My Unforgettable Cycling Trip Through the French Alps 

A journey that truly moved me 

The idea of joining a week-long cycling trip through the French Alps didn’t come out of nowhere. It was a quiet Sunday evening, and I was sitting on the couch, drained from the week. Everything in my life seemed to revolve around work, groceries, appointments, and getting through the day. I realized I needed to do something just for me. Not something practical or productiv something that would make me feel alive again. 

That’s when I came across TourFem, a guided cycling trip for women. The idea grabbed me right away, though it also felt a bit intimidating. I cycle regularly, but the Alps? That sounded intense. Still, I signed up. I felt deep down that I needed this. 

The first few kilometers 

On the first morning, when we gathered at the starting point, I felt a whole mix of things: nervous, curious, a bit out of place. I didn’t know anyone. I was still recovering from nearly losing my bike on the train ride there. And there was that quiet comparison in the air,who’s the fastest, who looks the most prepared? 

But a couple of hours into the ride, the tension faded. The landscape took over. The clean mountain air, the quiet, the ever-changing views, it brought me back into my body. We cycled past blue alpine lakes, through villages that felt like they belonged in another time, and up green hills covered in wildflowers. Slowly, I settled into a rhythm where the only thing that mattered was pedaling, breathing, and being present. 

The moments that stuck with me 

Day three brought one of the toughest climbs of the trip. Halfway up, I was honestly ready to give up. My legs were shaking, my water was almost gone, and I couldn’t stop thinking, Why did I think I could do this? 

That’s when Annelies, a woman in her forties, rode up next to me. She looked at me, smiled, and said, “We’re not here to prove anything. We do this at our own pace.” It sounds simple, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. I didn’t stop. And when I finally reached the top, I felt something shift. Not just physically — mentally too. I was proud. Quietly, deeply proud. 

That evening, we sat on a sunny terrace, drinks in hand, red cheeks glowing from the sun and effort. We talked about everything work, burnout, kids, relationships, the choices we’d made and the ones we still weren’t sure about. It wasn’t small talk. It felt like a conversation you only have when you're really away from your usual life. Honest and a little raw in the best way. 

More than just a bike trip 

One thing I hadn’t expected was how much space there would be for rest and reflection. Sure, the cycling was t some days really pushed my limits,  but there was always time to slow down. Time to read in the sun, to take a short walk after dinner, to laugh about how sore we all were. 

We stayed in cozy chalets where we were welcomed with warm, homemade meals using fresh, local ingredients. One evening I helped chop vegetables in the kitchen, and it felt oddly grounding. The smell of garlic and thyme, the shared effort, the easy conversation around the table, it just felt right. 

The guides were amazing. Supportive without hovering, always nearby when you needed them. They knew the routes by heart, and their calm confidence helped me trust myself more. 

This trip wasn’t just good for my body it was healing for my mind. I came back stronger, yes, but also clearer. I had rediscovered a part of myself I hadn’t realized I’d been missing. 

I thought I was going on a bike trip. What I found was peace, connection, and a reminder that I’m allowed to take up space, to slow down, and to choose something that’s just for me. 

-Yvette Kamoen