KROMVOJOJ #3 – 2024

Today marks the arrival of the much-anticipated third edition of Kromvojoj. This year, the event has seen a significant increase in participants, along with route CHANGES and the addition of a “shorter” version (although its difficulty remains uncertain). The standard route spans 1.385km with 24.500m elevation gain, featuring checkpoints at Coll de Banyuls (km 401), Col du Portillon (km 805), Mont Caro (km 1209), and the finish line in Reus (km 1385). The Redux route covers 925km with 16.400m elevation gain and includes checkpoints at Coll de Banyuls (km 326), Penelles (km 809), and the finish line in Reus (km 925). Reus welcomes 69 riders from 15 different nationalities, 46 tackling the standard course and 23 opting for the Redux version.

This year, the event boasts a notable increase in female participation, with 9 women comprising 13% of the total ridership, thanks in part to the Sponsoreco initiative. This commendable effort by the Kromvojoj team aims to foster diversity in ultra distance cycling, providing more opportunities for underrepresented groups like women: Aina Vila, Paula Soler, Silvia Molinero and Gundie Busenberga; and the BAME community, represented by Altaf Hussain.

As riders converge in Reus for check-in, Tomás Montes captures their excitement through his lens at Arriere du Peloton. Before the start, bikes undergo thorough checks courtesy of Taller Bon Pedal and Raül. The organizers have ensured a comfortable start point, offering amenities such as specialty coffee, sandwiches, and drinks from Coffee Union Place.

Among the riders, familiar faces like Toni Calderón, Nahuel Passerat, Enric Terricabras, Ethiene Pousse, Matt Ryan, Alex Lorenzo, Augusto Vallvé, and Lee Roberts heighten anticipation for the event. Notable mentions include Carlos Mazón, Molly Weaver, Silvia Molinero, and the trio from Ciclofactoría (Néstor Jiménez, Sergio Molinero, Javier Álvarez), as well as seasoned participants like Paula Soler, Jaume Vila, and Maialen Zabala. The stage is set for an epic showdown.

Despite their experience, even seasoned riders can’t escape pre-event jitters. Whether it’s last-minute essentials, route planning, carb-loading, nail-biting, weather analysis, or futile attempts at napping, nerves run high. It’s okay to feel anxious – some riders have resorted to beer to ease the tension, according to the organizers.

The organizers have meticulously crafted courses that strike a balance between competition and adventure, catering to both speed demons and those seeking a journey. Whether aiming for podium positions or embracing the spirit of exploration, riders are sure to find their rhythm.

To all the riders embarking on this grand adventure, we wish you well. Stay safe and keep an eye on the weather.

The countdown to the journey’s start begins today, May 11, at 8:15 PM!

It’s been a whirlwind 24 hours since Kromvojoj started, with a plethora of events happening. The opening act features Carlos Mazón, who arrived some minutes late after the start because he was having dinner in a restaurant. He took it in stride, even joking about giving his competitors a head start. Despite being late, Mazón swiftly caught up with the main group. However, we regret to announce the withdrawal of Augusto Vallvé, who encountered a mechanical setback with his front derailleur early on, forcing him to contemplate solutions before ultimately deciding to scratch.

Moving forward, let’s delve into the unfolding drama of the two routes over the first night and subsequent day. Initially, a sizable peloton formed, gradually fragmenting as the night wore on, with distinctions becoming clearer by the kilometer 200km. Instagram feeds were flooded with tales of riders welcoming the sunrise, a testament to the arduous night they endured.

In the standard route, Sergio Molinero and Etienne Pousse took an early lead, closely pursued by Pierre Lisant, Anthony Zarra, and Valentin Hulard. Meanwhile, Molly Weaver spearheaded the women’s division within a larger chasing pack. By noon, Pousse had reached CP1 (at 12:16), closely followed by Molinero, who, in a jovial mood, indulged in a chocolate doughnut. As the day progressed, pit stops for refueling and rest altered the standings. At the 24-hour mark, Molinero, Pousse, and Lisant remained locked in a tight battle at the forefront, with a noticeable gap separating them from the chasing pack.

