Benedict Campbell - CYCLING PHOTOGRAPHER Photographer, filmmaker and visual artist, Benedict Campbell, wanted to be a professional cyclist before taking and making pictures for a living. A recent collaborator with Café du Cycliste, Benedict’s love for cycling is very much in the frame with his commercial and personal work. Creativity for him is intrinsically linked to a life on two wheels, and here he discusses how riding is key to preservation and productivity. How long have you been cycling? I’ve been cycling for a very long time, 42 years maybe I’ve been riding. I started racing when I was 12 years old, and when I was a junior, I wanted to be a pro. At the same time, I started to get into photography. My dream was still to become a professional cyclist. But then I had a motorcycle accident and almost lost my leg. My injury meant I couldn’t compete to the levels needed to turn professional. It was about this time I took up photography, at the age of 17. How did you discover photography? My parents were architects. And my father started doing architectural photography. So, I was surrounded by cameras at home and we had a darkroom there too. I knew it was something I wanted to do, being both a practical and artistic pursuit. I’ve been a commercial and advertising photographer for 35 plus years, and I’ve worked in the bicycle industry as a team photographer and advertising photographer for brands such as Café du Cycliste. I’ve also made films, including cycling documentary For the Love of Mud about cyclocross, and films on motorcycling culture including Cafe Cowboy, about a motorbike builder called Dustin Knott. How do you ride today? Before the pandemic I would ride maybe 50 kilometres three times during the week, on a mixture of either road or off-road. And then a 100km plus ride at the weekend. But post-pandemic I’ve only been riding once or twice a week. But I’m getting back to my own riding. I feel I must ride for my own mental well-being; it makes me happy. I never ever regret riding, whatever the weather, and in England we have very bad weather… Even if it’s raining hard, I come back feeling good and never regret it. It’s hard to get out in bad weather, but it’s always good. In winter in England, I ride a cyclocross bike with cyclocross tyres, and in the summer a gravel bike. I think with gravel or off-road riding the routes are more creative. How does riding and creativity work for you? You think about the routes more, and there is almost a beauty in the route you pick, the variety of weather you might see. I find cycling is the best way to find things visually sometimes. If you walk you can’t cover the same distance, if you drive you can’t stop when you want to. Quite often if I’m looking for locations in a city or somewhere, and I’ll ride around and find locations and ideas, and then log them. The best way is going by bike. I find that very useful. I think when it comes to creativity, I get more from riding off-road. When I ride off-road, I have more time to think. When riding on the road, I tend to be riding with groups of people either riding very fast or it’s talking. But when I ride off-road, I take in nature, I take in the route more, and that’s when I think about things. Usually when I have a creative block, riding off-road with certain friends, helps me to see things and relax. And that really aids the creative flow. Just being out in nature and experiencing things I think is fantastic. Sometimes I bring a small camera, but I find it becomes too much like work. Sometimes I just want to keep the things I see to myself and not worry about taking pictures, and just ride. It depends on my mood. And I find now that everybody takes pictures on their rides. My favourite epic ride I’ve done is Torino–Nice Rally. The views are exceptional, and only accessible by bike. 750 kilometres of epic scenery. It’s so varied. The thing is not to do it fast, take your time and see things. I may not bivvy next time I do it though. Maybe mix it up with some hotels… Further Riding Izu Ani Izu Ani is a well-known chef on the Côte d'Azur, he has a habit of appearing at the Café du Cycliste in the port of Nice like magic. VIEW MORE Pierre Léopold Pierre is a specialist in Drosophila, the fruit fly that is used to understand genetics. Outside the laboratory, cycling is for Pierre essential. VIEW MORE Rémi Clermont Rémi Clermont is creative director of Café du Cycliste. Here he speaks about creativity, and the vital role his own cycling plays in the process. VIEW MORE Sandra Sommer Sandra knows that inspiration can strike when you least expect it. Her most recent project came to her while exploring the mountains around Salzburg. VIEW MORE

Ride & Create: Izu Ani Izu Ani has a habit of appearing at the Café du Cycliste in the port of Nice like magic. When he enters the place, he completely inhabits it with his energy and charisma, changing the atmosphere in an instant. There are those people who radiate from this dose of power, a cheerful remedy to those who meet him. He brings much more than he takes. In shorts and jersey, a helmet screwed on the head, colourful glasses balanced on the nose, the cycling outfit makes us all equal. In this outfit, Izu's life is beyond suspicion. He thrives. Izu Ani is a well-known chef on the Côte d'Azur, he worked for several years at the Bastide Saint Antoine, a two Michelin star restaurant in the Grasse region. He then exported the Petite Maison to Dubai and Gaïa, the Monegasque restaurant of which he is owner. Despite this international reputation, for many, Chef Izu remains a great local success. We visited him in Dubai to experience the phenomenon and understand that his culinary creativity is conquering the world. In the Emirates, Izu is a celebrity, several of the most beautiful restaurants in the city belong to him, he has multiplied numerous high-end meal delivery franchises, 1500 people work for him. He is on his way to building an empire. The theme of his success remains: he never compromises on the quality of what he creates. His personality is not foreign to his success, nor his creativity either. Between two mega-laughs, Izu becomes very serious again to explain to us how he wanted to revisit the notorious hamburger, the symbol of fast food, to make it a genuinely quality dish. He recounts his extremism when it comes to making healthy bread, his exacting choice of meats and vegetables, his obsession with obtaining powerful and fruity olive oil. For that he went so far as to buy his own olive groves and a mill in Greece. Chef Izu is constantly innovating for each of his restaurants. His menus are universes of flavour, visiting all the cuisines of the world: Italian, Oriental, Japanese, Mediterranean, Greek, Korean, and of course a French influence... Hyperactive, always in search of a new idea, a new concept, his driver takes him from one restaurant to another to taste the dishes of a new menu; choose a packaging design, visiting the construction site of his new restaurant in which one enters directly by car… ‘I am the first to do this and here it will meet with phenomenal success.’ Dressed in jeans and black t-shirt, sneakers on his feet, beret on his head, he tumbles into the kitchens, always greeting each of his collaborators with the same attention. He hugs some, nags others, but he is always sunny, tireless, sporting always the same smile, always conveying the same mind-blowing energy. Amongst all this Izu dedicates a real importance to the moments he spends on his bike. This is the very particular way he has of balancing his life. In Dubai you can ride at any time of the day or night, a way to avoid the heat, a way to start a day well. ‘Pedalling is traveling, I always need that. I ride four to five times a week and alone 90% of the time. It is my time to pause and meditate, I let myself go. I love these moments. I come face to face with myself, I refocus, it's totally essential to my life. Most often I ride alone for one to two hours, the time needed to get out of the rush.’ Everything in Izu's life seems to be punctuated to the millisecond, but the sacrosanct moment of the ride is a time of total disconnection. So, when asked about the process of creating and unleashing creative thought on a bike, he has no hesitation: ‘This is where it all happens. The first key is disconnection and letting go. I say cycling is a journey because it makes you change dimensions and almost leave your body. Surprisingly, this moment allows you to synthesize many things and to access a form of lucidity, a resource that you seem to ignore when you are not living in the moment. I mentally associate tastes and flavours on my bike, the most original ideas come to me at that time. I am often convinced that the association can work, so I become totally impatient to arrive and experiment. Getting off the bike I grab my phone and call my restaurant to ask a team to prepare a base and find the ingredient. I don't want to let the idea slip away. I arrive on site and concretise the recipe, it works like that most of the time, it's great.’ And then Izu throws out a huge laugh and an enormous smile, and you realise that there are beings in this world who shake up life and change its shape. Further Riding Ride & Create: Rémi Clermont Rémi Clermont is creative director of Café du Cycliste. Here he speaks about creativity, and the vital role his own cycling plays in the process. VIEW MORE Ride & Create: Pierre Léopold Pierre is a specialist in Drosophila, the fruit fly that is used to understand genetics. Outside the laboratory, cycling is for Pierre essential, and he explains to us that riding and research form a complementary whole. VIEW MORE Ride & Create: Sandra Winn As an artist, Sandra knows that inspiration can strike when you least expect it. Her most recent project came to her while exploring the mountains around Salzburg as that is when her mind is most free. VIEW MORE Ride & Create: an Introduction Exploring how cycling can unlock creative thinking. With Stanford University's & University Côte d’Azur's research, pedal power has a whole new meaning. VIEW MORE

