Chamonix-Zermatt mountain bike crossing with Morgane Jonnier

Watch the video interview

Listen to the podcast

Episode summary

Morgane Jonnier, a professional mountain biker, former gendarme and enthusiast of a life on the move, talks in this episode about her career, her choice to live in a camper van and the adventure that marked her this summer: a five-day Chamonix-Zermatt mountain bike crossing with her friend Sophie Riva. A project that combines physical commitment, freedom and the pleasure of riding.

From road to mountain bike: a journey shaped by encounters

Morgane started cycling at a very early age, first on the road, in a competitive context that she didn’t really enjoy. When she reached adolescence, she stopped completely. She returned to cycling at the age of 17-18, following in the footsteps of her sister, a top-level downhill racer. “Seeing her in real life, seeing what she was doing, made me want to get back on the bike.”

She started out downhill, discovered enduro at a French Cup and fell in love with it. She progressed rapidly, while working as a gendarme. The mental and physical strain became too much, until an accident in 2019 during the World Cup: several fractured vertebrae, a shock that changed everything. “Life is short. Prioritize what you love.”

She left the gendarmerie, signed a professional contract and devoted herself entirely to mountain biking.

Mountain biking disciplines: technique and versatility

Morgane explains the three main disciplines: cross-country, downhill and enduro. She explains the technical nature of downhill, the variety of terrain and the explosiveness required. Enduro, which she practices at the highest level, is for her the most complete discipline: “We work as much on endurance to last a day as on explosiveness for timed runs.”

She has also taken part in itinerant races, a multi-day format with no route reconnaissance: a mix of improvisation, terrain reading and extreme concentration.

A life in a camper van to keep up with the mountains

For several years now, Morgane has been living full-time in her motorhome. A choice dictated by her constant travels and her desire for freedom. Her daily routine consists of gym sessions, training on different bikes, mountain trips and logistics. “It’s a gypsy life that suits me and my image.

The birth of an idea: Chamonix-Zermatt by mountain bike

After a decade of World Cup racing, Morgane needed something different. She’s looking for itinerant adventures. That’s when Italian athlete Sophie Riva writes to her: she dreams of doing Chamonix-Zermatt on a mountain bike and is looking for a partner. Morgane immediately agreed. The objective was clear: “to go for some great descents”, with an emphasis on interesting trails for riding.

Being self-sufficient: bags, equipment and adaptation

It’s impossible to use conventional panniers on an enduro mountain bike. Morgane sets off with a 10 kg bag, containing sleeping bag, mattress, stove, freeze-dried food, rain jacket, tools and repair parts.

“We didn’t expect the bag to get in the way so much.” The weight modifies the riding, requires adaptation and makes the long climbs particularly physical.

Living and sleeping rough

Nights follow one another without resembling one another: an open-air hut in Switzerland, a gîte found by chance when they were very tired, a night in a tent with a friend who had come to join them, then a final night under the stars. As the days passed, the two mountain bikers alternated between freeze-dried meals, bakeries and B&Bs.

Day by day: five days of passes, villages and long descents

Morgane retraces the major stages:
– Day 1: Chamonix → La Tzoumaz, with two lifts to give priority to the descent.
– Day 2: Crossing the four valleys to Évolène.
– Day 3: Évolène → Saint-Luc, via Lac de Moiry.
– Day 4: Saint-Luc → a pass before Saint-Nicolas.
– Day 5: Arrival in Saint-Nicolas, then train to Zermatt, before a final day of riding there.

Between 40 and 60 km per day, 1600 to 1800 m D+, sumptuous scenery and very few crowds. “We felt like we were at the end of the world.

Difficulties and highlights

The hardest part? The weight of the pack, without a doubt. But obstacles are part of the adventure: fallen trees, portages, technical sections. Morgane recounts a particularly impressive narrow passage along a Swiss bisse: “Falling was not an option. We proceeded slowly, meticulously.” In the end, it was one of their best memories.

An adventure as human as it is sporting

This crossing brought Morgane and Sophie together. They get to know each other, progress at the same pace and motivate each other. “We were pulling each other up.”

What’s next?

Morgane wants to continue this type of adventure, alone or with friends. She recalls her tour of Mont-Blanc on a mountain bike, which she did on her own. She is already working on a new project: exploring a long ridge by mountain bike, with a high degree of technical commitment.

She’s also keen to pass on more of her knowledge: she’s preparing for the DEJEPS dipl oma to become an instructor and support other practitioners. “I learned on the job. Today, I want to pass on what I’ve learned.

A tip for women who want to start their own business

“Don’t hesitate. Mountain biking is incredible. There are associations everywhere, with passionate and inspiring women.”

Links

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morganejonnier/