Crossing a Continent: Rémy’s Transcontinental Race Journey
At OLEUS, we’re constantly inspired by athletes who embody the true spirit of endurance, those who push their limits, embrace uncertainty, and discover what they’re truly capable of through movement.
This summer, Rémy took part in one of the most iconic and demanding ultra-distance cycling races in the world: the Transcontinental Race. His story captures not only the immense physical effort such an adventure requires but also the mental resilience that defines every great endurance athlete.
Rémy’s account of an unforgettable journey
“Ever since I started bikepacking, the Transcontinental Race (TCR) had been on my mind. After a few long trips and the Transpyrenees in 2023, seeing this year’s route convinced me I was ready to take on the challenge. It’s the perfect mix of bikepacking and racing, even though, in the end, it’s always a race against yourself.
The TCR is an ultra-distance race that crosses Europe, with a new parcours each year. This year, we started in Santiago de Compostela, facing a 4,700 km journey to the Black Sea in Constanța, Romania. With only a few checkpoints and mandatory sections, the rest of the route was up to us.
Along the way, I crossed Spain, France, Italy, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. There was close to 50,000 meters of climbing, scorching heat above 30°C, sketchy traffic, and even some dog chases in the Balkans. But it was also a route full of stunning mountain ranges and breathtaking landscapes.
The Transcontinental Race is more than just a physical test. Your body adapts, but mentally it gets harder each day. Even small setbacks become difficult to process, so you have to make the most of the good moments and push through the tough ones, always remembering how quickly things can change.
After 16 days and 21 hours, I reached Constanța, averaging 275 km per day with about five hours of sleep each night. Only in the final 20 km, on the last gravel stretch, did it sink in that I was really going to finish. At first, I felt mainly relief that it was over, that months of training, route planning, logistics, gear testing, and constant doubts about whether I was capable had finally come to an end.
A few days later, that relief turned into pride. I realized how well things had gone, how strong I felt for most of the race, and how few setbacks I had to face. Finishing with a full day to spare was more than I ever expected, and I’m truly proud of what I achieved.”
About the OLEUS Pre-Activity
“At the start of the TCR, I took an OLEUS Pre-Activity about half an hour before the flag drop, and honestly, it carried me through that whole first night on the bike. I only stopped for a quick 20-minute nap at a bus stop, then took another Pre-Activity to kick off the next day. It just gave me that clear, steady focus I needed to keep going.”
The spirit of endurance
At OLEUS, we’re constantly inspired by people like Rémy: individuals who choose challenge over comfort, who turn uncertainty into discovery, and who remind us that endurance is as much a mindset as it is a physical pursuit.
Every adventure like his reinforces our mission: to create nutrition and recovery solutions that support those who dare to test their limits, explore the world, and discover what they’re truly capable of.