The Best Brasucade in the World The best Brasucade in the World is a meal at the end of exploring the Camargue, home to flamboyant flamingoes and brooding bulls. The best Brasucade in the world comes from an open fire on a beach where music resounds and laughter fuses with the waves. The best Brasucade in the world is fresh Mediterranean mussels from the local fishing port, with a sauce made of olive oil, herbs and Pastis. The best Brasucade in the world is the moment when the mussels open on the fire, the sauce is then brushed with a bouquet of thyme and parsley. The best Brasucade in the world is accompanied by a dry white wine from the Languedoc or any hillside vineyard in Provence. The best Brasucade in the world is a dish that is tasted from July to September, accompanied by the summer rhythm of cicadas. The Best in the World The Best Aligot in the World Is served with a sausage from pigs raised in the surrounding farmland of the Massif Central. VIEW MORE The Best Tortilla in the World Found at the end of a hard day spent riding with friends on ancient Galician roads. VIEW MORE The Best Ice Cream in the World Stacked with fresh fruit, produced by hand and eaten in a shady spot on a blazing hot day. VIEW MORE The Best Tourte aux Blettes in the World A sweet delight found nestled in the Var valley. To be enjoyed hot or cold, it's the perfect pick me up for hard days spent in the saddle. VIEW MORE

Ride & Create: Pierre Léopold Upon entering the prestigious Curie Institute in Paris, you get an immediate sense of purpose. Researchers from all over the world are here to carry out scientific endeavours that could shape the future of humanity. One of those researchers is Pierre Leopold. A humble-natured professor, Pierre is a specialist in Drosophila, the fruit fly that is used to understand genetics. Outside the laboratory, cycling is for Pierre essential, and he explains to us that riding and research form a complementary whole. How do you use your creativity? I am a biology researcher. It is an activity where creativity is expressed on many levels. Knowledge and expertise are not enough to succeed, you must add a significant dose of personal initiative or inspiration, which may seem contradictory with the rational aspects of science. How did you become a researcher? I wanted to be a doctor, but my studies slowly took me away from standard medicine. The idea of doing research came to me when I read the book Chance and Necessity, an essay on the philosophy of science, written by Noble Prize winner Jacques Monod. I must admit I did not fully understand it at the time, but it convinced me of the universal dimension of this profession, and how everything is connected. Things are sometimes due to chance (and also necessity, to come back to Monod). Coming out of university, I was offered to join a very good biology laboratory at the University of Nice where I only thought I would stay a few months, and where I ended up spending a large part of my career. What are the best conditions to create? In research, there are two ways to fuel creativity and bring out new ideas. On the one hand, you must rub shoulders with others, exchange freely with your colleagues, be able to grasp new trends and leads. This is not always easy between researchers because the competition can be fierce. And on the other hand, you must know how to digest all that, isolate yourself and think alone to find your own way, and believe it! What are the greatest successes and satisfactions in your work? I love collaborating with young researchers and students, that is probably the most rewarding work. The best moments always come in the laboratory, when a new result arises and surprises, and gives us the intense feeling of a discovery that changes our vision of things. We then know that we are the first to discover and understand this new reality, sublime enough to erase months, even years of frustration. How long have you been cycling? Thanks to living in Nice, I have always spent time in the mountains, the road bike arrived later, to keep in shape for other alpine projects. I remember that I resisted throwing myself into it for fear that it would become an all-consuming passion. The day I started, I realised that it would be difficult to stop. Do you ride regularly? In my southern life, I made between one and two outings a week. In Paris things are more complicated, but I’ve turned to the home trainer to given me flexibility to absorb the vagaries of my schedule and the weather. Where is your favourite place to ride? Coming from the middle of the mountains, having practiced cycling for a long time in the hinterland of Nice and with a light build, the program is uphill! The landscapes of the mountain passes are grandiose, the efforts sustained, and there is this exhilarating impression of rising above everything. What are the most beautiful outings you have done? I haven't done many of the great classic routes in the Alps. I mostly rode around Nice, an exceptional playground for cycling. I really like the small road that starts from the Col de l'Orme and joins the lower Cabanette on the climb to the Col de Turini. This road is magnificent with views over the Lucéram valley, as far as the sea. It is rare to come across a car or even a bicycle there. Do you think there is a connection between cycling and creativity? A connection has been established for several years between physical activity and intellectual activity. A recent scientific publication demonstrated in mice the role of selenium proteins inducing a response to physical effort, stimulating the appearance of new neurons. Mice that turn regularly in their wheel thus slow down an inevitable cognitive decline* – it’s quite incredible. I have personally felt the effects of physical activity on thinking and creativity. This occurred to me the first few times while running on mountain paths. The body takes its rhythm and settles into the effort. We then have the feeling that the mind is freed and explores at accelerated speed questions that seemed unanswered from our office chair... By bike it works too, but you need to ignore the hectic road traffic. These introspections are the most pleasant moments on the bike. Despite the presence of the tarmac, you can successfully immerse yourself in the surrounding nature and experience your effort in a very positive way. It is often at this moment that a deep mental relaxation allows our spirit to soar. In a much more pragmatic way, the home trainer also makes it possible to combine effort and mental disconnection. We then get a little closer to the laboratory mouse which turns in its wheel and gets drunk on selenium... Do you remember ideas or solutions that came to you whilst on a bike? There are a lot of those moments when you feel as you ride that the fog is clearing around a particular situation. It's not necessarily the idea of the century, but it can be a new way of thinking. We have the feeling of a ‘eureka’ moment. The difficulty is often to keep the memory of at the end of the journey, and you’re tired and hungry! Ride & Create: Rémi Clermont Rémi Clermont is creative director of Café du Cycliste. Here he speaks about creativity, and the vital role his own cycling plays in the process. VIEW MORE Ride & Create: Sandra Winn As an artist, Sandra knows that inspiration can strike when you least expect it. Her most recent project came to her while exploring the mountains around Salzburg as that is when her mind is most free. VIEW MORE Ride & Create: an Introduction Exploring how cycling can unlock creative thinking. With Stanford University's & University Côte d’Azur's research, pedal power has a whole new meaning. VIEW MORE

