Trouble in Traka and other unusual adventures
Our national Coach Bru spent quite a bit of time on the road this spring.
Not just riding, since he recently flew to the North American summit of the Pas Normal brand in San Francisco. Then, after a short stay at home, he left for Spain.
Wearing the colors of the Pas Normal team, he took part in Traka: a gravel event around Girona, where he would face serious competition over a distance of 200km.
"Except it got off to a bad start," he says. "My legs felt good, but I arrived a little late and had to start in the second group. And it took off at the speed of a mountain bike short track..." So like a mass sprint.
Poorly positioned in the crowd, he fights his way through a throng of runners of all levels before finding himself caught in a vice once again: a fall in front of him forces him to stop.
"Then we entered the trails. The first climb (towards Els Angels, for those who know the area around Girona) lasted 15 minutes, during which I had to overtake, or rather try to overtake people, because it wasn't always possible."
Once at the top, after a few minutes on the pavement, he plunges back into the forest. A steep descent awaited him there, made up of dangerously technical turns.
"The second climb lasted 20 minutes, during which I averaged 350 watts, which gives you an idea of how determined I was to get to the front of the race. But at the same time, I had no idea how many people were ahead of me."
At the top, he catches up with former pro cyclist Laurens Ten Dam. "I thought to myself: OK, this is going to be a good group, I'll go with them."
And it's going full steam ahead. From 20 when Bruno joins them, there are soon only a dozen left.
But the trouble continues for him and several other riders due to the difficulty, at times, of finding their way on the course, which is only very roughly marked and where an intersection sometimes includes several turning options in the same direction. "My GPS told me to turn right, but there were two, sometimes three possible roads on that side, so a few times my group took the wrong direction and we had to turn around."
The terrain was also challenging: "It had been a long time since I'd ridden in such tough conditions," he admits. "The location was beautiful, the course was superb. But it was often very difficult. Sometimes in very slippery sand. There were big rocks, trees to bunny hop over, it was tough."
Then, to top it all off, a resident blocks the path that the group is taking. Claiming that it is his property, he blocks their way with his car.
"Once again, we wasted a few minutes trying to get through."
Disappointed with his result due to factors sometimes beyond his control, Coach Bru consoles himself with the thought that at least he was in good shape. His next challenge looms on the plains of Kansas: Unbound, the Mecca of gravel racing.
"Otherwise, it's crazy how much people loved my Enve MOG, which worked like a charm. I don't think they see many of them around, and the brand clearly has extraordinary appeal in Europe. It's really the ideal bike for gravel riding, no matter what the conditions."
A quick trip to San Francisco
A few weeks earlier, Bruno attended the official opening of Pas Normal offices in San Francisco.
"I attended several exciting meetings where I met lots of people. I took part in discussions about the future of cycling and the place of women in sport. It was a wonderful experience."
The arrival of PNS in California is certainly good news, heralding an increased presence for the brand in North America.
Bruno took advantage of this, along with our ambassador Félix, to enjoy the slightly more enviable weather and treat himself to a few long rides. His favorite? A long loop that took him north of the city, home to some of the world's brightest technological minds. The coast, the valleys, the mountains, the Golden Gate Bridge. Enough to fill your eyes and tire your legs to your heart's content.