El primer pensament que em ve al cap " Ha estat una experiència inoblidable".
Quatre dies de màgia i ciclisme sentint que formava part de la prova cicloturista més important del món. Això és increïble i calia gaudir-ho. Un somni fet realitat.
The first thought that comes to mind "It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience."
Four days of magic and cycling feeling that part of the world's most important randonneur cycling race. This is amazing and had enjoyed it. A dream come true.
The first thought that comes to mind "It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience."
Four days of magic and cycling feeling that part of the world's most important randonneur cycling race. This is amazing and had enjoyed it. A dream come true.
La sensibilitat s'apodera del meu cos i apareixen tot de sentiments i sensacions oposades com en una muntanya russa. Nervis, patiment, satisfacció, somriure, son, gana, fred, calor, mal de panxa, dolor i la més absoluta sensació de felicitat.
Sensitivity seized my body are all feelings and sensations, a roller coaster. Nerves, pain, satisfaction, smile, sleep, hunger, cold, heat, stomach ache, pain and feeling of absolute happiness.
6.000 ciclistes de 50 països acceptàvem el mateix repte que Charles Terront l'any 1.891.
Anar de París a Brest i tornar completant un total de 1.234 km en menys de 90 hores.
6,000 cyclists from 50 countries we accepted the same challenge that Charles Terront in 1891.
Go to Paris to Brest and back completing a total of 1,234 km in less than 90 hours.
6,000 cyclists from 50 countries we accepted the same challenge that Charles Terront in 1891.
Go to Paris to Brest and back completing a total of 1,234 km in less than 90 hours.
El camí per arribar fins aquí ja fa anys que va ... de fet l'any 2.007 es ficà dins meu aquest objectiu. Aquest 2.015 vam iniciar la nostra aventura participant el 28 de febrer en el primer dels Brevets per classificar-nos. En 6 mesos poden passar moltes coses. Per sort, enguany tot ens ha anat bé.
The road to get here started in 2007 ... inside. This 2015 we began our adventure participant on February 28 in the first race to qualify. In six months a lot can happen. Luckily, this year we all went well.
The road to get here started in 2007 ... inside. This 2015 we began our adventure participant on February 28 in the first race to qualify. In six months a lot can happen. Luckily, this year we all went well.
La 18è edició era la nostra. Els amics Joan Antón Rodríguez ( a la recerca del triplet) i Gil Almagro unírem les nostres energies per assolir plegats aquest repte. L'unica cosa que teniem al cap era acabar. N'estàvem segurs que ho podríem fer. Hem patit molt plegats i sabem que en som capaços.
I junts, com un equip, iniciàvem la nostra aventura.
The 18th edition was ours. My friends Juan Antonio Rodriguez (research treble) and Gil Almagro unite our forces to meet this challenge. The only thing I had in mind was to finish. N'estàvem confident that we could do. We suffered a lot and we know that together we can.
And together, as a team, were beginning our adventure.
The 18th edition was ours. My friends Juan Antonio Rodriguez (research treble) and Gil Almagro unite our forces to meet this challenge. The only thing I had in mind was to finish. N'estàvem confident that we could do. We suffered a lot and we know that together we can.
And together, as a team, were beginning our adventure.
El dia 15 d'agost començava el compte enrere. La cosa anava de debò. Al matí ens dirigim al velòdrom nacional per passar el control de bicicleta, recollir el dorsal, el chip i tot el material que ens dóna l'organització.
A la tarda comencem a omplir l'alforja amb tot el necessari per afrontar la prova. Moltes coses a tenir en compte: la roba per la nit, el fred; llums i piles de recanvi; eines i càmeres, culottes, cremes, ...).
On August 15, the countdown begins. In the morning we went to the national Velodrome for cycling pass through, collect the dorsal, the chip and the material That Gives the organization.
In the afternoon we start bike bag filled with everything Necessary to meet the test. Many things I consider to: clothes for the night, cold; lights and batteries; and tools and tires, culottes, cream ...).
Dia 16 al matí ho acabem d'enllestir-ho tot, parlem i fem alguns canvis (encertats) d'última hora.
