Lionel Delahaye, a member of the Randonneurs cyclos de l’Anjou (RCA), based in Angers (Maine-et-Loire), has traveled a million kilometers on the saddle of his bike for 44 years. Encounter.
Who are you Lionel Delahaye?
I am 76 years old and I was born in Pruillé, a charming little rural village on the edge of Mayenne, a land of cycling. We had three children with my wife Jocelyne, without her, I would not have had this achievement. She has always been by my side and supported me on these different journeys.
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Regarding sport, I started with judo which I practiced for 15 years. I finished a black belt, before turning to cycling and more particularly cycling. I’m in my 40se year at the Randonneurs cyclos de l’Anjou (RCA), based in Angers (Maine-et-Loire), but I have been cycling for 44 years.
“18,936 hours spent in the saddle”
What does this million kilometers traveled represent?
If we want to talk numbers, that represents 23 world tours, a million kilometers in 44 years, 18,936 hours spent in the saddle or 790 days.
In France, these are prestigious outings like eleven Paris-Brest-Paris, two Bordeaux-Paris with the pros, two Paris-Nice, four Paris-Roubaix. I also crossed a few borders to cycle in Europe, notably to the twin towns with Angers. I thus connected Pisa, Osnabrück, Haarlem, Wigan and also the Belgian and Spanish roads. Not forgetting marathons and some triathlons.
“My fondest memory is a personal challenge: the Tour de France completed in 1985”
What is your track record?
It’s true that with all these kilometers of asphalt traveled, we pick up some distinctions on the side of the road, without actually going to look for them. I thus obtained my altitude certificate, that of super hiker cyclist and also the rank of grand commander of the OCD (Order of Hard Passes).
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But my fondest memory is a personal challenge: the Tour de France completed in 1985 and which I completed in 15 days, over 4,500 km.
As long as the body keeps up, I will continue cycling without constraints, but with as much pleasure as ever and the unfailing support of my wife.