On the Redux route, a trio composed by Josep Solé, Pau Sansixto, and Daniel Vila led the charge beyond the 200km mark. Nahuel Passerat maintained a steady pace, accompanied by his portable speaker’s melodies, with Roger Molina and Joan Josep Marcó pair trailing behind. Sansixto was the first to reach CP1, followed closely by Vila, while Passerat and Solé secured third and fourth positions, respectively. Sansixto’s pit stop in Prades propelled Passerat into the lead, as he diligently worked to extend his advantage. By the 24-hour mark, Passerat had established a commanding lead, with Vila and Solé vying for second place.

Apart from the excitement at the front of the pack, notable occurrences unfolded among the riders. Toni Calderón’s decision to switch to the Redux route due to knee pain from a previous race ended prematurely at km 58. Maialen Zabala, the leading woman in the Redux category at CP1, succumbed to saddle sores, forcing her to reluctantly withdraw. Despite encountering obstacles, Molly Weaver persevered, becoming the first woman in the standard route to reach CP1, albeit briefly halted by a minor crash. She had some visible bruises in her knee, but nothing enough to stop her.

Mechanical mishaps added another layer of challenge to the event. Carlos Mazón battled through a tire cut, while Miguel Angel García and Régis Coumenges grappled with issues involving their dynamo and rear hubs, respectively. Both of them are managing to continue without having had the chance to repair the mechanicals. Gundie Busenberga encountered initial setbacks with her Sram shifter, finally fixed. Also had posterior problems with the tracker batteries, mirroring Paula Soler’s struggles.

Amidst the cloak of night, a whisper of intrigue unfurled. Silvia Molinero, navigating the shadowed realm, beheld an array of vans silently disgorging their cargo. Each new arrival heightened the enigma, casting a veil of mystery over the nocturnal landscape. At last, unable to resist the lure of the unknown, Molinero halted her journey and approached one of the vehicles. With a quizzical gaze, she inquired of its purpose, only to discover the humble occupation of beekeepers, diligently sowing the seeds of their apiary under the cover of darkness. Thus enlightened, Molinero resumed her path, the nocturnal encounter imbuing her journey with an air of mystique and wonder.

Meanwhile, Seun Alaba’s attempt to rest was repeatedly interrupted by concerned passersby riders. Long after that, he seems to struggle with a physical and mental breakdown during the day. We hope he manages to keep going! Also, Jack Ferguson had to deal with his GPS. The device was decided to test his patience and sanity, emitting annoying sounds during the night. Luckily, he found an open pâtisserie in the morning that healed all his suffering.

As the morning dawned, riders savored much-needed breakfasts. We want to highlight Jordi Salvadó’s one in the following picture. Javier Álvarez recounted a humorous encounter with inebriated revelers, adding a touch of unpredictability to the morning repast. Valentin Hulard opted for a quintessentially French picnic at CP1. Meanwhile, in CP1 too, the organizers heard repeated complaints coming from the Standard route riders, about the challenging gradients of Sant Pere de Rodes. We know it’s a hard one. We even got a meme made out of it.

In the midst of this whirlwind, Altaf Hussain exuded tranquility in his Instagram updates, guiding followers through his journey with remarkable composure.

Also, Carlos Gil was overtaken by Wout Van Aert while ascending Sant Grau. He didn’t take it personally, though.

As the riders set their sights on the daunting French Pyrenees and Catalan Prepyrenees, the frenetic pace of the first day promises continued excitement and challenges ahead. With that, riders will have to keep an eye to the stalking storms in the Pyrenees these following days. Keep dry!