La tarda és fa molt pesada. No passen les hores. Anem a veure la primera sortida, encara és pitjor. Tornem i ja no sabem que fer. Mengem una mica, poc. Ens posem la roba i marxem cap a la sortida. La nostra és a les 19.45h. I hem de ser una hora abans. Quina tensió!
On August 16, at morning, talk and make some changes (accurate).
The afternoon is long heavy. Do not spend hours. Let's look at the first exit, is even worse. We are back and did not know what to do. We eat a little bit. We put clothes and march towards the exit. Ours is at 19.45h. I have to be an hour earlier. Nervous!
On August 16, at morning, talk and make some changes (accurate).
The afternoon is long heavy. Do not spend hours. Let's look at the first exit, is even worse. We are back and did not know what to do. We eat a little bit. We put clothes and march towards the exit. Ours is at 19.45h. I have to be an hour earlier. Nervous!
Segellem el carnet de ruta per primera vegada. Ens posem a sota l'arc de sortida. Ple de gent.
El públic frisa davant de la sortida dels corredors. És increïble!
Seal the route card for the first time. We put down the bow out. Crowded.
The public appeal before the departure of the runners. It's amazing!
Seal the route card for the first time. We put down the bow out. Crowded.
The public appeal before the departure of the runners. It's amazing!
Compte enrere i comencem a pedalar. Anem molt ràpid i deixem enrere la ciutat per endinsar-nos en les carreteres secundàries de França. Tot senyalitzat. Impossible perdre's. Els conductors ens respecten i no sentim por pedalant amb el transit obert. La cultura del ciclisme que tenen els francesos és envejable. Respecten als ciclistes.
Countdown and start pedaling. Soon leave the city to get into the roads of France. All marked, impossible to miss. Drivers respect us. The culture of cycling in France who have enviable. Respect for cyclists.
Cau la nit i tota una filera inacabable davant i darrera nostre senyala la ruta. Mai vist.
Ens passen grups, els passem nosaltres, ... Un grup d'americans ens avancen parlant, bé no parlen, criden. Envejo la seva autoestima i seguretat en ells mateixos. Davant meu un corredor de San Francisco Randonneurs dalt d'una bici clàssica, amb sabates de cuir i cordons i texans negres retallats!!! Toma!! I nosaltres que si badanes especials, culottes de 160 euros, cremes ...
I aquest ciclista a pèl disposat a tenir el seu cul damunt d'un seient de cuir Brooks. Penso en el meu amic Paul Fuster.
Night falls and a whole endless line bike lights front and rear indicates our route. Never seen.
We passed groups. A group of american speaking, scream. I envy their self-esteem and security in themselves. In front of me a runner San Francisco Randonneurs atop a classic bike with leather shoes and laces and black jeans cut. This rider ready to have your ass on a Brooks leather seat. I think my friend Paul Fuster.
Night falls and a whole endless line bike lights front and rear indicates our route. Never seen.
We passed groups. A group of american speaking, scream. I envy their self-esteem and security in themselves. In front of me a runner San Francisco Randonneurs atop a classic bike with leather shoes and laces and black jeans cut. This rider ready to have your ass on a Brooks leather seat. I think my friend Paul Fuster.
La primera nit ja es gairebé nostra. Veiem un grup de ciclistes aturats davant d'un xalet. És una família amb una àvia entranyable al davant repartint cafè, aigua i el seu temps a tots nosaltres. Està clar que estimen el ciclisme, aquesta cursa i als ciclistes. Serà constant durant tot el recorregut, sigui l'hora que sigui, faci fred o no, trobar famílies fent-nos aquests regals.
The first night it was almost ours. We see a group of cyclists stopped in front of a house. It is a family with a grandmother in front endearing delivering coffee, water and time all of us. It is clear that love cycling and cyclists this race. Will be constant throughout the tour, or when it is, it is cold or not, find families making us these gifts.
