Number 14!
22-02-2013Yes, the 14th BIG member has managed to cycle more than 500 BIGs. It's François Candau (423). He was our French Translator and contributor to the newsletter. So he was not only active in climbing BIGs but also active within the challenge. And present at many annual BIG meetings. He even had the record amount of BIGs per year for some time: 135 BIGs in one year in 2008. Congratulations François! But be quiet:
As now we'll let François do the talking ;-)
A DAY IN THE LIFE (Beatles quote)
They are days in your life that you imagine, dream of, prepare with care. I fancy you are dreaming at the day when you will claim your 500 th BIG and become BIG 10.
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5 BIGs missing for me. Easy to plan :
6 BIGs on the list in Mallorca.
1 easy for the first day,
2 average for the second and then the BIG Day, the glorious day.
"Le jour de gloire est arrive" French National Anthem.
The night before (Beatles quote) was not good : excitation and anxiety with the 3 most difficult BIGs of the island in one Tour from Palma. Wake up early, check e mails from the job. Discover an e mail from Presidan, go on BIG Website, answer President and ...
"I read the news today oh boy !" (Beatles quote) A terrible news about an unlucky man called Jürgen Reckaus.
I shared three official meetings with Jürgen but curiously we had our best exchanges during an extra day after the last meeting in the Eastern countries. The last BIG we climbed together with Bernard Frogneux was the Hungarian Dobogoko. Of course we shared the traditionnal beer at the top and then he went further to the East when Bernard and I decided to start our way back home.
When I read this message from Helmuth, I was totally upset, how can this happen to him who was climbing in the General Ranking at the speed of light ? But of course I could not say anything at breakfast to my wife when I was leaving for the whole day.
So I left for what was no more a glorious day at all. When I arrived in Inca the rain started but honestly the drops came also from inside my glasses. "So sad, so sad, sometimes you fell so sad". (Beatles quote)
Fortunately Kevin sent me his good vibrations to lead me to the top of the descent to Sa Calobra. For sure my friend Claudi, this descent is wonderful (even under a Scottish weather) and impressive (especially under a Scottish weather !)
Then I climbed it and that was 499, then I went to Puig Mayor for this famous 500th. I know some of you think I should dedicate this claim to Jurgen. But I just cannot do that : imagine Jurgen could climb both sides as fast as I climb one. Then I went through this BIG without a stop, a picture. For me it will be the saddest BIG ever. Like a flag at half mast.
I saw your mails, I know you were all upset but I was on my bike, I felt sad and also very guilty.
Why him ? He was fitter, faster, better, younger than me. This question kept on turning in my mind all day long. There I received some moral support from Roland about this question.
At last in Soller the sun came back for my BIG number 501. At the top I did the picture Helmuth asked me for. The cyclist is missing ... on purpose.
I tell you what Jürgen: The next BIG I will climb in Hungary, I will order 2 beers at the top.
One for me, one not dedicated for you but dedicated to you.
I will drink mine, leave yours on the table and then what will happen ?
"God only knows" (Beach Boys quote)
31-12-2013 - HAPPY NEW YEAR
28-12-2013 - DON\'T FORGET THOSE DEADLINES
10-11-2013 - SPEEL WEL !
10-11-2013 - WEDSTRIJD : WIN BIG-PACKS
04-11-2013 - REVIEW 2014
28-10-2013 - TDF2014 : MORE BIGS THAN GIRO 2014
18-09-2013 - OFFICIOUS ANNUAL MEETINGS 2016-2020
11-09-2013 - CLIMB-SHAKE IN CLERMONT-FERRAND
30-08-2013 - A COBBLED IRONBIG ACHIEVEMENT
30-08-2013 - 2 NEW WINNERS OF THE TERRIBLE NEBELHORN
24-08-2013 - CROSSROAD HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA AND UKRAINE
23-08-2013 - INCREDIBLE IRONBIG
18-08-2013 - OUR PRESIDENT GOT MARRIED!
11-08-2013 - ARDENNES 2013 MEETING WAS A SUCCESS
31-07-2013 - THE ARDENNES\'OFFICIAL MEETING IS COMING
17-06-2013 - CROSSROAD IN AUGUST IN EAST & KARPHATI
23-05-2013 - CROSSROAD IN JULY IN IRELAND
05-05-2013 - BIG DAY ON PANNONHALMA
03-05-2013 - GOOD-BYE GERARD DECROUY
29-04-2013 - NEWSLETTER 2013 NEW SHAPE : Nr1
11-04-2013 - IRON BIG 102
08-03-2013 - PUY DE DOME
27-02-2013 - REVIEW 2013 IS COMING !
22-02-2013 - Number 14!
21-02-2013 - Sad, sad news.....
10-02-2013 - NIEUW BOEK VAN RICHARD VAN AMEIJDEN
01-02-2013 - A BOOK VERY NEAR US
23-01-2013 - NEW V.I.P
20-01-2013 - OUR WAY 2013-2014 (4/4)
13-01-2013 - OUR WAY 2013-2014 (3/4)
11-01-2013 - OUR WAY 2013/2014 (2/4)
06-01-2013 - OUR WAY 2013-2014 (1/4)
03-01-2013 - MEETING ARDENNES 2013 - HURRY UP !