As a summary, what has happened over the last 24 hours? Yesterday evening left a picturesque scene where riders took advantage of a well-deserved rest. In Prades, some of the leading riders in the Original route (Molly Weaver, Anthony Zarra, Etienne Pousse, and Sergio Molinero) gathered (we don’t know if together, but that’s what seemed to be on the map). Pau Sansixto, the leader of the Redux route, had been resting for a while in the same town. On the other hand, a gathering of riders occurred in Banyuls, having a pizza party (just to give you an idea of the number of riders congregating at the same point on the map: Altaf Hussain, Sergi Serra, Aina Vila, Silvia Molinero, Jose Pérez, Jaume Vila, Lieven Gorinsek, Guillaume Audebert, Albert Gallardo, and Mia Guardiet). Meanwhile, Nahuel Passerat seized the opportunity to gain a few more kilometers and widen his lead over the rest of the Redux participants before taking a brief rest under a bus shelter to escape the falling rain. Throughout the night, he would sleep in a parking lot and make himself two waterproof socks out of two bags. With this, Nahuel solidified his position at the top of the Redux leaderboard.

During the rest stop of the leaders of the Original route in Prades, Carlos Mazón and Pierre Lisant capitalized on the opportunity to overtake them and gain an advantage. Lisant eventually rested, but Mazón, deeply focused on the night ahead, pressed on in an attempt to widen the gap. At one point, he led by as much as 60 kilometers, but this lead would diminish as he had to stop for rest during the day. Nonetheless, he became the first rider to reach CP2 at Col de Portillon at 5:45 PM and maintained his first position at the time of writing. Following him, other riders also passed CP2: Etienne Pousse and Pierre Lisant (8:00 PM), closely followed by Sergio Molinero at 8:19 PM.

In the Redux route, we have the significant DNF of Pau Sansixto, who, upon resuming after the rest in Prades, encountered a mechanical with the cassette that would have required time to repair. This did not align with his plan, so he decided to retire. The same fate befell Josep Marcó and Roger Molina, the first in the pairs category, when Roger hit a rock during a descent, damaging the front wheel. Both decided to quit. As mentioned earlier, Nahuel extended his lead by over 100km over the riders trailing him: Josep Solé, Daniel Vila, and Alex Lorenzo, the latter making a spectacular comeback by pedaling through the night. Nahuel is the only one who has reached CP2 Penelles at 6:29 PM by this time.

As we can see, the Kromvojoj doesn’t rest, neither in terms of participant pace nor in terms of the anecdotes they experience.

Sergi Serra, a participant in the Original route, is a cycling shepherd who has pedaled all his life using a paper roadmap. He bought a Garmin GPS to track his kilometers when he went out. Turns out he decided to participate in the Kromvojoj, but he didn’t know how to use the GPS to follow tracks. The gentleman explains at CP1 that he was afraid of losing sight of people and not knowing where to go. He had to call one of the organizers to receive a tutorial over the phone on how to load a track. Once he figured that out, he was pleasantly surprised and delighted by what the device could do, showing the team that you can even see the roads on the screen’s map.

As night fell, Matt Ryan passed CP1 around 10:00 PM. He explained that he broke the bearing of a pedal, causing the balls to fall out. He had to pedal 10km with one leg until he found an abandoned bike, from which he could dismantle the pedal, extract the bearing, and install it in his pedal to continue. Some riders are lucky to be handy! Congratulations, Matt.

David Riba had a little scare with a car that caused him to have a fall that damaged the bike. Even so, he found someone who helped him repair it, and it seems he can continue.

Seun Alaba asks for photos of people’s cats to cheer up his day, so please, post the best photos of your cats in stories and tag him (@seun.alaba).

Ryan MacGillivray tells us on Instagram that he has been having problems with the chain and rear derailleur. It seems he managed to make some makeshift repairs to continue, but he will have to stop at a workshop as soon as he finds one.

On the other hand, we can see in Instagram stories an Alex Lorenzo, who is doing very well this year, currently in fourth place in Redux, clearly upset and angry as he woke up at 1:00 AM to try to advance positions at night but had to end up changing a tire in the middle of the darkness… which did not make him happy. However, it did help him advance.