The first night it was almost ours. We see a group of cyclists stopped in front of a house. It is a family with a grandmother in front endearing delivering coffee, water and time all of us. It is clear that love cycling and cyclists this race. Will be constant throughout the tour, or when it is, it is cold or not, find families making us these gifts.
Arribem al primer Control a Villaines (221 km - 10h 46m) Com a premi un frankfurt picant sense pa. Tinc gana.
We reached the first Villaines Control (221 km - 10h 46m). A frankfurt spicy without bread. I'm hungry.
We reached the first Villaines Control (221 km - 10h 46m). A frankfurt spicy without bread. I'm hungry.
Es fa de dia i comencem a veure els pobles decorats. És una festa.
Son, gana i pedalades durant tot el dia. La mitja comença a baixar.
Dawns and people start to see scenery. It is a party.
Sleep, appetite and pedaling all day. Speed begins to descend.
Sense adonar-nos ja han passat 24 hores. Seguim. Es farà de nit i a la 1:00 a.m arribem al Control de Loudeac (449km - 25h 32m ). Mengem i volem dormir. Hem d'esperar mitja hora fent cua. Una llitera i 3 hores estirat.
Without realizing it's been 24 hours. Follow. There will be night and 1:00 am arrive at Loudeac Control (449km - 25h 32m). We eat and sleep. We have to wait half an hour queuing. 3 hours lying a stretcher.
Tornem a la carretera, fa molt fred. Avui arribarem a Brest. Recordo que vaig passar-ho una mica malament entre els 500 i 600 kilòmetres. Una mica suposo que com "el mur" dels maratonians. Res important. Sé que passarà i ho gestiono com puc. Penso només en arribar a Brest.
Return to the road, very cold. Today we reach Breast. I remember I had it a little wrong between 500 and 600 kilometers. I guess a bit like "the wall" in the marathon. Nothing important. I know it will happen and how can I manage. I only go on to Brest.
Return to the road, very cold. Today we reach Breast. I remember I had it a little wrong between 500 and 600 kilometers. I guess a bit like "the wall" in the marathon. Nothing important. I know it will happen and how can I manage. I only go on to Brest.
Sembla que no hi arribem mai. Pugem un coll i coronem dalt d'un llac preciós. No paro a fer cap foto, res de malbaratar forces en els mals moments. Una llarga recta d'uns quants kilòmetres i comencem a creuar-nos amb ciclistes que ja tornen. Vaig mirant els seus dorsals, han sortit dels primers. Estic tranquil. No anem sobrats, però anem bé.
There never seems to arrive. We climbed a mountain atop a beautiful lake. I keep making, no photos, no splurging forces in the bad times. A long stretch of a few kilometers and began to cross with us because cyclists return. I was looking at their numbers, but we are fine.
There never seems to arrive. We climbed a mountain atop a beautiful lake. I keep making, no photos, no splurging forces in the bad times. A long stretch of a few kilometers and began to cross with us because cyclists return. I was looking at their numbers, but we are fine.
El pont de Brest és impressionant. És un premi arribar-hi. Sellegem al punt de Control a Brest (618km - 41h 2m). Mengem una mica i ens llancem sobre la gespa. Parlem breument amb el Jose Miguel (C.C Sant Boi), és col·lega. Ens anirem trobant. Ens adormim mitja horeta. Arranquem amb bones sensacions i les energies renovades.
Ja tornem cap a París!
Bridge Brest amazing. It is a prize to get there. Sellegem the point of control to Brest (618km - 41h 2m). We eat a little and we jump on the grass. We talked briefly with Jose Miguel (CC Sant Boi) is colleague. We fall asleep half an hour. Arranquem with renewed energy and good feelings.
Now back to Paris!
Creuem de nou un poble que està de festa amb el pas dels ciclistes. Ens aturem i sento com la cambrera diu que està cansada però contenta de veure'ns passar. És molt amable i em prenc un cafè boníssim! Seguim ...
Pass by town, do party with the passage of cyclists. We stop and feel like the waitress says she is tired but happy to see happen. She is very friendly and I take a coffee delicious! Continue ...
