From 10 to 15 May 2025, we organised a cycling camp in the French Alps for the third time. It became major challenges with changing weather forecasts, closed tunnels and mountains, which meant improvising every day to work out a safe and beautiful route. Col du Galibier and Croix de la Fer, among others, were closed, but we discovered beautiful new routes.

There were 8 of us. Michaël, Dimitri and Stijn from Belgium. Bart and Kees from the Netherlands. Rono from Kenya and Trenton and Jonathan from the United States. There were also 3 volunteers (Deborah, Tony and Anja) who provided food and logistical and mental support.

On 11 May, the famous Alpe d'Huez was on the programme. For some a new challenge, for others an annual tradition. But whether you ride up this pass for the first time or for the twentieth time, it always remains very tough with an average gradient of 8% over a distance of 13 km. We all left together at the valley of Bourg d'Oisans and everyone rode up at their own pace.

We reached the top one by one. Afterwards we made a loop towards the Lac du Vermey in Allemond. On the first day we had already cycled 59 kilometres with 1600 metres of elevation. Not bad for a first day.

We also cycled in different jerseys about the Nations Tour. Click here for more information.

On 12 May there was a very tough day on the programme. A stage with 75 km and 2500 metres of elevation. From the first metres there was a lot of climbing with percentages of up to 10% towards Bons. At the top there was a beautiful view, but with narrow rocky roads. This mountain continued to the top of Les Deux Alpes. Once we had all reached the top, the plan was to cycle back down to the Lac du Chambon to climb the tough Col de Sarenne. Tony, Deborah and Anja would be at the lake with supplies, extra clothing, etc.,... But that plan fell through because at the top of Les Deux Alpes we received a phone call from Deborah that the tunnel to the lake was closed. The tunnel to Bourg d'Oisans was also closed between 9:00 and 17:00, but we already knew that because this had been communicated in advance by the camp. But the fact that the tunnel on the other side would also be closed was also a complete surprise for the camp. Apparently a last minute decision by the French road and traffic agency. Deborah, Tony and Anja could not go anywhere and had to stay in the camp. Fortunately, there was a small shop in Les Deux Alpes where we could buy some extra drinks and food to continue our journey. During Col de Sarenne it was again one by one to climb this mountains. With a bit of Alpe d'Huez downhill and then a detour to follow, everyone (due to a combination of circumstances) arrived at the camp together. What a special day.

May 13 was a free day. Everyone went their own way. Some stayed in the camp for some rest or took part in a ping-pong tournament, others went for a walk in the mountains or ran a half marathon. Or they even went rock climbing.

And after 5:00 PM the tunnel was open and some went cycling up Col d'Ornon. Not the toughest, but a beautiful climb. 

The last stage was planned for May 14th. With 103 km and 2000 meters of elevation, this promised to be a tough day. We left quite early that day around 8.30 am to still be able to use the tunnel towards Bourg d'Oisans, which closed again at 9.00 am until 5.00 pm. We all left together and rode the first kilometers along the Romanche river on a beautiful bike path.

Afterwards we rode 20 km down on a busy road towards Séchelienne. There the first mountain of the day awaited us: Col de la Morte. At the foot of the slope there was a warning sign that Col d'Ornon was closed, our second and last col of the bike camp. We were not sure whether it was open, but we went for it anyway, with the risk that we might have to cycle back. But we were so glad that we did not turn back because everyone agreed that the Col de la Morte and the descent were the most beautiful part of the bike camp.

At the top of Col de la Morte we all waited for each other. We saw a large herd of goats while the 'shepherd and herding dogs' tried to keep the peloton of goats together. Not easy when the goats saw 6 tough cyclists!!! But eventually they all continued their journey together. A little later a TGV cycled past at the top. We saw in a flash that it was someone from the professional cycling team Redbull-Bora-Hansgrohe. He stopped in a café so we wondered who it was. It was the Belgian Maxim Van Gils. We had a chat of about 10 minutes. He found what we were doing interesting and he confirmed to us that Col d'Ornon was definitely open.

The last (official) mountain was Col d'Ornon. Not very steep at the beginning, but towards the end it got steeper and steeper with long straight sections. Once at the top we cycled towards the centre of Bourg d'Oisans where we would wait until 17:00 in a café together with Deborah, Anja and Tony until the tunnel was open again. But Kees, Bart and Stijn couldn't get enough and made an extra loop with a bit over Alpe d'Huez towards Auris and then towards the camp. Rono, Dimitri and Michaël decided to enjoy a well-deserved ice cream and coffee.

After 17:00 we went to the camp. About 10 km to go, but it would be the 10 wettest kilometres of the entire camp. We had hardly no rain the past few days, except for a few drops. But then a intense rainshower came over us and we arrived at the camp like drowned rats, but let's call it a blessed baptism!

Every evening we were treated to Deborah and Anja's cooking talents. What a delicious meal we had there! After dinner we also had a theme night planned: Battle in the Saddle. We read the Bible together in the book of Ephesians, took time to pray or shared our testimonies. These were perhaps the most beautiful moments of the entire camp with all those beautiful stories and deep conversations.

There was a lot of laughter, but there was certainly also time for bitter seriousness. Even though we sometimes went our own way, we certainly felt connected as a team where we fought TOGETHER on our bikes, but also next to our bikes. And God cycled with us....

There is so much more to tell. But come and join us, and then you can experience and retell this beautiful adventure yourself.

Click here for more photos and click here for a compilation video.