This is almost everything we’ve been able to find out about our riders. Surely, tomorrow holds even more madness in store, along with the excitement of seeing the first riders reaching the finish line. However, it promises to be a challenging day, with significant showers on the horizon…

The rain has been a protagonist throughout the night and today, falling continuously and intensely overnight and all morning along most of the route, prolonging the agony of the lanternes rouges. Luckily for them, the leaders in the Original route have been able to handle it much better than the rest, as the zones they were riding had less rain.

Today, we have to start by talking about the Redux route, as we already saw the first rider arriving at the finish line at 12:22 AM: Nahuel Passerat. Congratulations! During the day, the podium was completed, with Daniel Vila finishing second, crossing the finish line at 4:30 AM, and Josep Solé, arriving at 9:10 in the morning. The latter celebrated his arrival with some crushed potato chips he brought with him. The three of them arrived steadily and maintained their distances. Josep Solé, upon seeing the differences between riders, decided to take a well-deserved rest in Artesa de Segre, without succumbing to any pressure from riders behind him. Behind the top three, things are much tighter: Alex Lorenzo decided to stop for rest in La Seu d’Urgell. Close to him, Andreu Bartres and Pol Giralt also took a break. Alex resumed his journey while they were still resting, riding calmly in the rain. Andre Bartres and Pol Giralt resumed their journey just as five other riders were about to join their party: Anton Xartuch, Seun Alaba, Clémence Vandergheynst (the first woman Redux), Lieven Gorisek, and Alex Lopez. Alex Lorenzo maintained the distance with ease until passing CP2 Penelles at 7:10 PM. The other five riders followed, separating up to 30km alternately depending on breaks, preparing to reach CP2 in the next few hours.

In the Original route, the leaders have pulled away from the rest of the riders. Since last night, the lead riders have been overtaking each other, leading to different situations throughout the day. If it was exciting to see the day’s evolution through GPS tracking, we can’t imagine the tension that has been building in the race to gain or maintain positions (uncertainty about whether to stop for rest, hypotheses about the fatigue of the other riders, tension to maintain pace, being aware of whether others are stopping to take advantage of rest or try to gain ground…). Last night, we saw Carlos Mazón losing the advantage he had gained earlier, but he managed to regain more than 30km of lead, favored by the descent to Pont de Suert, although he communicated to the Kromvojoj team that he had a problem with the brakes (which we don’t know if he was able to repair during the day). He made a stop of about 30 minutes there, which allowed Etienne Pousse and Pierre Lisant to get closer and closer. On the other hand, Sergio Molinero was heading for the Vielha tunnel pass to also challenge the lead, closely followed by Molly Weaver, who recounted on Instagram an experience of extreme cold due to the rain, from which she was able to recover by stopping at a hotel. After reaching Pont de Suert, Etienne went straight and began to gain ground on Carlos, leaving Pierre behind, who stopped to rest in Tremp and was overtaken by Sergio. Carlos had to stop for rest in a village at kilometer 946 of the event (Benavent de la Conca), where Etienne took the lead. At the moment Sergio was about to reach the spot where Carlos was resting, he resumed his journey, and they began a frantic pursuit, constantly keeping each other in sight to catch up with Etienne. These two started to separate once they passed the flat section, entering the mountains surrounding the Ebre River. At this point, Pierre reappeared, showing that the rest had been useful, as he managed to overtake the two pursuers just as they decided to take a brief break. With all this, Etienne seems to have regained energy and opened up a considerable gap again before starting the long and tough ascent to Mont Caro to reach CP3 first at 7:06 PM. At the time of writing, Etienne, who wasted almost no time at CP3, has started the descent and arrived at the base, crossing paths with Pierre, who is about to reach CP3, and then with Sergio and Carlos, who are ascending the colossus behind him. With all this, Molly Weaver’s tracker has been malfunctioning since her passage through Tremp, but through her Instagram stories, we can see that she is continuing her journey to CP3.

