From France to the Sahara: A Bikepacking Journey

Mathieu Bobin, French adventurer from Lyon (France), is no stranger to long-distance expeditions. With several backpacking and bikepacking trips around Europe, Mathieu is always seeking a new adventure that allows him to discover the paths less travelled.  

In September 2024, Mathieu left his hometown in the east side of France with his bike and with a single goal in mind– to reach the Sahara in Morocco. Embark on this amazing journey with him as he soaks in 5 months’ worth of life in 5 weeks!

Device used: COROS DURA Cycling Computer

Why the Saraha?

With previous experience all over Europe on his bike, Mathieu loves the idea to start right from his doorstep and be able to discover new landscapes that were previously on his bucket list. With a previous out-and-back cycling adventure from France to Turkey, Mathieu is no stranger to long and strenuous adventures. However, it was time for a change of scenery.

“I was looking for the closest, yet most disorienting experience possible. Thankfully, Africa is fairly close to home and has always been on my bucket list.”

On September 15^th, Mathieu began his journey south with the COROS DURA mounted on his bike, and with two very specific rules to follow through his journey.

“I have two rules every day. First, I need to always move forward no matter what. Second, I need to take the time to enjoy the experience, the views, and the many amazing encounters within the community. There is no point in doing this if I don’t soak it in as I move along.”

Part 1: Lyon (France) to Tangier (Morocco)

Very quickly, Mathieu settled his pace and travelled on average 118km in 6 hours every day as he crossed the Pyrenees over to Spain. Even though Mathieu planned every day and had it all mapped out, route changes were occurring on a daily basis. Thankfully, he was able to make changes quickly on his DURA and be stress free.

“The navigation features on the DURA are easy to follow and play around with. Before, I used to have my phone as my main navigation tool, but now I can easily manipulate my route and not worry about battery.”

Pedaling through France, he traced a path from Lyon through the valley, passing vineyards and rolling fields that shimmered in the late summer sun. The rural villages felt welcoming yet surreal as he pedaled through, a reminder of the life he was leaving behind for the open road. Reaching the south of France, he caught his first glimpse of the Pyrenees. Crossing into Spain brought fresh challenges– winding mountain roads, sudden storms, and new stretches of solitary landscapes. In Spain, he carved through the Catalonian hills, the scenery shifting from lush forests to arid plains. Each pedal stroke brought him closer to the vastness of the desert.

“One of my favorite parts of each day was the several coffee stops in towns. You can learn a lot about a community in a local café.”

Reaching the Gorafe Desert in southern Spain was a striking change for Mathieu, as the landscape shifted from the vibrant greens of the countryside to stark, arid expanses. Gorafe desert is located in the south-east of Spain, known for its spectacular badlands that can certainly complicate a bike-power journey.

“The desert in Spain was a real change of scenery. The area was less touristy, and I often felt far from home even though geographically I wasn’t that far away. Every day was a logistic struggle to figure out where I was sleeping.”

Part 2: Tangier (Morocco) to the Sahara (Morocco)

Crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, Mathieu entered Morocco, where the landscapes and culture changed dramatically. In a matter of hours into Morocco, Mathieu got hit by a taxi in Tangier, leaving him with a few bruises and a whole new take on his journey.

“This was quite a big wake-up call. I was not used to this culture and especially the unwritten rules of driving here in Tangier. I was fortunate enough to be able to keep cycling afterwards, but it was a pretty drastic reminder that I’m now in Africa. The rules of the game have now changed.”

As he pushed through this moment of doubt, Mathieu finally got a glimpse of the Atlas Mountains. His ride brought him through small, isolated villages where life unfolded at a pace and rhythm he hadn’t encountered before. Unlike Europe’s bustling towns, these villages were marked by a simplicity that felt timeless: mud-brick houses nestled against rugged mountains, children playing in dusty streets, and farmers tending small plots of land. He was often greeted with curious glances and warm smiles, and occasionally invited to share a meal or a glass of mint tea, a gesture of hospitality that bridged language barriers.

“I often found myself surrounded by curious and even sometimes intrusive kids like I was the main center of attraction. It was a whole new mental challenge that I was not used to and had to quickly adjust to.”

Although his journey through those villages became a window into a way to feel connected to the land and traditions, it also came with its complications. Only about a week away from his destination, Mathieu started experiencing symptoms of tourista, which made his last few days harder than anticipated. Riding through the last villages, Mathieu successfully reached the Sahara 34 days later therefore covering over 2,000 miles across 3 countries.

“I was able to ride while still being sick, but it was a lot more complicated. The roads were also quite technical at times with mud and sand covering most tracks. I had to walk a few times. But I ultimately made it.”

COROS DURA: A Must-Have Item on Bikepacking Adventures

Mathieu used the COROS DURA Bike Computer as his main navigation and data tool throughout his project. Find out below Mathieu’s top 3 features he preferred on his COROS DURA.

1. Climb features

“It truly was a relief for me to be able to see the climbs ahead. It’s mentally reassuring especially during long-distance cycling trips. It would give me an idea of how much time or distance I would be able to cover on any given day.”

2. Navigation

“Every day I had to change the route I originally planned. This is part of the journey. Changing routes on the DURA is easy and effective, which meant my days were a little less stressful. I used to navigate through my phone, but now I don’t have to worry about using the phone in bad weather– the DURA is quite weatherproof and durable.”

3. Battery life

“I ended up charging the DURA 3 times, but I was really just concerned of running out of battery. I could have charged it only once and it would have made it the whole trip. It truly is a game-changer for bikepacking adventures.”

Pit Stop Insights from Mathieu

Following his journey, we sat down with Mathieu to review his journey and soak in the incredible experience. Here are some rapid-fire questions we asked Mathieu.

1. Best moment of the trip?

“While I ended a very crappy day in a poor village in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, a very nice couple who spoke French very kindly welcomed me to their home. They offered me food, drink, shower, and shelter. I was sick and the moral was low, but they uplifted my spirit. This sense of close community cannot be found anywhere else, and it is the kind of experience I will remember for a lifetime.”

2. Worst moment of the trip?

“Without a doubt when I got hit by a taxi in Tangier. It brought me doubt and concern as to why did I embark on something like this in the first place.”

3. What was your typical day out there?

“My day would always start and end with a bike check. In the morning, I would have breakfast, check the route, and pack up. I would ride for about 5-6 hours with some coffee/tea stops in local areas. At around 4pm, I would start looking out for a place to sleep. After I set up my sleeping system, I have some time to eat and reflect on the day. This is my favorite part of the day as I can really soak it all in before crashing in my tent!”

4. Any mechanical issues with the bike?

“I had a few minor issues that I was able to fix quickly on the go. But otherwise, no major issue and no flat tire for the entire trip!”

Congratulations to Mathieu for his incredible achievement and we cannot wait to follow your next adventure on the bike!

Team COROS