A slightly crazy adventure that’s close to our hearts — heading for wide open spaces and long distances!
Please note: Orders placed after April 16th will be shipped starting April 28th , as soon as we return to the workshop. Thank you for your patience and support while we look for some inspiration (and dust) on the slopes...
We went riding on the Desertus Bikus 🌵
A 1400 km adventure
A wonderful adventure from Hasparren, in the French Basque Country, to Almuñécar, in southern Spain. A self-guided, unassisted orienteering event that Desertus Bikus has prepared for this year.
It is a bike rally-raid in orientation, in autonomy and without assistance. This event is a tribute to the first adventurers of the Paris/Dakar Rally-Raid of the 80s. They cross desert areas by bike, like this year's Bardenas Desert (2024).
We've been dreaming about it for so long... 🌵
Participating in the Desertus Bikus had been on our minds for a while. But the pace at the workshop at this time of year never gave us the opportunity to leave. So, we decided to take this time. During the winter, we stocked up well to allow you to order even while we were away. And this year, we said to ourselves: it's now or never ! 2025 is the year we'll be on the starting line.
Before the big departure… a thorough check-up!
It's impossible to go on an adventure without being in the expert hands of our friend Valentin . Thanks to him, our mount is ready: Caminade's Longroad machine runs like clockwork. Now, head into the unknown: the excitement is mounting, the dust is coming, the landscapes promise to be crazy... and we're going to have to put in some good pedal strokes anyway 😅
The Desertus Bikus 2025 is on! Let's ride!
Ready for the cold and the rain — the adventure continues, whatever the conditions
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In 2024, we had the chance to speak with Yvan, the creator of the Desertus Bikus
A rich and inspiring moment, where he shared with us his vision of the adventure , what pushed him to create this extraordinary event, and the crazy energy that drives each edition. We share his testimony here, because these words resonate strongly with us, and because they give even more meaning to our participation this year.
What was your motivation for creating the Desertus Bikus?
I work in the event catering sector, during the Covid crisis, I couldn't work so I went to live in Andalusia and it was love at first sight. I went to visit the Gorafe Desert and the Bardenas Desert, and that's when the idea came to me. Since I already knew the Bardenas Desert and the Montanas Vacias, why not do a test by connecting these 4 points in orientation (which I love so much) with an arrival in Nerja, where I lived. Afterwards there were long discussions with Jean-Philippe Vidal and Cyril Riffaut, who pushed me to organize it. Already organizing the Pop Ouest Organization, I submitted a questionnaire to former participants and they were keen to follow this idea! All that was left to do was...
How is the preparation for the Desertus going? How are the route, the mandatory passages and the final destination chosen?
I already choose the final destination. Then I choose desert areas or areas without too many habitations (like Siberia Extramena for the DB24) and I try to make a map with 1350kms and 1000mD+/100kms. For the start, it is in the Basque country, a region that we know well with the organization of the Pop Ouest Classic. It was held at the friends of La Course the 2nd editions and this year, it will take place in Hasparren with the club of friend Laurent Garbolino, whom we also know well.
The Desertus Bikus is one of the premier ultra-distance events on the French calendar. Do you have any specific training advice for participants during the winter and early season?
Always ride and have fun! When we're looking for a 100km/1000m+ elevation gain, we're not looking for ever more elevation gain and distance; we're trying to make it "accessible" rather than "warlike." We want people to enjoy themselves! They'll be better off in the great outdoors than at the office.
What appeals to you most about these adventures?
Seeing the smiles and the good atmosphere of all the participants at the finish (from the 1st to the last) is magical!!! And then the orientation!! Seeing the cyclists everywhere on the map with different strategies, it's great!! Then all the follow-ups from families, friends, work colleagues who encourage people by following their progress on the tracking. Feeling followed, it pushes them to surpass themselves and finish.
Can you describe the atmosphere among the participants?
It's magical. We've always placed a lot of importance on this point! And I think that if there are a lot of requests, it's thanks to this aspect too. Many people find themselves together, have the same state of mind. They come for the event but also the pre-event (the only time when we're all together) and the post-event. Participants stay 2 to 3 days on site, to enjoy the discussions and drink beers together.
What advice would you give to help people prepare for this type of adventure?
Riding, of course, but also spending time on the map to best plot their strategies. This aspect shouldn't be overlooked. And choosing the right bike and tires is key.
Velocidade is the feeling of freedom given by speed, the wind that makes your eyes water, the sound of the air blowing near your ears, a little taste of adrenaline that makes you feel good.
At Velocidade, we believe in cycling as the future of transportation! We've created a set of responsible bike and backpack luggage, designed and handcrafted in our workshop in Mirepoix, Ariège. To learn more about our commitments, click here .
MADE IN FRANCE
We wanted to create our bags with a waterproof and UV-resistant canvas certified Oeko-Tex made in France.
DESIGN
Products designed to last a long time with savings on raw materials and that can be repaired, a sustainable design.
REPARABLE
If it breaks, don't worry, we'll repair your bag!
COMMITMENT
As a committed brand, we donate 1% of our turnover to help preserve the environment.
RICARDO VIEIRA - FOUNDER/DESIGNER/COUTURIER
Ricardo has long been thinking about reducing his environmental impact, whether through his sporting practice of cycling, running, or in his everyday life, having decided to be vegetarian more than 20 years ago. Curious and passionate, he started creating and manufacturing his first objects when his grandfather gave him a sewing machine for his 17th birthday, and since then, he has worked to create, repair, and manufacture with the same energy and in the same direction, that of sobriety and localism. Convinced that the bicycle is the ultimate low-carbon solution for everyday travel, Ricardo decided to create Velocidade, and began designing and creating handmade bags, in a completely artisanal way.
