There’s much more to ultra than just suffering
Ultra cycling is not Ultra suffering and I think I need to say it because after the Silk Road many people asked me how much I suffered how deep I had today how I was able to push beyond the pain it is true that bike packing races are hard probably much harder than most of the other sports we push our limits there is discomfort there is sometimes pain there is no race without some sort of physical attrition and moral distress the end goal is not to suffer we’re not masochist looking to be in the worst possible shape most of the time there is Joy there is pleasure these Adventures cannot be reduced to the suffering the pain is only a byproduct what we seek what we find is the joy of being outside and the pride of achieving the seemingly unachievable
23 Comments
well said.
Thank you Sofiane!
How did you find joy in theses races, can you share your thaugths what is in your mind , the mindset that you have before and during the event? How you manage to have all this motivation / dopamine ? Is that the will of fame or srlf récognition?
Thank you for that !
Your content is super interesting chuffed I subscribed. 🦵
Do you have any plans of doing Arizona trail ?
Take care of yourself comme a la coutume
I’m pleased to hear you say this so more people will try it
Thank you for saying this Sofiane. Even on short bikepacking trips I need to remind myself to enjoy the ride. It's nice to hear that even legends like you enjoy your rides through the suffering.
These shorts are incredible Sofiane ❤
Potent! I can see the joy! You push yourself but you’ve prepared. You face the limits of humanity and the truth that we are not above the natural world it’s a beautiful humble thing to realize and show!
This!!! The best racers are those that find the absolute joy in what we do. Suffering is never part of the equation.
Why you always make great opinion and inspired people? Share om Instagram please, thank you!
message received Sofiane ! Enjoy^^
I'm going to defeat you one day 🤔
It's a very important message right now because I feel like the extreme pursuit of FKTs and live race coverage is making us lose sight of the fact that that's only one part of bikepacking, and for me it's a part that needs balance in order to maintain my passion for the sport.
Such great truths! Yea Sofiane!!🎉
Toujours au top Mr Sofiane grand respect et humilité.
Hellofromparis 😊
I feel you.
mercies soufiane de ma part Youssef de Munich
When I was younger, I was a road racer, and competed in a number of stage races. Each day would vary from 100km to 300km, at as hard a pace as I could keep up. I would wake up each morning so sore that swinging my legs off the bed was painful, and I would have to hobble to my bike like an old man. Getting my leg over the bike was agony. But after half an hour in the saddle, the endorphins would kick in, my blood would rise, and I’d be having a blast. I loved riding, and no matter how miserable I might feel during a ride, I would go to sleep looking forward to the next day. My wife says I’m crazy.
So well said
Pure honey for the soul, Sofiane. Much beyond and above cycling. Let’s keep up with the pickles-in-the-jar
I admire you for doing this sport.
I’ve done a couple of bike packing races but probably enjoyed 20% and hated the rest😂
Just got into the sport, rolemodel 👏