Ride & Create: Rémi Clermont Rémi Clermont is the co-founder and creative director of Café du Cycliste. 11 years after the launch of the first collection, which consisted of a pair of shorts and two jerseys, Rémi is still at the heart of every collection. Creativity requires constant renewal of one’s ideas and perspectives, and here Rémi speaks about the design process and the vital role his own cycling experience plays. How did the idea of creating bicycle clothes come to you? I found that what existed on the market did not meet my own expectations of what cycling clothing should be, and didn’t satisfy my own vision of cycling culture. But I didn’t start life as an apparel designer. I started from zero without any idea of how to take a garment from the idea phase to creating a prototype. And today, is the process a bit easier? Now I have a team of specialists working with me to create our products. The collection size is no longer three pieces and is expanding every year. But I still have to conjure up and transmit the initial ideas for designs. How do you continue to generate ideas, and create new designs? It is essentially based on observation and problem solving. You observe and assimilate many things and you reinterpret this in your own way, differently from others. Do you still enjoy designing? It's satisfying to start with an idea and bring that original concept to life after working it out and formalising its creation. This process could satisfy me without the product being a commercial success. But when our customers buy what I have imagined and created, it means that they share your vision and that they believe in it too. That is really gratifying, especially when you're creating things that are different from anything else. You could quite easily create a performance jersey and use the tried and tested approach, but there are thousands of them. If it works it's not really a surprise. But when you innovate, you think outside the box and you go in a direction that isn't obvious at first glance and your creation “speaks” to people, that is really when the satisfaction arrives. What personal qualities do you think help you design? Observation. I like to scrutinize and watch everything that happens around me. And I would say a strong resistance to conformity, I am truly terrified at the idea of doing things like everyone else, I don't know where it comes from, it's almost a sickness. What are the best conditions for you to create new concepts? Alone, quiet, without any interaction with anyone. But to do this, you must first be nourished by interactions with many people, and many things: travel, enrich yourself with experiences of all kinds, watch sport, play sport, try new things. The difficulty is that design is not my only occupation, running a business and everyday life catches up with you and I often find myself far from the space I need to really create. How long have you been cycling? Since I was a kid. I kayaked at a high-level and I always trained on a bike, I would say since the age of 15. Do you find time to ride now? I go out about three or four times a week for pretty short rides of 35 to 70 kilometres. I ride in the mountains, it's not necessarily where I'm the strongest but it's where it's the most beautiful. I love the mountains. Do you remember any specific ideas or solutions that came to you on the bike? Not precisely. I would say the on-the-bike solutions are not usually about details like where a zip goes or a specific question such as should a jersey be blue or green. But more about the philosophy of a collection. The brain expands as your body works harder, and inspiration comes, or you suddenly, almost subconsciously, make a link or observation, a revelatory moment. I’m sure there are other ways to reach these moments and find these connections, but for me a climb up Col d’Eze at can help me discover ideas beyond the office. Do you think there is a connection between cycling and creativity? As I said it’s difficult for someone who runs a business to get away from it all and find half an hour where you’re not on the phone, where no one is asking you questions. On the bike you leave everything aside. I go out alone between noon and two (usually testing products) and that's when I have ideas and time to think. I often look for ideas on my computer like everyone else. But it comes by itself on the bike, precisely because you’re not searching for it. Your mind focuses in a different way, and opens up like the road ahead. It removes you from the world but also from the problem of finding ideas and creating at all costs. It relaxes your mind and creates more flow. Take for instance climbing a pass. Climbing is never easy. When I endure pain as I ride up Col d'Eze (my favourite lunch ride), if the brain disconnects from the physical difficulty and it starts to dream, it's a double benefit: you save yourself 15 minutes of suffering and there is a good chance that you will unconsciously work on a solution or an idea. This is when you enter the zone which can lead to a creative solution. Further Riding Ride & Create: Sandra Winn As an artist, Sandra knows that inspiration can strike when you least expect it. Her most recent project came to her while exploring the mountains around Salzburg as that is when her mind is most free. VIEW MORE Ride & Create: an Introduction Exploring how cycling can unlock creative thinking. With Stanford University's & University Côte d’Azur's research, pedal power has a whole new meaning. VIEW MORE A pioneer of the Alpes-Maritimes Mountaintop pioneer Victor de Cessole's love for the mountains has been a great achievement. VIEW MORE Cervélo releases new Áspero gravel bike How is a bike designed for a ride that overturns the definition? We asked the designers who create great machines for their opinions. VIEW MORE

The Best Aligot in the World The best aligot in the world is eaten in an old converted barn after riding in the savage winds of Aubrac, a volcanic plateau in the Massif Central, in the heart of France. The best aligot in the world is a memory of friends hungry for this enticing specialty made of potatoes and a farmhouse cheese to die for: La Tome d'Aubrac. The best aligot in the world was served by the monks of Aubrac to the pilgrims who crossed the Massif Central to reach Santiago de Compostela. The best aligot in the world must be worked for a long time to obtain its very elastic texture. It is served with a sausage from pigs raised in the surrounding farmland of the Massif. The best aligot in the world can be tasted with a local wine, the red Marcillac is one of the best pairings, carrying the terroir in its juicy Mansois or For Servadou grapes. The best aligot in the world celebrates friendship, it is generously served by the locals and in almost every restaurant in Aubrac. The best aligot in the world is a delight, a soft and earthy cloud of comfort for those who have travelled to find it. THE BEST IN THE WORLD The Best Tortilla in the World Found at the end of a hard day spent riding with friends on ancient Galician roads. VIEW MORE The Best Ice Cream in the World Stacked with fresh fruit, produced by hand and eaten in a shady spot on a blazing hot day. VIEW MORE The Best Tourte aux Blettes in the World A sweet delight found nestled in the Var valley. To be enjoyed hot or cold, it's the perfect pick me up for hard days spent in the saddle. VIEW MORE The Best Charcuterie in the World Ironically found in a tiny fishing village. In the only restaurant, in the only auberge open in the off season in Porto Centuri, Corsica. VIEW MORE

