Switchbacks.

Coaching insights, gravel truths, and road realities from the Winding Roads of France

Life isn't a straight line, and neither is cycling.

Welcome to Switchbacks. No generic textbook theory, just honest stories, data-driven insights, and lessons learned the hard way, from the backroads of the Haut-Languedoc to the high peaks of the Pyrénées.

Whether you are targeting road racing victories, preparing for UCI Gravel World Series events, or simply want to build a stronger, more efficient engine, this is where professional coaching methodology meets the reality of the road.

To explore the data and tools behind these insights, head over to

The Lab

The Gravel Manual: Why It Hurts, How to Pedal, How to Stop & a bit about Pressures!

We have all been there. You plan a "steady" three-hour gravel ride, thinking it will feel like a standard ride out on the road. But you come home shattered, your legs are empty, and you feel like you have ridden for five hours, not three. Is it just a bad day? Is your fitness dropping off? No. The reality is that gravel riding requires a different set of rules, both for your body and your bike handling. A kilometre on the rough stuff is not the same currency as a kilometre on

Paul Delani

4 min read

The Morning Pontificator: Why You Are a Pro at Night and an Amateur in the Morning

We have all been there. It is 9:00 PM. You are lying on the sofa, scrolling through Strava or Komoot. You feel fantastic. Motivation is at an all-time high! You spend an hour crafting the perfect 80km loop. You check the elevation profile, you drag the route to include that scenic climb, and you visualise yourself attacking the segments. You have a PhD in Google Maps Street View. You are ready. Then the alarm goes off at 7:00 AM. Suddenly, that 1km section of the route that i

Paul Delani

4 min read

Snails or Gels? Why Eating Like a Local Will Get You Dropped

If you enjoy riding until you see purple spots, with your heart rate at max and your power reading zero, then don’t bother reading this. This article isn’t for you. You are probably quite happy bonking in a ditch somewhere. For the rest of us who actually want to make it over the climb without wanting to sell our bikes, we need to talk about food. The French Bakery Trap Living and riding here in France, it is easy to get sucked into the romance of it all. We have all seen the

Paul Delani

4 min read

A classic red Citroën 2CV parked outside a traditional French brasserie, representing the local traffic cyclists might encounter

The Realities of Riding in France: Rules, Fines & Etiquette

The Introduction: The Dream vs. The Law We all have the same dream. You, a pristine ribbon of tarmac, a field of sunflowers, and the gentle hum of carbon wheels. In reality, riding in France is 90% paradise and 10% sheer confusion. The roads are better, the drivers are (mostly) nicer, and the wine is cheaper than water. But there are rules here that will catch you out, and unlike in the UK, "I didn't know" won't save you from a fine. Here is what you need to know before you c

Paul Delani

5 min read

A famous yellow and white kilometre marker on Mont Ventoux showing 12% gradient

The True Reality of Climbing: A Coach’s Guide

The Introduction: The Pogačar Delusion We need to talk about gravity. It is the one constant in cycling. You can hide from the wind in a bunch, but you cannot draft gravity. First, a reality check. Unless your surname is Pogačar and you can sustain 6+ W/kg across multiple mountain ranges, climbing is slow. Really slow. TV cameras distort speed. When the pros attack, they are flying. When we climb, even when fit, we are moving at a fraction of that speed. Prepare yourself to

Paul Delani

4 min read

Surviving the Furnace: Cycling in the Heat in France

There is a specific moment when you realise you are being cooked. It usually happens on a long, exposed section of tarmac in the middle of July. The radiation is bouncing off the road surface, hitting you from below while the sun hammers you from above. You reach for your bottle, desperate for relief, and take a swig. But instead of a refreshing hit of cool water, you get a mouthful of lukewarm liquid. In that moment, you would honestly be happy for a cup of tea to feel as co

Paul Delani

6 min read

Will I Walk? The Cycling Gear Calculator

Why the "Average Gradient" is a liar. We have all done it. You are planning your big French cycling trip, you look at the profile of a climb like the Col de Pailhères , and you see "Average Gradient: 7%." You think to yourself, "I can hold 7% all day at home. My 11-28 cassette will be fine." But the mountain does not care about the average. The mountain only cares about the Crux , that nasty 3-kilometre section where the gradient kicks up to 11%, just as the midday sun hits 3

Paul Delani

3 min read