participation in races, events and bike outings, both solo and duo.
Montventous.tes, an ode to women's cycling
Adventure before adventure
The event closest to our hearts is the one created by our friends Yann and Tobert from the Les Rookies collective: an adventure designed to put the spotlight on women's cycling, which is still too underestimated. The idea? Set off in a peloton from Bédoin to reach the summit of Mont Ventoux.
This was the first bike outing Julien and I signed up for, and we didn't even have our bikes yet. But what's the point in waiting until you're ready? In the end, we received our bikes only a few months before the event. Phew, we were ready to go!
D-Day arrives. We take an early morning train. It's the first time we've had to stow our bikes in their bags. An hour and a half early, we just manage to catch our train. The scene is magical:
In Hall 1 of the Gare de Lyon, we try to disassemble our wheels. Front wheel? Check, it's that easy! Rear wheel? Ouch... None of us has really worked out this painful operation. Julien, with his Rohloff, can't figure out which screw to unscrew (red or blue wire...?). As for me, on the verge of exploding and under the pressure of prying eyes, I decide to give up and wait for Julien's help.
Finally, we end up with my two wheels dismantled (thanks to the J!), and Julien's rear wheel... camouflaged in the cover. The controllers, as kind as they are embarrassed by the situation, let us in through the stage door and secure our bikes. (Thanks Trenitalia!)
Our first stop is Orange, where we spend the night before joining our friends in Bédoin, the starting point for the festivities. We get a good night's sleep in an inn, before spending three nights in tents in our 6 m²eco-lodge.
Too excited at the prospect of climbing Mont Chauve, I can't sleep a wink. I can't stop thinking about this never-ending climb. I want to take on this challenge to prove to my body that it's capable of great things, but also to make Julien, who has believed in me from the start, proud.
Women on bikes
The next morning, we set off for Bédoin. Little by little, we catch sight of the summit of the Ventoux. The idea of being up there again in a few days' time is exhilarating.
Before that, the Rookies have prepared a weekend to remember. We're meeting at the Pista Café, where we'll be taking part in some inspiring 100% female talks. Women share their stories, tell how they discovered cycling, talk about their doubts and motivations for embarking on long-distance adventures, alone or as a duo. We're fascinated.
They all look so strong and inspiring. Intimidated and dreamy, we hope to have even an ounce of their audacity, when we set off on our long-distance journey from Canada to Patagonia.
Mont Ventoux, here we come
The next morning, we meet early for a group briefing. Filled with doubts about my ability to rise to such a challenge, I let out a discreet tear. I send a final message to my family (a sort of melodramatic farewell of which I have the secret). Then it's off! Airplane mode activated to be more aero, music blaring in my ears, we get off to a flying start with the peloton.
We soon left the group behind and found ourselves at the back of the pack. Our 3-inch tires don't make our progress on the asphalt any easier, but the kilometers fly by. Julien rides ahead of me, not too close (at my request), but always in sight to motivate me from afar.
I'm in my own bubble, concentrating on my rhythm and my breathing. There's no need to try to be first, just get to the top in one piece. Julien comes down to my level to exchange a few words. Short of breath, I ask him to let me know when there's only 10 km left to climb (half the effort). No sooner had I finished my sentence than I saw a sign: Summit in 9 km. WHAT? Already?
We stop to celebrate this sweet news with a Clif Bar each. We're making good progress, and I'm happy and proud of my body. During this break, the weather begins to turn sour. Far from dampening our spirits, the few raindrops that fall on us refresh us.
And then, finally, we see the top of the pass. A few more efforts and we're there. Up there, all our friends are waiting for us. We tractors are treated to an arrival in very good company. Team Charbon, Les Rayonnantes, Reliefsand all the others.
I burst into tears. I'm as proud as I've ever been. Julien is in tears too. We hug.
What a (first) victory!
GravelMan Jura: our first test before the long journey
A two-person event?
And then, what had to happen... happened. Julien finally convinced me to sign up for a long-distance sporting event: the GravelMan Jura. I hesitated for a long time before taking the plunge.
The first reason was simply my impostor syndrome catching up with me. Am I capable of covering such a distance on these notoriously difficult routes, with many sections where you have to push your bike? Will I slow Julien down too much? Will we make it in time? So many limiting thoughts that, deep down, are not rooted in reality.
The second reason was more down-to-earth. Julien, who had already taken part in many GravelMan adventures, would share his war stories with me with a little too much detail and an enthusiasm I didn't share... I'll always remember the time he called me after 24 hours on the GravelMan Maroc, almost in tears. He said, "I almost died, never again." When he hung up, he assured me that he was going back to the riad to rest and not to touch his bike again. The next day, I was surprised to discover his message: "It's okay, we're going back with two other friends." ... Great.
In short, all these experiences didn't appeal to me at all. But as always with Julien, he finally persuaded me that it was a good idea. So we signed up for the GravelMan Jura: 120 km and 2000 m of ascent.
