On June 8, 2021, Stéphane Bujadoux, a 62-year-old retiree, set off for a tour of Europe aboard his solar bike. For two months, he traveled 8,600 km. Le Dijonnais tells us about this unique adventure.
While the Tour de France cyclists were sweating profusely on the roads of the Grande Boucle this summer, Stéphane Bujadoux had his own cycling experience by participating in the Sun Trip. Between June 8 and August 8, 2021, this young retiree from National Education crossed Europe, joining Brussels to the Col du Stelvio, in Italy, and passing through countries such as Latvia or Romania. 8,600 kilometers, well installed on his solar bike, that the one who lives in Talant, near Dijon, tells us.
duration of the video: 00 min 20
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Stéphane Bujadoux on the Sun Trip routes.
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© Stéphane Bujadoux
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“Logically, we should have gone as far as China, but the Covid wanted it otherwise”, he would regret almost in the preamble. Almost, because Stéphane Bujadoux keeps in mind the memory of a unique and enriching experience. Thanks to the Sun Trip, of which the European Commission is a partner, the 62-year-old retiree crossed the entire Old Continent in the space of 8 weeks. Alone for a month, accompanied by other cyclists for the rest of the adventure.
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“I wasn’t trying to be fast, I wanted to enjoy the countries I was passing through, take pictures, meet people. And that is really something that leaves lasting memories”. On his way, the Dijonnais then takes the opportunity to exchange, discuss, take an interest in local populations.
I remember people in Romania who were completely surprised to be seen in their country by bike.
Stéphane Bujadoux,
retirement
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But when determining a vivid memory of this adventure, Stéphane Bujadoux does not manage to make a choice. “I don’t have a strong moment. There are a lot of strong moments! I remember a woman who was of Hungarian origin. Part of Transylvania, which belonged to Hungary, was attached to Romania . And this woman, 70 years later, spoke with emotion about this separation from her country of origin. We are also in contact with the traces of history through people “..
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For two months, many people also questioned him about his bicycle. A strange paraphernalia with a trailer and a roof covered with solar panels. “There was a challenge, that of never charging with a power outlet, but always recharging with the sun. We are subject, a bit like sailors, to the weather elements. We move much faster when the weather is good. . And it’s more tiring for the thighs when the weather is bad “.
His vehicle, Stéphane designed and obtained it thanks to the support of its sponsor “Déclic-Éco”. In total, do not exceed 2.5 meters of solar panels when participating in the Sun Trip. “You do it according to your idea. No two bikes are the same. Each bike reflects the personality of the one who designed it. There are those who like comfort, those who like speed. For me, I wanted a maximum surface area of solar panels. It’s a bit of a challenge to fit that on a bike “, says the one who has invested between 2,500 and 3,000 euros in this equipment.
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But the young retiree does not was not his first attempt. Since 2017, he has participated in the operation every year. First on shorter races, then across all of Europe in 2021. “I never thought that one day I would participate. But there was an edition of 1,200 km in France in 2017 which seemed to me to be within my reach. I said ‘banco, I’m trying the adventure ! ‘”.
Those who have a university degree in ecology and who frequently use the bicycle in their daily life are also affected by the promotion of new mobility which is made through the Sun Trip. “You can do thousands of kilometers without using fuel. The advantage of the solar bike is to be able to take you beyond your own strength, but in complete autonomy”.
The Dijonnais is also preparing for the Sun Trip 2022, which will cross the Alps.
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