A 5th Day Filled with Emotion and Self-Transcendence
The BikingMan Origine Aura 2024 officially came to an end on the 5th day of the race, marking the conclusion of a demanding and unforgettable challenge for the ultracyclists who covered the 1,000 km across the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Out of the 200 participants at the start, 168 managed to cross the finish line, offering powerful testimonies about their experience. Today, we’ll look back on the highlights of this final race day, with a focus on the “lanternes rouges,” those riders who fully embraced the adventure.
The Lanternes Rouges: Stories of Perseverance and Courage
The lanternes rouges, the last to cross the finish line, often have the most inspiring stories. One participant, Bruno Pallierne, who was competing in his 11th BikingMan, shared his story:
“I started participating in 2020, just after Covid, with the BikingMan Portugal. I saw a documentary on Gérard in Oman that inspired me, and that’s when the adventure began for me. Every race is a moment of life, sharing, and emotion, and I have no regrets!”
For others, this adventure took on a completely different meaning, like this duo who decided to put the stopwatch aside to focus on the human experience:
“It was a different way to do the BikingMan, without pressure. We shared incredible human moments, stories, beautiful life moments, and stunning landscapes. This is my new vision of BikingMan, and I think that’s how I want to do them in the future.”
These accounts illustrate that the essence of BikingMan is not just about crossing the finish line first, but about living a unique experience, rich in discoveries and encounters.
Women Surpassing Themselves: The Voice of Female Cyclists
The BikingMan Origine Aura was also marked by the determination of its female participants. One of them expressed her pride in finishing the race:
“It was hard, but I’m proud of myself. I trusted myself, and in the end, you always make it. I encourage all women to go for it, because we are capable of anything.”
This race demonstrated that women are just as capable of taking on the challenges of ultracycling, and their growing presence is a powerful message of inspiration for all those considering this kind of adventure.
The Essential Contribution of the Race Angels
A key element in the success of this BikingMan Origine Aura 2024 was the role played by the Race Angels, those dedicated volunteers who watch over the riders throughout the race. Morgane, one of the Race Angels, shared her experience:
“Being a Race Angel is seeing the race from the inside. You witness moments when the riders are sometimes at their lowest, sometimes euphoric. It’s a privilege to form strong bonds with people who, four days ago, were complete strangers. For me, BikingMan Auvergne Rhône-Alpes is like a family reunion—I come back every year, I see the same team: it’s a family gathering!”
Morgane compared the event to a true family reunion, returning each year with the same team, reinforcing the sense of community and camaraderie that characterizes BikingMan.
The Final Challenge: The Col de la Machine and the Gorges de la Bourne
As the last participants attempted to overcome the race’s final obstacles, the Col de la Machine and the Gorges de la Bourne, their testimonies reflected the mix of challenge and satisfaction that comes with this kind of event. One participant summed up the experience with a joke:
“This race is tough! That last part with the Col de la Machine, 50 km before the finish… But it was amazing, even if it was hard.”
Another, with a smile marked by fatigue, commented on how the course had affected his appearance:
“Look at this, that’s the sign of a good ultra race! (tan line) I’m not sure if it’ll come off in the shower, but I can’t promise the water will stay clear.”
The passage through the Gorges de la Bourne was one of the most impressive moments of the course. The beauty of the cliffs and the landscapes provided a final visual reward for these heroes of ultracycling, leading them to the finish line in Villard-de-Lans.
The Closing Ceremony: A Moment of Sharing and Celebration
The closing evening brought together all the finishers, whether they completed the race or not. The images from this convivial moment showed tired but smiling faces, happy to have shared this adventure. Axel, the main organizer, delivered an emotional speech:
“Thank you for taking this time together. I hope we can continue to meet, to build this community, and to share these moments of communion.”
This gathering underscored the true spirit of BikingMan: an endurance event, certainly, but above all, an occasion for sharing, solidarity, and self-discovery.
The Final Finishers: The Satisfaction of Crossing the Finish Line
Early on the 5th day, the last finishers, the lanternes rouges, crossed the finish line under the 120-hour mark. Valérie, David, and Isabelle shared their feelings, visibly moved by this accomplishment. Isabelle, with tears in her eyes, said:
“I’m proud, but I’m not alone. There’s my family, my friends, and years of training behind me. My father put me on a bike when I was little; he’s no longer here today, but I know he was with me throughout the journey.”
This poignant testimony sums up the emotional intensity of a challenge like BikingMan and the impact it can have on the lives of its participants.
A Challenge Overcome and a Strengthened Community
In the end, this BikingMan Origine Aura 2024 was much more than a simple ultracycling race. It was a human adventure, marked by moments of doubt, pain, but above all, joy, solidarity, and self-transcendence. As the race comes to an end, the spirit of BikingMan lives on in the heart of every participant.
Next weekend, the baton will be passed to the “555 du Vercors,” a 500 km raid with 12,000 meters of positive elevation, also starting from Villard-de-Lans. After a well-deserved break, the championship will resume in September in Brazil, before concluding with the mysterious BikingMan X in Morocco.
Thank you to everyone who followed this edition of the BikingMan Origine Aura. Whether you were participants, Race Angels, or spectators, you all contributed to making this adventure unforgettable. See you soon for new ultracycling adventures!
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