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Odyssey of an Ultra-Cyclist
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  1. Along the Miles: All My Cycling Adventures/

Paris Brest Paris 2023

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Emilien Mottet
Author
Emilien Mottet
I am Emilien Mottet, a hyperactive ultra-cyclist with a thirst for adventure and discovery. Traveling long, even very long distances by bike is my passion. In 2023, I made my mark by winning the Race Across France and the BikingMan Aura. But beyond titles and victories, what drives me is the journey itself: exploring the world, getting to know myself better, and testing my body and spirit against the challenges of each route. For me, each race is less a competition against other cyclists and more a personal quest for self-improvement. I place great importance on finishing each event, as that’s where my true pride lies. Riding my trusty BMC, I favor a minimalist approach, always aiming to travel as light as possible, even if it means sacrificing comfort.
Table of Contents

Paris-Brest-Paris: A Connection with History 📜
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The Paris-Brest-Paris has a rich and fascinating history, and every rider who participates somehow connects with that tradition. The race was created in 1891, and the first winner, Charles Terront, finished in 71 hours and 22 minutes.

Compared to Terront, our bikes are far more advanced, and sports science has allowed us to understand the human body in ways he never could have imagined. But what connects cyclists from his time to today is the spirit of challenge, endurance, and resilience.

Paris-Brest-Paris 20th Edition: A Cycling Epic 🚴‍♂️🏁
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Paris-Brest-Paris is more than just a race. It’s a journey, an adventure, a battle against oneself. This 20th edition was no exception, and here’s my account.

Start: Under a Sweltering Sun ☀️
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The late afternoon start, under intense heat, began by putting my nerves to the test. The excitement was palpable, but the day’s fatigue was already building up.

First Kilometers: Flying with the Wind 🚀
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The first part of the ride was exhilarating. I was in the lead group, taking big turns, even on the climbs ⛰️. I felt on top of the world, ready to tackle anything.

Km 200: The First Signs of Fatigue 😓
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It was around km 200 that reality started to catch up. I felt over-paced, struggling to keep up with the group, clearly exhausted. I also began to realize that I had eaten and hydrated poorly, which contributed to my struggles.

Km 340: Engine Explosion 💥
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At km 340, everything changed. My engine exploded, and every pedal stroke became a fight. Tuesday, the second day of the ride, was particularly tough. Unable to hold water, I was constantly peeing. I tried a micro-nap 💤, ate a lot 🍝, but nothing worked. Survival mode had kicked in.

Pain and Perseverance 🎯
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With almost 900 km ahead of me, and painful ankle tendons, my goal became simple: finish as best I could. Breaks 🛑 became frequent, and I slept 1 time for 1 hour and 3 times for 2 hours, eating abundantly 🍲.

Encouragements: A Source of Energy 💪
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What really carried me were the numerous messages from friends, buddies, family 💌. Each encouragement was an irreplaceable energy source.

Finish: A Personal Victory 🏆
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This Paris-Brest-Paris will be etched as an experience of resilience and perseverance. Despite the struggles, I crossed the finish line, savoring a unique personal victory.

Special Dedication 🍰
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A special shoutout to my little brother for the delicious Paris-Brest cake at the finish. A perfect moment to close this incredible epic!

The Finish Line: A Journey to Remember 🎉🚴‍♂️
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This Paris-Brest-Paris was an adventure full of ups and downs, joys and pains, struggle and triumph. Echoing the legacy of Terront and many other riders, I learned about myself and showed what I’m capable of.

Thank you to everyone who stood by me, and thank you, dear readers, for sharing this adventure with me.

#ParisBrestParis #Cycling #Endurance #Adventure #UltraCycling