It was the first weekend in October. The weather was fine and warm...
It was rare and it was good. It was 9 a.m. and Paris was just waking up. Passers-by made their way to the office, while little by little, the whole team (40 people, after all) disembarked, their hearts beating a little for the adventure to come.
We had an appointment at Paris à vélo, in the 11ᵉ arrondissement. Our mission: to pick up our mounts for an 80km ride to La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, just two hours from Paris. There, the program was simple: disconnect, get out, walk, kiffer. Three days away from the city, away from our screens, to find ourselves, to recharge our batteries.
Some were experienced cyclists, others had never ridden for more than 30 minutes. Some wanted to go fast, others feared the distance. We were all excited as fleas, and a little nervous. It would be a big first for many of us!
Of course, there were a few twists and turns...
...forgotten sandwiches, complicated routes, a series of punctures.
Yes, we had a bit of a hard time. Yes, we didn't manage our routes very well. Yes, the last few kilometers were fierce for some of us, who were dreaming of prime rib and a warm bed.
But when we arrived at the estate, we were exhausted and happy to have accomplished the challenge. And above all, to be together to relive it again and again, come evening, with our anecdotes and our giggles.
Have you noticed how systematically our memories change over time? How, in the end, we retain only the best of these shared moments? The fun, the silliness, the confidences. The fresh air, the smell of the rain, the rustle of the k-way in the wind.
A suspended time, when nothing is expected of us, when we don't think about the next step. A time to think of nothing. I think we all know how precious these moments are, to take care of ourselves.
Happiness lies first and foremost in our social ties...
... according to a very serious study by Harvard, which has been studying the subject for 70 years. Cycling and outdoor activities are ideal tools for cultivating these human bonds.
Away from technology, in the middle of nature, on the move, we've experienced what really counts: connection with ourselves, with others, and with nature.
The outdoors isn't about the performance overkill that floods our social networks, with its stopwatches and photos of muscular bodies.
It's all about being on the move outdoors.
Even if it's walking in the park 30 metres from home.
It's all about doing something outdoors. To disconnect from screens, from our sometimes hectic daily lives. It's about refocusing on yourself, your sensations, in contact with nature. It's also a way of traveling differently, in motion.
We've put our guts and soul into a short documentary...
It's only 5 minutes long, but it recounts the key moments of our seminar and interviews several personalities on the benefits of outdoor activities on their mental and physical health.
The documentary is also a tribute to the Lokki team spirit, which embodies not only a passion for leisure activities, but also the values of simplicity, fun and conviviality.
If you'd like to support it, give it a thumbs-up on Youtube!
