As part of an ambitious school project, Goulven, a Physical Education and Sports (PE) teacher, decided to take his 9th grade students on a unique bike touring trip. This bike trip with teenagers was not only intended to discover new horizons, but also to combat a sedentary lifestyle by proving to the students that they are all capable of participating in physical activity. Here is the story of this unique experience carried out with the students' bikes, a few bikes loaned by the Maison du Vélo (Cycling House), and an electric cargo bike for bikepacking, Le Formidable de Galian.
An Educational and Sporty School Bike Trip
As a head teacher and PE teacher, Goulven Le Calvez wanted to offer his students an experience different from traditional school trips. His goal was to promote physical education through a journey that these students would soon remember. "We never go on PE trips, even though it's a subject like any other," he explains. So he proposed a project in which the trip itself became a sporting activity. After all, why settle for simple sports lessons when you can embark on an epic two-wheeled adventure?
The 110 km bike tour expedition with 30 middle school students
The group left Rennes and took the greenway to Lac de Trémelin, covering a distance of 55 km with some elevation gain. This demanding route not only offered a physical challenge, but also an opportunity for the students to learn to surpass themselves while participating in an activity whose carbon footprint couldn't be lower. The next day, on site, sports activities were organized for the students. As for the return trip, although difficult for some, it turned out to be a great adventure. "They clearly surpassed themselves. The weather wasn't with us, it rained almost all day, but the strength of the group and the desire to succeed surpassed the slumps that any teenager can have. Upon arrival, some students even shed a tear of pride at having succeeded in this challenge. A few weeks later, they all thank me and tell me about their latest bike rides. The parents are also very happy to see their children enjoying bike rides."
Cargo Bike Packing: The Formidable: An Indispensable Ally
The electric cargo bike, Le Formidable de Galian , a cargotail combining the advantages of a cargo bike and a longtail, proved to be a partner of choice for this bikepacking expedition. With its robustness and its capacity to carry equipment and several people, the Galian allowed the students to travel light. "For the less sporty, a backpack was already heavy. So, they put it in the front box of the Galian. In addition to the backpacks, the cargo bike carried snacks, water and rain gear" says the PE teacher at the Collège du Vieux Cours in Rennes. Nothing to fear from this cargo bike which can carry up to 250kg and whose very powerful 130Nm motor is made to climb the steepest paths with complete peace of mind. "The cargo bike was also very popular with the four most tired students. I was able to put them two by two on the back of the cargotail during the 2 steepest climbs while a colleague brought their bikes up. " Fully loaded up on the climb, the "boost" trigger was particularly used to provide starting assistance.
The challenge of cargo bike battery life on a bike tour
The Galian electric cargo bike demonstrated its impressive range and power capabilities during this bikepacking experience. On the way there, there were 2 out of 5 battery bars left after 55 km on the bike loaded with a 55kg person + about 35kg of bags at the front in Eco mode + boost trigger on the biggest climbs.
On the way back, the bike was ridden by a 100kg person + 35kg of bags in Eco+Boost mode on the climbs + 2 teenagers on the back on the biggest climbs. The battery was changed after 50km.
In short, the autonomy of the 630 Wh battery of the Le Formidable bike allows, in cycle touring with some differences in altitude, to easily cover 80 kilometers with a load of 90 kilos or more than 50 kilometers in Eco and Boost mode with a load of around 150 kg.
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A very positive impact on students
The students' feedback after this adventure was extremely positive. Although the first day was challenging for many, the majority of students wanted to continue the journey. "Some students came back to me two weeks later to tell me that it was great and that they had the opportunity to ride their bikes again since the trip," reports Goulven. The headmaster of the college, who was also a chaperone, is delighted to be able to offer his students a sporty and carbon-free school trip that is "positive at all levels." This is an experience that these ninth-grade students will not soon forget!
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