Part 3 - Adventure

The trip starts at 1pm at the Saint-Omer train station, in the marshes of the Audomarois. The first turns of the wheel allow to meet the bike, to realize that it is lively, with a playful direction. The route goes along the canals, the weather is radiant. A small climb through the fields takes the group to a church. The bike holds up well, it is dynamic.

The track then crosses several forests: first a few barriers, Sophie sneaks under a fence, Yann passes the bikes over. And the group ends up - after a little hike - by taking the road again. The 2nd forest will be more fluid: nice little playful singles slalom between the trees, and climb to reach the ridge. The bike is surprisingly easy to handle, playful and lively. The last kilometers will be on the road to reach the lodge. The bumps follow one another, and the wheel-tyre assembly reacts very well: the GRVL 900 Ti is as agile on the singles as it is efficient on the road. And at the end of the day, the little flat spot on the handlebars where you can land is a treat.

When we arrived at the lodge, it was time to review the day and prepare for the next day. The route will be longer, and the weather looks particularly nice. The image team suggests to leave early to catch the first lights of the day.

It is still dark when the group takes the road. The first objective is clear: to rob a bakery. Headlamps screwed on the helmet, Yann and Louise open the road. With a dozen of chocolate breads in their saddlebags, they set off in the direction of a superb gravel track that leads to the Mont de Couple nature reserve. The sun rises in a burning red ball, Yann plays off the trail. At the top of the Mont de Couple, the view on Wissant, the 2 Caps and the sea is remarkable. While Yann and Rémi ride down the small MTB section of the descent to Wissant, Sophie and Louise notice a small weasel (or otter?!) quietly sitting there. The perfect gravel tracks follow each other until Wissant. And it's a treat! Here again, the bike is surprising. It holds well, it forgives riding mistakes, and the hydraulic brakes give you confidence even when the course is more broken.

In Wissant, it's time for the 2nd breakfast. The weather is fine, and there are only 70km to go. So everyone takes their time. A second coffee. And then the bikes leave for the beach. At this time of the year and during the week, it is deserted. The 4 riders take the opportunity to ride the hard sand, make big circles, watch the horses in the distance, and take some pictures of this beautiful bike. The titanium grey and the sea blue are a good match.

The tracks continue until Cap Gris Nez and the viewpoint, then Audresselles and the lunch break. Yann takes the local option with a full welsh that he will regret later on in the climbs. The route goes along the coast. The weather is good, the sky is blue. The locals are still bathing in the fresh water of the North Sea. The small group continued in the direction of Boulogne, with a stop in the park of the Column of the Grand Army erected in honor of Napoleon. The next step was the old town and its cobblestones. The comfort is surprising, the titanium filters well the vibrations, and avoids the riders to be shaken on the cobblestones.

After a soda and some sugar, Rémi announces the next part of the course and a slope of ... 22%. It's steep. Some will do it on the bike. Others on foot! The terrain will be hilly until the end of the course. A nice gravel climb crosses some pastures. Sophie takes the opportunity to take some pictures, with the light coming down.

This last evening will be quiet. The image team has entered a lot of content, and tomorrow's course will be shorter. It's a break. Rémi cooks, Sophie and Louise sort out the first images to publish on social networks.

The last morning is gray. The little group is heading towards the forest of Le Touquet, where the last images will be shot. The track follows the valley, it is fast. Efficient. The videographer Keryan is waiting at the entrance of the forest. It's raining lightly, the forest will be used as a shelter - and a playground. There, no more itinerary to follow. Everyone plays in the singletracks, the climbs. Keryan follows or precedes the group by running, helped by his past Trail experience. He sneaks between the trees, the GRVL900 ti is playful, reactive, a real pleasure.

When the rain is too strong, it's time to bring the cameras in - more fragile than our riders! - and to cross the residential zone of the forest. Incredible villas frame this small quiet road, the silence is striking, and the group goes back on the roads towards Etaples, final point of the course.

It is a small bistro where the owner serves coffees that are too tight and croque-monsieur that settle the stomach that will be used as a theater for the good-byes. The image team stops here, the cyclists are invited to the Btwin Village for the bike debriefing.

Here are a few highlights.