🚴 Le Challenge du Tourmagne, from Paris to Nîmes
The Tourmagne Challenge, a cycling immersion in the heart of France, is a bikepacking adventure that combines history, nature and endurance. Inspired by pioneers Léon Giran-Max and Marie-Antoine Barret, who explored this route in 1897, the challenge retraces their historic journey. Their adventure, immortalized in an illustrated logbook, was rediscovered and published by Patrice Brunet, former CEO of Zéfal, and renowned writer Serge Laget. This book, which has become a treasure trove for participants, can be won by completing the route, a tribute to cycling history.
Covering 950 kilometers, the route winds its way through picturesque and varied landscapes: from the paths of the Massif Bellifontain to the Seine Valley, from the vineyards of the Loire Valley to the craggy landscapes of the Cantal and Cézallier regions.
Flexibility is at the heart of Tourmagne. Open around the clock, it invites adventurers to choose their ideal moment to set off. This adaptable approach allows everyone to plan their trip according to their own ambitions and preferences. As Jean-Didier Urbain explains in Ouest France:
"Since the pandemic, we've been doing without the classic intermediary mediators, such as travel agencies, even for long trips. Public transport has been marginalized. Now, everyone is self-producing their own trip via the Internet.
The challenge is characterized by its respect for the principles of bikepacking and bivouac, with an emphasis on safety and autonomy. Participants can choose to tackle the route with intensity or at a more moderate pace, as long as they adhere to the established rules. The aim is less competition than personal experience and the discovery of sumptuous landscapes.
The highlight of the Tourmagne is the finish in Nîmes, marked by the Tour Magne, one of the city's historic monuments. The name Tourmagne is a play on the Latin word for "grand tour", symbolizing the scope and grandeur of this bikepacking event. It's an adventure that combines cycling, history and discovery, promising participants an unforgettable journey through the heart of France.
For more information on this unique challenge and how to take part, visit the official Tourmagne website.
🌲 Bikepacking in nature parks with the Outdoor Cycling Series
The Outdoor Cycling Series is bikepacking adventure at its best, an invitation to discover the hidden treasures of France's regional nature parks. In 2024, this series of events takes place over eight weekends, from April to November, promising unique escapades in places as diverse as the Oise Pays de France, the Causses du Quercy, or the mysterious Vosges du Nord.
Each route, accessible solo or in groups, traverses sumptuous landscapes, such as :
- the Norman bocage of Perche
- the vineyards of the Médoc
- the pine forests of Morvan
- the wild landscapes of the Baronnies Provençales.
Itineraries in the four PNRs of the Paris region, notably the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse and the Gâtinais Français, add a touch of charm and variety to this year's edition.
Whether you're looking for an introduction to long-distance cycling or to climb the ultra-cycling ladder, the Outdoor Cycling Series offers routes to suit everyone. These routes are suitable for both gravel bikes and mountain bikes.
The concept of these events is autonomy: each participant loads his or her itinerary on GPS and chooses his or her own pace. Accommodation options range from tents to gites, for total flexibility. It's a nature-sport challenge, an adventure to discover the natural, architectural, cultural and gastronomic heritage of the areas explored.
The 2024 calendar offers regular events, limited to 100 participants per weekend. Registration is available online, with prices ranging from €50 to €99. For further information and to reserve your place, please go here, as no on-site registration will be possible.
🌄 The Alpine adventure of the Alps Divide 2024
Alps Divide 2024, a must-attend event for gravel and bikepacking enthusiasts, promises an epic adventure across the western Alps. The event, scheduled for September 7, 2024, kicks off in Menton, a picturesque town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The spectacular route is sure to test participants' endurance and resilience.
Over the 1,000-kilometer route, cyclists will face an impressive 32,000-meter vertical drop, crossing high mountain passes and verdant alpine meadows, turquoise lakes and historic military roads. The route, designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as it is practicable, mixes :
- gravel tracks
- quiet paved roads
- and single-track sections.
Participants will have the opportunity to ride some of the highest gravel roads in Europe, culminating at the Col du Sommeiller, approaching 3,000 meters.
The show continues in Haute-Savoie, where Mont Blanc is revealed in all its splendour, with majestic glaciers as a backdrop. Switzerland then welcomes the cyclists, as they round the Dents du Midi. The return to France promises to be just as breathtaking, with a final descent to the shores of Lake Geneva.
Unfortunately, we've already sold out of places for this race, but you can still sign up for a waiting list here.
🏙 The ultimate urban test of the Race Across Paris
The Race Across Paris transforms the Hauts-de-France region into a thrilling playground for bikepacking enthusiasts. With routes ranging from 50 to 1000 km, there's a challenge to suit every cyclist. The shorter distances explore only the outskirts of Paris, while the 300, 500 and 1000 km routes plunge into the heart of the city, crossing its emblematic streets and historic monuments.
Far from being a simple race, this competition is a true celebration of urban cycling. It offers an exceptional opportunity to discover Paris from a different angle. Participants cross ten departments, each with its own characteristics and challenges, making the route as varied as it is stimulating. With up to 6,710 meters of ascent and descent, the Race Across Paris tests the endurance and strategy of every cyclist, whether taking part as a solo, duo or quartet.
Cyclists are invited to let themselves be charmed by the magic of the capital, pedaling through vibrant neighborhoods, verdant parks and alongside five iconic monuments. The Race Across Paris is the ideal event to combine a passion for cycling with urban exploration, whether you're a competitive rider or an adventurer looking for a bit of experience.
For more information on the Race Across Paris and to enjoy this unique experience, please visit the event's official website.
⛰ The Extreme Alpes Challenge, summits and challenges
The Extrême Alpes Challenge is an iconic event for bikepacking road bike enthusiasts. Set in the majestic setting of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, with a start in Val Thorens, this event offers a breathtaking 750 km route.
With a total vertical drop of 20,000 meters, the cyclists cross three countries: France, Italy and Switzerland, climbing mythical mountain passes such as :
- Col de la Madeleine,
- the Col du Glandon
- Alpe d'Huez,
- Col de Sarenne, and many more.
The Extrême Alpes Challenge stands out for its live tracking of competitors using GPS trackers supplied by the organization. A base camp at km 300 enables cyclists to retrieve their personal belongings, which have been deposited beforehand. The route, which is still subject to change, is supplied as a GPX track after registration.
Cyclists who cross the finish line in Val Thorens, 80 hours later (in theory 😊), leave not only with a medal and a diploma, but also with the feeling of having overcome one of the greatest bikepacking challenges in the mountains. Registration for the Extreme Alpes Challenge includes a welcome pack with partner gifts, the loan of a tracker, and access to the base camp. To register, click here.
