Sea To Peak

Sea To Peak – Brittany to Queyras, France

• Date: 18 July – 2 August 2026
• Location: Plouarzel, France to Saint-Véran, France
• Distances: 2280 km
• Event Type: Ultra-distance bikepacking

The Sea To Peak is a foundational test piece of ultra cycling in France, tracing a line from the country's westernmost edge to its alpine heart. It is conceived as a French divide, a self-supported journey of 2280 kilometres that connects the Atlantic waters of Brittany with the high peaks of the Queyras. More than a simple ride, it is a traverse of landscapes and geologies, an exploration of personal limits set against a vast and changing backdrop, beginning where the land meets the sea.

The route unfolds in a symbolic and geographic progression. Riders depart from Pointe de Corsen in Plouarzel, the most westerly point of mainland France, with the scent of the ocean in the air. The finish line awaits in Saint-Véran, perched at 2,042 metres and known as the highest village in Europe. This west-to-east trajectory is a journey through contrasts, starting with the ancient, rolling terrain of the Massif Armoricain and culminating in the dramatic high-altitude environment of the Alps.

As the kilometres pass, the character of the terrain evolves. The full 42,000 metres of elevation gain are distributed across three distinct mountain ranges. After the low hills of Brittany, the route crosses the vast Massif Central before the final, formidable approach to the Alps. The surface is primarily off-road, a mix of quiet rural lanes, forgotten tracks, and technical mountain trails. This diverse route showcases the quiet landscapes that make up the rich tapestry of other gravel events in France, from deep forests to exposed mountain passes.

This is a challenge of endurance and self-management. With a window of sixteen days to complete the parcours, the clock runs continuously from the moment of departure. There is no external support, no pre-arranged assistance. Each rider decides their own rhythm of riding, resting, and resupplying. The ethos of the event is one of complete autonomy, where the primary challenge is not a race against others, but a dialogue with the route, the landscape, and oneself. It defines the spirit of this style of ultra cycling in France.

Participants can enter as a solo rider or in a pair, but the principles of self-sufficiency remain constant. For duos, the rule is to ride together, never separating. For solo riders, all aid must come from commercial services open to all, found along the way. In a commitment to the spirit of adventure, booking accommodation in advance is forbidden. This ensures every rider faces the same variables, from mechanical issues to changing weather, relying on their own resourcefulness to navigate the journey day by day.

The scale of the route is punctuated by significant milestones. Riders will cross the mystical Monts d'Arrée, the technical Monts d’Ambazac, and the exposed summit of Plomb du Cantal. A new and unique route will guide riders over the iconic Mont Ventoux, before the final, gruelling climb to the event's high point, the Col de Valbelle at 2400 metres. These landmarks are not just points on a map but defining moments in a monumental physical and human adventure.

The Sea To Peak is an invitation to engage with a landscape on an immense scale, powered by one's own effort. It is a long, immersive ride where strategy, resilience, and a quiet determination are the most valuable tools. For those drawn to the deep satisfaction of a self-powered continental crossing, all further details on the rules, equipment, and registration can be found on the official event website.