I was not fortunate enough to spend much time with Ryan le Garrec at The Migration Gravel Race in Kenya. Then a few weeks after the dust had literally settled, he released his film documenting the race it brought the whole experience flooding back. I wanted to get to know to the guy who had so accurately represented, in film, the suffering and the elation l had experienced in Kenya. Fail 4: Migration Gravel Race
It turns out this is just the tip of the iceberg of a man with a fascinating story, full of rich experience fuelled by his curiosity for what life can offer those willing to pursue.
I took a lot from this conversation particularly when it comes to following a passion and being true to your creative self.
I hope you also enjoy!
www.instagram.com/ryan_le_garrec
I Absorb Things Better at Speed
Lian and I first met at The Migration Gravel Race in June 2021, where she was capturing the race, the riders and the spectacular Kenyan scenery. This, however, was not the first time I had come across her work. That was earlier in 2021 when I heard about #crackedearthfilm - a film project aiming to reach and engage more cyclists around the globe on the topic of the Climate Crisis.
This is part of her broader work with Shift Cycling Culture aiming to unite the collective force of the cycling world to create positive climate action by inspiring brands and the cycling community to start doing things differently.
https://www.shiftcyclingculture.com/climatecommitment
📷 www.instagram.com/saltlake_lian/
Badlands is a 750km unsupported bikepacking endurance event through some of the wildest parts of Europe. Staring in Granada, in the south of Spain, competitors are faced with 85% non-tarmaced roads, deserts, mountain passes, beach traverses and a total of over 15,000 m of vertical gain.
In his first event of this kind Suleiman Kangangi completed the gruelling journey in 2 days 8 hours - an impressive feat against some of the best endurance riders in the world.
He and I caught up the day after he finished to recount his race and share the story with all those who had been following his progress.
The First Migration Gravel Race is now successfully completed, and what a uniquely memorable experience it was. In this second episode we take you inside the event and catch up with some of the participants (some new to this podcast, some familiar).
Featuring: Sule Kangangi, Nol and Loek from Fat Pigeon, Finley Newmark and Marc Roig
If you want more Migration Gravel Race insight, clips, perspectives we encourage you to go and find the Fat Pigeons Instagram, go read Betsy Welch's daily recaps on Velo News and Ryan Le Garrec has put together a beautiful summary of the event on the radavist https://theradavist.com/2021/06/i-absorb-things-better-at-speed-fail-4-migration-gravel-race-teaser/
And the new Wahoo Frontier Film: Fursa is out now, featuring many of the athletes who have been guests on Chasing the Peloton .
The First Migration Gravel Race is now successfully completed, and what a uniquely memorable experience it was. In this first episode we take you inside the event and catch up with some of the participants (some new to this podcast, some familiar).
Featuring: Iman Kagumba, Ruben Kranendonk, Ian Boswell, Betsy Welch, Cate Karis, Geoffrey Langat & Dorien Geertsema
If you want more Migration Gravel Race insight, clips, perspectives we encourage you to go and find the Fat Pigeons Instagram, go read Betsy Welch's daily recaps on Velo News and Ryan Le Garrec has put together a beautiful summary of the event on the radavist https://theradavist.com/2021/06/i-absorb-things-better-at-speed-fail-4-migration-gravel-race-teaser/
Meet Omar, Endurance cyclist and guest for episode ten of #meetthemigrationgravelracers
📸 @omaralsaadi93
A keen endurance rider and enthusiastic promotor of Dubai as a cycling destination, Omar is more than willing to share his passion for riding bikes. Having taken part in a couple of Biking Man Events and the Race Around Rwanda 2020, he has some useful insight in how to approach endurance riding, and when it comes to such things, experience is the only thing that truly counts.
He also has a great philosophy on riding; seeing it as a way to experience the world in a meaningful way, test oneself physically and mentally, and involve yourself in a group of passionate and like minded individuals.
#community #inspiration #mgr2021#migrationgravelrace #mgr21#chasingthepeloton #ctp #podcast#cycling #cyclinglife#viewfrombehindthebars #kenya#africa #fromwhereiride #bikelife#gravelbike #gravelgrinder#cyclistsofinstagram
Along with @teamamani a shout-out to @savagewilderness @kenyan_riders and @cycle_eastafrica for being integral in arranging the @migrationgravelrace
🚴🏽 Support African Riders in taking part - Gravel Union crowd-funding
Meet Maurice and Lester, the second 'Flying Dutch Duo' to join Chasing the Peloton for episode ten of #meetthemigrationgravelracers
Having known each other since their studies, Lester and Maurice have connected over their passion for cycling, becoming part of the community centred around Lola Bikes and Coffee, a coffee shop based in The Netherlands. Lola had always maintained a link with cyclists in East Africa and Amani was born out of this connection, along with a passion for cycling and desire to create a global cycling community to support East African riders and break down some of the barriers that prevent them reaching the highest levels of the sport. As the project has grown, Lester and Maurice have supported the development of an exchange programme with East African Riders, an online e-racing community and The Migration Gravel Race itself.
