LR2R: 695 km in one go between La Rochelle and Roscoff, Julien’s crazy challenge

Out of desire, challenge, or madness, Julien Rabier, entrepreneur and content creator, connected his city of La Rochelle, in Charente-Maritime, to Roscoff, in Finistère. A 695 km route, named LR2R (“La Rochelle To Roscoff”), in one go, between doubt, euphoria, pleasure, and pain. Departure on September 10, arrival on September 12, 47 hours later. If he had to do it again? Without hesitation. Interview and memories.

Interview by Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE – Photos: LR2R

JULIEN’S ROAD TRIP VIDEO IS BELOW!

3bikes.fr: Who are you, dear cyclist, and what is your relationship with cycling?
Julien Rabier: I am 33 years old and have lived in La Rochelle for three and a half years. Before that, I was in the Paris region, in Val d’Oise. Sport-wise, I’ve been practicing archery for over 20 years, and I’ve been running for eight years. Little by little, I extended the distances until I ran a marathon, then the 177 km Ultra Marin, the Grand Raid du Golfe du Morbihan. Things I never thought I would do… As for cycling, BMX attracted me when I was little, but a fall on a bicross track put me off. Later, my mother gave me a nice mountain bike, for my 12th birthday I think… stolen ten days later in front of my house while I was drinking a glass of water on the other side of the window. Anyway! It wasn’t until I arrived in La Rochelle that I returned to cycling, thinking that to cover the 4 km separating me from the office, it would be more suitable and economical. I work in a company that distributes cycling accessories, and I gradually discovered this world. I also came across bikepacking and ultra cycling videos, including events like French Divide and Born to Ride. All of this immediately attracted me, and the machine was launched. Cycling in travel mode, long distance, and discovery is something that appeals to me. Far from a competitive practice.

What is the genesis of your project and why?
In 2018, I was invited to a wedding in Portugal. From La Rochelle, it’s 1,200 km. It’s August, I have vacation time to take, why not go by bike!? In the end, I didn’t have time to organize, especially for the return logistics. So I opted for a week-long ride to visit family and friends. Six stages of 60 to 260 kilometers in significant heat and with the discovery of elevation on a bike because La Rochelle is flat country! Difficult moments, but a great memory. I think it was when I returned that I thought of this #LR2R route. I had heard good things about the Canal de Nantes à Brest. I wanted to do something a little crazy and I told myself: “Alright, I’ll do La Rochelle – Brest in one go by taking this canal.” In La Rochelle, we have La Vélodyssée, a cycling route along the Atlantic coast and passing over the canal. Except that the northern end is not Brest but Roscoff. So the arrival will finally be in Roscoff. That way, I just have to follow the route of this “cycle route.”

What was your physical and mental preparation like?
Physically, I’ve been running and cycling a lot for a few years now. However, I didn’t spend much time in the saddle last winter, a little more before the lockdown. During the lockdown, I used an indoor trainer, following a training plan for a 200 km race on Zwift. After the lockdown, I mixed short and long rides according to my desires, but trying to ride quite a bit anyway. In mid-July, on a whim, I decided to deliver a gift I had won on my social networks by bike. So I set off for 340 km in one go. A good opportunity to discover myself better over time. Among other big rides, I got up at dawn one Sunday for two laps of Île de Ré as breakfast. In August, I went for three days for about 350 km with one day at 170 km. Finally, I went to Lot for a few days to “work my legs” on the causses. Otherwise, I think my previous jobs, quite physical and with particular hours, trained me well for mental strength and resistance to fatigue.

I had difficult moments with sleep overwhelming me during the second night. Yet, I couldn’t sleep when I had the opportunity

Regarding equipment, tell us about your road companion?
I ordered my bike at the beginning of the year and received it on March 17. Yes, it arrived on the day of the lockdown! It’s a Trail from the Origine brand. A gravel-type bike that I find very versatile. I had it assembled with a Shimano 105 double chainring 50×34 drivetrain and an 11×34 cassette. For the wheels, they are Mavic Allroad Pro. I hadn’t ordered a saddle or pedals to remount my SMP Well and a pair of Look X-Track EN-Rage Plus. The whole thing weighed between 9.5 and 10 kg.

What modifications did you make before hitting the road?
Not much, I just added extensions to my bike. After a few long rides, I thought it would be comfortable for long straightaways or facing the wind. I don’t regret this addition. On the tire side, I made a last-minute change. I was testing Pirelli Cinturato Velo in 35 mm, which I found very good, very solid, and which performed quite well on white paths even if they lacked a bit of grip in corners. I thought I would go with them, but I picked up a large stone in the rear tire two weeks before departure. To avoid spending a fortune and to use what was quickly available near me, I remounted Hutchinson Overide 35 mm with a tubeless setup. Tires that perform well on road and path, perfectly suited to my practice. In the end, having had a lot of paths, some of which were not “top top,” and very damaged roads, I don’t regret this last-minute change.

How did you feel at the start?
Good and with only one desire: to ride! Well, I was still digesting anyway because for two days I had only been eating… On the other hand, I had “starved” myself from a cycling point of view, having stopped riding for a few days.

What was the hardest part?
The last 50 or 60 km when my knees suddenly decided to make me suffer a lot. It was a big battle against myself to keep going while telling myself that it couldn’t stop, just like that, so close to the goal. I also had difficult moments with sleep overwhelming me during the second night. Yet, I couldn’t sleep when I had the opportunity. I went through all sorts of states: from the most euphoric to the most fed up and tired, finding the time long… generally because I needed to eat.

Today, with a little hindsight, what is your perspective on this adventure?
That it was great! I had wanted to do it for a while and now, it’s done. A new experience, great encounters, and the desire to do it again. It’s just that because of my knees, the end was much less intense than I had imagined.

If you could do it again, what would you change?
A few adjustments to avoid certain pains and be more efficient on the bike. Otherwise, I think my equipment choices were good.

And now, other projects, new challenges?
Crazy ideas are not lacking. Now, I don’t know yet what the next one will be. An off-the-cuff challenge on my own or an organized event like Bikingman, Born to Ride, or French Divide? Possibly a running race, why not. To be seen according to desires and schedule.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to take on their own challenge?
Just don’t hesitate. If you want to embark on an adventure, you might as well not wait too long and make it happen.

HIS ROAD TRIP IN PICTURES

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