The team at Gravel Union are always looking for inspiration that will help motivate them to get out and ride. We were peering out of rain-smeared office window recently when a selection of stunning images of the French Alps landed in our inbox. The accompanying text announced the launch of a new gravel cycling event, Le Pilgrimage, so we chatted with one of the event organisers to find out more.
“Le Pilgrimage offers a unique combination of adventure, community and comfort. Like a true pilgrimage, this is not a race, it is a challenging journey you will share with like-minded spirits.” Simon Rosmolen, event co-organiser told us. “The event will be kept deliberately small in numbers with a maximum of 40 places available” he continued “and will be centre-based – after each stage, you’ll return to the basecamp at Chalet AlpeLune, where we will take care of the weary pilgrims.”
The idea behind Le Pilgrimage is something fresh and innovative in the world of gravel events. Le Pilgrimage is a centre-based, three-stage event, with each stage becoming progressively more challenging than the one before. Stage 1 will be 100-130kms in length, with 3500 to 4000m of climbing. Stage 2 will be similar distance, but with the climbing upped to between 3600 and 4200m. Stage 3 is the ‘queen’ stage and will be 200-230kms in length and will include a whopping 6000 to 6500m of climbing. "As this stage is so long, we suspect many people will want to bivvy out en-route and we can provide advice on potential places to sleep including camping and hotel options for those who want it too" said Simon
The exact route details and stats will be confirmed closer to the date of the event, which kicks off on September 15th.
The event is being held close to Puy Saint Vincent, on the French/Italian border and each day promises to involve “breath-taking mountain summits, riding through hidden valleys, passed isolated refuges, reaching high-altitude mountain lakes and setting your eyes on glaciers by tackling some of the toughest and most trying trails.“
This is not gravel riding for beginners nor for the faint-of-heart. The organisers are planning to include some “testing hike-a-bike sections” but also promise “some truly divine descents”. There will be refuelling points at mountain refuges and local bakeries along the way, all of which will be pointed out to the riders in the road book that comes as part of the package.
Riders will need to full self-sufficient each day but will be provided with a loan GPS-tracker to help ensure their safety. Once safely back off the mountain each evening, everyone will be provided will post-ride snacks and those who wish can also add a daily “plat du jour” to their package. Included in the cost of the event is either bed&breakfast at Chalet AlpeLune or a camping pitch in the garden. The chalet promises a sauna, outside hot tub, indoor jacuzzi and a spacious living room complete with fireplace, so that should cover all the options for different weather conditions.
Entry packages start from €375 for the camping&breakfast option, but there are only 40 places available in total, so we suggest anyone who is interested in taking part heads over to the event website for more details and to sign-up.