Los Angeles is full of tourist attractions. Walk of Fame, Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, film studios… If he took the time to visit the City of Angels, Breton Baptiste Veistroffer will remember above all that it was the starting point for a slightly more adventurous big. A 2,300 km escapade on his gravel bike, armed with his two bags containing the essentials for two weeks and accompanied by a friend. A total of approximately 27 kg to tow 110 to 160 km per day. “Nothing to do with the usual 7 kg,” laughs the professional runner, who will join the Belgian Lotto Dtsny team in 2025. But at 22 or 23 km/h, it can be done.”
A road trip in his image. That of an atypical runner, a cycling enthusiast. “It fits with my state of mind. I don’t see cycling only through running. It’s also a way to discover, to move, to share, to meet people… I like to ride: racing, training, traveling. If I could ride five hours a day, I would. I like it so I don’t deprive myself of it. In addition, it linked very well with my preparation,” continues Veistroffer, surprised “not to end up extremely tired.”
Diversity of landscapes
In races, in the four corners of France, in Belgium or in the Netherlands, time is running out. Almost millimeter. “I like to take five minutes on the bus to look at what’s around, to see if there’s something atypical, a church, a cemetery, or a specialty. But you still have to be in your race, you can’t turn right to see what’s at the end of the path,” continues the man nicknamed “the wild boar” in the peloton.
So the Finistère took advantage of this freedom to appreciate the diversity of the landscapes, by wearing the “galaxy” jersey of Décathlon-AG2R, his team this season. From Los Angeles to Death Valley and its 35 degrees in October, then Las Vegas and the Mojave Desert, the Mexican border, San Diego, and a return to Los Angeles along the Pacific Ocean. “I loved everything! Especially the changes in landscape. You leave Los Angeles, it’s a little green, there are big mountains. Two or three stages later, we were in Death Valley, it’s 40 degrees and there’s salt everywhere. Afterwards, Las Vegas is a big desert. You go back down to San Diego, it’s all green, it feels like Canada. We even climbed to 1,900 m above sea level. And go on your adventure… We had everything sorted out four or five months before: accommodation, supplies. We also made a trip every two or three days to test,” says Veistroffer, who resumed training as soon as he set foot in France.
No punctures in 2,300 km
The “superb American paths” lend themselves perfectly to the exercise. No punctures in 2,300 km, if proof was needed, and “no major problems”. “The atmosphere is cool too, it goes with gravel. Even if we only came across one roaming cyclist, and from a distance. Apart from Santa Monica (a coastal town next to Los Angeles), we didn’t come across any cyclists,” remarks the stage winner on the Tour of Brittany, who shared his expedition on his social networks with some pretty shots. . “I took my drone. I find that we have a different vision from above. My friend (Enzo Martin) is also quite knowledgeable on this. It’s nice to share the experience. And it’s give and take, I also discover what others are doing. »
Photos and videos that have been emulated. “I got a lot of messages. Some told me that I made them want it, they asked me for tips. » Baptiste Veistroffer already knows other places suitable for long walks. “Morocco, East Coast of the United States, South America…” The first, certainly not the last.
Morocco
