“Buggy rollin'” for the sport, “Rollerman” for the character and Jean-Yves Blondeau for the creator, the designer, the artist, the guy who has the ideas”.
In 1994, then 23 years old and studying design, this Savoyard got it into his head to invent armor on wheels that allowed him to defy the asphalt in any position: standing, lying, on one elbow, two, on the back or on the stomach.
The combination evolves.
Thirty years later, this Aix-les-Bains stilt goes downhill, covered with rollerblades or skateboard wheels.
Recently, he has also adopted flat routes and electrically assisted armor.
When he challenges the Col de l'Épine, not far from Chambéry, this enthusiast does not go unnoticed.
Firstly because he takes the time to scan each lace he is about to take, in search of a sneaky pebble that could hurt him or damage his equipment, and then because it is rare to see a fan of full-speed skating between two clusters of tired cyclists.
“It's artistic!
»
A family of Bretons, already familiar with their "Buggy Rollin'", were enthusiastic about meeting him by chance.
"Look, look, he's going to lie down," exclaims Yves-Michel, the father.
Tristan, the eldest of his two sons shouts in the back of the car, while the small family follows the fifty-something launched at more than 90 km / h just in front of them: “He is going too fast there!
".
“Oh he has his arms, he traces”.
"The speed, in the car, we realize what," rebounds Delphine, her mother, still electrified by the adrenaline of the descent.
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“It's artistic!
“comments the father of the family.
Yves-Michel then questions the approach of this “Rollerman” who spins between the peaks: “I would be more for aesthetics than for speed.
I would say there is a harmony.
We're going to talk about kung-fu and fluidity, ”says Jean-Yves Blondeau.
The Savoyard has succeeded in convincing around twenty followers of his sport all over the world: "Things that bring joy are also when there are several of us, because there, I had to clear everything alone for a long time.
It's to bring something that doesn't exist on the planet and show that it works, because everyone told me it wouldn't work”.