But aside from the excitement, what adventures have our riders experienced today?

Well, Néstor Jiménez was cold and stopped at a supermarket to buy a thermal shirt, but there was only women’s clothing that didn’t fit him well. So, he decided to buy kitchen paper and wrap himself in it. We can see him at CP2 Portillon changing his bandages. He was delighted with the invention, claiming that it works very well. We’re not so sure.

Benjamin Wormald decided to put an open jar of jam in his food bag, dipping bread into it as he pedaled.

Seun Alaba lost his cycling bibs! Don’t get the wrong idea, it was the spare ones. Although Clémence Vandergheynst found them! Since they crossed paths during the day, we assume she handed them over.

Carlos Gil had to ride about 70km through the Pyrenees with a broken pedal… Crazy! He was going to replace it in a workshop in Vielha. We hope he can solve it.

Sergi Florenza wore his Pescanova captain suit for the rain. He bought some cleaning rubber gloves to complete the outfit. Classic.

David Riba, who slept on cardboard as insulation, tells us that this adventure is pushing him to the limit due to the difficulties he encounters. The latest is a puncture in wet terrain that he cannot repair because the spare inner tube is defective. Hang in there!

On the other hand, Guillaume Audebert decides to abandon Font Romeu, due to the fatigue generated by the overexertion of the previous day.

Kromvojoj is reaching its zenith, with the Redux riders reaching the finish line and those in the Original route fighting for the top positions. Let’s hope the weather can give them a respite tonight.

Finish line for Etienne Pousse! First rider to reach the finish line for the Original route, at 5:37 in the morning. Congratulations! Etienne has had a spectacular event, very consistent and maintaining blistering paces, although without losing his head and running with a lot of strategy. He crossed the finish line looking as fresh as a daisy, although he said he felt like he had pushed too hard and slept very little. He also mentioned experiencing hallucinations during the night and struggling with the rough terrain of the Delta de l’Ebre. After getting through that section, he explained that feeling the solitude in the posterior inner forests helped him regain composure and face the falling rains. The lightning flashes helped him stay awake.

As an anecdote, Etienne tells us that he works for an airline where there is a group of cyclists, with whom he arranged to do about 50km, going back and forth from his home, which ended up totaling 150km. That distance already seemed like a lot to some of the group members. When he explained to the group that he was going to participate in this event, they thought it was an exaggeration. Having reached the finish line, Etienne explains that he looked at his phone and discovered a genuine fan club in the WhatsApp group with countless messages commenting on all his moves during the event.

Pierre Lisant is the second rider to reach the finish line in the Original distance, almost three and a half hours after Etienne. Spectacular management of the second half of the event that we have seen him do, stopping to rest without losing composure and recharging what was necessary to climb back and reach second position. Yesterday was a very good day for him, he climbed Mont Caro like a rocket, although then came the Delta de l’Ebre and things got complicated. The difficult terrain of the Delta, combined with the night and fatigue, took their toll. He told the Kromvojoj team that he actually came to believe he wouldn’t make it. But here he is. A good example of stamina and determination.

Carlos Mazón and Sergio Molinero, after the frenetic previous day, having reached the CP3 Mont Caro summit, analyzed the situation and decided to stop and sleep in the refuge. Having rested, they made their way to the finish line, which seemed from the map, fairly in tandem. Finally, they arrived together at the finish line, achieving a shared third place. Congratulations to both!

Molly Weaver, although it’s difficult to track her due to problems with her tracker, was seen at 10:30 am resting and eating to face the climb to Mont Caro. By 12:40, she had already reached CP3, and at 13:05 she was seen eating at the shelter below CP3. Around 4:00 pm, she was seen struggling in the area of the Delta del Ebre due to the exaggerated wind. Therefore, Molly has checked in at CP3 and should be quite close to reaching the finish line as the first woman in the Original distance.