Arribem de nou al Control de Loudeac (782 km - 52h 52m) on vàrem dormir el dia abans. Quina gentada! Cua per menjar i per dormir. Fem tanta cua que ens resta temps de descans. 2h i 30 minuts. Molt fred. Ens tapem amb la manta d'alumini tèrmica.
We came back to Control Loudeac (782 km - 52h 52m) where we sleep the day before. What a crowd! A line of cyclists for eating and sleeping.. Sleeping 2 hours and 30 minutes. Very cold. We cover it with aluminum thermal blanket.
We came back to Control Loudeac (782 km - 52h 52m) where we sleep the day before. What a crowd! A line of cyclists for eating and sleeping.. Sleeping 2 hours and 30 minutes. Very cold. We cover it with aluminum thermal blanket.
Tornem-hi! 5ºC pedalant encara de nit. Pararem a fer un pre- esmorzar a la matinada en un xiringuito on ja hi vam parar d'anada. L'altra cop vam menjar una crep dolça i avui unes patates fregides, un frankfurt força bo i seguim.
Try again! 5ºC still pedaling at night. Pre-dawn breakfast in a bar. The other time we eat a sweet crepe and today some fries, a hot dog pretty good.
Try again! 5ºC still pedaling at night. Pre-dawn breakfast in a bar. The other time we eat a sweet crepe and today some fries, a hot dog pretty good.
Escenes de fatiga extrema deixem a banda i banda de la carretera. Gent llençada per les cunetes. La majoria reviscolen i segueixen endavant. Malauradament d'altres no.
Scenes from extreme fatigue leave on either side of the road. Cyclists tired by the road. Most come back to life and continue forward. Unfortunately no always.
Scenes from extreme fatigue leave on either side of the road. Cyclists tired by the road. Most come back to life and continue forward. Unfortunately no always.
Durant la segona part del recorregut és quan ens anirem trobant Randonneurs de Catalunya.
El Jose Miguel, l'Àlex Roca, a l'Agustí, al Marc, el Pere i d'altres ... )
Els amics de Huesca, l'Anselmo i el Carlos també els trobarem.
During the second part of the tour is when we will find Randonneurs Catalonia.
Jose Miguel, Alex Roca, l'Agustí, Marc, Pere and the others ...) Friends of Huesca, the Anselmo and Carlos also find.
Els amics de Huesca, l'Anselmo i el Carlos també els trobarem.
During the second part of the tour is when we will find Randonneurs Catalonia.
Jose Miguel, Alex Roca, l'Agustí, Marc, Pere and the others ...) Friends of Huesca, the Anselmo and Carlos also find.
Capítol a part es mereix en Ramón Catalan, amb qui ens vàrem creuar tornant de Brest. És un fora de sèrie. Li van robar la bici el dia abans i es va atrevir a fer la cursa amb la bici de passeig de la seva dona. Això sí que té un gran valor. Això és tenir-los ben posats. Autèntic! I vaig pensar molt durant la ruta i vam poder saludar-nos. Em va fer molt content!
Chapter apart deserves Ramon Catalan, with whom we will cross back from Brest. It is one of a kind. Stolen the bike the day before and to race the bike ride of his wife. Is a great value. This is good, Authentic! And I thought a lot during the route and we greet us. It made me very happy!
Chapter apart deserves Ramon Catalan, with whom we will cross back from Brest. It is one of a kind. Stolen the bike the day before and to race the bike ride of his wife. Is a great value. This is good, Authentic! And I thought a lot during the route and we greet us. It made me very happy!
En un bar fem uns cafès. Tenim molta son de nou. Coneixem a un holandès que parla castellà; és una màquina. Una força de la natura. Se'l veu bon paio!
Stopped a bar do some coffees. We have much sleep again. Know a cyclist Dutch. We learn that it is a Dutch machine. A force of nature. He speaks Spanish and he looks good guy!
Stopped a bar do some coffees. We have much sleep again. Know a cyclist Dutch. We learn that it is a Dutch machine. A force of nature. He speaks Spanish and he looks good guy!
Caigudes davant nostre molt seguides. Ens agafa una mica de por. La gent s'adorm dalt de la bici i cau. Així, tal qual.
