Flo and Paula: Adventures, bags and a little mud!

Flo is a Southern guy like us, born between the sea and the mountains, with a bike as his best friend to explore the trails behind the house. But he's not just a bike lover, he's a real fan of anything that rolls: longboard, Onewheel... When he's not riding, he captures magnificent atmospheres with his camera or his GoPro.

About two years ago, after a bike road trip, Flo decided to cast off and settle in Saint-Malo. We thought he was overindulging in buttery galettes, so we sent him a Paula to rediscover his taste for adventure. Even if he only has one quest in mind: to taste every apple pie he comes across.

 

But let's start from the beginning: it's 2016, Flo is spending time on the road in a makeshift van with Mimi. It was around this time that he got into capturing images beneath the waves with his GoPro, which quickly became an obsession. He began to go deeper and deeper, down to 10 meters, to snap freediving photos that would make fish pale. That's when he started to work for himself and follow the madmen of the abyss. But hey, the eternal jack-of-all-trades that he is, Flo quickly returned to his first love: cycling. Even though his old purple Mercier with cantilever brakes, picked up at La Roue Libre in Nice, had to retire. But nothing stops Flo, he continues to lose himself on the trails with the same joy.

Flo is also: Akao Design ! Because the guy also makes custom bike bags. He taught himself everything with Mimi's mother's old sewing machine. His first creation: a toiletry bag. Then, he recycled fabrics and old backpacks to create bike bags and even the first prototypes of fanny packs. Like everyone else, he made mistakes, going from Mondial Tissus to professional sites to find the fabric that suited him: ecopack! To arrive at durable, rigid and above all beautiful bags that you can find today on his site.

When I ask him to name the bag he is most proud of, he answers without hesitation: the fanny pack ! It is pure joy , even if it is the bag that takes him the most time, it is precisely the one that gives him the most satisfaction. Everyone likes it, even those who do not ride a bike. It is an almost indispensable accessory in which you can stuff anything you want: keys, phone, cereal bars, a small camera, windbreaker, etc. Rather practical and tasteful. In 15 days, he can make 10 fanny packs plus a few Masaka and custom-made bags. A real little factory!

For the future, he certainly wants to grow Akao Design, but not too much, just to keep production at its level and also to live decently because it's necessary to subsidize the stops at the bakery. He already has some projects to expand the range, try new materials, get back into upcycling with boat or windsurf sails. And maybe one day a workshop!

As you can see, Akao Design is just one guy. He's in direct contact with his customers. Like us, he's true to his values, and above all, he stays true to himself by finding a balance between his bag projects, his bike rides, and his YouTube videos. You can't go wrong with this guy, and he has nothing to prove! If you call him for a personal project, he'll be honest and take the time to talk with you, and all that takes time. So, if, like the Bretons, you favor local and handmade products, then don't hesitate.

Let's not forget that our Flo is also a bit of a celebrity; the other day, he was strolling through the aisles of the Decathlon in Saint-Malo when a guy pointed at him and said Akaooooo? He had just seen one of his videos, he was dying of laughter, they chatted, it was so funny .

So, what about Paula? Ever since he opened the box, Flo hasn't stopped telling us that he's gotten back into cycling. When he's sewing, he glances at her out of the corner of his eye while waiting for the next ride. I want to ride all the time. Paula came into my life at the right time. He's looking on Komoot for the trails he can take and trying out new ambushes on the muddy singles . Oh yeah! Apparently, he's also fallen in love with mud...hence a quick shipment of new Pirelli Cinturato tires to give him good grip.

And if you follow him on Youtube or Instagram you guess that he always takes with him: his GoPro, of course, but also his trusty Canon 6D for the coolest outings. For small hungers, Chimpanzee chocolate espresso bars but also pizza… I didn't ask if it was a three cheese. On short outings, there is also always something to make a coffee: the aeropress, the stove, coffee of course, and a stainless steel mug. But his favorite thing is his Massacan hoodie (boot licking) I'm kidding . We will especially remember his red and black checked shirt and his little mustache.

On weekends, he goes on leisurely outings with Mimi: We leave the house and head to the nearest bakery. We also always get something to make a coffee. And generally, part of it is on the Bay of Saint-Michel. It's chill. There are quite a few trails, picnic tables, and the colors are too beautiful to take pictures.

I'll reveal some other juicy details to you; Flo is also a real geek who loves modular or even self-generated music. He also draws everywhere, on his bike helmets, camera flashes, gliders, planes, everything goes. When he takes out his pinstriping brush and starts decorating everything, he's unstoppable.

What does he miss about the South? Maybe his old Sunn 5000 R, but especially the mountains, the Barbajuans and everything that brings him closer to Italian cuisine, he says while eating a slice of Boursin cheese.

Here's Flo, our friend, father of Paula and multi-talented artist!

Visit his shop for a unique bag.