A few hours after Molly, Ismael Sánchez also reached CP3. A few hours later, he had problems with a tire, suffering a blowout. The tubeless liquid couldn’t plug the hole, and it seems he had to get creative to continue. We don’t know how, but somehow he’s still in the event. After Ismael, Valentin Hulard also reached CP3, according to the Kromvojoj team, very excited and emotional to reach the checkpoint.

The rest of the riders are making their way. During the day, Javi Javier (Javier Álvarez) was seen talking a lot in a bar. Apparently, all you have to do is look at him to start a conversation. He got into the party spirit when talking to the guys leaving the after party two nights ago. Later, he was spotted on the climb to CP3 Mont Caro in a trance-like state. This ride is tough, and the riders, at times, have to endure very tough periods. Even so, Instagram showed us Javier Álvarez eating and recovering at the forest shelter below CP3.

Late in the day, the Kromvojoj team informs us that Édgar Sánchez has just reached CP2 Portillón at exactly 8:00 pm, the exact closing time of the checkpoint, managing to make the cutoff.

On the other hand, the Redux distance riders have been arriving in droves during the night and day. Kudos to all of them and also to those yet to come.

Among them, Alex Lorenzo arrived at the finish line in fourth place at 4:55 am. He had a good face and seemed satisfied. He talks about a tough night with rain and cold, although at the finish line it already feels pleasant to him. He explains many interruptions while pedaling through his hometown, Les Garrigues, which broke his rhythm but boosted his morale. As the Spanish saying goes: “sarna con gusto, no pica” (unpleasant tasks become pleasant if done with good company). A pleasant and warm reception awaited him at the finish line, where his brother was waiting for him.

Seun Alaba and Alex Lopex arrived together in fifth position, very calm and fresh, at 7:30 in the morning. They had a pleasant journey from CP2 Penelles to the arrival in Reus, even with the tough slopes faced in this stretch. They were also happy with their luck in miraculously avoiding the showers that were happening in the area. The first thing they did upon reaching the finish line was to ask for a place to go eat churros with chocolate.

After them came Pol Giralt in seventh position. And after him, Clémence Vandergheynst arrived in eighth position in the Redux category and first woman for that distance, after 3 days and 14 hours of racing. Congratulations on the effort and journey! Following Clémence’s arrival, within a little over an hour, the riders Lieven Gorinsek, Andreu Bartres, Anton Xartuch, and Oscar Pacheco arrived.

Sergi Florenza decided to take a well-deserved break yesterday in what seems to be a spa. Apparently, he didn’t have enough water during the day yesterday. We hope it did him very well and gave him a significant boost for the few kilometers he has left to reach the finish line in the Redux distance.

Matt Ryan says he had to join a gym yesterday in France, just to take a shower and use the bathroom. He explains that they even made him a membership card. All this to end up canceling his membership as soon as he left, once his needs were satisfied.

Steph Dietzel, who creates beautiful sketches during the event, shows us on Instagram one he made near the Parc del Cadí-Moixeró. A beautiful place and a beautiful drawing.

We are happy to see Kromvojoj is heading towards its resolution, with active riders still on the route but with the last checkpoints and the finish line in focus. We wish those who have arrived a valuable and well-deserved rest, and a good night and perseverance to the riders still on the road.

Party of arrivals! Since we last wrote yesterday, there has been a flurry of arrivals from the Original route riders in the past 24 hours. Many are able to close the chapter on this adventure. Just 25 minutes after the 4-day mark of the event, Régis Coumenges arrived at the finish line in fourth place, followed by Anthony Zarra just 5 minutes later. Three hours later, Valentin Hulard crosses the finish line. Next to arrive is Molly Weaver, the first woman in the Original distance, with a time of 4 days, 3 hours, and 17 minutes. She had a journey full of ups and downs, from her fall before CP1 to losing her tracker. Luckily, she was posting stories on Instagram, allowing us to track her journey. Much admiration for Molly; she had an incredible ride. Congratulations!

