The scene takes place on April 30, 1863, in Camarón de Tejeda, west of Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Besieged in a hacienda by 2,000 local soldiers, 65 soldiers of the Foreign Legion try to resist.
They will only be three survivors.
Each year, this body of the army pays homage to this battle which contributed to its legend.
Reservist, Pascal Pich decided to commemorate the event in an unusual way, which makes you dizzy.
From this Wednesday until the famous April 30, this inhabitant of Yerres (Essonne), 57 years old, will cycle on his home trainer the 18,093 km (786 km per day) and the seven countries which theoretically separate the Fort from Nogent from the Mexican village.
A challenge that will have the advantage of being done without bad weather conditions, and where nothing has been left to chance.
In terms of records, Pascal Pich has nothing more to prove.
This ultra-distance specialist had planned to do ten Ironman deca last year (38 km swimming, 1800 km cycling, 423 km running), but the pandemic has passed by.
“I like the feeling of seeing how far my body can go,” says the man who completed the 21 stages of the Tour de France in one week in 2009.
I never do it again in a challenge that has already been completed.
People often ask me why I don't embark on an Enduroman
(Editor's note: from London to Paris with swimming across the Channel)
.
About thirty people have already done it!
I take my pleasure by always going further.
In fact, I am an explorer of my organism.
"
#laroutedecamerone
Here we are starting to be quite good 😉
@legionetrangereofficiel @ armee2terre @ cema.armeefrancaise @ easy.dada #opph https://t.co/124KO2iFjc pic.twitter.com/G6V5nXxE5F
- Pascal PICH (@Pascalpich) April 6, 2021
For his new challenge, for the benefit of the OPPH association (which fights against hyperinsulinism), Pascal Pich has planned a well-defined timing: "Get up at 5:15 am, a shower to wake up, a tea and a direct bike for at least 17 hours of pedaling!
I plan to change clothes every three hours, because you lose a lot of water on a home trainer, about 1.5 liters per hour.
He will be supported on the spot by a team of four people, as well as by the personnel of Fort de Nogent, place of recruitment of the Foreign Legion.
Thierry Marx created for him a bread based on energy fibers
Regarding food, the reserve chief warrant officer has planned a menu with little onions: “I have learned from experience what is best for me.
First, there is the rhythm, that is to say a varied food in small doses every hour.
This includes fast absorbing proteins like fish and chicken, fruit, rice or semolina, because pasta makes you sleepy.
And a little butter for the fat.
“On the other hand, he intends to limit carbohydrates, which saturate the body which no longer assimilates them and then rejects them.
Thierry Marx, famous starred chef who has already prepared Thomas Pesquet's dishes during the latter's space mission, has also created a special bread made from energy fibers for the occasion.
But the real key to this extraordinary challenge lies elsewhere: “I got into the habit of playing on sleep, the most important point for recovery.
The advantage is that I fall asleep in less than five minutes regardless of the circumstances.
Pascal Pich will thus be followed by Doctor Mathieu Nédélec, researcher in sports sciences at Insep, and more particularly in the study on recovery and sleep.
No masseur, however, on the horizon.
“The economic situation did not help me find the necessary budget,” blows the extreme triathlete.
#laroutedecamerone
In 6 days I will be
traveling
virtually to Camerone in Mexico for 18,093 km on a home trainer.
17 hours of live each day, guests, stories, sweat, laughter and so on ...
Somehow certain ... https://t.co/DCAcRf1gQD pic.twitter .com / 9Jrve1vVrh
- Pascal PICH (@Pascalpich) April 1, 2021
It nevertheless allowed him to afford the services of a community manager.
This will broadcast live on social networks the images of the athlete, in particular the course which will pass successively through Germany, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia, the boat to the United States. (no road leads to the Bering Strait), Canada, the United States again and finally Mexico.
He will also be responsible for raising funds for the OPPH, whose sponsors are Michel Drucker, a great friend of Pascal Pich, and singer Fabienne Thibeault.
His bike will be auctioned.