November is the traditional male cancer prevention month. This year, a group of retired friends who are passionate about cycling took on the challenge of connecting Paris to Aix-en-Provence on two wheels. Their objective: to lift the taboo on this disease, which causes thousands of deaths each year.
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Helmets screwed on their heads, jackets tightly closed, itinerary planned, mustaches restyled, it's a group of five determined to wet their jerseys. The two Thierrys, Alain, Jean-Yves, Patrick, all retired, took on the challenge of traveling from Paris to Aix-en-Provence in seven days on their bikes, to raise awareness among the general public about prostate cancer.
“It’s a taboo subject, men don’t talk,” underlines Patrick Van Den Bossche, 76 years old, who initiated the project. ” Urologists tell me that it is often the woman who takes her husband to the first consultation. We need to convey this message: guys, stop being silent and go see specialists. “
A disease which remains taboo, even though cancer most affects men and which caused 9,200 deaths in 2021 in France. The group of friends therefore hopes to raise awareness as many people as possible by pedaling across France and to raise money for the Les Bacchantes endowment fund, dedicated to male cancers.
The cyclists we meet on Sunday morning are often men over 50, therefore the most concerned, but no one talks about their prostate in the peloton.
Patrick Van Den Bossche, cyclist
A serious cause, supported with humor. For the occasion, everyone is tackling the mustache, for “movember” (contraction of “mustache” and “november”, November in English), a month of promoting men's health.
Mustachioed cyclists who encountered the biggest challenge of their route in Saint-Etienne. They had to climb the Col de la République, which connects the green city to the north of Ardèche. An altitude of 1,154 meters, with an elevation gain of 565 meters, the challenge is significant for retirees who ride fixed gear bikes, therefore with only one gear. “Up there, we’re going to have zero feelings”warns Patrick Van Den Bossche, hanging on his helmet, before giving his first pedal stroke.
Nothing to discourage the cyclists who set off happily towards this place renowned in the world of cycling. It was the first pass of more than 1,000 meters crossed by the Tour de France, it was July 5, 1903.
More than a century later, Thierry Saint-Léger is the first of his team to reach the summit. An ascent that he achieved just six months after having undergone surgery for prostate cancer. “It’s a legendary climb, it’s hard, but it’s okay”assures the 67-year-old cyclist.
“I had prostate surgery, I had a major planing, I have to suffer the consequences at the psychological level, of the couple, of sex, of incontinence, of erectionhe testifies. We need to talk about it, don't be afraid, it's an illness that comes with old age.”
The last one to finish the ascent to the applause of the group is Bernard, 81 years old, who came specially from Annecy to accompany the group during the ascent of Col de la République. “I wanted to support them out of solidarity, there are many male victims, I myself had a benign operation and not a malignant one”explains the octogenarian simply, catching his breath.
For the gang of five mustachioed men, who left Paris on November 10, the adventure ends this Sunday, November 17, in Aix-en-Provence, after passing through the towns of Jargeau, Nevers, Saint-Etienne, Valence and Avignon.
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