Following Molly, Ismael Sánchez arrives, having finally sorted out his tubeless issues to reach the finish line. In order, those following him are: Javier Álvarez, Òscar Garrido, Michel Sutter, Stéphane Veccione, Benjamin Wormald, Lee Roberts, Néstor Jiménez, Juanfran Torres, Lammert de Jong, and Carlos Gil, the latter with a broken pedal. It’s incredible how he managed to cover so many kilometers like that. Also, Nacho Burgos had a very emotional arrival, honoring his grandfather with a photo attached to his handlebar stem. Then, Miguel Ángel García, and finally, with 2 minutes past the 5-day mark, Paula Soler, the second woman in the Original distance who has shown significant mental strength.

On the Redux side, there have been 3 arrivals during the fifth night and day: Ryan MacGillivray, with 4 days and 6 minutes, Silvia Molinero, the second woman in the Redux distance! With 4 days and 17 hours. And Sergi Florenza, with 4 days, 18 hours, and 25 minutes. Sergi told us this morning that he was eager to leave the hostel where he had slept, but the owners wouldn’t let him leave until 9 in the morning, so he was killing time somehow since 7. He points out that the owners were very strange people.

And of course, Kromvojoj never disappoints. Strange things happened overnight. The Kromvojoj team tells us that when they were driving through the town of Pont de Suert, they saw Patrick Pasco and Albert Gallardo from the Original route trying to escape from a very drunk man who was scolding them, saying that it was very dangerous to ride at night. When they saw the Kromvojoj van passing by, they took the opportunity to follow it, telling the man that they had to leave with them.

Josep Ortiz, from the Redux distance, suffered many punctures. The last puncture, which left him without spares, forced him to be patient and walk about 5 km to the nearest town, La Seu d’Urgell, to stock up on inner tubes. Having overcome the setback, he was able to repair and continue his journey.

Edgar Sánchez stayed at a hotel in Vielha, which served him to rest and recover from a hard day cycling in the rain. He woke up intending to move on early, but found himself in the hotel buffet with a large group of French retirees who had risen earlier than him, and with all the calm in the world, they took their time to have breakfast, testing his patience. Frustrated, he was able to leave much later than planned, but back on the road again.

Gundie Busenberga says she had a mental slump, but having been able to sleep in a bed, helped her to recover and face the rains that would surely soak her again with a good attitude. In addition, she has also tuned up her bike and was able to replace brake pads at a workshop in La Seu d’Urgell. Good idea, considering the mountain passes that await her!

Jordi Salvadó is the “lanterne rouge” of the Original distance. He refuses to go any faster, claiming that he is on vacation and wants to go calmly, eat well, and sleep well. Perfect then, let him enjoy it!

Ryan McGillyvray, having already reached the finish line, shows us in an Instagram story a trophy displayed in the apartment where he is staying, the inscription of which reads: “GP Eddy Merckx, 27/08/2000, WINNER”. Whose could it be?

It’s a pleasure to see the riders reach the conclusion of their journey. Meanwhile, fewer and fewer riders on the road, 5 for the Redux and 13 for the Original. It seems that the weather might give them a break for the next day ahead. We wish these fellow riders a lot of physical and mental strength.

Today was the ending day for many riders who experienced a traveling Kromvojoj, embracing adventure and the unexpected, yet maintaining a respectable pace, taking on the personal challenge. The organizers want to highlight an event that each participant takes at their own pace and perspective, enjoying and living it according to their own criteria, as a personal journey.

