The Desertus Bikus 25: Two perspectives, one adventure

Brice: An idea from Ricardo: participate in the Desertus Bikus 25. To get away from the Caminade workshop for a few days, thinking about only three things: riding, eating, sleeping... The crazy idea of ​​crossing Spain by bike seemed almost unimaginable to me, even if, with my competitive background, I managed to do more than 25 hours of sport per week... I didn't think it would be possible to do 10 hours in the saddle per day.

Ricardo: I'd been dreaming of participating for three years, but until now, I'd never managed to get away from working in the workshop. So this time, I really prepared for it, months in advance, to finally experience this adventure. I'd heard so much about the Desertus Bikus! I also dreamed of spending several days on the bike, just that: pedaling, moving forward, taking a real break away from the workshop. I love this simplicity, this rhythm where only the essentials remain: the next kilometer, the road before my eyes, the passing landscapes, and the encounters along the way.

Brice: I run once or twice a week during the winter to keep fit, do a bit of skating, ski touring and enjoy mountain biking. The idea was to gradually increase my pedaling time (2 rides of 5 hours in March, then 2 rides of 8 hours in April) in order to memorize my rhythm in basic endurance. I opted for Hutchinson Blackbird Race tires in 30 mm, thus transforming my gravel bike usually mounted in 700x45. I have been riding with the Velocidade Satellite fanny pack for two years, but this time is not usual: I put everything on the bike, thanks in particular to the addition of a Funambule frame bag on top of the down tube, and a Desman handlebar bag to complete my usual kit.

Ricardo: I'm lucky to have an activity that allows me to continue training - and that's a real luxury, especially for someone who loves it. For the Desertus, I just increased the volume a little in the weeks before the event, without pressure. In terms of bags, I'm well served (laughs): Volcano saddle bag, Gypaète frame bag , Funambule top tube, and even the Béluga on the extensions . The top tube bag is a real joy - super accessible for the phone, for filming little moments on the bike, capturing clips along the way. And perhaps my favorite piece of the whole setup: the merino balaclava . This thing can save your life. I'm quite sensitive to the cold, and I think I wore it three days out of six. I never take it off.

Brice: Crossing the Alto Tajo Natural Park, on a small, winding, hilly road where we hardly encountered anyone. I found myself pedaling without thinking about anything... a state I only experience when trail running, when the endorphin rush of intense effort hits. I didn't think this state was possible in endurance.

Ricardo: It was the passage of the pass towards CP1. During the night, it had snowed, and as soon as we started climbing, we could already see the white peaks in the distance. Honestly, it was magnificent, almost magical, a real postcard. Arriving at the pass, the snow surrounded us, there was no wind, the conditions were perfect for riding: dry, mild, and silent. And then, it was Easter Day. We saw smoke coming out of the chimneys, families strolling, everything was peaceful. We passed quietly, without noise, enveloped by this gentle atmosphere. A moment suspended.

Another place that struck me was the Tagus Nature Reserve. The landscapes there are incredible, very isolated, wild. What struck me was crossing this river—the Tagus, which we know is immense when it reaches Lisbon—on a small bridge, very narrow, almost timid. It was powerful, symbolically.

And then there was the welcome, always. The Spanish have this simple, friendly, warm way of welcoming you. They always try to please, to prepare whatever you want to eat, to chat. A sincere, touching generosity that left me with a beautiful memory.

Brice: My only moment of doubt was on the second day, when, halfway through the stage, I felt we were going to shorten the stage by 60 km. Kilometers we would never have made up. So I forced fate a little... well, the pace, on roads that were ideal for drafting.

No (… moments when you thought about giving up?), even when the rain started to fall at 1 a.m., I was happy to be there — probably because I wasn't alone… The hardest moment of the 6 days was early in the morning, six hours after the start, when we stopped in a small tunnel to eat our emergency sandwich… Luckily, an hour later, we were warm in a bar!

Ricardo: On the fourth day, I had a nasty stomach bug that reared its ugly head on the road. I wasn't in great shape for a good hundred kilometers, but I held on. I ended up taking a little medication that really helped, and it allowed me to get going again. I never considered giving up. We were living this adventure together, we were really invested in this project, and it helps you keep going during the more fragile moments. Brice and I had put rest and nutrition at the top of our priority list. We didn't stop often, but every break counted: a good meal, something nourishing (and good for your health, while we were at it), and a real moment of rest. Every night, we found a way to rest properly, without pushing ourselves too hard. And the next day, we set off again almost as good as new.

Brice: The third day was euphoric, I couldn't stop whistling the theme from the film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ... probably the passage in Sad Hill which gave me this idea.

