Start: 20:01 on Sunday, 21 July 2024, Roubaix, France
Elapsed time: 25:45:31
Moving time: 21:42:55
Distance: 588.50 km
Elevation: 6185 m
Today is the day – the start from the velodrome at 20:00.
I checked out of the hotel at 11:30, took the metro with my bike and suitcase for two stations, and then walked the rest of the way to the velodrome.
I had arranged with Robin Gemperle for his dad to take my suitcase back to Switzerland.
Registration went smoothly – got my cap (no. 156), tracker, and had my bike checked. I needed a reflector. A quick photo was taken, and that was that. I hung around for a bit, then went to a nearby house Robin was using for final preparations, where I left my belongings.
My plan was to change and then head back to the velodrome to relax until the briefing at 17:30. However, Robin invited me to stay with him for the whole afternoon, so I did. It was very relaxed. Considering Robin was one of the big favorites to win, and was 100% focused on that, he seemed incredibly laid back.
Time passed, though a bit slowly.
I went to the rider briefing at 17:30, returning around 18:30. After changing into my cycling kit, I thanked Robin and his father and headed to the velodrome to soak up the atmosphere before the start.
A little before 20:00, riders gathered by the entrance to the velodrome, and at 20:00 sharp, we started – one lap around the velodrome, and then we were off. The first 12 km were neutralized, and then the race truly began.
I took it slow to get into rhythm and avoid any early trouble.
The first parcours was about 78 km, crossing into Belgium and featuring all the famous cobbled climbs from the Tour of Flanders – Paterberg, Koppenberg, Taaienberg, etc.
The parcours ended in Geraardsbergen, and that was an absolutely incredible experience – people lined the final climb, with music, fireworks, and lights. It was really, really amazing. Once at the top, the parcours ended, and the race began in earnest, with riders starting their own routes.
My route took me south into France. I planned this partly to avoid riding through Germany and partly to steer clear of the hilly terrain in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Vosges mountains. The extra kilometers seemed like a good trade-off.
I rode all night, arriving in France early in the morning.
The first surprise: riding through southern Belgium and northern France was, to say the least, depressing. The towns felt worn down, poorly, or not at all maintained. Churches were crumbling, public spaces overgrown and neglected. If I hadn’t known better, I wouldn’t have believed I was in a wealthy western country with such a rich cultural heritage. It didn’t help that streetlights were turned off, making the small villages appear even more abandoned.
It wasn’t until I got closer to the German border that things improved.
My plan was to push hard on the first night and ride until the following evening. I managed that, arriving at the French-German border after about 25 hours. I continued on and booked a pension in Rastatt, just over the border.
I followed my routine, which I’d adopted during my Peru trip earlier in the year: wash myself, wash my clothes, clean the bike. I went to sleep around 11:00 PM, with the alarm set for 2:30 AM – just 3.5 hours of sleep before getting back on the bike at 4:00 AM.
End of Day 1.
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