Ride & Create: Sandra Sommer From the moment the door swings open to reveal her quiet Salzburg studio, it is clear that Sandra Sommer is passionate about bikes. Paintings, each displaying cyclists in a unique style, hang from pegs along the walls. A gorgeous pink vintage Basso, aged like fine wine, leans against a wall. Its presence ties the room together and completes the atmosphere. Sandra is serene and down-to-earth. Sporting a wide grin, she leads us to the cork-lined tray, resting atop a trestle, where most of her creative tools sit. The young art graduate now teaches her passion to others. ‘I’ve painted ever since I was young and I always wanted a creative job.’ Having recently become a mother, Sandra divides her time between her young family and her studio. She rides her bike whenever she gets the chance. ‘My relationship with creation has evolved over the years. Maturity, travelling, chance encounters, life experiences all change us significantly and hugely evolve our sensitivity and our perspective on the world.’ Her technique involves a mixture of various mediums: paints, pencils, inks, colouring pencils. She works with high quality paper in different sizes and she admits to being most comfortable and more spontaneous with smaller pieces. ‘I was influenced by the wave of cycling photos that have appeared on social media over the past few years, posted by permanently performing cyclists. This is a subject that I wanted to explore.’ She examines these snapshots of sporting lives and breathes new life into scenes that grab her attention. Doing this her way, in her own artistic way, has gathered pace as a creative idea. She scans dozens of Instagram pages and observes. ‘For many, the actual ride has actually become less significant than the photos taken of it. For some, it has even become a major pastime. They are devoted to creating a constant stream of images to “satisfy” their community and maintain control over their popularity. This relentless pace of posting and this image control really spoke to me. I asked myself what I could do with this as an artist.’ Sandra’s painting technique is full of meaning. She calmly takes a small piece of thick embossed paper, picks up a vial and pours ink on it. Grasping it with both hands, she directs the ink onto the paper to make a ‘mark’ that we mere novices wouldn’t know what to do with. She knows. Her inspiration stems from a photo of yet another cycling Instagram account. This ‘splash’ of paint as a starting point in her works is part of the process, it is uncontrolled, spontaneous. It represents letting go. Letting go of not only our ever active lives but also the control over our image. A slow creative process follows. 24 hours later, when the ink is dry, Sandra dwells on her creation. A bit of pencil here. A brushstroke there. This slowed down creative process is what interests Sandra the most in this race for content. ‘I send the painting to these people who do not know me. They are surprised and often shocked that I even discovered their photo. We exchange ideas, it’s a very enriching process.’ Sandra fits in rides between professional and family commitments. Despite balancing all of these, she still manages to clock an impressive 8000m average elevation per month. Her longer outings with friends reach 100km. She mostly rides alone, however, between 25 and 40km, always climbing, as Salzburg is at the foot of the mountains. Inspiration can strike when you least expect it. ‘During the ride, it’s important to reach that unplugged state that acts as a trigger’, that moment which the researchers from our previous article highlighted. ‘When I ride, I’m living in the moment. My thought process and stream of consciousness slow down. That’s the moment when my mind runs free. I’ve noticed that my best creative ideas come to me then. I organise my creative sessions around my rides in order to tap into the one I just finished. That peace of mind and inner calmness that I am still carrying have a positive effect on my creation. For some people, it’s the first hour of the day that counts. Great artists such as Picasso kept a notebook with them as ideas and inspiration often came early in the morning. For me, it strikes when I get back to my studio after a ride’. The whole idea of focusing on this project was born while riding her bike, as was the urge to bring slowness into her life and social media. ‘I was wondering how to bring that to life and why. I realised that the experience I was living on my bike was the perfect illustration of what I wanted to do. Sometimes it’s quick, sometimes it’s slow. I wanted that idea to shine through. When you take your fingers off the brakes on a descent, you hit 80km/h and that’s the moment when you lose control’. To see more of Sandra's work, take a look at her instagram page @sandis_art. Further Riding Ride & Create: an Introduction Exploring how cycling can unlock creative thinking. With Stanford University's & University Côte d’Azur's research, pedal power has a whole new meaning. VIEW MORE A pioneer of the Alpes-Maritimes Mountaintop pioneer Victor de Cessole's love for the mountains has been a great achievement. VIEW MORE Cervélo releases new Áspero gravel bike How is a bike designed for a ride that overturns the definition? We asked the designers who create great machines for their opinions. VIEW MORE Tracks and Trails in the Ariège Five friends explore routes shared with the incredibly diverse range of four legged and airborne residents of the Ariège by bike. VIEW MORE

Ride & Create: An Introduction In this series, we explore how cycling can unlock creative thinking. Drawing upon research by Stanford University and the University Côte d’Azur, pedal power has a whole new meaning. Down in the drops, you slip into a smooth rhythm. Slicing through the wind and curving around the corners, your mind begins to wander. Accompanied by the steady beat of your breathing, an idea starts to form. The details will need a bit of work but you can tell you’re onto something good... We’ve all experienced it. Perhaps it was a problem you’ve been trying to grapple with at work or an issue at home that you can’t seem to solve. Heart thumping, muscles burning, a solution comes to you whilst out on your bike. And this isn’t a coincidence. Researchers at Stanford University and the University Côte d’Azur have established a connection between physical exercise and creativity. Delving deeper, they examined how specific types of exercise, and the intensity of it, can enable us to reach an increased level of creative brain activity. And cycling is one of the best sports for the job. LAMHESS laboratory in Nice conducted an experiment involving a dozen cyclists. Over the course of four sessions, the riders alternated between phases of rest, low intensity, moderate intensity, and moderate intensity with varied ‘vigour’. During the activity, their heartbeat, temperature, and blood sugar levels were monitored and a specially designed helmet used spectrometry to measure the oxygen levels in their brain. The device revealed that the riders’ brain activity was reduced in the frontal lobe, known as hypofrontality. The researchers noted the benefits: “under certain exercise conditions we witness a lesser degree of cognitive control, the mind ‘takes off'” - as your legs pump, your thoughts become free. Professor Jeanick Brisswalter, one of the founding researchers behind the study, explains further: “When the frontal lobe of the brain is inhibited, many filters that control our cognitive functions - notably those with which we make decisions, disappear. In doing so, this allows us to access these cognitive processes more unconsciously and make room for more originality and creativity.” As an intense, rhythmic, physical activity, cycling lends itself to reaching this ‘liberated’ cognitive state. Rides can often last for many hours and, unlike running or high-impact cardio training, cycling doesn’t repeatedly shock the body. The muscles take control, your conscious mind relaxes and, in doing so, your thoughts are free to explore uncharted territory. As Arne Dietrich, a professor of cognitive science, states: “this is when spontaneous creativity happens.” Internationally renowned artist Lisa Congdon, who has created work for the likes of MoMA and Comme des Garçons, advocates this connection between cycling and creativity: “Minds can wander on those long, soul-searching rides; just think of the designs that you could come up with.” And she’s not the only one. Backed by science and keen to learn more, we went searching for men and women, artisans and professionals, to find out if cycling helps boost their creativity. Further Riding A pioneer of the Alpes-Maritimes Mountaintop pioneer Victor de Cessole's love for the mountains has been a great achievement. VIEW MORE Cervélo releases new Áspero gravel bike How is a bike designed for a ride that overturns the definition? We asked the designers who create great machines for their opinions. VIEW MORE Tracks and Trails in the Ariège Five friends explore routes shared with the incredibly diverse range of four legged and airborne residents of the Ariège by bike. VIEW MORE Les Moustachus en Vadrouille Three moustachioed friends set out on a cycling journey linking together 20 of the most beautiful villages in France. A celebration of heritage, style, and friendship. VIEW MORE