First sensations
At the start of the event, I was frustrated to see the other participants overtaking us. It must be said that, on our bikes with 3-inch tires, the asphalt sections slowed us down quite a bit. But once we got to a closed ski slope (because it was summer), I understood the value of our bikes (it was about time!). I got my first shot of adrenalin on that slope. It was a sensation I'd never experienced before, one that sport had never given me before. The pine forest whizzed by, my vision blurred, it was intoxicating. Left and right, we dodge tree trunks and pebbles dragged along by our wheels. Ahead of me, Julien sets the pace... and not just any pace! In five minutes, we're rolling down what took us an hour to climb. Fascinating.
It was then that I understood why Julien had gone back to Morocco... and why so many people are passionate about this sport.
The Win or nothing
With a winning mentality, we continued to follow in Steven's footsteps. A well-deserved lunch break made us realize that I was first among the girls in our category. I switch to a new mode: win or nothing.
Little by little, we catch up with the competitors ahead of us. The more we pass them, the more we start to talk to them and even form a few bonds. Eventually, we form a small group of about ten cyclists. There are two of us women in this makeshift team, and it's at this point that I realize that this isn't just a speed race, but an adventure to be lived to the full.
The last few kilometers are spent in the dark, in the cool of the Jura night. We put our sweaters back on and turn on our lights. Calm gradually settles in among our group. Cicadas sing of the end of the day, while late-summer midges flutter by our salty legs. We have fun imagining wolves lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on us. Knowing our passion for nocturnal animals, Julien and I laugh through clenched teeth.
A few metres from the finish, the boys offer Stephy and me the chance to lead the troop to the finish line. A small privilege which we accept without hesitation, too proud to have finished the trail on time and in such good company.
"Solo" at Poco Loco Aix-Milan
leg-shaking stats and retina-shattering landscapes
In order to break in his Tumbleweed Prospector and start familiarizing himself with camping gear, Julien decided to sign up for the Poco-Loco adventure: a magnificent 800 km gravel trail with 13,000 m of positive ascent that crosses the most beautiful villages, passes and natural parks in southern France and northern Italy. A pitch like this is not to be refused. Especially since this trail was spotted by Caroline Prigent (now founder of Bivouak), who has a habit of proposing incredible maps! I said "incredible", not "easy".
a complicated start
Between a scree slope with vertiginous slopes, where you have to carry your bike, and a thorny section that doesn't spare your tires, his mind is put to the test. Indeed, it's only his first day of adventure, and the challenges are mounting: 5 punctures and 3 hours battling with his inner tubes... It's shaping up to be a memorable day. Fortunately, he can count on the kindness and support of the other participants, the real pillars of this kind of adventure.
These setbacks offer him a chance to meet Gilles, with whom he will spend a good part of the next few days. Arriving at the campsite a hundred kilometers later, the sun disappears over the horizon while the sky rumbles in the distance. A good pizza for dinner, no need to make a fuss! The pizza is folded in half for greater efficiency. Then finally comes the relief: lie back on your mattress, close your eyes and drift off to a well-deserved sleep.
Unfortunately, the respite was short-lived. Awakened at around 3 a.m. by rain pouring in and flooding the tent, he had no choice but to urgently move under the shelter opposite the toilets. He hoped, as best he could, that his belongings would have time to dry out before setting off again a few hours later...
After a rough night's sleep, it's time to set off again. His clothes are almost dry, except for his shoes, which look like individual foot baths. No time to think about it, he sets off and meets up with his friends Yann and Julien (Cyyycles). It's an opportunity to ride together before tackling the biggest part of this bikepacking adventure: the crossing of the Franco-Italian Alps.
five passes over 2000 m in altitude
The start of the week having been rainy, Julien took advantage of a stop at the checkpoint on the evening of day 3 to warm up and regain his strength. Once he had regained his composure, he decided to book a night in a hotel. Abandoning his tent and air mattress for clean sheets and a comfortable bed. The aim: to recuperate as much as possible before crossing the border and climbing to higher altitudes.
The next morning, after an invigorating breakfast, we meet up with Gilles and off we go again!
After a few dozen kilometers on tarmac roads, they leave the asphalt behind to head into the Sestrières woods and attack the Montgenèvre pass. It was here that Julien finally found what he had been looking for in this adventure: total immersion in nature combined with a real physical challenge, against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains.
The air gets cooler as they climb, and the summit gets closer. A good hour later (due to a heavy bike load), they're there... Montgenèvre! A superb ski resort offering a reward worthy of the effort. The boys order a cheese and charcuterie platter... a real treat.
Under a beautiful sun, they enjoy a floating island, while planning the next stage of their journey. But their ambitions are scaled back: there's no question of attacking the Colle dell'Assietta at night, which is the highlight of the trip. It's a landscape worth taking the time to admire! The decision was made: they would go no further than the Sestrière base camp (just over the Italian border).
