La Vosges Express

The Vosges Express starts in Mulhouse at 6:00 AM for a 420 km cycling randonnée through the Vosges Massif, typically held on a late-August weekend. This two-day, long-distance event has a 40-hour time limit, combining road and gravel sections with approximately 6,000 meters of elevation gain. The ride is part of the FF Vélo “Longue Distance” designation, adhering to a rigorous format that includes checkpoints, navigation by map, and a strong emphasis on rider self-sufficiency. The course begins and ends at the same location, tracing old railway lines with gravel segments reminiscent of early cycling surfaces. The route nears the Swiss border, passes lakes and villages offering bakery resupply points, and reaches Besançon past the halfway mark. Participants must carry sufficient food and equipment, though the event's ethos encourages mutual assistance for mechanical issues or supplies. Organized by Les Randonneurs de Strasbourg, its train theme references the “Poudlard Express,” substituting a bicycle for the train and using the disused rail lines as the ride's narrative.