Collective course

Since September 2024 I also teach this bicycle mechanic course at La Petite Université in Chamonix. These classes are divided into four two-hour units in which we cover in detail:

• Mandatory tools for bike maintenance and wear monitoring
• Identify the correct standard of parts
• Quickly check your bike
• Inner tube and tubeless repairs
• Brake systems and pads replacement
• Transmission, chain cleaning and wear, derailleur adjustment
• Answers to miscellaneous questions

Globe-trotter, outdoor leader, innovator, entrepreneur, Julien has taught and inspired many of my students either face to face or online over the past five or six years. He has been able to share his experience of personal and professional development, gained by traveling and working all around the world.
Now a qualified mountain leader based in Chamonix, France, Julien has considerable expertise and knowledge in outdoor activities and has recently set up his own company: Ambition Outdoor.
At a time when many young people are struggling to find their paths, Julien’s story may open new perspectives.  The lessons and values which he shares are indeed a breath of fresh air.

Simon Ensor

Rockrider is one of Decathlon’s many in-house brands. Although the (E-)mountain bike research centre is located in Lille, their engineers often come to the Mountain Store in Passy to test their prototypes on more difficult trails before they reach the market. My role is either to test their products (bikes and textiles), give recommendations based on my extensive experience or lead the group test in accordance with the product specifications.

Bontaz, a world-class manufacturer of automotive equipment, is the leading company of hydraulic functions. At a time when our whole society is moving towards less carbon-intensive transport systems such as cycling, I bring my expertise to bear on specific issues linked to the product life cycle.

Qaou Outdoor was an outdoor company located in southeast of France that aimed to design highly functional and versatile trekking gears with a minimal footprint. The lack of chemical products is the reason why the fabric is white. However the company had to shut down in summer 2023 because of bigger companies able to produce some of their ideas at a lower cost.

My Utility Bag is a company located in Biarritz that aims to product well designed backpacks for business traveller. I helped with the first backpack design in 2013 under the brand name AG Sportbags.

K-lamp is a lighting company from Bearn in Southwest of France. Its owner is a true mountain biking enthusiast. It made sense to him to put his know-how into a lamp that could benefit the whole biking community at a really fair price.

In January 2022, Thierry (the Chapeau’s Hut warden) introduce me to Franck from Upcyde (the contraction of Upcycling and Design). After we met, Franck introduced me to another upcycling company: Redeem Equipment . Currently I haven’t started any project with these two amazing engaged businesses because I don’t manage to find enough free time…

I have hired Julien for a 6 month mission and I would recommend him to whoever is looking for a serious, reliable, intelligent et efficient employee. Julien is one of these persons you are glad they have crossed your path. He understands fast and works in great autonomy achieving great results regarding how young he is! He is now (2013) on a world tour adventure, very intelligently organized for his professional (SEO, web marketing, blogging, product testing, sports, travel guides, etc.) and language skills to grow while he travels. At the end of his world tour, whenever he is ready to settle I will be first in the list to hire him !

Iker Aguirre