Kilian Bron, an athlete as talented as he is tireless. A mountain biker from La Clusaz, Kilian is known for his dedication to the sport, his videos filmed all around the world, and his documentaries that have gone global. Always ready to tackle any terrain, we imagined him in a reimagined version of “Debbie rides her bike”… or rather, “Kilian rides…”
1. Kilian goes skiing.
Last summer, Kilian Bron and his friend Michel Lanne took on a 24-hour project on Instagram, guided by their followers’ suggestions to try different activities between La Clusaz and Annecy. And that’s how these two adventurers ended up skiing on grass, through rocks, and even on a small patch of snow in the Combe de la Grande Forclaz. A short but intense descent of about 100 meters.
2. Kilian in the United States.
The American Dream! Across the Atlantic, Kilian met the local scene: The Bike Life; a collective of New York cyclists organizing sessions through the city’s vast avenues. And that’s how our Kilian found himself riding alongside 300 cyclists down the streets of Manhattan, on his back wheel. “We went through Times Square, Fifth Avenue… all those iconic streets. Nothing legal about it, but it’s well-rooted, good-natured, with no damage, and the police just let the sea of bikes pass,” says Kilian. Not something you’d expect – mountain biking in the middle of New York, quite a memory!
3. Kilian goes camping.
Whenever Kilian is out in the Aravis, Michel Lanne isn’t far behind. A great pair, these two! Proof of that comes from one of their mountain camping trips that took them to the Trou de la Mouche. On paper, the idea was simple: on a beautiful summer day, start from Plateau des Confins, carry the tent and all the gear, and figure out the rest come morning. Those in the know already understand that the Trou de la Mouche isn’t the largest spot for pitching a tent. With heads in the void, on rocky, uneven ground, the night was short. It was at sunrise that Kilian and Mitch decided if they could either bike down one side or ski over the snow remains on the other. The rest of the adventure is easy to find on social media, and who knows, maybe they’ll do it again this summer?!
4. Kilian at the Bike Park.
It’s his second home, especially the Encarnes. That’s Kilian’s favorite spot for riding at La Clusaz, and here’s why:
- It’s the section where you can ride the most from the top of the bike park.
- You get there by pedaling, so it’s a little earned.
- It’s beautiful, set in the forest, with technical trails all the way down. So, when he’s around, now you know where to find him!
5. Kilian goes boating.
Sure, it’s on the water, but the bike is never far behind. The plan was to island-hop through Croatia with friends. The sailboat became a base camp to store all the gear, kind of like a van, but better! Then, they’d be dropped off on one side of the island, and the team would head out to conquer the trails while the boat sailed to meet them at the destination. In the evening, everyone would gather again and head to the next stop. For this kind of project, you need a great group of cyclists, but also a navigator and a cook to treat everyone to delicious meals on the water.
6. Kilian learns to fly.
In 2022, during his trip through South America, covering Guatemala, Bolivia, and Peru, Kilian and his team explored spots that were crazier than the last. And then, while passing through a rain-carved canyon, our brave Kiki suddenly felt like he had wings. “The ramp was easy to clear, and the jump could be made pretty quickly,” he modestly explains. The hardest part was gauging the speed needed to cross, as he was the first to attempt it. A small kicker was built for the occasion and later taken down to avoid inspiring any curious onlookers who might pass by.
7. Kilian races.
Every year, he goes back. These long mass-start downhill mountain bike races are his specialty. Imagine a sort of derby, but instead of skiers, there are over 1,000 hungry mountain bikers. Even though he’s won the Mountain of Hell four times, the Megavalanche still eludes him. The training continues so he can handle these 45-minute full-throttle descents without flinching. We’re hoping he finishes first this year.
8. Kilian puts on a show.
After about ten years of making action video clips, Kilian turned to documentary filmmaking. To showcase his films and adventures to the world, he’s been hitting the stage for the past two years, hosting cinema-conference evenings. Our travel enthusiast is now meeting his audience in person to share stories, raise awareness, and inspire dreams. After filming and documenting weeks, even months, of adventures, it would’ve been a shame not to share it with a wider audience. Now, it’s a full-fledged tour, taking Kilian and his team from city to city, and it’s definitely worth the experience.
9. Kilian goes to the lake.
You can imagine, when Kilian goes to Lac d’Annecy, it’s not just to take a dip. One of his favorite spots is Duingt. Why? Because there’s a pump track by the water. It’s by bike that Kilian joins his friends, and depending on the season, the whole crew will then swim, have a drink on the docks, and grab a bite to eat. Living the good life between the lake and the mountains!
10. Kilian plays in the sand.
If you hang around Instagram or YouTube a bit, you’ve probably seen footage of him riding down the dunes with Victor Broquedis. This happened during the filming of Fuego, deep in the Nazca region, on the slopes of Cerro Grande, where these two athletes rode and skied down massive sand dunes together. A breathtaking spectacle!
11. Kilian tries trail running.
It’s part of his physical preparation, and as a nature lover, trail running allows him to explore places that are impossible to reach with a mountain bike. “On a bike, it’s a sport with little impact, except on the neck and wrists. Trail running is great to strengthen your body and get stronger,” says Kilian. But above all, it’s about the joy of being in nature, whether it’s by the lake, at Trou de la Mouche, or at the top of La Tournette. “I’m enjoying running more and more, but it’s a thankless sport that really works your legs,” he concludes.
12. Kilian moves south.
To ride year-round, Kilian likes to have options. With a home in Haute-Savoie and another in Andorra for a few years now, all he needed was a place down south. So, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, he found himself a new home. Perfect for the next chapter of his adventures!
13. Kilian tries gravel.
“Since I have a friend who does a lot of gravel, I had to get into it so we could spend time together!” jokes Kilian. All jokes aside, we really enjoy doing gravel-trail combos together. Coming from mountain biking, Kilian has a pretty tough approach to gravel. For him, it’s about getting back to the basics of bike sensations, with less suspension and a truly different way of riding.
