Melchior BOUYER

Adventurous gravel rider and trail runner in all weatherAt 23, I juggle studies, business, training, and adventure.

Originally from Nantes and adopted by Haute-Savoie, I grew up in a sporty family deeply connected to the mountains, between Saint-Gervais and the Mont-Blanc massif.

For over twelve years, rugby shaped my life with a clear goal: to become a professional. At 16, I joined a sports-study program, but a severe cervical injury abruptly ended that dream. On September 19, 2019, everything collapsed. Tetraplegia awaited me. After major surgery and long months of rehabilitation, I had to relearn how to run, move, and trust my body.

This ordeal marked a turning point. I rebuilt myself through sport: first with rowing at the Club de l'Aviron Nantais, then gradually returning to the mountains. To celebrate this renewal, I decided to climb Mont-Blanc with my mother for her 50th and my 18th birthday. A powerful symbol for the start of my new life.

Today, trail running, ski touring, and gravel biking have become my means of expression. What drives me has always been the same: to explore, move forward, and share the adventure in the great outdoors.

Trail

Gravel

Hiking

Ski Snowboard

MY PROFESSION?

I have just completed a master's degree at a business school, after two years of work-study.

Trained in commerce, marketing, and communication, I aspire to pursue these fields with a strong conviction: to stay true to my values. To grow within a company that is people-centered, socially responsible, and committed to its promises.

Today, above all, I want to embark on an adventure, discover beautiful landscapes, connect with inspiring people, and meet those who are building the future.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MOUNTAIN?

Since I was very young, I have dreamed of towering peaks, the mountain across from me, setting out to explore the ridges, and scrambling all over the place.

I discovered the mountains at 5 months old, and at three and a half years, I took my first steps on skis. At first, I was terrified of the snow. I find it quite funny to recall that it took me 18 months to take my first steps. Yes, that’s late... but I think I’ve more than made up for it since!

It was my parents, especially my mother, who passed on to me the love of wide open spaces and the mountains. She taught me to recognize the legendary peaks, to discover the trails, and to observe the nature around us.

At 14, I discovered high mountain climbing and had my first mountaineering experiences. With my family, we tried to climb the Dômes de Miage, located at 3,673 meters. The ascent was ultimately aborted in the final stretch due to poor snow conditions and the danger of the glacier after a certain hour.

It was precisely at that moment that I became aware of our impact on this environment, both magnificent and fragile. I then decided to capture these moments through my camera.

Today, I am particularly sensitive to the changes in the mountains. What we are experiencing right now is not normal. I want, on my own scale, to help preserve it, and I believe that starts above all by raising awareness of its biodiversity.

MY BIGGEST DREAM?

That society manages to orient itself towards what is right. Not towards the large multinationals, but rather towards those who manufacture and act locally.

WHY THE LAGOPED FAMILY?

It's simply a dream come true.

A brand that I appreciate and cherish for its strong values, the quality of its products, and its closeness to people. Producing in Europe, close to home, is part of tomorrow's mission. We have the ability to do it, we have already done it, and we must continue.

At Lagoped, there is a genuine desire to work with the right people and move forward together. It is a great pride for me to be part of it. Lagoped supports me in my Ride To Rise project, the biggest project of my young life: a seven-month bike tour across Europe, meeting locals and exploring territories.

For that, I need good equipment: durable, long-lasting, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Gear capable of handling the various conditions I will face.

I want to go even further and continue to grow with Lagoped in the years to come.