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.saltlakephoto.nl

📷 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

📷 @chasingthepeloton

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

📷 @chasingthepeloton

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

📷 @chasingthepeloton