Mountain biking and gravel in the Indre: the hikes take on water

Jean-François Hermet is sounding the alarm. At the origin of the famous Transberrichonne on November 11, he has returned since 2014 at the head of this event which he will no longer organize in 2025: “I've done 17 of the 32 editions, I'll stop there. »

The basis of this decision is weariness: “Despite all efforts, I have noticed a drop in attendance. In 2024, there were only 255 mountain bikers at the start, compared to 373 two years earlier. » In question, “poor weather which makes the paths impassable. There are also more and more people who only decide at the very last moment whether to come or not”. Everything can depend on a little ray of sunshine…

Add to that the administrative complications – “you almost need a specific diploma to complete the files! For small structures, like a party committee, it’s very complicated” – and the aging of teams: “At Transberrichonne, the organizers range from 68 to over 80 years old… Young people don’t respond. This is also true regarding the participants, 20% of them were over 60 years old in 2024. This is worrying for the future. »

Transberrichonne 2025: Guy Brulon takes up the torch

These concerns do not call into question the Transberrichonne 2025. Thanks to another “young person”: “It’s Guy Brulon (VT Tranzault) who takes over the organizationconfides Jean-François Hermet. I will help him by providing him with the digital traces. » GPX tracks, as insiders say, allow everyone to follow the route on their personal GPS placed on the counter. This avoids logistics: “For the Transberrichonne, there are more than 400 panels to install, 30 sprays of paint, 1 km of tape… GPX tracks are the future, even if some in Indre doubt it…”

However, everything is not negative: “A seemingly modest hike, like that of the Cyclone at the end of August, attracted 160 mountain bikers and 40 gravel riders. »

Gravel is popular

Gravel is a discipline that is rather on the rise. As a reminder, the gravel is a road bike that is strong enough to ride on any path. “This allows very long distances to be covered”adds Jean-Pierre Jouhaud, president of the departmental cycle tourism committee.

Example: the BTO (Berry to Océan) which will connect Le Poinçonnet to Noirmoutier (650 km!) on August 31 in three or four stages. With two preparatory events in Nohant (250 km, May 17 and 18) and Neuvy (250 km, June 8 and 9): “These long-term personal challenges are in vogue. Especially for those who want to take part in Paris-Brest-Paris (1.200 km) and must first validate these steps. »

Organizations also suffer from competition: “It’s tricky to establish a schedule, several events overlap. More and more of them prefer to go with friends rather than participate in listed organizations. »

Times are complicated to put in place careful organizations, but that is nothing compared to the disaffection with competitions, especially on the road. The bicycle is experiencing a complete paradox, developing like never before as a means of transport among the population, while multiplying the obstacles for sporting events…