Employee spotlight: Alain, Assistant Manager at the Villeray store

In our employee spotlight series, meet the people who bring cycling to life every day at Bicycles Quilicot. Today, we’re chatting with Alain Faure, Assistant Manager in Villeray: a fan of performance, great rides, and adventures on Québec roads.

Background and journey

« My name is Alain Faure and I’m the Assistant Manager at the Villeray store. I’ve been working at Bicycles Quilicot since I moved from France a little over two years ago. »

Riding style

« I’m a graphic designer by trade, so I spent my days behind a screen with way too much energy left at the end of the day. Cycling quickly became my way to clear my head, burn off that energy, and go on an adventure.

So I’ve been riding more seriously for about ten years now: I started with mountain biking in a chill “ride-and-explore” mode, then got into road racing, and I’ve done a bit of track cycling too… These days, I’ve added gravel riding to the mix, because it’s just perfect for exploring Québec’s roads. »

Your bike and why you love it

« I’ve ridden quite a few bikes, but my current road bike reflects my personality well: performance-focused. Yes, I like going fast!

I ride a Specialized Tarmac SL8—an ultra-responsive machine that’s also comfortable—built with Roval CLX II wheels. It’s a real pleasure for stacking up the kilometers. One small detail I love: my oval ROTOR crankset, which makes pedaling feel smoother.

For gravel, I ride a heavily personalized BMC Kaius 01 Two. Fast, comfortable, efficient with the new Shimano GRX Di2, Conti Terra Speed 40 mm tires, latex tubes, and my Specialized Power Mirror saddle to stay nicely supported even when things get rough. It’s my pride and joy. »

Ride essentials

« My three must-haves for a ride:

– A route planned ahead on Strava and sent to my Garmin 1050: I just follow along and enjoy without thinking about where to turn.
– Food and drink to avoid bonking: often Krono bars and electrolytes (a local brand), and sometimes a banana on longer rides.
– My repair kit: nothing worse than having to call your partner because of a flat in the middle of nowhere. »

Alain’s recommendation

« Everything in its own time! A lot of cyclists try to do everything at once and end up getting discouraged. Cycling is also about choosing your goals: focus on one or two per season and go all in—that’s the best way to improve and truly enjoy it.

Gear-wise, I can’t recommend the Garmin Varia RTL515 enough. I’m hard of hearing, and this radar adds a huge layer of safety by alerting me to cars approaching while also increasing my visibility as a cyclist. Safety is priceless (same goes for a good helmet!).

As for spots, I loved climbing the Galibier in the Alps and riding in Ardèche for the peace and quiet, but here I’ve got a real soft spot for the Nordet in the Laurentians and the Bromont area on my gravel bike. »

Interested in joining the Quilicot team?

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