The Best Tortilla in the World The Best Tortilla In The World is shared amongst friends after a tough ride along Galician trails. The Best Tortilla In The World is found on a sundrenched Spanish plaza, in the heart of a thousand year-old city. The Best Tortilla In The World is made up of potatoes fried in olive oil with a few onions and a touch of pepper. Cooked to perfection, it takes a solid form whilst maintaining a soft and melting centre. The Best Tortilla In The World is accompanied with a pint of draught Cerveza or an ice cold sangria complete with fresh fruits. The Best Tortilla In The World reminds you that the best days in life combine shared sport, friendship and food. Further Riding The Best Ice Cream in the World Stacked with fresh fruit, produced by hand and eaten in a shady spot on a blazing hot day. It's found in the south of France and is the perfect full stop to a VIEW MORE The Best Tourte aux Blettes in the World A sweet delight found nestled in the Var valley. To be enjoyed hot or cold, it's the perfect pick me up for hard days spent in the saddle. VIEW MORE The Best Charcuterie in the World Ironically is found in a tiny fishing village. In the only restaurant, in the only auberge open in the off season in Porto Centuri, Corsica. VIEW MORE The Best Crêpe in the World Found in France. Obviously. A specific part of France, the place where it was invented. The rugged, coastal and rural Bretagne. VIEW MORE The best Gnocchi in the World found in the Cottian Alps, shared with old friends and served by new friends in a mountain retreat that momentarily mutes the volume on modern life. VIEW MORE

Les Moustachus en Vadrouille: A Tour of Plus Beaux Villages de France Three friends, three bikes and one month to travel across six regions to 20 of the most beautiful villages in France. Bike choice is paramount and gravel bikes are chosen to ensure the boys are ready to tackle any road suface. Last, and certainly not least, the team needs a name; 'Les Moustachus un Vadrouille' - 'Moustaches on the Move'. With such a name comes certain expectations and the boys know that a perfectly groomed moustache is absolutely essential. But they have no intention of entering into such a trip half-heartedly; a kit to match the spirit of the project is required and the choice is easy; signature French bérets are to be worn alongisde a fully French Café du Cycliste outift including sailor-striped jerseys. Look good, feel good. The boys are ready to head out and dive head first into the rich heritage of our country and all of its wonderful traditions. The full journey is being documented on 'Les Moustachus un Vadrouille's YouTube account however we have set out below a step by step guide into a typical day out on the road with our mustachioed heroes. 1. Rude awakening Every single morning is the same routine, the legs are heavy from the ride of the day before and the moustache fights hard against Mother Nature to get out of the tent. This can sometimes lead to impressive feats of artistic gymnasitcs that would not look out of place in the Olympic Games. 2. Breakfast The most important meal of the day, especially if you intend to ride 100km. So treat yourself to a chocolatine (and forget the horrendous “pain au chocolat” named version of this sweet treat), a glass of orange juice and enjoy! 3. Shaving A moustache needs careful care, leaving us with no other choice than trimming every morning with a razor blade. 4. Photo shoot To capture the beauty of the boys and their perfectly shaved moustaches - time for the narcissistic moment. 5. Climbing At last, serious matters begin! To warm up your calves before a long day on the bike, what else than a climb with a minimum gradient of 5%? Don’t worry, it’s quite easy to find, especially in the Occitanie region (a special thought for Aveyron here) 6. Walking Ok, let’s get this straight: if we are sometimes walking on the steepest parts of the hills, it’s not because we are weak, quite the opposite actually! It’s because we want to make sure all the muscles of our lower limbs work in diverse ways. 7. Hydration It’s important to stay hydrated in this summer heat, especially after climbing, so we pause to have a pit stop for hydration or find a grocery store along the road to fuel up with vitamins. 8. Descending The best part of the climbing is the descent; when you finally get to go down. But let’s remain cautious here, any long descent leads to an equally long climb. 9. Repair Spending so much time pushing hard on your pedals, it is often necessary to stop and fix whatever part has broken on the bikes. 10. Lunch Everyone knows that lunch is what you think about from 7am until 1pm. However, I’d recommend not eating anything too heavy for lunch and avoiding meat if you want to maintain your afternoon effort. A piece of advice we absolutely didn’t follow during our trip! 11. Vaut Deux What’s better for digestion than a game of pétanque made in Jura ? This game is called “vaut deux”, an age-old game with, let’s put it this way, quite a peculiar rule: the team who loses, buys the drinks for the winners. 12. Apéro Considering our low skills in the “vaut deux” game, we ended up being the ones buying the drinks quite often… 13. Meeting our animal friends Not sure if it is a direct effect of the apéro, but our moustaches soon afterwards started talking to animals on the road. 14. Construction work to preserve our heritage After proper digestion, we are ready for some construction work to support the REMPART organization renovating our French heritage. 15. Swimming Break Construction work makes you sweat so we allow ourselves to take a moment and go for a swim break. 16. Arrival and visit to the village End of the ride for the day, we make it to the entrance of one of those 20 most beautiful villages in France. The village is often perched as it was built during the Middle Ages. We climb the last little hill to reach the very top of the village and stroll around its little streets. Most of the time, we are pleased to share this visit with a native of this place to learn about its history and tricks. Because who else than a native to give you a tour? 17. The Interview The chaps with a moustache have many different skills, being reporters is one of them. In some villages, we meet up with local craftsmen who share with us about their job, which is also their passion, in front of our camera. 18. Setting Up Camp The sunset is approaching, we need to hurry up, pitch the tents and the camp before it's dark. Except when we have a bed in the village for the night. 19. Sunset We are lucky to have a couple of minutes left to enjoy the sunset from the perched village: the view is often breathtaking. 20. The Evening Beer Our moustaches have a tradition which they haven’t yet transgressed: an evening pint at the local restaurant. Tired from the ride, one sip is enough to knock the boys out. After reading those 20 stages, you are surely thinking no way – not possible, “no one can do this!” That’s because you underestimate the power of a moustache - more importantly as long as you put your heart into something, anything becomes possible! Further Riding Tracing the Torino-Nice Rally A legendary gravel ride travelling from Italy to France. Sophie Gateau and Mathias Riquier explore the route ahead of the start of the Rally this September. VIEW MORE La Vuelta in the Age of Cathedrals A pilgrimage on 2 wheels to the Santiago de Compostela cathedral, where the tomb of Saint James the Great allegedly lies and where La Vuelta 2021 finishes this year. VIEW MORE 7 majors In the middle of a very unusual summer, Sophie Gateau decided to take on the challenge of the 7 Majors of bikepacking. The route is a 345 km loop with 10,000 metres of elevation change. VIEW MORE Bikepacking in the Lone Star State Riding in West Texas means endless gravel trails, purple posts, rising temperatures and lots and lots of sunscreen. VIEW MORE

Ventoux Times Two Noise and colour collide on the road side of the Mont Ventoux. One of our Montagnes à la Carte comes alive for le Tour in 2021 with a heavy slice of twice.

