Le Pilgrimage returns

Photo by @Yorit Kluitman

Le Pilgrimage 2024: The Gravel Journey Into the French Alps Returns

Get ready for Le Pilgrimage, a gravel journey in the heart of the French Alps, returning from September 12th to 17th, 2024. Following the success of last year's inaugural edition, we're gearing up for another extraordinary experience in the stunning landscapes around Puy-Saint-Vincent in the Écrins National Parc.

Simon Rosmolen, the organizer, sums it up: "Le Pilgrimage offers a unique blend of adventure, community, and comfort. It's not a race; it's a challenging journey shared with like-minded spirits."

The journey includes three self-supported stages, each looping back to the mountain basecamp at Chalet AlpeLune for shared rest, drinks, and meals. Chef Anne Pekelharing ensures Pilgrims are well-fed with fresh post-ride pastas and local daily plat du jours for dinner—perfect fuel for the next day's adventures.

"Last year's event was memorable, as co-organizer Cyril Chermin noted. The riders faced adverse weather conditions and tackled challenging gravel roads. They literally rode into the clouds forging bonds, forming friendships, and creating lasting memories."

This year's stages showcase some Pays-des-Écrins highlights, with views of glaciers, glimpses of valleys, climbs up to some of Europe's highest mountain passes the Pilgrims will also get a taste of Italy's best gravel roads and will have to conquer the infamous Strada dell'Assietta. Every stage will include memorable checkpoints like isolated mountain refuges and impressive mountain landmarks.

Choose between the Bed (€625) & Camping (€450) packages to secure a spot at the starting line at Chalet AlpeLune. Both include entry fee, rental tracker, breakfast, post-ride pasta, plat du jour and both the welcoming and finishers dinner. Chalet AlpeLune offers a sauna, hot tub, and a cozy living room with a fireplace. With only 40 spots available, interested pilgrims are encouraged to visit the event website for all package details and registrations.

Le premier Pilgrimage

Pilgrims on their way to the last checkpoint: Tunnel du Parpaillon - photo: Yorit Kluitman

The inaugural edition of Le Pilgrimage

On September 14th, a diverse group of cyclists gathered around a table for dinner in Puy-Saint-Vincent, a small mountain village in the French Alps. Among them were an Italian, a Spaniard, a handful of Dutch, a British couple, a French couple, and a Costa Rican. They were meeting for the first time and were strangers to one another. However, they shared a common passion: mountains, food, and people - and that's what brought them together.

These people, called pilgrims, were on the brink of the inaugural edition of Le Pilgrimage, a 4-day gravel journey through the French Alps. The event consisted of three challenging self-supported gravel rides, each returning to Chalet AlpeLune, which served as a basecamp where riders could relax, eat, drink, and share their tales from the trails. What unfolded was a journey along breathtaking yet demanding mountain sceneries, a test of endurance, pushing mental and physical boundaries, and the forging of friendships along the way - Like a true pilgrimage.

Pilgrims list 2023
Anna Larentis
Chris Hall
Fiona Collis
Freyman Pastor
Jan Joosse
Jorrit Kiewik
Jules de Cock
Lucie Denis
Malik van Kampen
Mark Deuzeman
Martijn van Strien
Martin Kooistra
Matthieu Distaso
Michael den Toom
Michel Reuser
Nils van der Heide
Pieter van der Vloed
Pol Sopeña
Robin van Dijk
Valentijn van der Valk
Vincent Biermans
Yorit Kluitman

The first day led the pilgrims via the slopes of the Ecrins Massif towards the abandoned Fort Janus at 2500 meter near Briançon, offering spectacular 360º views over the French border area with Italy. The climb included paved sections, but the final kilometers were as steep as they were rugged. Eventually, all riders reached the checkpoint and received their first Pilgrimage stamp on their brevet card.

During Stage 2 the weather changed dramatically. Instead of sunny skies, the riders encountered overcast heavens with plenty of rain and wind. They traversed single trails, ascended the Lautaret, and tackled the challenging old gravel road to the Galibier summit, where they were met with gale-force winds and even more rain. Despite the adverse conditions, most riders persevered after warming up and were rewarded with a beautiful but demanding hike-a-bike session along the three high Alpine lakes of the Vallée de la Clarée. They finally descended and earned their second stamp at checkpoint 2: Refuge des Drayères, where hearty food and a roaring, warm fire awaited.

The queen stage took the challenge to a new level. Instead of a single day, the riders embarked on a 2 day journey towards the infamous Tunnel du Parpaillon. They had to carry their own sleeping gear or arrange their own accommodation. Some bivouacked in an unlocked sauna, while others found shelter and food in a mountain gîte. This stage covered a total of 224 kilometers, with riders had to climb nearly 6500 meters. Despite unfavorable weather conditions, all those who conquered the south side of the Col du Parpaillon were captivated by its raw beauty and eerie tunnel vision. After collecting the final stamp and warming up by the fire with some tea, the riders made their way one last time to Chalet Alpelune in Puy-Saint-Vincent for the finishers' party.

One by one, the Pilgrims arrived at the finish line, cheered on by their fellow finishers. Later that evening, they gathered around the table for the last time. While they had initially sat somewhat uncomfortably next to each other during the dinner on the first night, they now eagerly shared tables as friends they had known for a long time. Through the adventures they had shared on the road, new friendships and connections were formed and will be etched in their memories before they go home.

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The Pilgrimage, organized by Simon Rosmolen, Cyril Chermin, and Aaron Griffiths, is new in its sort. Combining challenging trails and self-supported routes, it possesses the qualities of an ultrarace. However, with daily finishes at the comfortable basecamp offering good food and cyclist-focused breakfasts, it incorporates the characteristics of a social event.

With cyclists from 7 different countries and the support of French cycling brand Café du Cyclist, along with Komoot and Opinel, as well as strong local partners like the cyclist's hotel Saint Roch and the tourism office Pays des Ecrins, the first edition can be considered a success, and plans are currently underway for next year.

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Photos: Cyril Chermin & Simon Rosmolen