Nature is Bike

What Nature is Bike does

Nature is Bike is an annual gravel and adventure cycling festival founded in 2020 and held in Angers, France. It is organized by SPL Angers Loire Tourisme Expo Congrès (Destination Angers), a public-sector entity with €1,500,000 in capital backed by Angers Loire Métropole and Ville d'Angers. The festival is the first of its kind in France and Europe, and in 2023 its Défi200 event was selected by Klassmark as the only French race on the Gravel Earth Series international circuit.

The core product is a two-day festival (next edition May 30–31, 2026) offering eight event formats spanning ultra-distance racing (Défi200, 200 km), bikepacking adventures (300 km and 170 km self-sufficient), competitive gravel rides (Gravel 100, Gravel 70), a festive ride (Festive 70), and family-friendly Angers Guinguette circuits. The festival also operates The Village — a free-entry exhibition hall at Lac de Maine hosting ~80 partners and exhibitors and facilitating 500 on-site bike tests in 2024. A complementary year-round offering, Nature is Bike Experience, distributes four self-guided circuits (37–109 km) via the Destination Angers tourism platform. There is no proprietary software platform; registrations are processed via Sports n Connect, and routing is supported through an Outdooractive integration.

The business model combines two revenue streams: transaction-fee revenue from participant registrations across the multiple event formats, and exhibitor/sponsor fees from bike manufacturers and outdoor brands paying for booth space and partnership packages (title sponsors include Origine for Défi200 and previously Panaracer and Groupe Legendre). The 2026 edition is sold out, attendance reached 7,500 visitors in 2024 (+34% year-over-year), and the festival reports a 90% recommendation rate. The customer base spans individual gravel athletes and leisure riders (segment 1), families and tourists (segment 2), B2B bike/outdoor brand exhibitors (segment 3), and regional tourism bodies (segment 4). The festival is certified as an eco-engaged event and has signed the Charter of 15 eco-responsible commitments with the Ministry of Sports and WWF.

Name

Nature is Bike

Legal name

SPL Angers Loire Tourisme Expo Congrès : Destination Angers

Website

https://natureisbike.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nature is Bike is an annual gravel and adventure cycling festival held in Angers, France, organized by the public-sector Destination Angers entity. It serves competitive cyclists, leisure riders, bike-industry exhibitors, and regional tourism bodies through multi-format races, bikepacking adventures, and an exhibition village.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cycling Events and Sports Festivals

NAICS

All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (71399), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycling Events (Road Races, Gran Fondos, Sportives) (MPAKAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cycling / MTB / E-Bike Guiding & Rentals (THAAALAG), Cycling, Mountain Biking & E-bike Adventures (THAJABAF), Bike Rental, Demo & Tour Operators (Retail-Adjacent) (CRAMAHAJ)

Keywords

• Gravel cycling events
• Adventure bike festival
• Bikepacking adventures
• Cycling exhibitions
• Cycling tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Angers

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Event Registration Fees: Participants pay registration fees to enter the various cycling events (Défi200, Gravel100, Gravel70, Festive70, Bikepacking 300, Bikepacking 170, and Angers Guinguette rides). The 2026 registrations were sold out as of May 30, 2026.
2. Exhibitor/Sponsor Fees: Brands and manufacturers pay to exhibit at the Gravel and Adventure Bike Salon within the village. The exhibition hall hosts approximately 80 partners and exhibitors. Conditions Générales de Participation documents govern 2026 exhibitor participation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nature is Bike is an annual gravel and adventure cycling festival held in Angers, France. It sells registration access to a portfolio of competitive and leisure cycling events spanning distances from 70 km up to 300 km (Défi200, Gravel100, Gravel70, Festive70, Bikepacking 300, Bikepacking 170, Angers Guinguette routes). The festival also operates a free-entry exhibition Village hosting 80+ exhibitors with 500 bike tests annually, and a separate year-round self-guided Nature is Bike Experience program of curated gravel circuits around the Anjou region.