The Best Ice Cream in the World The best ice cream in the world is eaten in summer with friends, after a ride and under a blazing sun. The best ice cream is the world is enjoyed in the cool shade of Nice's old town, at the foot of a fountain in a small square. The best ice cream in the world is a family tradition, passed down from father to son or daughter and enjoyed by generations over time. The best ice cream in the world is made from the best ingredients. With a recipe including fresh fruits, local produce and plenty of love. The best ice cream in the world is a gourmet indulgence. Six, seven or eight scoops. It is too good to count. The best ice cream in the world is hard to stop eating. Each mouthful is a treat for the taste buds. The best ice cream in the world is full of the flavours of the south of France. And like all of our best of, it is best eaten after time on the bike. Further Riding The Best Tourte aux Blettes in the World VIEW MORE The best charcuterie in the world VIEW MORE The best crêpe in the world VIEW MORE The best daube de sanglier in the world VIEW MORE The best Gnocchi in the world VIEW MORE The best pizza in the world VIEW MORE The best socca in the world VIEW MORE

The Best Tourte Aux Blettes In The World The best “tourte aux blettes” (chard pie) in the world happens to be conveniently available after riding a bit more than 50 km and a few hundreds meters of climbing, right when you start feeling hungry. The best “tourte aux blettes” in the world can be found in Gilette, a typical village from Provence overlooking the valley of the Var river. It is located approximately 30 kilometres from Nice and offers a breathtaking view all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. You can get your pie at the bakery in the village square. The best “tourte aux blettes” in the world is made with chard leaves -the same as those you would find in the Nice raviolis- , pine nuts and raisins. The top layer of the chard pie is covered with a generous layer of icing sugar. The best “tourte aux blettes” (la torta de blea in the local Nice dialect) in the world can be enjoyed cold or warm, as a main course or dessert, because it’s sweet. The best “tourte aux blettes” in the world is to be tasted with a white wine from Bellet, a small 60 hectares vineyard growing on three hills above Nice, a true treasure… The best “tourte aux blettes” in the world is a sweet delight added to our collection of the best specialties from southern France. Further Riding The best charcuterie in the world VIEW MORE The best crêpe in the world VIEW MORE The best daube de sanglier in the world VIEW MORE The best Gnocchi in the world VIEW MORE The best pizza in the world VIEW MORE The best socca in the world VIEW MORE

Échappée Seoul Seoul, even though it is a modern city in many ways, has also successfully preserved much of the traditional architecture from previous eras. The best day on a bike in Seoul is to go for a quick 50Km ride through the hearts of the capital, where the old and the new coexist in harmony. The most popular ride among the Seoul cyclists is a route called Namsan-Bukak. It is a route that passes two hills while also taking you through the middle of what could be considered 'Metropolitan Seoul' and then along by the presidential residence. The roads are mostly well maintained with plenty of bike paths. Riding the route during the night is quite something with the views of the city all around you. There’s a river called the Han that runs straight through the city. This river, as well as all the smaller streams that connect to it, have bike paths along them which makes navigating through the city convenient as well as lots of fun. I usually go for shorter rides during the winter, the weather can get pretty nasty. I think the safety is the key. Pedestrians and cars don’t usually look out for cyclists, so we have to be extra careful here in the city. Looking further ahead of the traffic and having a mindset that things can go wrong at any minute is critical. It is a city styled with the old And full of the new. The Dongdae-mun district never sleeps. The past and the future co-existing. Like anywhere else, a bike in Seoul is freedom. Dongdae-mun has a shopping district that’s open for 24 hours. There are a lot of eateries around this area, a lot of life. My favorite street food is ‘Tteokbokki’. It’s a rice cake dipped in spicy sauce. You can easily find a street venue that sell Ttokbokki around the city and I stop by when I’m riding quite often. It's the perfect energy boost. Insa-dong is my favorite neighborhood. This is one of the neighborhoods of Seoul that still possess the traditional architecture from the early 1900s. All the road signs are written in Korean instead of usual English letters. Even Starbucks have signs in Korean letters which reminds me of the value of our own letters. Berlin Échappée The diversity, the polarity, the edginess, the colourful, the creative, the craziness, the normal. Berlin by bike or not by bike. VIEW MORE Paris Échappée Each neighbourhood has its own energy, you can find what you like by riding from one street to another, from one neighbourhood to another. VIEW MORE New York Échappée Cycling in the city that never sleeps. Waking up as the sun rises to meet up friends for a ride. VIEW MORE London Échappée Old world aesthetics meet modern metropolis. Pre-dawn hill efforts to watch the sunrise over the city from Alexandra Palace. VIEW MORE Tokyo Échappée Cycling is a part of everyone’s lives in Tokyo. People of all ages and gender ride the mamachari. VIEW MORE

La Fournaise Have you heard the story of the 15th stage of the 1950 Tour de France? Only 74kms into proceedings at least half the peloton stopped on the coast, got off their bikes and ran into the sea. That’s what the intense peak of a Riviera summer can do. Hot enough to stop the Grande Boucle. We call it ‘La Fournaise’, which translates to ‘the furnace’. It sounds oppressive. And it can be. Pick the wrong day and you can be climbing the Col de la Madone with not only the sun scorching your back but also the rocks radiating its heat back into your face. Hot, hot, chaud. La Fournaise usually arrives in July and stays until the end of August. High summer means the Tour de France, school holiday trips to Corsica, dinners on the beach in Villefranche and rosé apéros with extra ice in. The cicadas singing in the bushes and the trees serve as a constant reminder that the oven is set to full. That Mediterranean heat is what produces the olives, the citrus fruits and, top of the list in our home nation, the grapes. Sunshine-packed bounties produced by La Fournaise. Northern European tarmac melts at around 50°C, which can be easily reached by the road soaking up the heat on high summer days of around 30°C. When it happened on London’s famous M25 it predictably caused chaos and led to questions of why the same doesn’t happen in France, Spain and Italy when temperatures regularly exceed those in the UK. Answer ; it’s a question of engineering for the conditions. And so, like the road engineers, us cyclists find solutions to ride through the heat. Sunrise and sunset rides to avoid the worst of the heat, with the never-ending reward of seeing the big yellow ball crest or fall on the horizon. Seeking out the shade in the deep gorges of the Vesubie valley before climbing into the Turini forest, or the Gorges du Loup around the back of the Col de Vence, both of which offer up the third solution… Fresh mountain rivers. A stop and a swim is, for sure the most immersive solution to beat La Fournaise. And of course, one of the favourites. Heading high into the mountains, if possible above 2,000m where everything is that little bit fresher. The Trois Cols route provides three different alternatives to get above that magic elevation line. Last but not least, the final solution is clothing engineered to cope. The Fleurette is labelled with La Fournaise and its lightweight fabric has been evolved through seven Niçois summers to become the go-to hot ride jersey. Imagine a ride combining all of those solutions. And maybe add in the rosé apéro at the end. Fleurette White VIEW MORE Orangeade VIEW MORE Faded Denim VIEW MORE Lemonade VIEW MORE Agathe Green VIEW MORE Cloud Grey VIEW MORE Guimauve Pink VIEW MORE Infinite Green VIEW MORE

