Uplaa and Ludo: Bikepacking with a Dachshund

Uplaa is a little wire-haired dwarf dachshund, almost 12 months old. And Ludo is Uplaa's mother. You follow ? There you go, it’s time to tell you about this first adventure for this adorable duo.

For this bikepacking expedition, I lend my Paula to Ludo, equipped with the Old Man Moutain Pizza Rack at the front to install Uplaa (the little 4.5 kg sausage), as well as a few Miss Grape bikepacking bags for the essentials. The day before, we install everything and check if it goes well, especially if Uplaa is comfortable. The little dachshund is already used to riding her bike around town, so for her, it's a formality. Everything looks good. I let the tribe prepare and live their adventure.

A week later, I found Ludo and Uplaa so they could tell me everything about their 5 days of cycling.

Around the Luberon

A 240 kilometer loop in the heart of the Luberon Regional Natural Park. On the program : departure from Manosque in the Var (France) and we set off to cross the plains of the Durance valley (a river in the south-east of France) to the foothills of the pre-Alps, passing through Provençal villages bathed in sun and flowers.

For the small tribe, it will be 30 to 70 kilometers per day for the biggest stages. Small villages, each more beautiful than the next : Apt, Cheval Blanc, Cucuron, Manosque.

It smells of lavender and the stories of Marcel Pagnol. Each village you pass through invites you to take a little break to savor the moment, because after all, that's what travel is : enjoying it at your own pace.

 First challenges

The hardest part is the first day with all the new things that entails : a different bike, the weight, the route, the unknown. A small fall without too much incident at the top of a first climb, just a little bruise for Ludo, but very proud to have done it ! Our rookie is having a blast and gaining confidence.

And let's not forget to mention the leader of the tribe : Clément, who guides the duo in this first adventure through the most beautiful villages in the area. They also come across a lot of curious people on the road and during their stops. Everyone wants to take a photo of Uplaa. How not to fall in love !

"Everyone was super nice and caring. People asked us where we were going, where we came from, and wished us well. We dreamed of it becoming our daily life, always being on the road."

Ravitos and gourmet break

Ludo ate fries almost all the time : "I love potatoes". They were served with everything: melted cheese, meat, salad. And for Uplaa, it was chicken and duck croquettes, and a few crumbs…

Uplaa drinks from a flask, points her snout downhill, flips her ears back and leaps at each speed bump. But it doesn't bother her too much. She enjoys the view and loves to stretch her legs during every break. And what do we snack on during these breaks ? The group's little indulgence is condensed milk for a good dose of sugar and deliciousness, sometimes accompanied by a little carpet of grass.

Day 2:

"After a short climb of 780 meters of positive elevation, we descended via Reillanne. We stopped to eat at a tiny restaurant offering paninis, burgers, noodles, lasagna, and other items, mainly for the locals and passing cyclists. It felt a bit like eating at someone's home. The three people already at the counter (there were no tables, just a counter) made room for us by squeezing in a bit. We shared this super nice moment with them and talked about our trip. When Manu, the cook and owner, was overwhelmed, she asked the customers for help, which was quite amusing. The little restaurant is not listed on Google Maps ; it's called L’AN K Chez Manu (fast food, homemade specialties), located on Boulevard Saint-Joseph."

Pride and highlights

"There were times when I had to walk, but I was so proud to make it to the end of each climb. Especially the second day, where I gritted my teeth during a steep climb, but not insurmountable, even with gravel. Fortunately, Paula had a big cassette in 10-52 to help me, and that was not insignificant! I was also proud of having packed my bags myself and getting everything in on the first try. It was a great first that I was looking forward to".

Day 4 and 2nd Pizza - Village of Cabrières-d’Aigues

"We call our host to announce our arrival, but unfortunately, we have the wrong address. While searching for the correct location, we get caught in a heavy rain. To top it off, there are no open supermarkets or restaurants. Clem returns to the village of Cucuron with Paula to get pizzas from Kaz (of course, the Pizza Rack was meant for there). As a result : pizzas in bed number 2."  

There you go, I'm on the terrace with Ludo, and I see a spark in her eyes when she tells me all this. A small seed has just sprouted : the team is already imagining taking the ferry and setting off on the roads of Corsica...

Thanks to Old Man Mountain and Two Tone Amsterdam for allowing us to enjoy this amazing Pizza Rack. Tested and approved.