The Original Massacan Recipe

2 days of cycling, 1 night in the mountains, and a few calories...

It's the weekend, a new bike comes out of the workshop: Carbonara. Thomas, the third Massacan lardon, arrives from Bordeaux for a trip for three. He's the most discreet of the group, the one we see less in the photos, but he's the one who slips the best punchlines into the product sheets.

He arrives the day before, just to fill his belly with a pizza from Prima Volta (the best in the neighborhood, or even in Nice? Debatable...). His pig-pink Carbonara sits on the base of the workshop, final adjustments, and the little racing car is ready to roar.

Day 1: Coffee, passes and transhumance

Saturday morning, meeting at the Rifugio for a coffee and a quick check of the gear. Distribution of loads: Thomas, as a good Parisian exiled in Bordeaux, takes a water bottle and that's it. Matthieu, aka Ultramatt, plays the sherpa with Miss Grape panniers and a trail backpack. Me? Light too, with a mini Akao Design pannier for the down jacket and two water bottles. Oh, and a good stock of Naak bars and candy, of course.

9:30 am, let's go! But first, a quick stop at the Café du Cycliste to say hello to friends and treat ourselves to a last espresso before attacking.

From the first bump to get out of Nice, Thomas takes off. The effect of a 7.6 kg carbon bike or Olympic fitness? Who knows. Head for the Col d'Èze via Saint-Michel, then La Turbie before heading towards the Madone. A herd on transhumance brings a bit of life to the road. The patous doze in a van while the shepherds organize the transfer. Thomas, for his part, has to slalom in the mud with his immaculate socks and shoes. Needless to say, we have a good laugh.

We continue. The sun is beating down gently and the view draws our gaze. First legendary passage for Thomas at the Col de la Madone, so we immortalize it with a photo, a bar. Then, descent to Sainte-Agnès, a small village perched at 800 m, with a mandatory stop to admire the Col du Berceau. Little anecdote: he is the one who inspired the Massacan logo, these two mountain silhouettes between France and Italy, it's him!

Heading for the Col des Banquettes, then the road that goes down to the Escarène, just in time for a snack break. The bakery has been ransacked, we settle down in the sun on the sidewalk. From there, we see the cyclists attacking the Col de Braus, including a few pros: David Gaudu, Primoz Roglic, and a guy from Jumbo Visma who is going too fast to be identified.

2pm, we attack Braus: 10 km at an average of 6.43%. Thomas puts the watts in and tries for a record. Verdict: "45 min in total. Easy start, then I was at 90%. I could have scraped 5 min max." Not too bad... And otherwise what is the record?

At the top, a refreshment break: coffee and coke before heading back towards the Col de l'Orme. Descent in the shade, the road is frozen, so we walk next to the bike and take the time for one or two jokes from Matthieu...

We finally get into the sun at the Baisse de la Cabanette, a beautiful series of 7% hairpins, and we arrive at Peïra Cava, a ghost village. Post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Then, we go through the forest, a succession of leg-breaking false flats and two good ramps that hurt. Finally, we reach the Col de Turini (1604 m), our refuge for the night.

Dodo aux Délices Provinciaux: mountain board, toast and a few drinks to slide. We remake the world, we talk about the latest bike, Massacan, and especially about these priceless moments. It's us and it's what inspires us.

Day 2: Freezing morning and series of passes

Wake up. We pile on all the layers available for the descent to Lantosque. We set off in " it'll be okay " mode, but quickly our faces close, our fingers tingle and we remember that it's February, at 1600 m, with snow not far away.

First mission: find a coffee to warm up. Once revived, we set off again, still wrapped up, towards the Col de la Porte (13 km, 630 m d+), then on to the Col Saint-Roch. Narrow road, sun, steady climb, peaceful atmosphere. We are alone in the world. Portrait photo break on a low wall, bar hook, and off we go again.

At the top, we overlook Rocca Sparvièra, a cursed village with haunted ruins. Legend of Queen Jeanne… a challenge for a future bivouac? We’ll see. For now, priority is lunch: heading to Coaraze and the Acò de Béla. Terrace in the sun, February 16, Monaco, Spritz and grenadine (guess who took what…). On the plate: meatloaf, andouillettes, fries and salad. Here is the recipe for happiness.

It was gooo ...