ÉCHAPPÉE PARIS Each neighbourhood has its own energy, you can find what you like by riding from one street to another, from one neighbourhood to another. For me a good day on the bike starts with a bike ride with my friends. Go to a coffee shop for a good coffee, accompanied by a homemade pastry. After the ride, we go to the market to buy a roasted chicken and some vegetables, a bottle of wine and some beers. We then have lunch at home. Chilling with some music talking about bike parts. One Sunday a month the city is closed to cars. Choose this day to enjoy the City of Lights by bike. Then discover its full potential. Riding next to the Eiffel Tower, crossing bridges made centuries ago, the city itself is a museum. Rue Gasnier-Guy is the steepest street in the capital with its 17% slope. For more fun it is paved. Great to perfect your climb skills. For vintage bikes, the specialists are the Savarino brothers at La Bicyclette. Alesia Cycles in the south of the city offers custom build in its workshop. You look up and you see a piece of history. Essential, thrilling narrow The atmosphere of this city is magical. You need fenders and patience We forget this bicycle path was a fast lane for cars The quays of the Seine allow you to cross the whole city without passing a single car. You pass in the heart of Paris, next to the most beautiful monuments. The 11th is the liveliest neighborhood. The best bars and coffeeshops are located there. Eating falafel sandwich on rue des rosiers or Surpriz on rue Oberkampf, a Kebab like in Berlin. Paris is really the city of good food. London Échappée Old world aesthetics meet modern metropolis. Pre-dawn hill efforts to watch the sunrise over the city from Alexandra Palace. ViEW MORE Tokyo Échappée Cycling is a part of everyone’s lives in Tokyo. People of all ages and gender ride the mamachari. VIEW MORE New York Échappée Cycling in the city that never sleeps. Waking up as the sun rises to meet up friends for a ride. VIEW MORE Berlin Échappée The diversity, the polarity, the edginess, the colourful, the creative, the craziness, the normal. Berlin by bike or not by bike. VIEW MORE

Échappée Berlin The diversity, the polarity, the edginess, the colourful, the creative, the craziness, the normal. After we have finished our kick of coffee in a pretty central area around Linienstrasse, we clip in and ride past the Museum Island. Then further along the river Spree catching some warming sun rays on our way to the Palace of Tears. From here, we ride through the center of Berlin’s government district before heading back home with a stopover in the magnificent Hackeschen Höfe for a hot coffee. Everyone disperses to their own neighborhoods through the now busy and crowded city. Nothing beats the feeling of rushing through empty streets on an early morning. The cold wind in your face that instantly makes you feel alive, the humming of your wheels and the singing of your hub. The smell of the coffee and the city waking up, a wonderful mélange. Sightsee past the Chancellery, the Brandenburg Gate, the landmark of Berlin, with a view of the Victory Column when riding down the iconic Straße des 17. Juni in the middle of Tiergarten. Cyclists get to see a different side of the capital, connecting the dots between the neighbourhoods before heading out of the city for a ride. Watch out for the yellow tram and rails, potholes and broken glass from the night before. In some respects Berlin is the perfect cycling city with its general flatness and wide roads. Berlin is a fantastically eclectic, creative and colorful. Moments of freedom, going anywhere. Shorter days, shorter rides. Cycling in Berlin is not only a mode of transportation, it’s an individual lifestyle and fits perfectly into the conscious mindset of the local folks. The television tower (Fernsehturm) is a landmark of Berlin and can be ideal to meet up for rides, since the tower is visible from almost every point of the city. Even with drowsy eyes it’s hard to get lost. Head for some laps on Tempelhofer Feld, a decommissioned airport. In the middle of a usually dense and crowded city, here, you can still find open skies. The vastness of the area and its abandoned landing strips offers certainly enough space for some solid laps on smooth terrain. New York Échappée Cycling in the city that never sleeps. Waking up as the sun rises to meet up friends for a ride. VIEW MORE Tokyo Échappée Cycling is a part of everyone’s lives in Tokyo. People of all ages and gender ride the mamachari. VIEW MORE Paris Échappée Each neighbourhood has its own energy, you can find what you like by riding from one street to another. VIEW MORE London Échappée Old world aesthetics meet modern metropolis. Pre-dawn hill efforts to watch the sunrise over the city from Alexandra Palace. VIEW MORE

ÉCHAPPÉE LONDON Old world aesthetics meet modern metropolis. Pre-dawn hill efforts to watch the sunrise over the city from Alexandra Palace. Brunch at Vermuteria in Coal Drops Yard, chat laps around Regent's Park, then heading back into the city. Grabbing takeaway vegan sandwiches from Gail's Bakery and donuts from Crosstown Doughnuts before finding a spot by the river to have a picnic. No matter your route, it would be punctuated by coffee (Rosslyn Coffee near Mansion House, bike-friendly Four Boroughs at Crystal Palace, and Workshop in Marylebone). All good rides end with a cold beer at Rotate in Shoreditch. London is a city of neighbourhoods, and it’s hard to pinpoint one place that makes it all tick. Hampstead is one of our favorite spots, crisscrossed by hidden backroads, cobbled lanes and gravelly paths through the Heath. Plus climbs that by urban standards could be considered long. Highgate is home to the famed Swain's Lane (the site of the annual Urban Hill Climb), but Hillway (one street over) will reward you with views of the city. It's hard to beat cycling over Tower Bridge or along the cobbles in front of the Tower of London, or down the Mall and Constitution Hill past Buckingham Palace. Winter in London can be bone chilling, with damp air, grey skies and harsh winds. Liberating. Rewarding. Humbling. It’s the best (and the fastest) way to get around. Vermuteria, Coal Drops Yard There are pieces of the city’s soul to be found all across town, from Soho to Shoreditch. Within the core of Greater London, you're either going up (hills) or in circles (Regent's Park and Richmond Park). Cycling here requires confidence and unflappable calm. You have to find your rhythm amidst the chaos of white vans, black cabs, and towering double-decker buses. London, though beautiful and iconic, can be viciously urban. Whether you're commuting to work, training for an Audax, riding cyclocross in the dark, or just looking to share some laps around the park, you will find someone to do it with you. The community is the single thing that elevates city riding from a chore to a delight. London has a massive community of cyclists ready to inspire you. Tokyo Échappée Cycling is a part of everyone’s lives in Tokyo. People of all ages and gender ride the mamachari. VIEW MORE New York Échappée Cycling in the city that never sleeps. Waking up as the sun rises to meet up friends for a ride. VIEW MORE Paris Échappée Each neighbourhood has its own energy, you can find what you like by riding from one street to another. VIEW MORE Berlin Échappée The diversity, the polarity, the edginess, the colourful, the creative, the craziness, the normal. Berlin by bike or not by bike. VIEW MORE

