A Week at Biarritz
Every June, Biarritz becomes the epicenter of motorcycle culture.
For a few days, the Basque coast welcomes builders, riders, surfers, artists, photographers, and enthusiasts from around the world for one of the most unique events on the calendar: Wheels & Waves.
Part motorcycle festival, part cultural gathering, part racing event, Wheels & Waves has built a reputation for doing things differently. It's not just about motorcycles; it's about the people, the stories, and the lifestyle that surrounds them.
This year felt especially meaningful for us.
For the first time, our store was located right at the entrance of the Village, in what many would agree was one of the best spots of the entire event. Throughout the week, we welcomed visitors from across Europe and beyond, shared stories with fellow riders, and enjoyed having our friends from The Roadshow as neighbors.
The atmosphere was everything Wheels & Waves is known for: relaxed, creative, and driven by a shared passion for motorcycles and adventure.
Experiencing Wheels & Waves Through the Eyes of the Riders
This year, we wanted to experience the event differently.
Instead of simply attending the races, we followed one ambassador rider in each of the main competitions. The goal was simple: understand what these races really feel like from the inside.
What motivates riders to compete? How do they prepare their motorcycles? What goes through their minds moments before the start?
Over the coming weeks, we'll be sharing a series of videos on Instagram featuring each rider, their machine, and their experience at Wheels & Waves.
Here's a look at the races we followed.
Punk's Peak: Pure Adrenaline on Mount Jaizkibel
Rider: Loïc Chetout
Few events capture the spirit of Wheels & Waves better than Punk's Peak.
Set on the legendary roads of Mount Jaizkibel, riders line up two by two for a unique 400-meter sprint race. One hand on the helmet. Engines running. Waiting for the signal.
The moment the start is given, riders engage first gear and launch themselves uphill as quickly as possible.
Founded in 2013, Punk's Peak has become one of the signature events of Wheels & Waves.
For the climb, Loïc chose our Deerskin Greenery gloves, whose supple deerskin construction provided both comfort and feel during the intense 400-meter sprint. A fitting companion for one of Wheels & Waves' most iconic races.
The Big Gang BMX: Bringing 1980s BMX Culture Back to Life
Rider: Maxime Delestre
One of the most exciting additions to this year's festival was THE BIG GANG BMX.
Located at the very heart of the Village, this new activation recreated the spirit of early Californian BMX racing from the 1980s.
A temporary 220-meter sprint track cut directly through the event grounds, allowing spectators to experience the action from just a few meters away.
Unlike modern BMX competitions, The Big Gang BMX wasn't about tricks alone. Speed, style, attitude, and community all played an equal role.
To match the old-school spirit of the event, Maxime rode wearing our Dirt Yellow gloves, built for control, comfort, and long days spent between racing and riding.
The Race Of The Lords: Racing Like It's 1949
Rider: Jérôme Allé
The Race Of The Lords may be one of the most visually striking competitions at Wheels & Waves.
Inspired by the races organized by American servicemen after World War II, the event features pre-1950 motorcycles competing on a 450-meter course complete with a standing start and a U-turn halfway through.
The machines are beautiful. The riders are dressed to match the era.
Watching Jérôme and the other competitors prepare their motorcycles offered a reminder that these vintage machines are far more than museum pieces.
For The Race Of The Lords, Jérôme wore the limited-edition Wheels & Waves collaboration gloves, designed to celebrate the event's unique blend of racing heritage, craftsmanship, and style.
El Rollo: Dirt, Dust, and Controlled Chaos
Rider: Gille Leenknegt
If Punk's Peak is about acceleration, El Rollo is about control.
This year's updated format featured a compact 200-meter track incorporating turns, bumps, and technical sections that demanded precision and commitment.
As riders entered corners sideways, throwing dust into the air while fighting for grip, spectators gathered around the arena-like circuit to witness one of the most entertaining events of the week.
Following Gille around the paddock and track offered an inside look at the preparation required to master one of Wheels & Waves' most spectacular races.
His choice for the weekend was our Dirt Yellow gloves, perfectly suited to the dusty conditions and demanding riding style that El Rollo requires.
Vintage Enduro: The Purest Wheels & Waves Experience
Rider: Régis Guyot
If there's one event that perfectly represents the Wheels & Waves philosophy, it might be the Vintage Enduro.
No professional ambitions. No factory teams. Just riders, vintage motorcycles, mud, dust, and a willingness to have fun.
Crossing fields, forests, and rough terrain, competitors navigate a route while never losing the playful spirit that defines the event.
Régis described it best: it's not really about beating others. It's about enjoying the ride.
And judging by the smiles at the finish line, that's exactly what happened.
Throughout the Vintage Enduro, Régis wore our Wheels & Waves collaboration gloves, a natural fit for an event that celebrates vintage motorcycles, camaraderie, and the joy of riding above all else.
More Than a Motorcycle Festival
What makes Wheels & Waves special isn't any single race.
It's the combination of everything.
Custom motorcycles parked next to surfboards. Vintage racers sharing stories with young builders. Music, photography, craftsmanship, design, and racing all existing within the same space.
For one week, Biarritz becomes a place where motorcycle culture is celebrated in its broadest sense.
And that's why we keep coming back.
Follow the Journey
This article is only the beginning.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be releasing exclusive videos featuring Loïc, Maxime, Jérôme, Gille, and Régis as they share their experiences from each race, introduce their motorcycles, and take us behind the scenes of Wheels & Waves 2026.
If you don't want to miss them, follow us on Instagram and stay tuned for the full series.
See you at the next start line.
