Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 394 I Want to Be the Champion! (Bonus Chapter 8 for 1000 Votes)

"The Greater Paris region?"

"Sorel Peugeot?"

"bike?"

These words are familiar to Parisians, but when put together, they become puzzling.

Bicycles have been a popular sight on the streets of Paris for several months now, thanks to the continued popularity of the play "Thunderstorm," and are quite familiar to everyone.

But riding that thing around the entire "Greater Paris"? Everyone still found it incredible.

Although the Paris region has a basic road network, can these urban modes of transportation really withstand such long-distance bumps and jolts?

As readers continued reading, they discovered that the news included details of the competition and a detailed route, prompting them to investigate further.

This competition is indeed ambitious, planning for participants to cycle around the entire "Paris region"—

That is, to ride a loop along the outer edge of eight departments, including Seine and Seine-et-Oise.

The route will rely on the existing road system, starting from the edge of the Fontainebleau Forest, and passing through Lambouillet, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Montmorency, Chantilly, and so on...

Finally returning to Fontainebleau, the entire journey is estimated to be 550 kilometers.

The report also stated that with the current average speed of the Sorel 1 bicycle at 11 to 13 kilometers per hour, it would take at least 40 hours to complete the entire race.

Taking into account the limits of the human body, the race is designed to be conducted in stages, with an estimated duration of five days. Multiple official aid stations and recommended rest areas will be set up along the route.

The registration deadline is September 1st.

The winner's prize is also very attractive:

A medal, a brand-new Sorel 1 bicycle, painted gold; and a cash prize of up to one thousand francs.

This news quickly ignited public enthusiasm.

The idea of ​​such a long-distance, multi-day race around Paris was unprecedented at the time.

It is not just a sporting competition, but also a grand review of the bicycle as a means of transportation and the physical fitness of the riders.

People were excitedly discussing the towns the route would pass through, calculating the daily distances to be covered, and speculating who might be able to complete this daunting challenge.

The cycling craze has once again swept through Paris and spread to towns and cities throughout the greater Paris region.

Orders for "Sorel Peugeot" have surged again, and Armand Peugeot is working non-stop at the factory, his face beaming with barely suppressed joy.

With interest in the event itself, Lionel's name has once again been frequently mentioned.

"Have you heard? This competition is sponsored by Mr. Sorel's company!"

"Wasn't he prosecuted and then disappeared?"

"Who knows? Maybe he's still watching all this from somewhere."

"It's ironic that while the government is throwing our money into the mud of Tunisia and Vietnam, he's organizing such an inspiring competition."

The public's thoughts were drawn back to a few months earlier, recalling Lionel's remarks against colonial wars;
I am reminded of his profound analysis of colonialism in his article "The Glorious and the Castrated".

He also recalled the attacks and accusations he faced as a result, and his eventual forced "hiding" from the shadows.

Sympathy, acknowledgment, and guilt began to permeate public opinion, and many people began to re-examine his initial warning.

A student in a pub said to his companion, “Mr. Sorel was right! Look at us now! What have we gotten?”
Nothing but an ever-growing list of casualties and tax bills!

A fellow drinker quoted Lionel's words—

"When everyone is marching headlong in one direction, perhaps what's needed most is for someone to remind them to look at the precipice beneath their feet." Then he sighed, "Unfortunately, few people listened at the time."

Left-wing newspapers such as Le Justice seized the opportunity to publish articles calling on the Palace of Justice to drop the absurd charges against Lionel for "inciting military disobedience" and "insulting the nation."

The article points out that facts have proven that Sorel's warning was not alarmist, and the persecution of a visionary writer is a stain on the history of French justice.

However, despite public outcry, the Palais de Justice in Paris has remained silent, making no statement and not withdrawing the charges.

This silence not only failed to quell public opinion, but instead deepened public sympathy for Lionel and dissatisfaction with the Jules Ferry government.

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While public opinion was abuzz with the Tour of Paris cycling race, in the courtyard of Saint-Ignatius College, a historic and prestigious secondary school in the Latin Quarter—

A young man is juggling around the central fountain, riding a shiny Sorel 1 bicycle in circles.

He looked no more than eighteen or nineteen years old, with a slender build and a somewhat childish face, but his eyes were full of vitality.

Sometimes he would take his hands off the handlebars and control them solely with the strength of his waist and abdomen, his arms outstretched like soaring wings.

Sometimes he would suddenly stand up, pedal hard with both feet to accelerate the bicycle, and then let it glide along with inertia, his posture was elegant and unrestrained.

The light hum of the chain drive and his cheerful laughter echoed in the ancient courtyard.

A friend leaning against a pillar exclaimed with a laugh, "Look! Pierre is performing his circus tricks again!"

The young man named Pierre skillfully drifted the car and parked it steadily in front of his friend, his face flushed and sweat soaking his temples.

He jumped out of the car, patted the gleaming leather seat, and exclaimed excitedly, "Circus tricks? No, my friend!"
This is skill, balance, and control! More importantly, this is the future!

He pointed to the Paris Tour cycling race announcement in the newspaper, his eyes sparkling: "Look at this! Around Paris! Six hundred kilometers!"
This is the real challenge, the real adventure! I've made up my mind, I must participate! I must win the championship!

His friend shook his head, a helpless smile on his face: "Come on, dear Mr. Coubertin, you're dreaming of winning the championship again!"
Six hundred kilometers is not as simple as just driving around in circles in our small college courtyard. I heard there are many steep slopes along the way, and the weather is unpredictable.

There are definitely many experienced experts participating; they've been playing this since the high-bike era. How can you possibly compete with them?

Pierre de Coubertin raised his chin, his expression both innocent and confident: "So what? I have the best 'Sorel Type 1'!"
I still have plenty of energy, and even more so, a burning desire to win! An experienced expert?
They may not have my passion or understanding of the sport!

His friends knew he wasn't lying; Coubertin had an almost obsessive love for bicycles, just as he had previously been obsessed with rowing, fencing, and horseback riding.

In Coubertin's view, this was not merely a game or pastime, but an excellent way to forge willpower and cultivate character.

The Tour of Paris, a large-scale and highly challenging cycling event, perfectly matched his desires.

Coubertin opened his arms as if to embrace the imagined racetrack: "Imagine crossing forests, passing ancient castles, and challenging your limits under the vast sky!"
This is much more interesting than sitting in a classroom memorizing Latin and listening to those old pedants rambling on about history!

Seeing his agitated state, his friend knew that trying to dissuade him was useless.

Pierre de Coubertin was known for his unwavering passion and dedication once he set his mind on something.

His friend patted him on the shoulder: "Well, future champion, you'd better hurry up and sign up, and then start the real long-distance training."

You can't win a thousand francs by circling around the fountain.

Coubertin immediately hopped back onto his bicycle: "You're right! I'll go register right now! I hope Mr. Lionel Sorel will present me with the award!"

He pushed off hard, and the bicycle shot off again like an arrow, drawing a youthful arc in the ancient courtyard.

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All of Paris was hoping for Lionel's reappearance—

He encountered a minor but significant problem in London...

(This concludes the fifth update. There will be an extra update tomorrow for each new patron. Thank you all!)
(End of this chapter)