Falls . It gets a little scary. People sleep atop the bike and falls.
Falls . It gets a little scary. People sleep atop the bike and falls.
Arribem al Control de Fougeres (921km - 64h 55m) on sembla l'arribada d'una clàssica belga. Tanques, pancartes, molt de públic ... Impressionant! La gent ens parla i ens pregunten com estem, d'on venim i ens animen. La canalla ens ajuda a portar la safata amb el dinar, segellem els carnets de ruta, ... Els hi fa il·lusió. Col·laboren juntament amb els seus pares i avis per torns dia i nit. M'emociona molt.
Segurament a casa nostra alguns ho criticarien dient que exploten als infants i tal i qual ... Malauradament sé de que parlo. La veritat és que tot el contrari. "Els valors es practiquen, no s'expliquen". Aquests nens i nenes quan tindran 18 anys i portin cotxe, ens seguiran estimant i ens respectaran "forever". Tenim tan per aprendre de la cultura francesa. Estem a anys lluny!
We arrived at Fougeres Control (921km - 64h 55m) where it seems the arrival of a Belgian classic. Billboards, banners, very public ... Awesome! People talk and ask us how we are, where we come from and encourage us. The children help us bring lunch tray, sealed the driving route ... The illusion is made. They collaborate with their parents and grandparents in shifts day and night. Excites me a lot.
Surely our house some criticize it saying that exploit children and so and so ... Unfortunately I know I speak. The truth is quite the opposite. "The values are practiced, are not counted." When will these children 18 and take the car, we still love and respect us "forever." We have to learn as French culture. We are years away!
We arrived at Fougeres Control (921km - 64h 55m) where it seems the arrival of a Belgian classic. Billboards, banners, very public ... Awesome! People talk and ask us how we are, where we come from and encourage us. The children help us bring lunch tray, sealed the driving route ... The illusion is made. They collaborate with their parents and grandparents in shifts day and night. Excites me a lot.
Surely our house some criticize it saying that exploit children and so and so ... Unfortunately I know I speak. The truth is quite the opposite. "The values are practiced, are not counted." When will these children 18 and take the car, we still love and respect us "forever." We have to learn as French culture. We are years away!
El dia passa volant. Es torna a fer de nit. Serà la darrera. Al Control de Mortagne (1.090 km - 76h 59m) on tenim pensat dormir està a petar de gent. 45 minuts estirats a terra.
S'està calentet, almenys ... Al marxar veiem al ciclista holandès. És un mortal, dorm com un nen amb les seves sabates de pell posades.
The day flies. He turns to night. It will be the last. Control Mortagne (1,090 km - 76h 59m) where we thought sleeping is packed with people. 45 minutes lying on the floor.
Hot is at least ... When we went, see Dutch rider. Also a deadly, sleep as a child with his leather shoes.
Tot aquell tram fins al penúltim control va ser duríssim per a tots. Ho vam passar molt malament amb la son. Els "micro-sueños" consisteixen en parar i sense baixar de la bici, obrir les cames per no caure i recolzar el cap damunt dels braços replegats, cinc minuts amb els ulls tancats i pots continuar.
Arrive the penultimate control was very hard for everyone. We had to sleep badly. The "micro-Dreams" consist stop and without lowering the bike, spread his legs to avoid falling and rested his head on folded arms, five minutes with your eyes closed and you can continue.
Arrive the penultimate control was very hard for everyone. We had to sleep badly. The "micro-Dreams" consist stop and without lowering the bike, spread his legs to avoid falling and rested his head on folded arms, five minutes with your eyes closed and you can continue.
Parem en un xalet on ens ofereixen cafè i parlem un estona. Davant el meu interès davant d'un pòster d'en Charles Terront, m'ensenyen un diari original de l'època, exemplar únic em diuen, on hi ha un reportatge sobre el ciclista. Em dóna la seva adreça de correu. Diu que m'enviarà el diari escanejat. Al·lucinant!