Échappée Tokyo Cycling is a part of everyone’s lives in Tokyo. People of all ages and gender ride the mamachari to go to work, go buy groceries, pick up children from school. Then you have the roadies riding for sport, and the fixed gear and messengers who ride for the culture. It’s a sunny day in Autumn. I get up early for a big loop along the Tama river enjoying the view of the mountains to the West. After the loop, I ride back into the city towards Yoyogi Park and have a chill coffee time in one of my favorite cafes. After stopping by Blue Lug Yoyogi, I ride further west towards Ueno Ameyokocho and find a nice spot for early afternoon beer and Yakitori. Riding in the metropolitan area of Tokyo is quite a special feeling. You sense you are in one of the world's biggest cities and you feel a part of it. If you want to feel the urban side then the loop around the Imperial Palace is good. Close to the key spots such as Ginza, Roppongi and Akihabara, you experience the wide open sky of Tokyo riding and then, just a few kilometers later, you become immersed in the hustle and bustle. If you have confidence in your ability and want to enjoy long scenic cycling roads, then Inagi-city and Hachiouji-city on the riverside of Tama River are the best. You are out of the center but the river provides an unending cycling road where you can see the city to your right, and the mountains of Yamanashi to you left. Two of the most popular rides are the “Onekan” route and the “Okutama” route. Because the bicycle is so deep within the culture, the fashionable part of riding a bicycle is as important as the practical use. There is a bike messenger scene here so you can see them sliding through traffic and buildings. There are so many bike shops varying from race-bike to city bike. An old yet trendy neighborhood with fashionable small stores and amazing dining spots. Exciting, feeling and discovering. Tokyo is a city mixed both historically and culturally in different parts of the city. In Shinjuku, Shibuya or Ginza areas, you can feel like you are part of a futuristic sci-fi movie. And the style of people there matches the atmosphere. But areas like Asakusa with the old temples and shrines or Yanaka and Nezu are where you can find quiet local streets, beautiful small shops and street vendors. In the Koto District, east of the city center is a shrine named "Tomioka-Hachimangu". This is the best street food spot, everything from Takoyaki and Yakisoba to all kinds of small authentic Japanese desserts. Tomioka-Hachimangu is also famous for being the birthplace of Sumo-wrestling. New York Échappée Cycling in the city that never sleeps. Waking up as the sun rises to meet up friends for a ride. VIEW MORE Paris Échappée Each neighbourhood has its own energy, you can find what you like by riding from one street to another, from one neighbourhood to another. VIEW MORE London Échappée Old world aesthetics meet modern metropolis. Pre-dawn hill efforts to watch the sunrise over the city from Alexandra Palace. VIEW MORE Berlin Échappée The diversity, the polarity, the edginess, the colourful, the creative, the craziness, the normal. Berlin by bike or not by bike. VIEW MORE

THE INVENTOR OF THE ALPES-MARITIMES In Saint-Etienne-de-Tinee, at the foot of the Col de la Bonette, there's a street called Boulevard Victor de Cessole. Go east across the mountains to Tende and every February an Alpine ski competition called the Trophée Victor de Cessole takes place in the surrounding peaks that form the border with Italy. In between those two high mountain locations, if you hike to the top of the beautiful Gordolasque valley you'll arrive at the Refuge Victor de Cessole, aka the Refuge de Nice. Back down in town, just beside the famous Negresco Hotel on the Promenade des Anglais, keen eyes can find the Bibliothèque du Chevalier Victor de Cessole. Who is Victor de Cessole? Answer : he’s the ‘inventor of the Alpes-Maritimes’. Cessole is the person credited for pioneering the mountains that form the last chain of the Southern Alps before the mountains dive into the Med. He was an aristocrat, Niçois born and bred. A privileged education was not wasted on his inquisitive mind and he excelled at everything from legal studies to botany. A medical condition of rheumatism sent him to Saint-Martin-Vesubie as he turned 40 years old. Fresh air and exercise were the doctor’s prescription. He chose La Madone de Fenestre, 10kms up the valley that lies northeast of Saint-Martin-Vesubie as his base camp. The dead-end road from the town to the refuge at the top is now called Boulevard Chevalier de Cessole. If you haven’t been there, you have to go. It sits in the shadow of the Cime du Gélas, the highest peak of the Alpes-Maritimes in a location that says two words : Alpine beauty. Cessole was awed and inspired. A 30-year quest began. He walked, he climbed, he made notes, he took photos, he drew maps and he hatched plans. He joined the Club Alpin Français (CAF), established just 20 years before, to learn the tricks and the trade of alpinism. Through his passion and a never-ending drive to explore and document this over-looked section of the Alps, he would become the president of the regional section of the national organization. With his co-explorers they commissioned the building of refuges, upgrades to the shepherds huts they had been using, which would form base camps to scale the peaks. Those peaks reach above 3,000m. The three ‘majors’ are the Gélas, the Malédie and the Clapier. The Malédie was one of his conquests as Cessole pushed himself higher and higher to become the first pioneer to reach its peak. Other notable firsts included the western wall of Agentera and the Corno Stella in 1902. It gained him fame in the international mountaineering community. In the end, he opened nearly 200 new routes and peaks in the Alpes-Maritimes! To read his written accounts of the thousands of explorative hikes is to follow step by step, sense by sense, in the shoes of the man. It is almost too much. More accessible are the 10,000-odd photos he took. Like cycling and Instagram, Cessole considered photography as the best medium to partner with his expeditions. Over the course of 30 years from 1896 to 1927, Cessole made nearly 10,000 photographs. A total of 7200 of those were dedicated to mountain expeditions. They are all numbered, dated, captioned. The vast majority of photos reveal either the mineral mountain, pure and hard, with its peaks and ridges, scree slopes and snowfields, or the climber's reward: the view from the top, proof of his victory. It brought to life his notes and was a perfect illustration to show the landscapes and the pioneers’ difficulty in scaling the peaks. It wasn't only through his photography that Cessole brought the Alpes-Maritimes to the people. Presumably it was a combination of his academic background and sheer excitement after each successful expedition that drove the desire to share his knowledge and experiences. Not only did he help name and map the previously un-scaled or undiscovered peaks of the Alpes-Maritimes but he grew the membership of the local CAF to over 500, he established ‘school caravans’ to bring teenage kids to the mountains and together with the help of the army he created the first ski competitions on the slopes and peaks between Piera-Cava and Camp d’Argent, respectively below and above our beloved Col de Turini. To say Cessole left a legacy is an understatement. Riding high into the Alpes-Maritimes you might notice the wooden or yellow waymarker signs at the side of the road. The network of hiking trails is a goldmine for outdoor lovers. And it was paved by the pionner that was Victor de Cessole. He rests now in the graveyard at the foot of Nice’s Castel, but it is said that his soul remains ever-present in the mountains. Merci Victor. Thanks go to the Bibliothèque Chevalier de Cessole for providing and authorising the use of the scans of the original photographs taken by Cessole and his pioneering counterparts.