The next day, they start their 5th day full of enthusiasm at the prospect of setting their wheels on the summit. The climb is long and painful. But there's no denying that these mountain roads quickly make you forget the difficulty. When they (finally) reached the top, it was impossible to contain their emotion - the effort had been worth it. This ascent and the magical descent that followed will remain forever engraved in Julien's memory as the most beautiful ever ridden.
ultra-distance mode activated
As they say on a bike, when you've got the legs, you've got to make the most of them. Seizing this opportunity, Julien decided to go solo, leaving Gilles behind to switch to ultra mode. His goal? To cross the finish line with his other group of friends, who are ahead of him by around 200 km.
A quick stop at the supermarket to prevent night-time hunger pangs, and off you go again! A down jacket is the order of the day. Under the light of the full moon, he makes his way through the forests and fields of Piedmont, lulled by the silence of the night.
Every sound resonates differently, every emotion takes on a new intensity. With his head on the handlebars, he pedaled relentlessly until dawn. At first light, after swallowing a Red Bull in one gulp, he's off again. Nature awakens around him: rabbits emerge from their burrows, birds begin their morning song and the sun comes out.
After 30 hours of riding and an express 20-minute power nap, the goal was reached. At last, he's back with his mates to finish off this unforgettable adventure together.
completely loco
The great thing about this bikepacking adventure is that you're free to choose how you want to experience it: bivouac under the stars or spend the night in a hotel, swallow a triangle sandwich or enjoy a gourmet meal, go full speed ahead or take the time to explore... You're the only one in charge.
A week in the Aveyron Gorges
To get off to a good start, you need to surround yourself with the right people
To complete our physical preparation for this long-distance trip, we focused on time spent in the saddle. It didn't matter how many kilometers we rode, the important thing was to get used to staying in place for days on end.
So, what better way to spend a week roaming the South of France than with some friends from Toulouse? Without missing a beat, we got out our Recto Verso maps to find a nice itinerary. The four of us decided on a five-day loop in Aveyron.
Between tastings and sightseeing detours to discover Lautrec's pink garlic and other delicacies, we're in for a real treat. The road is beautiful. In fact, the whole of France is beautiful. We climb all the way up to the magnificent town of Ciel - which is so deserving of its name. Closer to the sky than ever, we climb the last few metres between the village entrance and its historic center, without getting off our bikes.
This stage of our journey makes us feel like we're in the middle of the Tour de France peloton. Tourists on foot (also out of breath) enthusiastically salute our sporting feat. We feel like we're growing wings! Accompanied by the voices of passers-by, we reach the top of the city. A collective victory well worth a break at the local restaurant.
After a greasy rest (to recover from our emotions), we climb back down and set off in search of our first bivouac site.
The quest for the perfect bivouac
The wind is picking up, and the night promises to be cool. We're going to have to find a nice spot, with a good view but also sheltered from the gusts. We've got our specifications, now it's just a matter of finding the perfect spot.
To cheer ourselves up, we stop off in a small village where we can have dinner. I warned you: this week of bikepacking is more like a tour of the region than a real quest for performance!
We find a beautiful village square. Imagine the scene: locals of all ages, zero tourists on the horizon (a good sign!), the light at the end of the day soft and warm. The sound of clinking glasses adds a festive touch to the rural ambience. Gradually, the evening lights come on. Four of us sit on the terrace, savoring these last moments of civilization before leaving.
But it's time to go! After a few pints and some cold meats, we decide to tackle the last 500 metres of ascent to reach our camp. It's well worth the effort: when we get up there, we're left speechless by the blazing sunset.
We take stock
Our stay in the Aveyron region showed us that long-distance travel is not necessarily associated with speed or statistics. On the contrary, we took our time, discovered the local gastronomy and, above all, forged precious friendships with our buddies.
This is definitely how we want to carry out our long-distance trip on the American continent. There's no need to hurry when you can discover a country and a region slowly but surely.
Is it your turn to plan a long-haul trip?
If you too are embarking on a long-term adventure, we can only recommend that you start by spending some time in the saddle. And above all, meet people who will inspire you and give you advice in every direction!
- Sitting for long hours can be a real challenge when you're not used to it. So find out more! There's bound to be a group of motivated enthusiasts near you. Thanks to an article by Les Rookies, we recently discovered a map that lists all the cycling clubs in France and the rest of Europe: the Social Ride Map. A great tool to motivate you and help you meet other cycling enthusiasts.
- We also recommend cycling races and adventures in France. Our favorites? The GravelMan and Race Across Series. Far from traditional races, they're all about individual challenge and discovering beautiful places, whether on gravel paths or roads, depending on the event.
- If you want to improve your camping skills, we highly recommend Bivouak and Poco Loco! Two institutions that promote low-carbon expeditions.
In short, as you can imagine, this list is far from exhaustive! We've just shared with you the events that are close to our hearts and in which we've already participated. If you know of any others, don't hesitate to share them with us in comments! We'll add them to this article to enrich it.
And if you'd like to find out more about our departure, we invite you to read our article on ourlong-haul adventure.
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