Bikepacking the Turin–Nice Trail: Alex Dyson’s Alpine Adventure

About the adventure

1) Why did you choose the Turin–Nice route, and how did it compare to what you expected?

My first bikepacking trip in 2016 saw me and a group of friends ride from the north of France to Barcelona via the Pyrenees in 10 days after never doing more than a 60 mile ride.

This time on my bike travelling across parts of a country I’d not yet experienced created an addiction that would see me building a continuously higher threshold and craving for the feeling of new experiences by bike, true adventure and time away from ‘real life’ with my friends.

The Pyrenees gave me a hunger for mountains and in my mind the next obvious place to go was the Alps. Even though it is one of the easiest places to get to, I never ended up getting the opportunity to go in between bigger stints across Scotland, North America, Japan, Croatia, Turkey and more..

After a couple of years of focusing on performance, where I took what I’d learned from bikepacking and used it to my advantage in ultra-racing, I wanted to spend 2025 reintroducing adventure without the nuances of efficiency, time-keeping and speed.

After some thought, I remembered that the alps have always been on my list and I was desperate to experience them both via the famous road-climbs I’d witnessed on the Tour de France but also the desolate military tracks along the Italian side where my off-road skills would be tested. For this reason, I settled on two trips of one week each: One from Geneva to Nice via as many high alpine passes as I could with a group of friends. And the Torino-Nice Rally with Restrap ambassador and my french language specialist, Marine Gualino. This would end up becoming one of my favourite trips to date and blew all my expectations out the water.

2) What did the terrain feel like day to day?

People told me that there is no perfect bike for this trip and it really is varied, but none of them had a Gloria All-Terrain in their arsenal.

You start by escaping Turin via long straight main-roads heading north before double-backing on yourself up the Colle del Colombardo. This begins as steep rough tarmac and not long after becomes nice rideable gravel before a rocky track where you are balancing tyres on or in-between rocks the size of babies heads.

This is the perfect description of the way this beautiful route flowed between surfaces across the entirety of the 600km.

3)What was your experience staying in the mountain refuges?

I had never been to a Mountain Refuge before and the only thing I had to compare to was a Scottish bothy. Turns out.. They couldn’t be further apart!

It would cost about €50-60 for a bunk, an evening meal and breakfast which obviously attracted the most amazing collection of hikers and cyclists that were pushing their limits on their own adventures.

When we arrived, we had quick showers before dinner and then sat down amongst the rest of the people staying. Before long we were feasting on the most amazing four course meal consisting of cheesy polenta, soup, pork and then a chocolate tart to finish. All while talking to each other about our plans, adventures and lives at home.

4)Were there any moments that really stayed with you during the ride?

Waking up at 2,300m in Rifugio Gardetta to the sunrise over the mountains and the most incredible cloud inversions to then ride along a rocky track through the peaks will stay with me forever. There is nothing like truly being alone up there while the sun is shining and casting dramatic shadows across the valley.

The Setup & The Testing

5) Can you tell us about your Gloria setup and how you prepared it for a week of rough, high altitude riding?

For this bike trip, I was riding a Gloria All-Terrain which I have become very attached to this year for anything off-road focused. It is lightweight, comfortable and so much faster than I expected it to be on anything gravel or more technical.

I had this bike set up for off-road racing already so was pretty dialled for technical or steep climbing day after day making it the perfect bikepacking rig.

6) How did the bike handle the mix of rocky descents, loose gravel climbs and long days out? Did anything about its performance surprise you?

The thing that surprised me most was the speed at which I could go even on the road sections, there was just no moment that I wished I was on a different bike - whereas if I had been on a gravel bike or a full suspension, I would have had many!

7) What makes the Gloria stand out from bikes you have used on past races or adventures?

It feels like the perfect mountain bike for someone that has always ridden road and gravel. The geometry is quite aggressive like a modern XC bike, yet feels strong and sturdy. It is always nice when a bike is so confidence inspiring that you are more willing to ride things you would usually bail for.

8) What advice would you give someone preparing for their first bike packing trip to help them enjoy it?

Keep it casual, keep the plans loose, and don’t overplan. When plans go wrong it can be really defeating or hard to navigate but if the plan isn’t too strict then it will allow for you to go with the flow more and enjoy the process of learning on the go without any added pressure of targets, distances or goals.

Racing, Mindset & Shifting Focus

9) You have raced long events before. How does this kind of adventure riding compare to racing?

I recently touched on this during a podcast with Zone2Speak – The biggest comparison you can make between them is the relationship with distractions. With a bikepacking trip, you are welcoming all distractions from the ride itself. The views, culture, people, food, or any experiences. Whereas in a race, you are putting blinders on to become the most efficient version of yourself. I love both kinds of trips for very different reasons, bike trips are memorable adventures whereas racing is almost a form of therapy to me.

10) You said you are leaning more toward exploration and adventure. What has led to that shift?

I have just spent the last two years honing my performance and felt like I needed to relearn the process of going out for adventure without clock-watching. I will no doubt still get my training done and try do some fast things but I think this year I have rediscovered what I really loved about travelling by bike and that just happens to require more time to absorb surroundings and savour the moment.

11) After so many kilometres, what have you learned matters most on long rides?

Comfort is free speed. If your kit is dialled and you are confident in it then you will spend less time stopping, slowing down, faffing or adjusting.

Closing Thoughts

12) What advice would you give someone planning their first multi day off road ride?

Know your limitations, research water and food resupply points, carry enough to get yourself out of any tricky situations: whether that is tools or warm layers, always be prepared for the worst and you will have more fun with less to worry about.

13) What does adventure riding mean to you now compared to when you first started?

I think it has always meant the same.. It is escape from the everyday.

We all have our jobs, bills, responsibilities and busy schedules.. As soon as you are on a cycling adventure, all you have to think about is to enjoy the process unfold, eat and sleep. It is incredibly calming for my brain and I always return feeling renewed, even when it has been a physically demanding trip.
Questions & Answers

FAQ

What matters most on long-distance or multi-day rides?

Comfort, fit and confidence. A well-set-up bike keeps you riding longer with fewer stops. Gloria frames are designed with this in mind, stable, smooth and suitable for rough surfaces, long climbs and big days out.

What type of terrain is the Torino–Nice route suited for?

The Torino–Nice route mixes smooth roads, gravel tracks, steep climbs and rocky Alpine sections. This kind of varied terrain is exactly what bikes like the Gloria All-Terrain and Gloria All-Gravel are designed for — capable on rough surfaces while still fast and comfortable on long road stretches.

Are mountain refuges a good option for bikepackers?

Yes. Alpine mountain refuges are popular with gravel and bikepacking riders because they offer affordable beds, hot meals and a friendly atmosphere. For riders travelling light on bikes like the Gloria All-Terrain, refuges are an ideal way to cover more distance without carrying camping gear.

How should a gravel bike handle loose gravel, rocky tracks and steep climbs?

A capable adventure bike should feel stable, predictable and comfortable over changing terrain. Bikes like the Gloria All-Gravel use balanced geometry and large-volume tyres to keep control on loose climbs while remaining smooth and fast on hardpack and road sections.

So, where will your Gloria bike take you next?

Stay tuned for more exciting rides and adventures with Gloria Cycling.

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