Day 1 was a 90km opener in the shadow of Mont Ventoux. The Giant of Provence would welcome us later in the week but today we sized up the mountain and our legs after a long day of travel. The sun went to work on our tan-less knees and arms as we snaked around the magnificent Gorges de la Nesque and blossoming cherry orchards. A quick lunch stop in Villes-Sur-Auzon cemented a fast first day with only 1300 meters of climbing. 

Day 2 was an exciting and largely uncharted one for me. We ventured north of the Ventoux and into the bordering Baronies region. Pointed, sharp climbs punctuated a day surrounded by untouched wilderness. Crisp river valleys cooled the warming air as we made our way to the medieval fortress village of  Vaison-La-Romain for lunch. We dropped past the vineyard rich saddle of the Dentelles and primed ourselves for the main course the following day.

Day 3, Ventoux Day. This mountain has given me so many memories, I can probably yammer on about it for hours. It is the reason I keep coming back, and the reason why I love bringing people to Provence. We each set off to test ourselves on this day from the classic Bedoin side, and met at the top as a Team. Gilets on and brakes (mostly) working, we slid down the bald mountain into Maulecene to grab lunch and trade our tales of conquest. My 12th ascent was one of the most memorable.

Day 4 was for the tourists. I cobbled together a challenging, but stunning route across the Vaucluse. Having worked as an actual guide years ago, I wanted to take the Team through the classics of Provence. Hilltop villages, historical landmarks, breathtaking natural formations and of course, ice cream. Lunch in Roussillon overlooking the ocre cliffs and a well timed ice cream in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse recharged the batteries on this penultimate day. 

Day 5, the grand finale. With our Stages Dash computers loaded up to guide us, we set off  for the biggest and last day of the trip. A morning transfer to Sault is where the ride would depart. We careened eastward across the open plateau toward baby Ventoux, the Montagne de Lure. Though it is 4km’s shorter in distance, this forgotten mountain holds your lungs and legs hostage on 8-9 percent gradients for much of the climb. The 30c temperatures only added to the final challenge. After the summit, we descended into Saint-Étienne-les-Orgues for a sandwhich just in time to see a small Pro bike race buzz through town. We returned to Sault to finish our adventure for the week and grab one final ice cream in the center of town.

When you approach a project for the first time, what kind of elements spark your process? Is there a formula or is it random?

I’ve been really lucky with the brands that I’ve worked with up to now. They usually approach me because they’ve seen my work at a race or in a bike store and we often have friends in common. So I try to get to know them better and understand their mission before I ever hit the drawing board. Then I mull it over for a while and go cycling. That’s where the real magic happens. Even if I’m really stuck on a design direction, I know I can go for a ride and usually by the time I return I know what to do. More often than not I’m given the freedom to come up with my own concept but I particularly enjoy pulling inspiration from art and nature. I really just try to keep my eyes open while thinking of the project in the background….then something will pop out at me…often it’s something I see on the street, but I also try and keep a regular schedule going to museums and that keeps the bucket of inspiration full!

The neck buffs you designed for us, they have such a unique pattern and design. Can you tell us more about this technique and why you chose this style?

As well as designing cycling gear, I’m also pretty hooked on paper marbling. It’s an ancient form of printing, also known as Ecru, originally used to protect books from damp in libraries. Colours are floated on a liquid surface and then printed on paper and the process is even more spectacular than the result. The colours move and expand to form these constantly changing shapes and you capture the moment when it appeals to you. I thought this would be perfect for the L’Equipe Provence project because the visual history of Provence is like a series of moments of colour, captured by intuitive painters. You had sent me one of Van Gogh’s olive tree paintings and right after I saw Loving Vincent on a big screen I realized the only way to do this was with marbling. I spend about a day mixing blues and lavenders and thinking about this incredible place, then the print sort of came together before my eyes in the marbling bath and I picked a moment!

What is your most memorable ride?

Oof that’s super tough. But it’s definitely in Colombia. I think riding to Rigoberto Uran’s hometown of Urrao was one of the toughest and most exhilarating rides I’ve ever done, followed closely by exploring the coffee country around Manizales. Riding in Colombia is just as much about the people as it is about the riding. It’s always an adventure and people are curious and proud that you want to take on their mammoth mountains. I’m terrible with Strava by the way…I forget to start it half the time. Here’s a link to a ride from Medellín to Guatapé which was probably my favorite day ride while living in Medellín.

Do you have a bucket list ride?

I’d love to cycle more of South America. As gigantic as Colombia is, it’s only the gateway to the Amazon and I really want to continue exploring. I’d also love to cycle more of Italy, mostly because of the food! There’s nothing like the promise of Italian cooking to get your broke ass over the last mountain pass!

Favorite race to watch?

Red Hook Crit, hands down…there’s nothing else like it! I worked for the race for many years and it was a wonderful experience seeing a new racing format come into its own. Also the competitors come from all walks of life and diverse cycling disciplines. It’s been amazing to see the women’s race grow and develop and I think the race has changed the face of women’s cycling.

Mechanical or Electronic shifting?

Mechanical, no doubt.

Who are the designers and artists that you respect or draw from?

I fuel the fire in the museums and galleries where I find myself. I’ve been influenced by so many, probably without realizing. I’ve never lost my fascination for the work of Bridget Riley. Since I was a child I’ve been obsessed with Jack B. Yeats and how he captures colour and movement. But I also have many friends who are artists and musicians and inspiration is never far away when they’re around.

How do you know a design is finished?

I usually don’t actually! That’s why I take a design as far as I can and then walk away from it for a while. I start working on something else for a couple of days, ride my bike and then come back to look at it and make final tweaks. It’s hard to let it go sometimes but I know if I’ve stepped back for a moment and cleared my head the cut-off point will become clearer.

What is your dream project to work on, cycling or otherwise?

I’d love to do some large scale marbling works. I don’t have the space for such a project right now but I’m confident an opportunity will present itself when the time is right! I’d also love to produce more apparel for women who cycle and travel. It’s a project that has been simmering in the background for many years but it’s a big undertaking because I want to create pieces that really solve problems and as a small producer it’s extremely hard to find good manufacturers to work with, especially with a modest budget. But I’ve been building a great team of expert sewers in Colombia and when the time is right we will bring it to the people!

What’s next? Any projects or rides you are gearing up for?

This summer I’ll hopefully be taking on the Alps and not dying! I’ve wanted to cycle Switzerland for many years and now I’m finally in the right place at the right time (Fiona is now based in Zurich). I’m also really excited to start working with Sacred Cycle in Colorado for a Caps-for-a-Cause project. We started a program at FiFO 2 years ago designing and making cycling caps that highlight small organizations doing great things around the world. Sacred Cycle takes survivors of sexual abuse out onto the trails of Colorado to conquer fear and take back their power. I’m going to use some marbling in this design and hopefully create something that represents the transformation that Sacred Cycle makes in Women’s lives.