And along with @teamamani a shout-out to @savagewilderness @kenyan_riders and @cycle_eastafricahe’s for also being integral in arranging the @migrationgravelrace
🇳🇱 Maurice & Lester on Instagram: Maurice Lester
🚴🏽 Support African Riders in taking part - Gravel Union crowd-funding
Meet Sule, 'The Godfather' of The Migration Gravel Race and guest for Episode Nine of #meetthemigrationgravelracers
The future of Kenyan cycling is looking very promising, and will continue to grow, especially with people like Sule involved. Having ridden at the highest levels for many years Sule has the experience and wisdom which is going to be invaluable to promote bike riding! And along with @teamamani @savagewilderness @kenyan_riders and @cycle_eastafrica he’s helping to make the @migrationgravelrace a success. He’s already helped run the first two editions of The Migration Gravel Series, events which aim to grow Kenyan gravel riding in the lead up to the June race.
This is a guy who loves riding his bike and wants to spread that joy with as many people as possible, and it was a real pleasure to meet him.
🇰🇪 Sule on Instagram: @sulekangangi
🚴🏽 Support African Riders in taking part - Gravel Union crowd-funding
Meet Dorien & Mieke, the flying Dutch duo taking part in #mgr2021 🇳🇱
From meeting a few years ago through Lola, a coffee shop and cycling community in The Netherlands these women are now taking their love of riding bikes to the next level with the Migration Gravel Race.
The race is just around the corner, and these two are training hard, go and check out their adventures on their instagram: @grvlwmn
In this conversation, we talk about how they met, what drives their passion for cycling and what more can be done to encourage more women to take up the sport.
🚴🏽 Support African Riders in taking part - Gravel Union crowd-funding
Meet Ian, the former World-Tour racer turned alternative-surface rider taking part in #mgr2021
The fact that the @migrationgravelrace has attracted the attention of riders like Ian, along with the support of @wahoofitnessofficial is testament to the ambition of @teamamani in what they hope to achieve with the race.
As Ian says, the pathway for African riders to make it as a cyclist can often be harder, but hopefully with initiatives like Amani we can start breaking down some of the barriers. Ian cannot wait to line up and share his experience and knowledge with the riders come June, as well as learning a few things along the way as he is still getting familiar with in his new, less-tarmaced cycling career!
🚴🏽 Support African Riders in taking part - Gravel Union crowd-funding
Meet Kato and Wasswa, the lean-mean-twin-dream-team hoping to blow us all away at the #mgr2021
The lads are training hard right now with their coach Sam Mutton, who we also speak with in this latest episode of #meetthemigrationgravelracers
It's awesome to hear about their cycling journey and their ambitions for the future, as well as the incredible work that is being done through Masaka Cycling Club to grow Cycling within that community.
Thanks to the boys for sharing some of their story, thanks to Sam for facilitating the pod and for his continued support of cycling in Uganda, and thanks to Ross for setting up the interview.
🇺🇬 masakacyclingclub on Instagram
🚴🏽 Beijing to Masaka - Meet the Serk Bikes
Meet Angus and David, the adventure mountain-biking duo who are taking part in #mgr2021
What started as a hobby and a way to keep fit has grown into full-blown obsession, with the guys due to take part in some of the toughest races around and David has even bought a bike shop!
Having been in Kenya for many years, these guys have a unique perspective on cycling in the country, so this is well worth a listen!
@chasingthepeloton on Instagram
Meet Geoffrey, Kenyan Bike Racer, who's taking part in #mgr2021
From Roller Skating to a UCI Continental team and now Gravel Racing, Geoffrey's passion for cycling is clear and infectious. He shares his story and tips for riding the dirt roads of Kenya.
Find him over on instagram
And we are @chasingthepeloton
Meet Josh, endurance racer/rider, who's taking part in #mgr2021
If you know anything about the world of Bikepacking/Endurance Riding, you will likely be familiar with Josh & his achievements. He shares his experiences and tips as we look forward to an amazing Kenyan adventure.
Find him over on instagram
Meet Cate, another of the local Kenyan riders taking part in #mgr2021
As someone who took part in the race recce she shares her insights into what we'll be tackling (spoiler alert: it's 'rocky') & she shares how she got into cycling.
Find her over on instagram
& find us @chasingthepeloton
Meet Iman, one of the local Kenyan riders taking part in #mgr2021
In this inspiring conversation, we talk about how she got into cycling, what diversity means for the sport in East African and her efforts teaching women to ride during the pandemic.
Welcome to Chasing the Peloton. A new Podcast sharing my journey to some of the toughest endurance cycling events around, and the stories of those who I meet along the way.
🦓 Migration Gravel Race, Kenya
🌵 Badlands, Spain
Find us on instagram: @chasingthepeloton