Gravelman Paris: Riding 700km without sleeping

Gravelman events are hosted throughout the year across France and even in other countries now. The event organizer, Stéven Le Hyaric, is a former elite cyclist now competing in the biggest ultra-endurance cycling events globally. While Stéven hails from the world of ultra racing, the events foster great vibes, emphasizing challenges over racing. Everyone is welcoming and friendly, even if your French is less than stellar. More information on Gravelman on their site here: https://www.gravelmanseries.com/.

I have participated in four different Gravelman events: Paris North 350, Mont Blanc 350, Paris to Chamonix 700, and the latest Paris 700. Each presented a unique challenge, with arguably each being harder than the previous. I'll delve into each event at some point, but I want to kick off with the latest and most difficult one to date – Paris 700.

The Paris 700km course comprised two different 350km laps. The first lap mirrored the Paris North 350, my inaugural Gravelman experience, followed by a loop of the Paris South 350, which I hadn't tackled before. Despite having covered 700km previously, this one proved more physically and mentally demanding.

Starting with a familiar loop was comforting. I knew the roads, where to capture obligatory checkpoint selfies, and anticipated the surprises. Every Gravelman course has sections to keep participants on their toes, be it a fun or challenging gravel stretch, or even a set of stairs. Of course, I recorded the full route and details on my Strava, you can view here.

The event kicked off at 6 am on a Friday morning at The Bicycle Store, just past the Arc De Triomphe. Nervous energy always accompanies the start of any event, especially ultras. The route began with a climb to the top of Montmartre, offering a breathtaking view of the city lights. The steep climb played mind games, balancing fresh legs with the awareness of a long road ahead. After descending, the route followed the canal, which limits speed, particularly at night, but sets a good pace for the lengthy event.

With it being the beginning of January, the sun took its time rising. After hours of darkness, the sun finally appeared and I settled into a flow, marking the beginning of the true ultra experience. Physically and mentally, the first lap was relatively smooth. Having learned from past experiences, I focused on minimizing stop times to enhance efficiency. It's astonishing how quickly stopped time accumulates over a day of riding. I kept this in mind, balancing it with the realization of the substantial distance ahead.

I made three main refuel stops on the first loop – a quick pastry in Chantilly, a sandwich in Vigny, and dinner in Rambouillet. Dinner was at a poke place I'd visited before with Anna, offering a chance to sit down for the first time since the start after 11 hours. Aware of the significant distance remaining, I prioritized refueling and a quick charge of my phone and Garmin.

The ride into Paris was familiar, and I finished the northern loop 3.5 hours faster than two years ago. Despite feeling accomplished, the mental battle truly began at this point. It was surreal entering the Bicycle store amid celebrations by cyclists finishing their 350km events, knowing I was only halfway. Stéven ensured I had what I needed, wished me luck, and off I went.

Leaving the warmth of the bicycle store, knowing I had 10 more hours of darkness ahead, was challenging. At this point, I decided to put on my headphones for the first time, needing the motivational boost. While some find it crazy not to listen to anything during such long rides, I cherish the uninterrupted time with my thoughts. After 16+ hours, thoughts run their course, leading to a blank mind and a unique appreciation for the surroundings, a favorite aspect of ultra-cycling for me.

The second lap had a different vibe. The night was a struggle with dropping temperatures, muscle fatigue, and sleep deprivation. The objective became to keep moving and finish. Night riding brings monotony – no one around, limited visibility, and the repetitive drone of wheels and your chain. I always avoid pushing myself to a dangerous point, and stay conscious of my fatigue levels. Around 3 am, feeling pushed, I took a quick break to play it safe. My energy and my electronic devices were getting low and required some recharging. With a can of Coke, food, and a few minutes of respite, I felt better and pushed on, aiming for 6 am for a more extended break.

The rest of the night was slow, and arriving in Fontainebleau felt like a milestone. During my second-longest stop, I enjoyed a warm cup of coffee, multiple pastries, and then loaded up on snacks and water. As the sun rose, a new day started, bringing a sense of revival. There is a pretty crazy feeling that happens as the sun rises and a new day starts.  It is part of your circadian rhythm, even though you have been awake for 24 hrs as soon as you see the sun you feel almost instantly reset and refreshed. With this refreshed sense the rest of the day went smoothly, despite headwinds and a few stops for supplies.

As the second night approached, being close to the end fueled my energy and pushed me through the fatigue. Riding through the very familiar Marne loop after 650+ km was surreal but aided in autopilot mode to finish things off. The final surprise came with heavy rain for 45 minutes just to ensure I had had enough.

Reaching the finish on such a long ride is a strange feeling. Despite my exhaustion, the energy at the shop was uplifting with Stéven and other riders celebrating. I received my finisher medal and a cold beer, proud to be the only one completing the 700k. Although I was completely exhausted and sleep deprived from the 38 hour effort, I felt great and you couldn’t wipe the grin off my face, that is until I stepped back outside in the cold to ride home.

This event stands out as the most challenging ride for me so far. I may have underestimated January's weather, the long nights, and the short but intense climbs covering the region. Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience, and pushed me to new levels.

After finishing, I set a record of 72 full hours before contemplating my next adventure. More to come...