September 1, 2023 Gravel biking is booming. So much so, in fact, that it’s not just a hype anymore: gravel has developed solid roots and will continue to grow. Why? There are many reasons, and we all have our own. For me, it’s : the chance to ride away from the ever-growing motorized traffic. I say this without animosity, because …
Gravel bikepacking in Valais
August 27, 2023 Over the last few years, I’ve been exploring Valais on my gravel bike. This region of Switzerland is already known for its great road passes and mountain bike trails. As it turns out, it also lends itself very well to gravel biking: the Valais is criss-crossed by a dense network of 4×4 roads at the foot of …
A fun challenge to discover my backyard
August 16, 2023 For the fifth year running, I support my home region with a fun event that is close to my heart: the Challenge Strava des Alpes Vaudoises. What is it? From July 1 to September 30, everyone can record their time on 8 Strava segments. It’s a mix of great classics like the two sides of the Col …
My gear for the Tour des Stations Ultimate 1000: a tale of compromise
August 1, 2023 As I write these lines, I’m in Le Châble, three hours from the start of the Tour des Stations Ultimate 1000. The last few days have been very busy, between preparing the bike, planning my stops at the reboost stations and frantically studying the weather forecasts. This is the last chance to talk about my equipment! All …
A big scary goal
July 30, 2023 Oops, I did it again: I signed up for a bikepacking race. It all started with a bang in 2015, with the Transcontinental Race. After that, I followed it up with the Torino-Nice Rally (2018), Dead Ends and Cake and the SUCH (2021), then Dead Ends e Dolci this spring. This time, I’ve chosen to take part …
How to prepare for an ultracycling event?
July 22, 2023 The first edition of the Tour des Stations Ultimate, a new ultracycling event in the Swiss Alps, will take place from August 1 to 5, 2023. Two distances are proposed: 555 and 1000 kilometers. I will participate in the latter… wish me luck. To meet this challenge successfully, you have to be well prepared. And that doesn’t …
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The wow moment
July 9, 2023 One moment sums up the two weeks I just spent guiding and shooting for InGamba in the Gstaad region. We were coming down from the Col des Mosses on a small farm road. Suddenly, behind me, I heard a “wow”. Then another one. And another one. The group all came to a halt to take in the …
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The most beautiful road bike tours in the Alpes Vaudoises
June 19, 2023 For the past twenty years, I’ve lived in the Alpes Vaudoises. This mountain region in western Switzerland is easily accessible from all over Europe and my home roads have a lot to inspire cyclists: moderate traffic, awesome landscapes and circuits of varying difficulty between the vineyards of the Chablais and the passes nestled at the foot of …
How to dress for winter riding
February 21, 2023 In a previous post, I shared my advice to keep riding in winter where we live in the Swiss Alps. In summary: you should ride on south facing roads to avoid ice, stay at low altitude in case of bad weather and moderate your efforts to avoid freezing in your sweat when riding down. Of course, “going …
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Winter riding in the Alps: tips and tricks
January 5, 2023 From time to time, I fancy getting into indoor riding. You know, buy one of those high tech smart trainers and sweat in the basement. Leave my smartphone to look at another screen. Hang out in the metaverse. That would be cool, right? And then I wake up and I remember that I live in the Swiss …
