Lachens mer VTT - La Roque-Esclapon

Lachens Mer is a mountain bike grande randonnée held in La Roque-Esclapon, Var, organized around Ascension Day after over 20 years. The name reflects the concept: riders travel from Lachens toward the Mediterranean, ascending to the 1,500 m summit before concluding by the sea at Les Issambres. This is not a closed-road city race; it is an extended off-road VTT excursion across rough Provençal terrain. The route incorporates stony tracks, some unstable sections, paths near steep drops, wider tracks, and GR footpaths. A key attraction is linking a high inland summit with a coastal finish, though this demands genuine bike handling skills and focus from participants. Certain sections traverse private land, and organizers emphasize that access relies on negotiated permissions and should not be replicated without authorization post-event. The event also adopts an eco-responsible approach, using reusable course markers, locally sourced food, and supporting local businesses.