Haute Route: A new Challenge for Sophie
NEWS
The Haute Route is a 800 km long stage race through the Alpes. From Nice to Geneva in 7 days, with no less than 21.000 km of ascent. What may sound absolutely insane was one of the most mind blowing experiences of my life.
Just a few years back in 2013, cycling 13 km to work seemed like the longest distance I could ever handle. With that still on my mind, I can hardly believe that I just finished the Haute Route: A 7 day race that strips you to the core. Every day, you spend 8 hours straight on your bike, going uphill for 50 km and more. This was far beyond hardcore – and totally worth it.
After 4 days of torture, I thought I couldn’t go any further. I had reached my limit. With every single cell of my body aching like crazy, it seemed impossible to keep on cycling up this mountain for 3 more days. I was sobbing like a little child – but then I realized why I started this journey in the very beginning: Because I live for this kind of challenge.
This is exactly what I was looking for when I quit my former job. The feeling of pushing yourself far beyond what you think is possible, going on when already feeling absolutely broken. There is nothing more satisfying than looking back at the end of a race like that and seeing that you just did the impossible. So I went for it – and in the end, I had climbed more than twice the altitude of the Mount Everest on my bike.
Even though I felt the worst pain I ever had during this race, the Haute Route made me realize something very important: The mind is the most powerful tool we own and there’s nothing more valuable than proving to yourself how strong yours really is.
STATEMENT
I cycled through the Alps a few times before, but there was nothing that came even close to this race. 7 days of fighting against yourself – but when you reach the summit, it’s all worth it.
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