Laurent: a pass hunter!

They-they crossed the Alps and they-they tell...

Would you like to introduce yourself?

My name is Laurent De Bruyn and I'm originally from Belgium. A masseur-physiotherapist by training, I've been working in France since 2002 and since early 2014 in Val Cenis, as a wellness masseur and rebouteux. I started cycling in 2017, at the age of 39, mainly on the road, although I invested in a muscle bike at the time. My professional activity only allows me to practice in the off-season (spring and autumn).

What was your challenge?

My pleasure is climbing a pass on its two or even three sides and, this autumn, I set myself the challenge of doing the many passes in the area and, consequently, those on the Grandes Alpes route, roaming and solo, with 8 to 10 kg of luggage. From the most modest to the most imposing, I climbed 26 different passes, some of them on two slopes. In 20 days, I covered a total of 1,700 km, with over 40,000 m of ascent. I spent the nights with local people, in bed & breakfasts or in hotels.

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Which route?

In order:L'Iseran (2770 m), the Hautecour climb above Moutiers (1096 m), the Valmorel climb (1400 m), la Madeleine (2000 m), le Télégraphe (1566 m), le Galibier (2642 m), le col de l'Échelle (1762 m), l'Izoard (2360 m), le Granon (2413 m), le Lautaret (2057 m), le Galibier again, l'Alpe D'Huez (1860 m), le col du Luitel (1262 m), le Grand Cucheron (1188 m), le col de Beaune (1210 m), le col de Beau Plan (1440 m), le col de la Confrérie (1368 m), col du Mollard (1638 m), col d'Albanne (1656 m), col du Chaussy (1533 m), Glandon (1924 m), Croix de Fer (2067 m), Mollard again, Sapey (1306 m), Mont-Cenis (2083 m), montée de Mongenèvre (1860 m), Izoard again (2360 m), Col Agnel (2744 m), Col de Vars (2018 m), Bonette (2802 m), Col de Lebraut (1110 m), Lautaret (2057 m) and Galibier 2642 m followed by Télégraphe from Valloire to finish!

An anecdote?

As I climbed the Col Agnel, my saddle was creaking and disturbing the calm and gentleness of a beautiful autumn day.... I was already wondering where I was going to find some oil to remedy this somewhat... annoying inconvenience! No less than 1 km away, as if by magic, an oil spray was waiting for me on a windowsill, in a small village of a few houses. Its owner, nearby, authorized me to use it and I was able to set off again, serene and better than ever!