BIKE CONVOY
Come to Hadra by bike !
Public transport accounts for 77% of the festival’s carbon footprint. To move towards a more sustainable society, we need to rethink how we travel. We strongly encourage our audience to come by other means than private car, especially by bike. Here is an account of some happy festival-goers on bike. Here is an account of the adventures of some happy festival-goers on bikes, hoping that you will want to try it for yourself!
In the summer 2024, Quentin and Baptiste decided to cycle to the Hadra Trance Festival, covering 345km in 5 days. They were joined by others cyclists along the way, reaching a total of 13 bikes at the festival.
A sporting challenge for some, a true transport philosophy for others. Whatever each person’s motivations may have been, this experience was rich is sharing and emotions for everyone, with a common goal : to arrive at the Hadra Trance Festival for 4 days of festival and madness !
This is an extra from the story of their adventures.
First day : sunday
17 kilometres in 1 hour
Baptiste from Chambéry, and Quentin, from Grenoble, meet up in Bourgouin-Jailleu to begin the adventure together. A very short, flat and easy step along the Plaine de l’Ain allows them join JF and Benjamin, who are already settled at the lake. It’s summer, and the weather is excellent. Each has their own setup based on their vision of the trip. Quentin, the minimalist, has the lightest road bike with the least filled panniers, JF and Baptiste are prepared for all seasons, and as for Benjamin… He’s travelling by an electric bike, with his cat and 8 batteries that he recharges using solar power or at campsites !
Second day : monday
91 kilometres in 4h40, without any major difficulties
After descending from the lake and climbing back up the hill, travellers begin a long, straight stretch on a slight downhill slope to Lyon. We reach the banks of the Saône, the perfect place to have lunch, after doing some shopping. Then, a very pleasant flat takes us towards Beaujolais. After multiple breaks, to rest and enjoy this beautiful sunny day, the tired members of the convoy, find by the river to camp for the night.
Third day : tuesday
87 kilometres in 4h40, including a slight incline
The section from the banks of the Saône, to Mâcon, is completed without difficulty. Three passengers are picked up at the Mâcon station, and the convoy of seven sets off again. Following the Southern Bourgogne greenway to Berzé-le-chatel, with a picnic break. Everyone sets off again along a quiet departmental road, safe from traffic.
Despite the heat, everyone reaches the day’s summit at Beauberry at their own rythm. The mayor of the village of Vaudebarrier allows us to camp on a designated site. An 8th participant join us. Hadra is the last stop after 10 000 km on a cargo bike !
After settling in, we enjoy a small reward in the evening with a light aperitig, but we need to save our energy for the after step.
Four day : wednesday
96 kilometres in 4h36. A long stage with a hilly section, then completely flat, and a sawtooth profile to finish in Moulins.
After the most difficult climbs of the day, the convoy stops in Charolles, for a hearty breakfeast. With their shopping done, the 8 travellers set off along the Allier Canal. A long, gentle descent lasting a good 2 hours. Everyone cycles at their own pace, in small groups. Break in Dompierre, for a few hours, of weel-deserved rest with a nap and game of tarot. The convoy set off again on small, slightly hilly roads. It is hot, and everyone is starting to tire, but the approach to Moulins makes it easy to forget these difficulties.
At 4:30PM, Benjamin has an appointment at a shelter, to drop off his cat for the duration the festival, before finishing aound 6PM. Many travellers join in for the last night. The convoy of 16 people sets up cam on the banks of the Allier, south of Moulins, just 50 kilometres from the festival.
Five day : thrusday
52 kilometres in 2h20
The convoy is very full : 13 travellers in a line, one behind the other! Three decided to leave earlier in order to get a better spot on the campsite. The convoy follows a virtually desert departmental. There are few road hazards to report ! The last few challenges aren’t insurmontable : everyone climbs them at their own rythms, taking breaks so that everyone has time to recharge their batteries. The convoy arrives at 12 noon, where the photography team is waiting to congrulate us and shower us with souvenir photos !
Thanks all participants for the first adventure, and see you next year !