CYCLING FRANCE : DONE RIGHT SINCE 2008
if you think you know cycling in the Oisans, the Col du Solude will quietly prove you wrong. Tucked away above Bourg-d’Oisans, this little-known climb trades hairpins and crowds for silence, exposure, and raw mountain character. Narrow roads fade into gravel, the valley drops away beneath you, and halfway up you’re forced through a pitch-black…
I’ve spent the last 17 years riding, supporting, and working on these exact Alpine roads — long before they became the Étape du Tour 2026 route. On paper, the course looks incredible.In reality, it’s far more complex, demanding, and unforgiving than most riders expect. I’ve just published a clear, rider-focused guide that explains: 👉 Read…
France isn’t just a country — it’s a cyclist’s dream playground. From legendary Alpine climbs to peaceful coastal rides in Brittany, the terrain and history are as rich as the food and wine. If you’ve ever watched the Tour de France and thought, “I want to ride there myself,” then why not make it happen?…
If you’re exploring the Loire Valley by bike, the Château de Brissac is a stop that shouldn’t be missed. Rising seven storeys high with over 200 rooms, it’s officially the tallest castle in France — and it certainly lives up to its nickname: the Giant of the Loire Valley. A Brief History of the Château…
One of the best things about cycling in France is the sense of freedom it gives you. You don’t always need a plan—sometimes the best rides happen when you just clip in, start pedalling, and see where the road (or trail) takes you. This summer I’ve been exploring two very different corners of France by…
Imagine pedalling through French vineyards, past châteaux and sunflower fields, dressed in retro cycling gear, on a vintage bike older than your grandparents. That’s Anjou Vélo Vintage — a one-of-a-kind cycling festival held every summer in Saumur, a charming town in the heart of France’s Loire Valley. And this year, my daughter and I joined…
Windswept cliffs, winding coastal lanes, ancient stone villages… and barely a cyclist in sight. La Hague, perched on the wild Cotentin Peninsula near Cherbourg in Normandy, offers one of the most scenic – and surprisingly overlooked – coastal cycling routes in France. In my latest ride, I set out to explore this rugged gem. A…
Vintage Bike Restoration Challenge: Help Me Bring These Bikes Back to Life! I’ve embarked on a very exciting and, quite frankly, challenging project: restoring two vintage bikes that I recently discovered in a barn in Normandy. These bikes are in rough shape, but I’m determined to bring them back to life for the Anjou Vélo…
What makes Paris Roubaix and other Pro Cycling Races so Insane to Watch ? If you’re planning on watching pro cycling in France—especially legendary races like Paris-Roubaix—you need to know the brutal truth. It’s not all champagne and helicopter shots. This is the real fan experience: muddy boots, roadside camping, beer-fuelled chaos, and a fleeting…
🚴♂️ Paris-Roubaix Challenge: Cobbles, Gravel & Epic Rides I’ve been riding the Paris-Roubaix cobbles since 2013—on everything from carbon race bikes to gravel rigs. This time? I’m rebuilding my trusty 2014 hardtail into a cobble-proof monster for the Paris-Roubaix 2025 Hell of the North Challenge… using budget AliExpress cycling components like Sensah. Will it survive? Will I survive? Will I even build it…