Today’s arrivals marked the end of the adventure for most of the bunch. In the Original route, following Paula Soler, Hassim Hassan finished with 5 days and 6 hours, Altaf Hussain and Jasper de Jong with 5 days and 7 hours. Altaf made a commendable effort, pushing through the night to reach the finish. He encountered fog and said he felt immense mental and physical fatigue, but it didn’t stop him from finishing. For those curious, on his Instagram, Altaf explains how he combined the ride with his religious practices. Following them were Sergi Serra and Enric Terricabras. Laura Delnevo completed the women’s podium in the Original event, being the third woman with 5 days, 16 hours, and 53 minutes. Then came Jaume Vila, Aina Vila, Albert Gallardo, and already within the sixth day, Mat Ryan. The latter was seen climbing towards CP3 Mont Caro at a conservative pace but then descended like a demon, true to his spirit. He also posted a photo on Instagram with a newlywed couple taking their wedding photos near CP3. Three riders remain in the event: Patrick Pasco, Edgar Sánchez, and Jordi Salvadó.

During the night and day on the Redux route, Josep Ortiz finished with 5 days, 1 hour, and 57 minutes, and artist Steph Dietzel with 5 days, 23 hours, and 7 minutes. Throughout the route, she shared adorable sketches of the landscapes. Still in the road are the pair Gundie Busenberga and Jack Ferguson, who keep getting soaked under the rain… what a way to train the mind for ultra-distance! However, it seems the scenery is compensating for the suffering. This couple might make a guide to visiting churches and chapels, as they frequently use them as bivy spots. Are they thinking about getting married?

Something curious we got to know today: Ben Wormald, who arrived the previous day, shared that, while riding through France, a car passed him too closely. He raised his arms and shouted in complaint. Immediately after, a police car with flashing lights overtook him and pulled over the reckless driver. Ben stopped to explain what had happened, and the police, who had witnessed it, issued a fine to the driver. It seems there’s still hope for enforcing traffic safety regulations for cyclists. After seeing that, Ben continued his journey with a good boost.

We can also see many Instagram posts from riders now taking the time to rest, enjoy the beers, or share their experiences. We recommend taking a look.

The upcoming night and day are officially the last of this adventure, ending in Reus with a commemorative party with the riders tomorrow afternoon. Can’t wait!

As this third edition of the Kromvojoj ultra-distance cycling comes to the end, we reflect on the incredible journey and the moments that have defined this adventure. Yesterday, Saturday, we celebrated the conclusion of the journey with a memorable finisher’s party at the cultural center of “Castell del Cambrer” in Reus. The evening was filled with heartfelt speeches from the Kromvojoj team and several participants who shared their experiences and expressed gratitude to the organizers and volunteers.

A standout moment was Altaf Hussain’s speech, where he eloquently spoke about his cycling philosophy. He emphasized cycling as a tool for integration, promoting diversity, and combating segregation and inequality. His words resonated deeply with everyone present, highlighting the profound impact of this sport beyond physical endurance.

The night transitioned into a relaxed gathering where participants, volunteers, and organizers mingled, enjoying food and drinks while sharing their stories. A particularly exciting revelation was Ryan McGillivray unveiling a tattoo of the Redux route track on his arm, a permanent tribute to his remarkable journey. The festivities continued as the more adventurous participants headed out to explore the local nightlife.

Earlier on Saturday, before the celebration, the final riders of the Redux distance, Gundie Busenberga and Jack Ferguson, completed their journey, braving the rain and showcasing their resilience. Today, Sunday, marked the end of this edition for the last rider of the Original distance, Jordi Salvadó. True to his relaxed approach, Jordi treated his journey as a vacation, indulging in fine meals and taking his time to enjoy the experience. He celebrated each milestone with good food and drink, notably enjoying a sumptuous meal in Saint Grions. Despite being asked if he wanted to finish in time for the party, he preferred to savor every moment, reluctant to return to his work on his chicken farm.

Jordi’s journey had its unique challenges, including being unable to reach the refuge at CP3 Mont Caro due to a concurrent trail running event. Yet, he remained unfazed, embracing the spirit of the event.

As we celebrate the success of this third edition, it is clear that every participant has had a fulfilling and joyous experience. The memories and stories from this year will take time to fully absorb. The Kromvojoj team will soon begin preparations for the next edition, already looking forward to another year of extraordinary adventures and camaraderie. Thank you to everyone who made this ride unforgettable.