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Cyril C

@serialcee

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The last stage of @le_pilgrimage always takes two days as the riders leave the comfort and safety of the base camp behind.

This way the route takes the pilgrims further into the Alps and usually also into Italy. In 2026 riders had to make their way across an ancient smugglers route (over the Col du Bousson), cross the border and head up to the (slightly depressing) ski resort of Sèstriere. After that it’s time for the long climb up to the (in)famous Strada dell’Assietta. This old military road has some of the best views in the region and isn’t too busy on a weekday.

Most pilgrims head down one more time to the town of Bardonecchia to rest up for the grande finale! by @serialcee

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3 days ago

Stage 2 of @le_pilgrimage took riders via the best bakery of Briançon all the way up to #fortjanus. This abandoned military post with 360° views of both French and Italian valleys is the perfect checkpoint location, with its commanding position high in the alps.

The climb up there is long and strenuous, but some riders even had the energy to explore the ruins after reaching the fort.

After some hearty snacks (crêpe Nutella with Génépi turned out to be a favourite), the pilgrims enjoyed a flowy descent down into town over empty ski pistes and forest trails heading back to the safety and comfort of our base camp: @hotelsaintroch. by @serialcee

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21 days ago

One of the best weeks of the year is the one of @le_pilgrimage. This event started at a kitchen table with @rosmolen and I chatting about what we liked (and didn’t like) about the (ultra) cycling events we had joined ourselves.

So four years ago the first edition was there and now we welcome 50 adventurous cyclist from 10 different nations. We created 4 stages that will take the riders into the mountains of @paysdesecrins and the Piemonte and they will run into amazing checkpoints and treasures along the way.

I want to thank the amazing crew at @hotelsaintroch for their energy and hospitality and the amazing organisation and media team: @anne_pekelharing, @yorit_kluitman, @nilsvanderheide, @fernwee.cc, @gijsferkranus.peaksandpines and @thoms.silva for being part of this years edition.

Here are some of my favourite shots of stage 1, more following soon! taken in Mountainhotel Saint Roch by @serialcee

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a month ago

Start of the two day stage at @le_pilgrimage taken in Puy-Saint-Vincent by @serialcee

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a month ago

As the sun creeps slowly over the mountaintops, routes are loaded, bags are packed and that final morning coffee gets downed at @hotelsaintroch as the 50 riders from 10 different nations get ready for the start of Le Pilgrimage Gravel 2026.

They have gathered in @paysdesecrins for 3 adventurous stages of gravel riding, heading deep into the mountains in the footsteps of Saint Roch.

Follow their journey for the next days and discover what Le Pilgrimage is all about.

photos: @serialcee

#lepilgrimage #gravel #myhautesalps taken in Mountainhotel Saint Roch by @serialcee

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a month ago

Looking back on the @utrechtultra XL version while I’m slowly but surely recovering from this one. In a way it was everything I hoped for: a challenging event in a familiar environment. The cut off times were doable as long as you keep on riding and don’t get too tempted by those French bakeries or cold forest streams.

I really enjoyed Ruben’s routes, they’re tough but rewarding. I knew the 500k stretch through Northern France would be the hardest, but this was also when you run into the nicest strangers who offer you fresh cold water.

All in all I enjoyed tackling an ultra race by myself instead of as part of a pair. Trusting in the planning I did in advance and listening to my own body (aka stopping sometimes for about 30 minutes of sleep during the day).

Could I’ve gone faster? Maybe a little bit with more prepping and less faffing around but there was not much left in the legs when I finished about 24hrs ahead of my schedule.

Thanks @rubenplatte for organising and the pics, also thanks to @tycjantrzpiola and @jennifernguyen.p for their photos.

Big thanks you also to @jaacoline for the amazing encouragement on the Camerig climb, @dyondeckers & @mariekedeckers for hosting me and cheering me on, @chinkone for the homemade bananabread, @annettanis en Ewout for the finish stage coffees and all others that kept me going 🙏🥰 by @serialcee

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2 months ago

What a day! Crossing Borders XL didn’t disappoint. Great routes, nice weather except for some wind and awesome people on bikes and at the feeding stations. Awesome to work together as @off_the_map_maastricht with @schickemuetze.

Thanks to our partners:
@albion.cycling @hunt.road @brooksengland @chimpanzee_nutrition and @climaid.de for making this one happen again. by @serialcee

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3 months ago

Another one in the series: smart idea, stupid execution. At the inaugural @brightmidnight.cc ultra race in 2023 Team Doppelzimmer showed up in Tolga slightly better prepared than in the Balkans, but were still more or less clueless.

This time around we actually felt we were part of the race instead of just trying to survive and make the cut off. Of course still we made mistakes, got sick and underestimated Norwegian summer, but at least we made it to the finish in one piece. This one gave us a good morale boost and made us trust the/our process even more.

Good luck to all the riders taking part this year in this amazing event by @justin.and.bikes taken in Tolga, Norway by @serialcee

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3 months ago

Exactly 4 years ago my riding buddy Joost K and I (aka Team Doppelzimmer) did a thing. We managed to finish (just) in time at the inaugural @transbalkanrace. Underprepared and overloaded we somehow manage to ride/walk the 1300 kilometres and be in time for the beers at the finishers party. Still a bit proud of this one. by @serialcee

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3 months ago

I’d like to share the beauty and pretty people of the #carnaval of #maastricht. Three days of outdoor parties, creativity, music, #zwieren and community.

Everyone joins in, finds their vibe and respects each other. It’s hard to explain how it feels, and is worth to experience this explosion of colour and smiles yourself. Alaaf! taken in Maastricht, Netherlands by @serialcee

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8 months ago

The CX worlds in Hulst were this typical and crazy mix of impressive athletes, beers, weird and wonderful fans. The course is not my favourite but to see the best #cyclocross riders in the world compete is something which shouldn’t be missed. And yes there is a lot of shots of @ceylinalvarado as she is and was my absolute favourite for the women’s title.

Already looking forward to the next worlds in Oostende 2027! I will bring my trusty #fujixpro1 again and try to remember my memory card for day 2 😅 taken in WK Hulst 2026 by @serialcee

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8 months ago

Looking back at the past year is important to me. Discovering what touches you, what you’re proud of and what you would like to change is essential when wanting to grow.

The third edition of @le_pilgrimage was one of the highlights of 2025 personally. Almost everything fell into its’ right place. The route, the vibe, the crew and the Pilgrims that chose to join our event.

I took quite some #pictures during the 4 days, and these are some of my personal favourites. Thanks to @rosmolen for making this one happen again and building this event together. Big shout out out to @anne_pekelharing, @yorit_kluitman and @nilsvanderheide for being a more than integral part of it all and of course to the whole team of @hotelsaintroch. Looking forward to joining all of you for the 2026 editions. by @serialcee

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9 months ago