GravelUp badge collectors

There is a moment at the end of every GravelUp trip that riders talk about long after they have gone home.
The badge ceremony.

If you have ever joined one of our gravel cycling adventures, you know the feeling: that mix of impatience and quiet pride as you receive your embroidered patch, proof that you have taken on a new challenge, pushed your limits, and shared unforgettable moments with a tight-knit group of passionate riders.

It is not just a souvenir. It is a story you can wear.

Why every GravelUp trip feels unique

What makes a GravelUp experience truly special is that no two gravel trips are alike.

Yes, we pedal, sometimes with burning legs, sometimes at an easy, rolling rhythm.
Yes, we indulge in local treats at carefully curated feed stations.
And yes, we cross landscapes so beautiful they almost stop you in your tracks.

But above all, it is the people.

Different backgrounds. Different levels. A shared love for adventure and open-hearted camaraderie.

There is the rider who has always dreamed of exploring the Morvan, the woman fresh off her first Ironman chasing new horizons, and the so-called Sunday cyclist discovering that gravel biking can also be about connection, laughter and belonging.

“The badge ceremony really moved me. Human, authentic and simple. It summed up the whole trip perfectly.”
Jean-Baptiste

Meet the badge collectors

Eric, Bruno, Anthony, Luc, Christophe, Liliane, Damien, Hélène and François.
They know the GravelUp spirit by heart and are already dreaming of Norway, Switzerland, Brittany or the Alpilles.

We sat down with Bruno, proud owner of Vosges and Champagne badges.

Your best memory on a GravelUp trip?
“Lunch in a small mountain refuge in the Vosges. Everyone gathered around the fire. Pure magic.”

Your most emotional badge ceremony?
“The first one. I was new to gravel and suddenly felt part of something bigger.”

Your next dream destination?
“The Alpilles. Already booked for 2026.”

Your must-have cycling gear?
“A great bib short. Total game changer.”

Your advice for gravel beginners?
“Look up, enjoy the scenery, and let the feeling of freedom guide you. Riding in a group is the best way to progress.”

More than performance: discovering who you are on the bike

Alongside your destination patch, we also award a personality badge. It is a playful nod to the role you naturally take within the group dynamic.

Yellow Jersey.
Rising Star.
Daredevil.
Energizer.
The Calm and Steady rider.
And sometimes, the legendary Spin Master

“In the Grands Causses I became the Up Cramper. Cramps from day one, over 90 kilometers.”
Anthony

These ceremonies are our way of saying thank you. Thank you for your generosity, your spirit, your trust.
Because these patches capture far more than speed, watts or elevation.

They radiate positive energy.

Sew them somewhere you will see them often.

A ritual that creates lifelong connections

Talking with Luc takes us straight back to Andalusia, where he earned his very first badge. A night spent in a monastery, suspended in silence and time. A moment he will never forget.

And then there was the feed stop with Brazilian music.
Riders dancing. Guides laughing. A group united, sometimes pedaling to samba rhythms.

His gravel essentials?

“A helmet, and friends to share the ride with.
The gratitude, the kindness, the care everyone shows for one another. A true gravel fellowship.”
Luc

Ready to earn your next GravelUp badge?

If your collection is calling for a new patch, we would love to welcome you back.

Book your next GravelUp gravel trip.
Arrive as strangers. Leave as friends. And stitch one more memory into your story.