2023-07-21 11:00:14
Journalism student, originally from Crotoy in the Bay of Somme, Adrien Leroux is finalizing his preparation for his first BikingMan, the Aura (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) from August 7 to 12. Objective: complete the 1,000 km and 19,500 m of elevation gain in less than five days. Quite a challenge on a demanding course that opens onto magnificent panoramas.
By training on the Monts d’Ardèche and extending to Millau in the Aveyron, Adrien Leroux prepared like never before for his first BikingMan. ©DR
” I can not wait to be there “. Adrien Leroux does not hide his impatience at the idea of participating in one of the stages of the series BikingMan initiated by the ultra-cyclist Axel Carion. This long-awaited meeting has been on his mind for a while. “The first time I heard of a BikingMan was in 2020 on the Equipe TV channel during a report on an edition in Taiwan” says this “passionate bicycle, adventure and tourism” who is preparing to join the Toulouse School of Journalism at the start of the school year.
Personal challenge and human adventure
A few years ago, as part of his studies, Adrien interviewed the winner of the IncaDivide, the biggest race in Peru. “And there I said to myself, one day I will participate in BikingMan”. He pushes a little further by doing an internship during the BikingMan France 2021. He comes out with a documentary film allowing you to discover another facet of this event, with a particular focus on the participants who finish the event just before the time limit.
The young man, also a contributor for Sport-et-Tourisme.fr, fregularly ride a bike, “200 to 300 terminals per month to keep me in shape” he said. The exercise is not without risks as he confessed to us last year. But nothing undermines his motivation and his adventurous spirit. His first BikingMan, it is in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region that he will dispute it, “mainly a question of the calendar”. The start of the Aura will be given on Monday August 7 with a loop that will leave from Beaumont-lès-Valence (Drôme).
Between six and ten hours of cycling per week
Ultra-cycling, an ode to freedom in dream landscapes. ©DR
Pedaling between volcanoes cannot be improvised. It takes a little, if not a lot of practice. “Since the end of April, I have been cycling between six and ten hours a week. A short outing where I work on my cardio very intensely, and a long outing of regarding 150 kilometers where I ride at least six hours to saddle explains Adrian. In order to soak up the place and get into the atmosphere, our young ultra-cyclist tested on the Monts d’Ardèche. “I went through the Cévennes to get to Millau then Rodez, ie 550 kilometers in three days with 9,500 meters of elevation. I needed relief because in the Bay of Somme, it’s very very flat he summarizes.
With his “legs of fire”, Adrien Leroux, who also works in a campsite in Hauts-de-France to finance his studies, is confident for the Aura. If its primary objective is to be among the finishers“it would be incredible”, he secretly dreams of playing the outsiders, “at 21, I will certainly be one of the youngest in the race. If I can do it in four days…”. Remember that to be ranked, you have to complete the distance, 1,000 kilometers, in less than 120 hours. A hundred competitors are already registered on this ultimate endurance challenge.
“If I am tired, I will rest for two hours under a bus shelter”
One of the difficulties consists in finding one’s bearings and driving at night. “There, I do regarding 200 kilometers a week, but mostly I cycle at night. I leave my house around 2 a.m., just to get my bearings in terms of light and safety… underlines Adrien Leroux. On the day of the race, he will set off in bikepacking mode, weighted down with 17 kilos, with in particular a very light survival sleeping bag in case it gets really cold. “If I’m tired, I’ll sit for two hours under a bus shelter. In any case, I will not book a hotel, it is not at all the spirit of the race”. On this event without assistance, he will also have to manage to feed himself, in contact with the inhabitants in particular. As for his bike, it is “an Orbea all in carbon of 8-9 kilos acquired two years ago for 2,000 euros”. ” It’s a road bike with disc brakes and tires wide enough to go on dirt roads. It’s the best compromise to go on an adventure says Adrian.
A fully equipped bike to go on an adventure. ©DR
It will take at least that to tame the impressive relief of the Aura, its volcanoes, its high granite plateaus, its vineyards and its numerous forests. “It’s all in the head” strikes the young Adrien. On the course, ultra-cyclists will have to stuff themselves with the mythical passes taken by the riders of the Tour de France. This is particularly the case of Puy Mary (1,589 m) or the majestic Grand Colombier (1,498 m). The third edition of the Aura will end on the vertiginous Vercors massif with the formidable Chartreuse trilogy. “I’m super excited, super motivated and it’s going to do it” continues Adrien Leroux who does not forget the “tremendous solidarity” that is created around this type of race. A personal challenge certainly, but also a human adventure.
Of course, we wish Adrien good luck and we will give you his feedback at the start of the school year.
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