More than 60 BBBs have been taking part into our now iconic “Vosges Long Weekend”.
Reports by Julian (EN and FR) and by Hervé (EN).
Un peloton qui file sous un large ciel bleu
Cette année encore, le temps d’un week-end, une soixantaine de personnes ont laissé leurs familles et leurs amis pour se confronter aux massifs vosgiens. Certains se demandent toujours ce qui pousse ces individus à se perdre sur des routes qui défient les sommets. Des ascensions interminables à vous user les cuisses et les mollets. Des descentes remplies d’adrénaline, où des trajectoires prises à pleine vitesse s’enchaînent sur des kilomètres.
Chacun y va de sa raison personnelle. Du plus jeune au plus âgé, tous se mélangent dans des pelotons disparates qui vont égrener les routes vosgiennes. Se confronter à soi-même, se challenger, se perdre dans une nature, un paysage plus grand, où l’horizon vous porte toujours plus loin. Se chercher une échappatoire à son quotidien, s’ancrer dans le présent, prendre de la distance, sentir son cœur battre, sa respiration haletante, cette énergie vous quitter, ce deuxième souffle vous ramener vers le sommet.
D’autres aiment se sentir entourés pour monter en altitude, car si le corps souffre, dénivelé positif et capital social vont souvent de pair. Vers les hauteurs, on aime s’encourager, se soutenir, s’entraider, repousser nos limites personnelles de manière collective.
Des ascensions interminables à vous user les cuisses et les mollets.
Grand Ballon, Ballon d’Alsace, Ballon de Servance, col du Page, route des Crêtes, Planche des Belles Filles… ne sont plus que des noms, des souvenirs parmi d’autres images : un peloton qui file sous un large ciel bleu, des rires échangés à un petit magasin avant d’entamer une ascension sous un soleil de plomb, des rencontres fortuites avec des cyclistes vosgiens, une pluie s’abattant sur le départ d’un parcours, des visages surpris de voir ces forcenés du vélo s’acharner sur leurs deux roues.
Après les gels, les barres énergétiques, les repas copieux à la choucroute alsacienne, les grammes de pâtes englouties, les séances de yoga, de tai-chi, les remises en forme à la piscine et les nuits de sommeil réparateur… un orage gronde, les coups de tonnerre les accompagnent pour leur dernière nuit.
Au réveil, une brume épaisse cache le toit des massifs vosgiens. Tous préparent leurs affaires pour le départ : un dernier déjeuner, le temps des adieux, du retour à son quotidien. Certains refusent de quitter les massifs et s’engouffrent dans un temps pluvieux afin de s’en imprégner une dernière fois. Pour les autres, ce sera pour l’année prochaine, si les montagnes se montrent encore clémentes à leur égard.
Julian
A peloton flying under a vast blue sky
Once again this year, for a weekend, around sixty people left behind their families and friends to face the Vosges mountains. Some still wonder what drives these individuals to get lost on roads that climb toward the summits. Endless ascents that wear down thighs and calves. Descents full of adrenaline, where high-speed lines flow seamlessly for kilometers.
Each person has their own reason. From the youngest to the oldest, they all merge into scattered pelotons that spread out across the Vosges roads. Facing oneself, taking on a challenge, getting lost in nature, in a landscape bigger than oneself, where the horizon always carries you further. Seeking an escape from daily life, anchoring in the present, taking distance, feeling the heart race, the breath grow short, energy slipping away — and that second wind pulling you back toward the summit.
Each person has their own reason. From the youngest to the oldest, they all merge into scattered pelotons that spread out across the Vosges roads.
Others prefer to feel surrounded as they climb higher, because when the body suffers, elevation gain and social connection often go hand in hand. In the heights, we cheer each other on, support one another, push our personal limits — together.
Grand Ballon, Ballon d’Alsace, Ballon de Servance, Col du Page, Route des Crêtes, Planche des Belles Filles… these are no longer just names, but memories among others: a peloton flying under a vast blue sky, laughter shared at a small shop before starting a climb under scorching sun, chance encounters with local cyclists, rain pouring down at the start of a ride, surprised faces watching these bike fanatics push on, relentless on their two wheels.
After the gels, energy bars, hearty choucroute dinners, grams of pasta, yoga and tai chi sessions, poolside recovery, and nights of restorative sleep… a storm rumbles. Thunder accompanies them into their last night.
In the morning, a thick mist hides the peaks of the Vosges. Everyone prepares their luggage for the journey home — a final breakfast, the time for goodbyes, a return to everyday life. Some refuse to leave the mountains and disappear into the rain one last time, soaking it all in. For the others, there’s always next year — if the mountains choose to welcome them again.
Julian
The BBB Way
Maybe you couldn’t make it to the Vosges Weekend 2025 . But there’s no way you haven’t heard about it. For the past three years, it has become the unmissable spring event for the BBB. Sixty passionate—and sometimes slightly crazy—cyclists riding the roads, and whenever possible, the legendary climbs of the Vosges Mountains.
So rather than telling you about the roads, the sunshine, and the cycling, I’d like to talk to you about the spirit— l’Esprit des Vosges —which, to me, is perfectly aligned with the BBB Way.
The spirit of the Vosges is, first of all, a mix of organization and relaxation. There’s a team that really works hard (I know, I was there) to make the trip a success. But still, we’re all amateurs, and sometimes we improvise—rest stops, photo breaks, or simply pausing to admire this wonderful region.
The spirit of the Vosges is a truly unique social and sporting cocktail. The spirit of the Vosges is the BBB Way. That’s why we love our club.
The spirit of the Vosges also means a bit of discipline (safety first—ah yes, Morten’s famous whistle), but also well-thought-out, balanced routes—doable even for “sprinter-type” cyclists like me.
The spirit of the Vosges is also about humanity and “social networking.” We chat, we laugh, we boast (“So what was your time on La Planche, James???”).
The spirit of the Vosges is learning more about yourself and getting to know your fellow sufferers better. It’s when you realize that the Spaniards talk non-stop—even uphill—while most of us are just trying to catch our breath.
The spirit of the Vosges means starting the day at 6:45 with Tai Chi (thank you, Anneleen), spending 5 hours on your bike climbing the Grand Ballon, Ballon d’Alsace, or Ballon de Servance (thanks to the captains), then cleaning your bike with Antoine (though he doesn’t wash bikes—he just lends the pressure washer!!!), doing 45 minutes of yoga (thanks Antje), heading to a massage (thanks Arnaud—but Arnaud doesn’t do massages, he organizes them!!!), listening to Colin’s (mandatory) briefing, and ending the day at the bar, playing bingo.
The spirit of the Vosges, in the end, is a truly unique social and sporting cocktail. The spirit of the Vosges is the BBB Way. That’s why we love our club!
I am BBB, we are BBB.
Hervé