Product overview

Nature is Bike is a festival and event platform centered around gravel cycling and adventure biking. The core offering is the annual Nature is Bike Festival in Angers, France, featuring competitive race events (Défi200, Bikepacking 300/170, Gravel 100/70, Festive 70) and leisure rides (Angers Guinguette). Supporting offerings include The Village exhibition hall with 80+ exhibitors, test zones, and the Nature is Bike Experience program for self-guided year-round gravel itineraries. An educational blog provides equipment guides and maintenance tutorials. The platform operates through external registration and booking systems rather than native software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Défi200 by Origine: Ultra-distance Gravel challenge of 200km with timed sections, part of Gravel Earth Series
• Gravel100
• Gravel70
• Festive70
• Bikepacking 300
• Bikepacking 170
• Angers Guinguette

Products and services

• Nature is Bike Festival Annual gravel and adventure bike festival held in Angers, France, combining competitive races, leisure rides, a trade show exhibition (The Village) and on-site bike test zones for cycling equipment and outdoor gear. Open to individual participants who register for specific events.
• Défi200 by Origine Ultra-distance gravel race covering 200 km with timed special sections and liaison segments, part of the Gravel Earth Series international circuit. Title sponsored by Origine. Targeted at ultra-endurance gravel riders.
• Bikepacking 300 300 km self-sufficiency gravel bikepacking adventure requiring riders to carry all necessary equipment for overnight travel and navigation. Targeted at experienced bikepackers and adventure cyclists.
• Bikepacking 170 170 km self-sufficiency gravel bikepacking adventure with overnight requirements, providing a more accessible entry point to bikepacking. Targeted at intermediate riders new to multi-day gravel adventures.
• Gravel 100 100 km gravel endurance race on mixed terrain, suitable for experienced riders seeking a challenging one-day gravel event.
• Gravel 70 70 km gravel ride offering an intermediate distance for cyclists transitioning to longer gravel events.
• Festive 70 70 km leisurely gravel ride focused on enjoyment and conviviality, open to a wide range of skill levels and family-friendly audiences.
• Angers Guinguette Family-friendly gravel rides including the "Entre Loire et Ardoise" and "Autour de la Mayenne" routes, combining cycling with local gastronomic experiences in the Anjou region.
• Nature is Bike Experience Self-guided gravel and bikepacking circuit itineraries around Angers available year-round for independent exploration, ranging from 37 km to 109 km multi-day routes, distributed via the Destination Angers tourism platform.
• The Village (Salon du Gravel) Exhibition hall featuring 80+ exhibitors and partners, product demonstrations, test zones for trying equipment, and evening events, with free entry for festival visitors. Serves as the festival's central hub at Lac de Maine in Angers.
• Exhibitor Booth and Sponsorship Packages Commercial exhibition and sponsorship opportunities at the festival, offering bike manufacturers and outdoor brands visibility to 7,500+ annual visitors through booth space, product testing zones and partnership packages. Pricing is governed by the Conditions Générales de Participation (CGP) document.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of attendees recommend the festival
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• OriginemajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Origine is the title sponsor of the Défi200 — the flagship ultra-distance (200 km) cycling event within the Nature is Bike festival. The partnership gives Origine prominent branding across all Défi200 event materials and communications.
• PanaracermajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Panaracer is the title sponsor of the Race200 (Gravel200) event for the Gravel Earth Series 2023 edition. Panaracer is a tire manufacturer providing a natural fit with the gravel cycling audience.
• Groupe LegendremajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023The Legendre Group was a key partner for the 200 km Race200 — the Gravel Earth Series event — providing support for the 200 km race with timed sections.
• Destination Angers (SPL Angers Loire Tourisme Expo Congrès)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDestination Angers is the organizing entity of Nature is Bike. The festival is fully aligned with the eco-friendly approach of Destination Angers, which also provides the accommodation booking infrastructure and promotional channels. The organization is a public-sector entity backed by Angers Loire Métropole and Ville d'Angers.
• Angers Loire MétropolecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAngers Loire Métropole is the metropolitan government authority that co-supports the Nature is Bike festival as a flagship event for the region. The authority provides institutional backing and cross-promotion of Angers as a cycling destination at the crossroads of three major cycling routes.
• Ville d'AngerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Angers is a key institutional supporter of the festival, co-branding the event alongside Destination Angers and Angers Loire Métropole.
• 226 ERSminorGTM or Marketing Partner226 ERS is a nutrition brand that collaborated commercially with Nature is Bike to publish a nutrition guide for ultra-gravel events (preparing for 200–300 km events). Content included Hydrazero electrolyte drinks, High Energy Gels, Race Day Bars, and Cherry Caffeine gels featured in the festival blog.
• COOKNRUNminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCOOKNRUN is a natural energy bar brand that collaborated commercially with Nature is Bike on an article about optimal cycling nutrition for gravel adventures. The brand positions itself as a clean-label, natural energy solution for cyclists.
• OutdooractiveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdooractive is a route-planning app platform that collaborated commercially with Nature is Bike to publish a guide on planning and optimizing cycling outings. The partnership provides the festival access to curated route content for the 'Angers Guinguette' and other gravel routes around Angers.
• Ethic Etapes Lac de MaineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEthic Etapes Lac de Maine is the official budget accommodation partner for the festival, offering collective accommodation from €27 TTC per night directly opposite the festival site at Lac de Maine in Angers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Roc d'Azur: Major French cycling festival held annually in Fréjus featuring MTB races, road events, an exhibition village, and bike demos. Directly comparable to Nature is Bike as a multi-discipline French cycling event combining competitive racing with a B2B exhibition ecosystem.
• Sea Otter Classic: The largest consumer cycling festival in North America, held annually in Monterey, CA. Features competitive races across disciplines, a large expo with 300+ exhibitors, and on-site bike demos — directly comparable to Nature is Bike's combined race/exhibition/demo model.
• Grinduro: International gravel cycling event series combining racing with festival-style activities, held in California, Pennsylvania, and Scotland. Directly comparable to Nature is Bike as a gravel-focused event combining competitive timed sections with social riding and community building.
• Unbound Gravel (formerly Dirty Kanza): The flagship ultra-distance gravel race in the US held annually in Emporia, Kansas. Features 200+ mile gravel routes and a similar mix of competitive endurance and community gathering — directly comparable to Nature is Bike's Défi200 ultra-distance format and Gravel Earth Series positioning.
• Marmotte Gran Fondo Alpes: Iconic French cyclosportive event held annually in the Alps, attracting ~7,000–8,000 participants. Directly comparable to Nature is Bike as a French endurance cycling event combining significant physical challenge with community engagement, though road rather than gravel oriented.

