03/09/2026
FOCUS ON FITNESS | RAID ALPS – GENEVA TO NICE 🇫🇷🚴♂️
Just back from another amazing edition of the Focus on Fitness Raid Alps this epic six-day journey from Geneva to Nice through the heart of the French Alps.
What a trip, and what a group.
The route took us over some of the most iconic climbs the Alps has to offer, Col De Columbiere, Galibier, Telegraph, Bonnette to name just a few with every day bringing a new challenge, spectacular scenery and plenty of opportunities to test yourself. The weather was absolutely incredible throughout the trip, which made the experience even more memorable as we climbed higher through some truly breath taking landscapes.
But for me, trips like this are about so much more than cycling. There is something incredibly rewarding about setting yourself a challenge, pushing through the difficult moments and eventually reaching the top of a climb that, a few hours earlier, may have seemed like a daunting prospect.
That feeling of self-achievement is hard to beat.
Whether you're an experienced cyclist or someone who simply wants to challenge yourself and see what you're capable of, there is something special about completing these climbs under your own power. You learn a lot about yourself along the way particularly when the legs are tired and there is still another climb ahead!
And then there is the camaraderie.
One of the best things about these trips is seeing a group of people who may have arrived as strangers quickly become a team. Everyone has their own strengths and challenges, but there is always someone there to encourage you, wait for you, share a laugh or help get you through that difficult section.
The shared experience creates friendships and memories that go far beyond the bike.
For six days, we get the opportunity to step away from the stresses and distractions of everyday life. No meetings, no emails, no deadlines and no everyday worries.
Just the next climb, the next food stop and the road ahead and, of course, taking the time to look around and appreciate where you are.
The Alps provide some incredible scenery, and travelling through these mountains by bike gives you the chance to experience them in a way that simply isn't possible from a car or coach. There is something very satisfying about arriving at the top of a climb, turning around and looking back at the road you've just travelled.
Then, at the end of the day, the bikes are put away, the stories start flowing and we sit around the table together over a well-earned dinner and perhaps a deserved cold beer! 🍻
That's when you realise that the day's suffering was all worth it.
Six days 750 kilometres, Iconic Alpine climbs., Incredible scenery. Plenty of laughs. A few sore legs and a whole lot of memories.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined me on this year's Raid Alps. You were an absolutely fantastic group, and it was a genuine pleasure to spend six days riding, laughing and sharing the adventure with you all.
I’m already looking forward to next year!
Have a look at the video for a taste of some of the incredible sections of the ride. I’ll be sharing plenty more photos and memories from the trip over the coming days.
If this sounds like an adventure you'd like to be part of, get in touch with Focus on Fitness and let's get you on the road for the next one. Sometimes the best way to escape everyday life is to challenge yourself, climb a mountain and see where the road takes you.🚴♂️⛰️🇫🇷
