You coated Greg LeMond when he was a bicycle owner, however you additionally wrote your earlier e-book, “Biking Atlas North America,” with him. How did that occur?
The writer, Rizzoli, requested me to do the e-book “Biking Atlas North America.” I mentioned I do know some locations however I must have an American knowledgeable. Greg was enthusiastic. So, once I known as again the writer, I mentioned, “I discovered somebody who is aware of North America. Possibly you don’t know him, however he was a bicycle owner a very long time in the past.” After I mentioned it was Greg LeMond, they simply mentioned “Wow.” So, Greg and I wrote the “Atlas North America” collectively 40 years after our first assembly.
How has biking modified, particularly with journey, throughout your 4 a long time overlaying the game?
All the pieces modified in biking — in the way in which folks have a look at bikes, have a look at cyclists, and we’re simply originally of a brand new period of journey, of bikepacking. It’s very new in France. We noticed it just a bit bit earlier than Covid. However with Covid, and after, there are lots of people who need to spend some days on trip on their bike alone, with associates, with youngsters, for sport, and for tourism — alongside the Loire à Vélo, for instance, to see the castles and to style the perfect wine on the street. There are such a lot of completely different sorts of rides. However proper now, it’s biking time.
How do you’re feeling about e-bikes?
E-bikes are a improbable growth. I’m an ideal supporter of e-bikes as a result of I see them bringing folks to experience who by no means cycled. I believe it helps people who find themselves not in good well being or too outdated to cycle. It’s an ideal growth right here in France.
How have communities and applied sciences like Strava modified the way in which folks discover the world on a bicycle?
Within the first years of Strava, it was thought-about a solution to examine your self with others. However folks have found that you could find the perfect route with Strava instruments. It’s unbelievable as a result of Strava is a expertise, but it surely’s additionally a social media now. And, once you ask a query of three completely different folks on Strava, two of them will reply — you might be certain of that — and sometimes all three.
How will this e-book assist cyclists discover their subsequent epic rides?
You simply have to show the pages of the e-book. I attempt to combine mountains with coasts, plains and quite a lot of low mountains. I used to be very shocked about all of the mountain ranges I didn’t know of earlier than in Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Slovenia — there are lots of landscapes to problem your self if you need.
