An Occitan family returns after 5,000 km by bike: the home stretch is open to all

We know that the best things come to an end. After a 7-month journey exploring South America by bike, Caroline, Thomas and their children, Paul and Marie, are back. While they have cycled at least 5,000 km since last July, they will reach Montauban this Sunday, January 26, with their tandems from Toulouse via the Canal des Deux Mers. During the stopover which will be observed for lunch in Montech, the Montalbanese family invites all cycling friends to join them to share the last 10 kilometers of this incredible adventure which will end at Place Roosevelt around a few group photos with their “ fan club”. Many colleagues, friends, family and also anonymous people have followed the adventures of this lovely tribe who assiduously keep a diary of their travels on the web.

Also read:
SLIDESHOW. Their dream has come true: as a family, they travel across South America by bike

While the family has put down the bikes for a few days to indulge in some well-deserved idleness in Valparaíso (Chile), Thomas, the father, returns to this family epic.

The first article appeared at the end of October, while you were in Salta, Argentina. What's new under the sun?

We have completely changed landscapes. We were able to cycle in much greener regions than Peru or Argentina. The south of Chile is very green, with lakes and fjords. It did us a lot of good. Surprisingly, we found that the more we live in developed countries, the more material comfort we have, the harder it is to be in discomfort. In Chile, it is more complicated for us to move towards a form of counting, unlike what we experienced in Peru in particular. Maybe it's fatigue or sometimes a little weariness. But after a few days of sedentary life, we already miss the nomadic life! From there to saying that a future big trip is already on our minds, there is only one step!

Is that what weighed on you the most?

No. The hardest part isn't the discomfort, it's not knowing where you're going to sleep each night. It's a daily effort that we agree to more easily at the beginning but every day it wears us out.
Conversely, what is the best travel souvenir that you bring back in your luggage?
Argentina was great. The welcome from the population really left an impression on us. The people are kind… There is a real brotherhood with the French.

Even though we often view our relationships with the Argentinians through the competitive prism of sport…

Yes and we have been asked a lot who is better between Messi and M'Bappé. Once we concede, that at the moment, it's Messi, everything goes well [rires]. No, seriously, there really was something exceptional there. Spontaneously, people offered to help us and accommodate us!

How do you view the development of your children?

Both celebrated their birthdays there: Paul turned 10 on August 14 and Marie turned 5 on November 15. Both have gained in maturity, openness to others and autonomy. Not that they weren't before but it awakened them to the world. And to the others.

How do you approach returning to France?

There is no particular concern. We will have to return to the rhythm of daily life, to work, to shopping, to chores, to children's activities. But on the other hand, there is a certain stability which is worth it.

While it is precisely this frantic pace that pushed you to travel…

Yes, but from now on, there will be more distance on certain professional subjects, in particular. And the fact of living in less than privileged living conditions like in France puts things into perspective.

*To contact the family and find out more about this cycling stage open to all: lesbrullacavelo.fr