We stopped at a house where we offer coffee and talk a while. Given my interest in front of a poster of Charles Terront, teach me original newspapers of the time, tell me one example where there is a report on the cyclist. Give me your email address. M'enviarà scanned the newspaper says. Very nice!
We stopped at a house where we offer coffee and talk a while. Given my interest in front of a poster of Charles Terront, teach me original newspapers of the time, tell me one example where there is a report on the cyclist. Give me your email address. M'enviarà scanned the newspaper says. Very nice!
Comença a ploure i fa fred, quina combinació!Una caiguda davant nostre ens espanta. El Ton no para de repetir-nos, no correu baixant que ho podem perdre tot ... Té tota la raó.
Veiem gent molt feta pols ... mai vist. Esgarrifós ... Un cotxe de cursa i dos motos de l'organització van parant per atendre als ciclistes.
It starts to rain and cold, what a combination! A drop in front of us scares us. My friend Ton continues to repeat "do not run fast down that we lost everything ... "He is absolutely right.
We made people very dust ... ever seen. Creepy ... One race car and two motorcycles of the organization were stopping to cater to cyclists.
It starts to rain and cold, what a combination! A drop in front of us scares us. My friend Ton continues to repeat "do not run fast down that we lost everything ... "He is absolutely right.
We made people very dust ... ever seen. Creepy ... One race car and two motorcycles of the organization were stopping to cater to cyclists.
Un aiguat ens agafa de ple. Em passa el "tejanos" i em poso a roda. Arribem junts al Control a Dreux (1165 km - 83h 33m). Aquí m'he de canviar tota la roba. Tot el que porto a sobre està negat. Sort que no m'havia canviat encara de roba, més de 1.000 km.
Dos croissants, cafè i endavant!Estem més animats.
A storm catches us completely. step ahead "Jeans rider" and I put a wheel. We come together to Dreux Control(1165 km - 83H 33m). Here I have to change my clothes. Everything that I have is wet. Fortunately I had not even changed clothes, more than 1,000 km with the same clothes.
Two croissants, coffee and go! Good energies.
A storm catches us completely. step ahead "Jeans rider" and I put a wheel. We come together to Dreux Control(1165 km - 83H 33m). Here I have to change my clothes. Everything that I have is wet. Fortunately I had not even changed clothes, more than 1,000 km with the same clothes.
Two croissants, coffee and go! Good energies.
Torna a ploure molt fort! Ens és igual. Aquest darrers 70 km són per gaudir-los. Sembla que estiguem al Tour de Flandes, el paisatge m'ho recorda. Gent esperant per animar-nos dalt d'una de les cotes tot i la pluja... Ho donem tot! Estem molt contents i ens sentim forts!
Back raining very strong! No problem. The last 70 km are to enjoy. Seem to be the Tour of Flanders, the landscape reminds me. People waiting to cheer us up on one of the height despite the rain ... I give everything! We are very happy and feeling strong!
Back raining very strong! No problem. The last 70 km are to enjoy. Seem to be the Tour of Flanders, the landscape reminds me. People waiting to cheer us up on one of the height despite the rain ... I give everything! We are very happy and feeling strong!
Arribem al Velòdrom Nacional amb un somriure. Darrer Control a l'arribada ( 1234 km - 88h).
We arrived at the National Velodrome with a smile. Finish control (1234 km - 88h).
We arrived at the National Velodrome with a smile. Finish control (1234 km - 88h).
Just creuar l'arc de l'arribada truco a casa. M'ha seguit tota la cursa. En temps real va veure com arribava tot i la distància. Un regal. M'ha donat ànims i energia durant tot el recorregut.
Felicitat absoluta!
Felicitat absoluta!
Just across the finish line, call home. She followed the race at real-time, came despite the distance. A gift. Gave me encouragement and energy throughout the tour.
Very Happy!
Agraïments:
Per als que sempre hi sou.
Al Paul Fuster per la música i per tot.
Thanks to:
For those who are always there.
Paul Fuster for your music and everything.
Per als que sempre hi sou.
Al Paul Fuster per la música i per tot.
Thanks to:
For those who are always there.
Paul Fuster for your music and everything.
