Stephane, the lucky winner

During L’Étape du Tour, G4 organised a contest with @Côted’AzurFrance and @GîtedeFranceCôted’Azur. Loads of you came to our stand to participate, trying to win a week’s holiday in Nice, in a lovely cottage, with the bonus of a G4 jersey and a ride with Geoffroy Lequatre.

The lucky winner, Stéphane, has just returned home with his wife to the Paris region, fitter and more tanned than ever thanks to our beautiful autumnal weather. Here’s his story.

“My name is Stéphane Haulbert. I’m 48 years old, married and the father of three grown up children. I live in the Paris region. We are a sporting family though I started cycling late in life. I now ride regularly on the roads of western Paris with a group of friends called “Les Côtes de Bœuf”. We love to combine our twin passions, training and pleasure. I rarely miss an opportunity to take my bike with me when i travel round France.

I spent part of my youth in Nice but I hadn’t been back for many, many years. I was impatient to return to the Côte d’Azur. I wasn’t disappointed! Firstly, the mild climate lets you fully enjoy your stay. The region has a wide variety of activities. We had lunch by the sea, visited the villages clinging to the mountains in the Niçois hinterland (St. Paul de Vence, Tourrettes sur Loup and Gourdon), but also strolled around the streets of Nice and Monaco for shopping. Of course, there are loads of opportunities to ride offering me a great choice of rides. My favourite routes were the ascent of Mont-Chauve d’Aspremont and the Col de Vence via Bouyon. There really is something for everyone to do!

We had the pleasure of staying in a brand new house, located on the heights above Nice, in a very quiet area. From the house we had a great view right across the valley. This newly-built property offered all the comforts of home, everything we could want or need. Our hosts were lovely and most welcoming. I can highly recommend them!

A friend had told me about G4 (and Geoffroy) and the quality of its products but I had never taken the time to look at its product range before I visited the G4 stand G4 at L’Etape du Tour. What a wonderful surprise!

During this week’s stay, I had the pleasure of riding with Geoffroy. He was extremely kind, very attentive and most helpful. I was impressed but a little worried about riding with a pro of his level but he rode at my pace and put me immediately at ease. I felt as if I were riding with a good friend to discover the region from its seashore to its mountains. We took a road I had never before used which took us from Carros via the villages of Bouyon and Coursegoules and back over the Col de Vence. The view from its summit back down to the sea was magical. A fabulous road in a wonderful environment.

And, as previously agreed, the G4 team gave me an Ethnic jersey, very different from anything I’d previously worn. The design really stands out, it’s so nice and fun, a complete contrast to many of the cycling jerseys. I really liked the material. It was superbly comfortable to wear and though I am often between M and L sizes, thanks to this stretchy fabric, I found a fitted shirt to suit which didn’t constrict my breathing. Even though it wasn’t extremely hot, I sweated during the ride. The shirt perfectly wicks away perspiration and dries very quickly. I didn’t have to wear my windbreaker on the descents because the shirt had already dried. I found that the jersey also remained in place while often my other jerseys tend to ride us which irritates me. In short, it’s a beautiful and comfortable jersey!

I had a great time with you. The ride in the hinterland was one that I hadn’t had an opportunity to discover. Thank you Geoffroy for your kindness and see you soon!”

Thanks to Stéphane and his wife for their sympathy and good humour, and we hope to see them again soon on our wonderful Riviera roads!

Stay tuned to hear about all our news, find out about all our competitions and special offers and, if you come to Nice, be sure to drop in for a friendly chat and a cup of good coffee!