Last June, this 57-year-old dedicated cyclist, a hospital employee, decided to meet a big challenge: crossing the French Alps from Evian-les-Bains, on the Leman Lake side, to Nice, on the French Riviera, in one ride. You may think that’s nice, but other riders are able to do (and some of them did) that too… Ok, but just another detail: he rode this adventure on a fixed-gear bike!
Do you want figures? It was a 53-hour-long adventure, on 596.4-kilometer-long roads, including 12 mountains passes. It was a 15485-meter climbing.
That’s why we wanted to meet the guy and find out more about him and his awesome adventure.
For daily commuting, Thierry, do you ride a fixie bike?
Of course. I only ride fixie bikes.
Who (may be what) inspired you to take such a challenge?
Luc Royer, my friend from “Chilkoot, the Pioneer Company” proposed it to me. I know this guy and his dedication to it, so I did not hesitate. And it was exciting to imagine I could be the first to meet the challenge.
Such an effort needs a specific preparation. When did you really start to train for this cross? How?
I’ve been riding fixie bikes for a long time. For 13 long years I’ve cycled in 42/17 ratio, riding about 20,000 km a year. The main job was to train on downhills, to be able to handle the gravity that is so exhausting for leg muscles.
What are your family’s and friends’ feelings about such projects? It needs so much human investment.
There are no words to express my family’s dedication to my “gum carnivals”. A few years ago, my sweet wife used to drive the assistance car on my former adventures. I remember she followed me in many crazy adventures like Marseille to Paris non-stop or Rome to Paris non-stop. Our daughter offered me a red beanie, that is always with me during my trips. They are always on my mind when I’m on my bike away from home.
You first attempted to do this in 2014, can you talk about it?
We were two riders (Simon and I) with two assistance cars. Because our ratios were different, we had to separate. If you add the awful weather, the physical and logistical problems that put you in danger… Sometimes wisdom orders you to give up.
During this ride, you only used 42/17?
No, I used it most of the time, but I had to change and use another bike with 33/24 on the hard climbs.
Did you sleep at all?
I had a 30-minute doze.
I imagine that there is a specific relationship with the driver of the assistance car.
Such an adventure is a matter of cooperation. It’s not only the driver, it’s all the staff. The success is based on 300% on the assistance. They are friends, family or medical staff, I have to trust them.
Did you consider giving up?
No. Never!
During the hardest moments, with the night, the cold rain, what made you go on?
My mental strength. I was ready!
When you arrived to the “Promenade des Anglais” in Nice after 53 hours of pedaling and suffering, what popped into your head?
I was thinking about my wife, my daughter… and all the staff that allowed me to be there. I was happy.
Next projects?
I want to participate in the 24-hour-long endurance race on the Paul Ricard Circuit next May (600 km). Why not in Le Mans too. And I plan to ride from Vèzelai to Barcelona: it’s a 958-kilometer-long ride. I want to ride the Mont Blanc Tour, a 330-kilometer-long ride through the French, Italian and Swiss mountain passes.
Anything more? You are free to speak.
Thank you, Lionel. I’d like you to come and ride a fixie bike with me in the Alps.
On a fixed-gear bike??? Don’t even think about that. Maybe on a classic road bike… 😉
