On May 27th, Jean-Baptiste Bazzarini and Benjamin Azarioz, two members of The Brigade, They set off from Annecy with a simple objective: linking the three major lakes of Savoie Mont-Blanc in a single ride. A 390-kilometer escape, with almost no downtime, that pays homage to the micro-adventure.

How are ideas born? It's a few minutes past 4:00 AM on Saturday, May 27th, when Jean-Baptiste Bazzarini and Benjamin Azarioz meet between the deserted streets of Annecy. In In the darkness of a crisp spring morning, as the still-damp night fills the valleys and blankets the lake's shores, it's too early for philosophizing. Nevertheless, the duo is determined to make it happen. one of them.

“I don’t really know how this idea came about”, confesses Jean-Baptiste when he recounts the behind-the-scenes events of this extraordinary day. In truth, connecting the three major lakes of Savoie Mont-Blanc – Annecy, Bourget, and Geneva – and undertaking For each of them, the complete tour, in a single day, had to be planned. Even if the Brigadier wasn't involved. not his first feat: Everesting Challenge on the slopes of Semnoz in 2021, the crossing the Spanish deserts on 750km of gravel during the Badlands in 2022... To endure the shocks, He knows how to persevere and push his limits. But what Waiting there is anything but a walk in the park.

Double standard

Jean-Baptiste naturally turned to Benjamin to accompany him on this tandem adventure. Four eyes see better than two. Two pairs of legs roll better than one. The two had met by chance on a ride Matchy, a few years ago. Since then, Benjamin, a sports coach and guide... Jean-Baptiste and assures THE followed by his training. The Tour des Trois Lacs is thus taking on the form of a A dress rehearsal, yet another hurdle to overcome before the summer deadlines, notably theUltra Race of Giants by Matchy in August, where the two friends will attempt to complete the 1000 kilometers and the 26,000 meters of positive elevation gain in the heart of French Alps.

"It was interesting to be in pairs, both to take turns but also to motivate each other, especially during tough times." Over nearly 15 There will inevitably be hours of effort. After having accomplished After a tour of Lake Annecy in the solitude of the night, the pair ventured north into the Bauges mountains before reaching Le Bourget. "We witnessed the sunrise from the heights above the lake, descending the Col de la Chambotte, then on the other side from the Ontex viewpoint, it was truly special.", Jean-Baptiste recalls.

The Great Escape

But what followed their seems endless. The beginning of a a long desert crossing between Aix and Geneva where the succession of valleys wears down the body and mind. "Once we arrived on the shores of Lake Geneva, we met people along the way. People to whom we explained the project and who helped us by taking turns at the front," Jean-Baptiste smiled.

In Évian-les-Bains, after more than 300 kilometers of travel, it experienced a serious malfunction, a consequence of experimentation. in his nutritional strategy for an ultra-marathon. "Luckily, there was a bakery nearby." The benefits from the bakery, that's what will also save Benjamin from getting hungry a few kilometers later, shortly before reaching the town of Cruseilles. A final caloric intake which will allow the two adventurers to complete the loop, shortly before 7 p.m. How do you end a night out? 390 kilometers, 4000m of ascent and almost 15 hours of saddle? "With a big pizza", concluded Jean-Baptiste.

Equipment used by Jean-Baptiste:

Unisex Vest - Black | Origins 2.0 Jersey - Dawn | Cargo bib shorts - Black | Hanger Bag - Black

Photos: ©Jean-Baptiste Bazzarini (@la_baze)