Stage 2/5: partner search in progress

Solidarity challenge, summer 2026

Les Cols
du Souffle

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region logo Project supported by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region

Because for some children, breathing is already an effort.

932km 22,440m elevation 19passes 16stages Aug 8 → 252026
--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
--Seconds
Our goal

1 metre climbed = €1 for Gabriel

€22,440Fundraising goal

22,440 metres of climbing to ride: one metre, one euro. Every pedal stroke pushes the counter up, every donation supports Gabriel and the families touched by PIBO.

Donate on HelloAsso →

Project Progress

Where the challenge stands today, and what comes next.

March 2026
Project creation
The route is mapped, the association is mobilised, the website is live.
2
April - June 2026
Partner search
We're looking for companies, associations and individuals to join us. In parallel, Robert begins training and preparing his bike.
We need you →
3
July 2026
Final preparation
Training, logistics, final equipment adjustments before the big departure.
4
8 to 25 August 2026
The challenge
Robert leaves Belleville-en-Beaujolais and reaches Nice in 16 stages. 932 kilometres, 22,440 metres of elevation, one man alone, thirteen major cols. A community paella will be organised on departure day in Belleville-en-Beaujolais.
5
September 2026
Report and what's next
Handover of funds to Hope For Gabriel, reflection on the challenge.

About me

Robert and Gabriel

I'm Robert, I'm 67. I'm Gabriel's grandfather at heart. Gabriel has bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare lung disease that makes every breath difficult.

For Gabriel and for every family in the same situation, I'm taking on a challenge I never imagined. Crossing the Alps by bike, alone, without a support crew, at 67, on an e-bike.

Together with his family, we also opened BOcommunity.org, an international platform for families affected by this disease.

Electric assistance is my oxygen on the bike. Medical oxygen is Gabriel's, and that of every child who needs it to breathe each day.

Robert Descollonges, Gabriel's grandfather

Gabriel's story

Gabriel, 1 year old, with nasal cannula oxygen, playing the tambourine
Gabriel, 1 year old, at home between care sessions.

Gabriel, born in April 2025, lives with Post-Infectious Bronchiolitis Obliterans (PIBO), a rare and severe lung disease.

Gabriel spent 5 months in hospital, including 4 months in intensive care and 3 months on a ventilator, after a bronchiolitis episode that worsened. The diagnosis came on 30 July 2025.

Today Gabriel is back home. He smiles, loves books, cuddles and play. But his daily life is still shaped by care, respiratory treatments and major protection against viruses.

Gabriel with his cuddly toy
Gabriel and his cuddly toy
Gabriel at the beach
Gabriel at the beach
Gabriel wearing his non-invasive ventilation (NIV) mask
Gabriel on NIV

Behind the disease, Gabriel is first and foremost a little boy who loves to laugh, play and discover the world.

This challenge is a promise: turning every pedal stroke into hope, for Gabriel and for every family concerned.

Challenge objectives

1

Raise awareness about bronchiolitis obliterans

A rare, invisible disease, still too little known by the general public.

Learn more: bocommunity.org

2

Raise funds for the association

Goal: €1 per metre of elevation, that is €22,440 donated to Hope For Gabriel.

3

Gather a community around the cause

Sponsors, hosts, donors, influencers, relayers...

Let's unite our breaths.

How to help

Three ways to take part, depending on who you are.

You're a company, an organisation or a local authority

Contact us

You're an individual

Contact us

You're an association, a media outlet or an influencer

Get in touch Open the press kit (FR) →

What you can do, whatever your profile

  • Make a donation
  • Offer accommodation
  • Bring your know-how or a service
  • Share the event with your community
  • Help spread the word about this rare disease
  • Become a partner

The Challenge in Numbers

Departure on August 8, 2026. Belleville-en-Beaujolais → Nice

0 Total Distance
0 Elevation Gain
0 Stages
0 One Man Alone

The Route

16 stages 932 km 22,440 m D+
1
Belleville-en-Beaujolais → Cerdon
 
68.2 km478 m D+
2
Cerdon → Viry (St-Julien-en-Genevois)
 
73.6 km1,325 m D+
3
Viry (St-Julien-en-Genevois) → Thonon-les-Bains
 
56.6 km557 m D+
4
Thonon-les-Bains → Marignier (Cluses)
Col du Feu, Col du Jambaz
51.6 km1,182 m D+
5
Marignier (Cluses) → La Clusaz
Col de la Colombière
44.42 km1,507 m D+
6
La Clusaz → Les Saisies
Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies
37.21 km1,502 m D+
7
Les Saisies → Bourg-St-Maurice
Col du Cormet de Roselend
63.96 km1,785 m D+
8
Bourg-St-Maurice → Val-Cenis
Col de l'Iseran
86.53 km2,541 m D+
9
Val-Cenis → Valloire
Col du Télégraphe
51.71 km1,131 m D+
10
Valloire → Briançon
Col du Galibier
53.99 km1,315 m D+
11
Briançon → Guillestre
Col d'Izoard
51.11 km1,472 m D+
12
Guillestre → Barcelonnette
Col de Vars
49.79 km1,318 m D+
13
Barcelonnette → Guillaumes
Col de la Cayolle
63.22 km1,519 m D+
14
Guillaumes → Valdeblore
Col de Valberg, Col de la Couillole, Col de St-Martin (1st part)
51.06 km1,934 m D+
15
Valdeblore → Sospel
Col de St-Martin (2nd part), Col de Turini
68.2 km1,961 m D+
16
Sospel → Nice
Col de Castillon, Col d'Èze, Grande Corniche
55 km913 m D+

Still looking for

The project is moving forward, but we still need helping hands. If you can help with any of these points, write to us.

More financial and technical partners to close the budget and secure the logistics of the challenge.
Volunteer photographers on some stages, to document the challenge.
Refreshment points along the route: water, fruit, encouragement.
Local press contacts (newspapers, radio, TV) in the departments crossed: 69, 01, 74, 73, 05, 04, 06.

What Your Support Enables

Raise awareness of a rare disease

Raise public and media awareness of bronchiolitis obliterans.

Support affected families

Provide concrete support to families facing this disease daily.

Back an engaged association

Contribute to Hope For Gabriel's work, which supports research and families.

Carry a message

Show that solidarity and determination move things forward.

They stand with us

This challenge would be nothing without those who said yes, sometimes before they even had all the details. Thank you to each of them.

💚 An event by Hope For Gabriel