The unusual record attempt came about by chance. Last winter, Jules was reading about mountaineering routes when he stumbled across the Haute Route. The world-famous path, which dates back to the 19th century, is meant for hikers and skiers. The latter need about seven days to cover the 180 kilometers between Chamonix and Zermatt. "I'm not a skier, so I wondered whether you could ride the route by mountain bike," Jules says. Over the following months, the Cube Vittoria Collective enduro racer planned a route that could actually be completed on a mountain bike – many sections aren't designed for bikes – and still get as close as possible to the glaciers that lie along the way.

Jules' only possible partner was his childhood friend Valentin Schindler, also an enduro racer from the Cube Vittoria Collective. Valentin's spontaneous reaction: "An amazing challenge!" The two immediately began training.
"When I started planning this project, it was hard for me to think about anything else," says Jules, "It was my goal for the season, and I wanted to set a record under 48 hours." He and Valentin were accompanied in their by two cameramen Louis Dreyer and Hugo Lorentz as well as Robin Brucker and Charlotte Dreyer, Jules's sister. After four months of planning, in July 2025, the moment had finally come.

Jules' team arrived in the region one week before the start to acclimatize, finalize the planning, and complete several rides to get a feel for the terrain. Until the day before the challenge, the team continued to work on the route to lock in the details. Equipped with Ergon GDH grips, HM2 gloves, BA2 and BA3 backpacks, an SM Enduro saddle for Valentin and an SM Enduro Pro for Jules, the challenge began – in the middle of the night. The first climb to the Col de Balme, with gradients of up to 20 percent, quickly reveals how difficult this undertaking will be. The route is steep and rough, and they have to avoid the guard dogs of the cow herds. They reach the top just in time for sunrise and enjoy the incredible view before plunging into the technical descent.

Throughout the day, Jules and Valentin tackle a demanding and varied route. Steep climbs over rocky hiking trails in the forest alternate with fast gravel descents across alpine meadows and winding singletrack with significant exposure. The route is tough – and stunning. Short breaks are used to eat – energy gels, sugary drinks.
Then the first problems appear. Cramps in the legs and back. It's hot, but on the demanding descents, it's almost impossible to drink enough. By the end of the day, fatigue and exhaustion are becoming overwhelming. Jules is struggling with digestive issues. They push through a real low point before the climb to Mandéon, helped by their support team, which stays close and boosts their morale. Jules and Valentin fight their way to the top of Mandéon during the night, where they can finally get three hours of sleep.

The second day starts no better than the first one ended. Supposedly flat sections turn out to be uphill, costing precious time and energy. Jules still can't eat properly, and his strength is fading. They‘re battling for every meter of elevation.

During the 1,000-meter climb to the Pas de Lona, the heat becomes brutal, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. Jules and Valentin have to push their bikes more and more often and take increasingly frequent breaks. Supplies are running low, the mood is down – the schedule is impossible to keep at this point. Although they reach the top of the pass, it becomes clear in the end that, in their exhausted condition, continuing in the heat would be too dangerous. They end the record attempt after 35 hours and 8,000 meters of climbing. Their journey finally concludes at Lake Moiry – just two passes (Augstboard Pass, Meid Pass) short from Zermatt.

"When we talk about failure, we often have a distorted image in our heads," Jules says afterward. "We only see the sudden stop: the project that falls apart, the schedule you can’t keep, the climb you can't manage." For Jules, that view is too narrow. "Failure is part of chasiing records. It‘s a mirror that shows where preparation and planning fell short, and where your physical and mental limits are.
In the end, he says, failure is only temporary – a milestone on the path toward success or a better version of ourselves. The adventure between Charmonix and Zermatt makes that clear. "You have a perfect section, then everything goes wrong. You feel in control, yer completely vulnerable. If you accept that success isn‘t everything, you can draw enormous strength from a setback."
It seems inevitable: Jules and Valentin are not done with the Haute Route yet.

Photo credit: Hugo Lorentz - Humovision