Ride of the Month: Tracing the tracks of the 2023 Ironman World Champi

Ride of the Month: Tracing the tracks of the 2023 Ironman World Championship

The Promenade des Anglais has regained a relative calm in recent times. The Ironman World Championship, which usually takes place in Hawaii, relocated to the French Riviera for the 2023 edition.

Over the past few days, the 7 kilometres of cycling path along the Promenade have witnessed an impressive number of extra terrestrial beings riding extravagant machines. The triathletes did their damnest and now the runners and riders have left the scene and returned to homes around the globe.

Ride of the Month: Tracing the tracks of the 2023 Ironman World Championship

Nice has a long history of Triathlon. The sport found its fame on the island of Hawaii but as early as 1982, Nice became an unmissable European stop-off for the best athletes. Nowadays, the sport is a part of the city's heritage.

With its azure blue sea, its picturesque hinterland with rugged terrain, its favorable climate, and its international airport, it is competition location that's hard to match anywhere else on the planet. The cycling route for this year’s championship received considerable attention and appreciation during the event. Perhaps because it remained true to the elements which captivate so many cyclists who come to the French Riviera to ply their trade: a swift departure from the bustling coastal area and sharp transition into a rugged hinterland.

Immediately the charms of Provence are expressed through celebrated perched villages, terraced fields, and winding roads that lead to picturesque mountain passes. Rémi Conte, a professional triathlete, ran and excelled in the recent event, and has stepped up to guide us on retracing the route. A laid-back guy with a perpetual smile, Rémi’s eyes sparkle mischievously, always ready with a joke or a witty comment. The opposite of a triathlete who takes themselves too seriously.

A jack of all sporting trades, we first connected through surfing rather than cycling or running. We meet him again after his 18th place finish in the world championships and a marathon time of 2 hours and 36 minutes at the Hamburg Ironman. His first year among professional triathletes has been a success; No doubt the guy has a powerful "engine." At 6:30 on the Promenade des Anglais, a first glance at the Mediterranean. This is usually the time when triathletes start their swim, but Rémi is observing the small waves breaking: "Looks like there's some good surfing in Var this morning!". Always thinking of what’s next but certainly he's not unhappy to get on the bike on a morning like this.

First heading towards La Gaude and then Vence to gain altitude and complete that change of scenery. As we pass through Vence, we leave behind its legendary mountain pass, as the world championship course chooses to continue towards the Gorges du Loup for a climb to Gourdon. Only a mere 60 kilometers into the ride perhaps but for anyone passing through, Gourdon deserves a stop. This perched village ranks among the most beautiful in France and is rarely empty of tourists. It is a reputation that is well-deserved.

Sitting` at 760 meters above sea level, the 180-degree view from the village, overlooking both the sea and the hills, is breath taking. Once it has properly drunk-in, the next part of the route takes us to the Col de l'Écre, reaching the plateau of Caussols some 400 meters higher. The change in landscape on this plateau at over a thousand meters is dramatic, and the upcoming 60-kilometer loop, passing through Andon, Caille, and Valderoure on the way to Gréolières, resembles an alpine world.

The coolness offers welcome relief, and the calm, sometimes desert-like, sometimes hilly expanses, are a pleasant change. Arriving in Gréolières marks the final third of the race. Nearly 2400 meters of elevation gain have been conquered by this point, and the remainder seems almost restful. Bézaudun-les-Alpes, Bouyon... "We flew through here like crazy; I was jumping over speed bumps like a maniac on my time trial bike," Rémi says with a grin.

"In that turn, I almost wiped out; my disc wheel at the back started to slide, but I miraculously regained control. It was intense," he chuckles.
As Rémi arrives back on the Promenade des Anglais, having completed the bike leg in 4 hours and 56 minutes, he reminds us that there's still a marathon to run at this stage.

He finishes it in 2 hours and 47 minutes for a total time of 8 hours and 43 minutes in the competition. Yet, he believes there's still room for improvement on the bike, so we'll likely see him on the roads of the back country again soon.

Ride of the Month: March 2023.

Every Spring brings an enchantment here in Provence, when the famous yellow Mimosa trees bloom on the Tanneron and in the Esterel. Located just a few kilometres from Cannes, the massif overlooking the Mediterranean is ablaze with gold, exhaling a sweet scent of honey and vanilla.

Ride of the Month: March 2022.

In the world of cycle racing, Milan–San Remo is one of the most prestigious events of the season. To win this trophy is to have your name chiseled into history. But only if you’re a man.

Ride of the Month: May.

May is the season of the markets in Provence, where a cornucopia of open air stalls appear each week in most towns and villages. We often like to go gathering on our bikes to such markets – a great excuse to sample some saucisson, uncover archictectural gems and enjoy a coffee or three.

Classics Challenge: A Parisian Promenade.

Every month, 300 Parisian cyclists meet at the KM0 bike shop, a few meters from the Arc de Triomphe. The idea is simple: ride as a group for 100–200km.