Robert arrives in Nice: a challenge taken up with flying colors by his grandson Gabriel

Grandpa Robert arrived in Nice after traveling 925 kilometers on Monday, August 24, 2026. Known as The Breath Passes, this challenge aims to raise awareness about bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare lung disease in children. This end of the journey marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Hope For Gabriel association and to raise awareness of this disease.

At the foot of the iconic I Love Nice, Robert emerged victorious from his crossing of the Alpine Route by bike. This 67-year-old man traveled 925 kilometers and crossed nineteen major passes, such as Cayolle and Turini.

On August 8th, Robert left Belleville on his bike to go to Nice, in order to raise funds and support his grandson, Gabriel. At 16 months old, Gabriel has bronchiolitis obliterans. This disease causes inflammation and fibrosis of the bronchioles, meaning that the small airways of the lungs become scarred and narrowed in children. Making breathing difficult, this disease benefits from only limited treatments and suffers from lack of funding.

The challenge The Breath Passes aims to raise 20,000 euros, which will be donated to the Hope For Gabriel association to support research, support families, and help raise awareness of this disease. So far, 10,205 euros have been raised.

For Robert, the challenge founder, this achievement is marked by an expression of pride with a touch of nostalgia: “I feel proud to have succeeded and I’m even a bit sad that it’s all ending because I really enjoyed my journey and the biking,” he said.

A challenge accomplished with flying colors

This devoted grandfather crossed seven departments by pedaling: Rhône, Ain, Haute-Savoie, Savoie, Hautes-Alpes, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and finally the Alpes-Maritimes. “I’ve never done anything similar before,” he admitted. He spoke about the demanding physical effort this crossing represented. “It starts to pull at 67 years old,” said Robert with a smile. Equipped with a GoPro, Robert was able to share his expedition at each stage, with its difficulties and victories.

For sixteen days, this passionate cyclist rode without professional logistical support, on an electric-assisted bike. This assistance proved essential to completing the challenge. “Electric assistance is my oxygen on the bike. Medical oxygen is Gabriel’s, and for all the children who need it to breathe every day,” said the challenge founder.

Although he completed this journey alone, he received unwavering support from his family, and more… Robert said he benefited from help at each stage of the journey with sympathetic hosts, supply points, and local relay stations.

Upon arrival, Robert received a video call from his son Johann Roche, accompanied by Gabriel. “This is for you my buddy, we made it over those passes,” he said emotionally to his grandson. The challenge The Breath Passes is a testimony to an adventure that is both personal and fueled by the love Robert has for “his Gabriel.” Beyond being a sporting achievement, each pass conquered appears as a genuine act of affection.

The ongoing fight for the Hope For Gabriel association

“This solidarity challenge is there to ensure that people can find solutions so that children are able to live with dignity,” said Johann Roche. Covering these 19,420 meters of elevation gain was intended to raise awareness of bronchiolitis obliterans.

This arrival only marks the beginning of a long fight. The idea is to sustain the action and expand the association by having it recognized as being of public benefit. “We will try to develop our association because we want people to donate and businesses to support us,” said Robert. This disease disrupts daily life and requires constant care. These care efforts aim only to stabilize the disease and prevent its progression. “We live with it with difficulty, we fight every day, and most people, healthcare workers included, have never heard the name of this disease,” lamented Gabriel’s father.

The challenge The Breath Passes aims to develop the association’s influence and to bring bronchiolitis obliterans out of obscurity.