Emerging players

• Bespoked Bristol (UK Handmade Bicycle Show): European cycling show focused on handmade and boutique bicycles, with test rides and an exhibition village. Comparable to Nature is Bike's village exhibition component as a curated cycling show with on-site testing and brand community focus.

Broad incumbents

• Eurobike: The leading European bicycle trade show held annually in Frankfurt, Germany. Comparable as a major cycling industry B2B exhibition attracting global manufacturers and brands — overlapping with Nature is Bike's exhibitor/salon component though broader in scope across all cycling categories.
• UCI Gran Fondo World Series: International amateur cycling series sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), with qualifying events worldwide. Comparable to Nature is Bike's Gravel Earth Series selection as an internationally sanctioned competitive cycling event series with brand credibility.
• Haute Route: Multi-day sportive event series held across iconic cycling destinations worldwide, combining racing and event experience. Comparable to Nature is Bike's Bikepacking 300 format as a multi-day cycling experience, though road-oriented and more international.
• L'Étape by Tour de France: Series of amateur road cycling events officially licensed by the Tour de France, held globally. Comparable as a mass-participation cycling event series with brand-backed credibility — overlapping with Nature is Bike's Gravel100/Festive70 formats though road rather than gravel focused.

Market position

Strengths6 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBpuo5H2QQ-65Zbl4QCTpoQ
• Xx.com/nature_bike
• Facebookfacebook.com/natureisbike
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nature-is-bike

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nature is Bike