Stage 01 is complete

It took Louis and his fellow travelers 25 days to complete the first leg in this human-powered journey around the world. Indeed, on September 28th, just after 3 PM, our athlete arrived on his bicycle at the port of Portimao, Portugal.

This moment holds great symbolism for Louis for two reasons: the first being reuniting with his family and friends, and the second, perhaps the one he secretly anticipates the most, is exchanging his wooden bicycle for his rowing boat.

Over 2300 kilometers of national roads, dirt tracks, cycling paths, and a few risky kilometers on the highway were the intricate ingredients required to reach Portimao from Morges, Switzerland. Along the way, Louis and his companions did not encounter major difficulties, except for a series of punctures that, on one or two stages, set the daily rhythm and invited everyone to hone their mechanical skills.

On the road, Louis was able to visit, sometimes for just a day, longtime friends. In Barcelona, for instance, he reunited with former rowing teammates who are currently preparing for the America’s Cup with the Swiss team Alinghi.

It was particularly in Spain, the second country they crossed, that the journey truly began. Spain was a delight of architecture, starting in Catalonia and ending in Andalusia, a region rich in history and enchanting landscapes. This region captivated the team with its olive oil, which proudly replaced their traditional butter to accompany the famous “Toastas” they enjoyed halfway through each stage.

Now, after an efficient warm-up ride to Portimao, Louis is preparing to take on the ocean to fulfill a dream – to row across the Atlantic. Waves and sea spray will take over in this part of the journey, which is expected to be an inner challenge as much as an external one.

More to come…