Ricardo: There were memorable moments every day, and that's really the beauty of this adventure. A really funny memory comes back to me: one day, we'd been struggling for miles with a really strong headwind, the kind that can really knock you off your feet. And then suddenly, we changed direction, put the wind behind us... and there, magic! We found ourselves riding at 50 km/h without even pedaling, for about ten km on a slight downhill slope. It was completely crazy, we were laughing like kids, and it gave us a boost for a while. I also remember the third day, we were riding on a huge plateau. There was hardly anyone around, just a few cyclists we could see in the distance behind us. The landscape was superb, very open, almost lunar in places, and the sunset tinged everything with a golden light. It was calm, peaceful, one of those little suspended moments that we remember for a long time.

Brice: My setup had to change because of the extensions: the Bivouac gave way to the Beluga . I took my gravel bike, because it is equipped for electric autonomy thanks to its dynamo which powers our LLUM lamp , also capable of recharging the GPS and/or the phone.
Since we slept in a hotel every night — and it was really good! — I won't be taking the essentials for sleeping outside anymore: sleeping bag, bivi, pillow... I prefer to travel light, just with my credit card, 😄

Ricardo: I was equipped with my Caminade titanium road bike , and frankly… the comfort of titanium is really something. Unmatched. I rode 30 mm tubeless Continental tires, a nice width to gain comfort without sacrificing efficiency, and at the front, a dynamo hub that powered my LLUM lamp — a real ally at night, and which also allowed me to recharge the GPS, tracker or phone along the way. As for the transmission, I had mounted a Shimano 105 groupset with a GRX derailleur, and a good cassette at the rear to pass the steepest slopes without too much effort, even when fully loaded. For the panniers, I had opted for a classic but efficient configuration. At the front, I had mounted extensions, mainly to vary the positions and adopt a more aerodynamic posture on long straights. And I also wore a hydration vest , super practical for storing leg warmers, arm warmers, jacket, food... without having to rummage through the panniers at every break. If I had to change something for next time: we had all the bivouac gear, but since we always found cheap little places to sleep, we never really used it. That said, it was reassuring to have it just in case.

Brice: Crossing the Sierra de la Demanda plateau, covered in a white blanket at the start of the second day: not cold, not tired, just that feeling of being in the right place at the right time!

Ricardo: If I had to choose one moment, just one, it would be right after the last checkpoint. The descent to Almuñécar, in the heart of the Tejeda mountains… It was magical. The scenery was breathtaking. I was literally in awe of everything, unable to look away, even in the middle of the descent. And what a descent! Forty kilometers, almost without pedaling, just letting myself go… until my hands hurt from keeping my fingers clenched on the brakes. And then, in the distance, little by little, you begin to see the sea appear. The horizon opens up, the air changes, and you know you're nearing the end of this great crossing. Yeah… I think that moment is one I won't soon forget.

Brice: She questioned me about my ability to ride for long periods of time: the very next day, I signed up for the Traka 360 to begin answering this question. But above all, she showed me the futility of our lifestyles... I hope that those who, like me, are capable of providing 100W of power for 10 hours day after day will not be reluctant when our energy slaves run out.

Ricardo : That's a difficult question... On the one hand, I was a little frustrated. I wanted to stop, take my time, visit some places that seemed incredible. And on the other, it's crazy how far you can travel by bike, in a single day. Cover kilometers, raise your head, contemplate, savor these moments of silent introspection, with yourself. Look at the sky, observe the clouds, the changing colors, the evolving light... Feel this total freedom. And above all, feel this luck. The luck of having time. To be able to give myself that, a few days just to ride, to feel. Not everyone has that opportunity. So even if sometimes I would have liked to slow down, I took advantage 200%. And at the same time, I felt enormous gratitude. Gratitude for having the health to do it. For having been able to be there, at that precise moment. And to be able to count on the support of my little family, who make it all possible, by allowing me to slip away for a few days. It's precious. It's immense.

Brice: Moving slowly but surely inevitably brings you closer to your goal. Once you know your cruising speed and the nutrition needed to maintain it... anything becomes possible, as long as you focus not on the goal, but simply on the journey.

Ricardo: I would say: go for it, it's just great. The atmosphere we're talking about is real, it's authentic, it's sincere. What really struck me was the solidarity between all the participants, this mutual aid that means a lot to me. In my daily life, if I see someone struggling on the side of the road, I always try to lend a hand. And here, at Desertus, that's really what we find. It's great. And then, on the other hand, it's an incredible experience: crossing a country, covering such a distance, and arriving thinking "I just cycled." Nothing else. It's powerful. I think it can really boost self-esteem, restore confidence, give people confidence, because it's a challenge that you set for yourself. Everyone at their own pace, with their own goals. It doesn't matter how many days it takes, that's not the most important thing. It's the journey, the experience, not just the finish line.

For the preparation, I would just say: yes, you have to ride, you have to have volume, but above all, it has to be progressive. And above all, regularity, that's the secret. It's better to ride a little every day, regularly, rather than too much at once. I really believe in that.