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Why is Florian Moreau cycling across Europe

Why is Florian Moreau cycling across Europe

By Florian Jardin

Why does Florian Moreau cycle across Europe?

When Florian Moreau gets on his bike, it's not just for a Sunday ride, it's to go on an adventure, push your limits and discover new horizons. His next challenge? Crossing Europe, 15,000 km in 44 days. Quite a program.

But where does this desire to cycle further and further come from? We spoke with him to find out a little more.

From cycling with friends to extreme races

It all started in Normandy, where Florian grew up. He started riding  with his friends, for fun in the Domfrontais bike club, then quickly started riding in the local FFC races in the category cadet. Nothing exceptional at first, but little by little, the idea of riding for a long, long time, took hold.

In 2020, he attempted a 315 km course to Mont-Saint-Michel. A revelation. Since then, he hasn't stopped.

The trigger: a 315 km challenge that changes everything

The year 2020 marks a turning point for Florian. Antoine and Flavien offer him a slightly crazy adventure: to connect Domfront to Mont-Saint-Michel by mountain bike,  also including the return, a journey of 315 km over a weekend. There he discovered a new dimension of cycling: adventure, endurance, and above all, a taste for long distances.

"This ride was a revelation. It was full of adventure and discovery, both by the new paths traveled and by the unknown of returning in the calm of the night. A great first for me that seduced me and made it possibleto understand that I could ride day and night! »

But in 2021, everything came to an abrupt halt. A double fracture of the arm kept him away from the bike. It was during his rehabilitation that he met Anthony, his physiotherapist who told him about the Race Across France that the latter was preparing as a duo. That was all it took to rekindle the flame.

The following year, the idea of doing the same with Paul, another cycling friend, germinated in their heads. Unfortunately, Paul was injured and could not race. So, before setting off on his own, Florian tested himself on his own during a weekend through a 1,000 km tour of Brittany. The challenge passed, he was ready to take part in the renowned 2,600 km event across France.

Over time, Florian refined his style and passion. Today, at almost 30 years old (September 27, 2025), he has become one of the ultra-distance specialists, with impressive performances:

·       3rd in the Desertus Bikus in Spain (2024)

·       2nd in the Ride Across France in 2022

·       6th in the Transcontinental in 2023

·       9th in the 2024 Transcontinental

·       2nd in the BikingMan Taiwan

·       Finisher atlas mountain race

·       Finisher en duo de la transbalkans

·       + many other rides outside the competition framework (including 1st finisher of the UR360)

What he likes about ultra, or "long" as he says, is first and foremost the adventure and the change of scenery. For him, every race is like a long ride. But Florian is also passionate about competition and surpassing oneself in endurance. If he had a dream, it would be to travel around the world. But he finds that France already offers sufficiently magnificent landscapes and enough to surpass himself. Since he started ultralighting, he has travelled all over France, including Greece and Turkey. But don't intend to stop there!


The Race Across France in 2022: more than a passion, a revelation

Florian is taking part in the Race Across France in 2022, a 2600 km race and 36,000 m of elevation gain to be completed in 10 days. After a given start from Le Touquet in the north of France, he quickly took the lead of the race , moving into first position on his home soil in Normandy. The Alps are approaching, and Florian is still in the lead, tackling the mythical passes with unwavering determination.

But the race takes an unexpected turn in the descent of the Col des Saisies. A puncture of the front wheel complicates everything. Florian annoyed, repairs it and notices that his front brake is no longer functional. He has to find another one, unfortunately, it's 7:30 p.m., no store is open anymore!

"I tried to stay calm, but losing time on a mechanical problem is frustrating."

With only one functional brake, he nevertheless continued  the ascent and then the descent of the Col de Rosland during which a new puncture occurred. Somewhat annoyed and distraught by these adventures, he decided to sleep for an hour and a half in Burgundy, which finally turned into three hours of sleep. Meanwhile, the second, Steven Le Hyaric, continued to cycle and took advantage of the opportunity to overtake him.

Florian then embarks on a fierce chase for the last 1000 kilometers. Despite an iron will, he finally finished in second place in 6 days. This race marked a turning point: he discovered a passion for ultra-distance, far beyond simple performance.

"That's when I understood that I was made for it. It wasn't just a race anymore, it was a revelation. »

The 2023 Transcontinental: A New Challenge

After the Race Across France, Florian is thinking bigger. He is taking part in the Transcontinental, a 3800 km race with 45,000 m of elevation gain. In ten days, he completed the event and ranked 6th out of 350 participants.

To prepare, he had set himself an additional challenge: the Tans Balkan Race, a mountain bike race  of 1400 km and 27,000 m of elevation gain in eight days. He also shares another anecdote: crossing the Ardèche with a friend. This ends with a double ascent of the Ventoux.

"I like what we call 'long'. Each race is an adventure, a way to discover myself and push my limits. »

Preparing for a challenge like this

Riding 15,000 km is not just a question of legs, it's also a matter of mental and logistical issues. Florian trains by gradually increasing the distances, but without forgetting to have fun. There is no question of turning it into a chore.

"It has to be fun. Testing your equipment, adapting your diet, listening to your body... It's all about balance. »

What about sleep? In the Race Across France, he only slept 11 hours in six days. Yes, it stings. He has learned to land anywhere: bus shelters, benches, sometimes even in unlikely places.

"Sleeping outside is quite an art. You have to know where and how to set up so as not to suffer too much from the cold or humidity. »

 

His 2025 project: more than just a crossing

In 2025, Florian will leave Angers for a journey through Europe. But beyond the performance, he wants to show that you can live an incredible adventure with a minimal impact on the environment. His equipment? A 100% circular outfit designed by Velor and a high-performance bike under the advice of the Wareega store.

Project details:

13,500 km by bike | 134,000 m D+
  3,000 km by 🚆 train | 2,000 km by ⛴️ ferry
0 km by 🚗 car, 0 km by ✈️ plane
🕒 44 days of cycling
📆 Between April and August 2025

"This project is also a way of proving that it is possible to combine sport and respect for the environment."

With the Komoot app, he plans his stops, juggling between mountains, plains and seaside.

Her advice for those who want to try the adventure

Florian often says it: you have to dare. No matter what your level is, the important thing is to get started. His top 4 tips for preparing well?

  • Test your equipment before leaving.
  • Vary your diet to avoid boredom.
  • Accept the unexpected, because they are part of the journey.
  • Remember why you ride.

"Don't wait until everything is perfect to start – every pedal stroke brings you closer to your dreams."

Adventure above all

"The goal of this project is above all adventure, competition and travel, while raising awareness of the need to protect our planet. Through this challenge, I want to prove that it is possible to travel differently, by adopting a more environmentally friendly mode of transport. »

In the end, what pushes Florian to ride is not just the distance or the time, it's the experience, the encounters and the discovery. He wants to share this passion and show that everyone can, in their own way, live their adventure.

And you, how far would you be willing to go?

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