Your Travel Bag: The Mark of an Adventurer

Abicyclette Voyages x diFférent.e | My Story

“Nothing predestined me for vacations as a travel bag. Nothing.

Originally, I was a piece of military fabric. Sturdy, water-repellent, and somewhat intrepid, I’ll admit it. Capable of withstanding inclement weather, rough terrain, and heavy loads without batting an eye. I was built to last. But as you know, humans often aim too high. So after watching my comrades leave, I was left to gather dust in the warehouse.

My fate, from that point on, seemed all but sealed. A life of gathering dust before a possible destruction. But the greatest adventures sometimes begin where you least expect them.

One day, two women decided I deserved better.

A second chance

Heading west! I’d heard about Brittany, and I admit I had some reservations. People had told me, You’ll see—over there, it rains sideways, and crepes are a religion! Well, you know as well as I do how people tend to oversimplify things… It was all, of course, a huge exaggeration.

So I ended up here, in this workshop dedicated to textile upcycling. I met skilled hands, people who, like me, had come here to reinvent themselves. Being crafted, cared for, and transformed by a company that promotes employment for people with disabilities was an honor. And on this journey of a second chance, all of this means a great deal to me.

At that moment, I ceased to be just a piece of fabric. I was given a new lease on life to become this beautiful travel bag, your proud travel companion. Each of my seams tells a story, of craftsmanship, of renewal. Because everyone here is on a journey of reintegration.

And you know, this story didn’t just change my life. By reusing items and avoiding the production of new materials, I helped save about 7.74 liters of water. I don’t claim to be changing the world. But I’m proud to be easing its burden just a little.

They stamped the Abicyclette Voyages logo on my chest. I couldn’t wait to learn more. And so, a few days later, I arrived in Rennes at Abicyclette Voyages, ready for a new adventure.

Here, no one sees me as just a bag. No, I’m prepared with great care. I was told that I’d be going on a trip and that I’d bring smiles to people’s faces. Little by little, I’m gaining weight, taking on more responsibility, and taking care of your roadbook, which I’m happy to hold. The GPS, too. Travel documents and a few little touches… But above all, I’m stepping up to the plate. Because I quickly realize that I’ll be the first to meet you, my fellow bike travelers. And you know as well as I do that you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.

The beginning of our adventures

I’m often the first thing people hand you when they meet you. I see the slightly shy smiles and the eager glances. I hear the final recommendations before departure. Then, my shoulder strap shifts from one shoulder to the other, and that’s when it all begins.

For a few days, a few weeks, or a few months, I live to the rhythm of your journey. I settle onto a terrace for a cup of coffee. I accompany you to the market to put together a picnic. I catch a few raindrops, a bit of sand, sometimes even a few crumbs of kouign-amann. I keep all of that to myself. That’s part of my job, too.

Then comes the last day of your trip. The GPS is removed. The travel journal finds its place in your keepsake box or on the shelf.

Unlike the rest of your gear, I have the honor of continuing on my journey with you. After my life as a travel bag, I can become a shopping bag, proudly carried through the market square. I’m the one who goes with you to the beach, the gym, or the office. I become your inseparable companion.

I like that idea.

To keep traveling, even far from the bike trails.

And deep down, maybe that’s my greatest victory: showing people that every object in this world can have many lives.

Mine is just beginning…”