In just a few years, the Malteni Bootleggers has emerged as one of the premier gravel events in France. With a challenging distance of nearly 250km, uncertain weather conditions, technical gravel on spoil tips and some of the most infamous paved sections of the flemish spring classics, it’s no wonder it took little time forContinue reading “Malteni Bootleggers 2022”
Category Archives: bike touring
Silk Road Mountain Race 2021 / Final day
As my final effort in this race begins, I can’t say I have a lot of energy. My last resupply was roughly 18 hours ago and I have very little food left. Thankfully I don’t have far to go. 90km is all there is left. However, it looks like there’s around 2000m to climb andContinue reading “Silk Road Mountain Race 2021 / Final day”
Silk Road Mountain Race 2021 / Day 6
As the sun slowly rises, I’m still slowly making my way towards Tash Rabat pass. The skies are clear and the temperature rises steadily. In my misfortune, I’ve been lucky enough that it didn’t drop too much during the night. At this altitude, it can easily go down to -10°C. I made it through theContinue reading “Silk Road Mountain Race 2021 / Day 6”
Silk Road Mountain Race 2021 / Day 5
I wake up in my comfy bed just 5 minutes before breakfast, get dressed and head straight to the buffet. Ample amounts of coffee, crepes, all sorts of pastries, bread and eggs: I down as much food as I can in the least amount of time possible. While doing it, I exchange a few messagesContinue reading “Silk Road Mountain Race 2021 / Day 5”
The hardest race
People often ask me what’s the most difficult race I’ve taken part in. Well, not that often actually. But I think I’ve already been asked the question a few times. Anyway it’s one I’m keen to answer. And this being my blog, nobody is gonna stop me. It’s not easy to answer though. Each race hasContinue reading “The hardest race”
Why I race
Why do I race? Ultra-cycling is hard. You’re miserable most of the time. There’s always a part of your body that’s bothering you; whether it’s your legs, your neck, your ass, your hands, your feet. You’re always tired, exhausted even, sleep deprived. It may very well be the hardest sport in the world and there’sContinue reading “Why I race”
How it all started
I’ve always dreamed of travelling far away. Preferably in a land with a culture as different as possible from my own. When I was around 18, I started fixating on Asia. It seemed to me I would find something there, the adventure I was looking for. The feeling of being lost in the most foreignContinue reading “How it all started”
Doubt, desert & dust // Part II
Finally it’s the heat that gets me out of my sleeping bag. I don’t wanna do it; I don’t want to deal with the broken pavement that lies 50m away. But I have to. I’m packing up and eating the last cookies I had left over from yesterday, when I see what looks to beContinue reading “Doubt, desert & dust // Part II”
Doubt, desert & dust // Part I
One of the reason I have so many stories to tell is because I hate planning. I love the actual riding but I don’t care for everything that takes place before. Even when on a long trip, I usually plot my route in the morning. And if I have a general idea of where I’mContinue reading “Doubt, desert & dust // Part I”
Escape from China // Part 2
Sitting in front of the gas station with my coffee, I use the wifi to plot my route. ‘m in a plce called Jinyang, 247km aay from Dexing which I left the day before. This means I should have another 250km before reaching Fuzhou. But looking at the map, I realize the only way toContinue reading “Escape from China // Part 2”
Sofiane Sehili 