Michèle and Marc’s Gravel Trans Jura

6. December 2025
Courage and curiosity have been slumbering within you for a long time—just waiting for you to experience the Gravel Trans Jura for yourself. But what is this crossing really like? Immerse yourself in our “Gravel Trans Jura Stories” series and discover what makes this bike packing experience so incomparable. After kicking things off with Lars, today we continue with the story of Michèle and Marc from Cordast.
Michèle and Marc, how long have you been riding gravel bikes, and what is it about gravel riding that fascinates you?
Marc since 2021, fast, comfortable, riding on any surface, alone and with the family. Michèle since 2022, ever since I tried my husband’s gravel bike for the first time, I’ve been hooked and fascinated. I love that we can move around flexibly in nature. Away from the road, especially with the children.
How did you hear about the Gravel Trans Jura?

Marc took part in the Gravel Ride & Race in Bern, and the following year we rode the “Ride” together in Bern. Then we heard about the GTJ and thought it would be great to discover this bike packing adventure together.

 

If you had to choose one moment/place from your Gravel Trans Jura, which one…

… moved you the most emotionally?
  • Marc: GTJ25 Day 3 on the Chasseral, achieved what was not possible last year on the GTJ24.
  • Michèle: Abandonment of the GTJ24 trip, so from Day 3 onwards, the GTJ25 was all the more enjoyable because we knew we had gotten further than the year before and that it was doable!
… pushed you to your physical limits?
  • Marc: Day 1 Baden-Balsthal. On the first night, I thought I would never make it to Nyon.
  • Michèle: Physically, it wasn’t a problem for me, but towards the end of the trip, I slowly started to feel exhausted from being on the road for so long. The first two days were harder for me, because I knew from last year what climbs still lay ahead of us.
… makes you laugh, even when you think about it today?
  • Marc: GTJ25 Day 3, Chasseral ascent, wind and water tried to stop us.
  • Michèle: We really thought this transmitter just didn’t want us🤣.
… impressed you most in terms of scenery?
  • Marc: Rock faces, views
  • Michèle: We saw lots of animals. Unfortunately, we missed out on the views at Chasseral and Creux du Van, but otherwise it was really beautiful. The first rays of sunshine during the ascent after starting at Lac de Joux were also wonderful.
… touched you most on an interpersonal level?
  • Marc: Friendly interaction with each other, helpfulness.
  • Michèle: Lots of encounters with cool fellow riders whom we already knew or got to know, hospitality in restaurants and hotels.
What advice would you give to someone participating in the GTJ for the first time in 2026?
  • Marc: Plan for six days so you can really enjoy it. Don’t take too much luggage. And remember, anything can happen with the weather.
  • Michèle: We cycled really well with good planning—i.e., a good breakfast and lunch—so we never hit a hunger slump or sugar low.