Kromvojoj. One route, many ways

Kromvojoj: rider roster

__KROMVOJOJ__ aims to offer an __ultra-distance__ and __self-sufficiency__ cycling experience in a territory with unique characteristics. __Catalonia__ is extremely scenic and connected by an extensive network of secondary roads that will lead every rider through historic villages with great cultural variety, so participants will have countless opportunities to absorb this diversity.
__Kromvojoj__ is a place to share and reflect on early cycling adventures. Long before the creation of stage cycling, as we understand it today, cyclists had to find their own way, to adventure rather than compete. The journey we have created for our first edition is a route that follows backroads looking to enjoy a pleasant pace for all types of cyclists.

The origin of our itinerary lies in a single route planned and covered in a single run by __Joan Carrillo__, our *race director*, on two occasions in 2017 and 2018, when he was getting ready for the Transcontinental Race both years. With a circular direction, it is a journey planned for the enjoyment of all types of cyclists, whether with a competitive or adventurous attitude or with an all-rounder or climber profile. Through a homogeneous way, we cover all the requirements and expectations to enjoy the experience with a contemplative, scenic, and demanding ride.

The route covers 1,400 kilometers with an elevation gain of 24,000 meters. The start and finish will be in the city of Reus, Tarragona. The event is designed to be ridden on a road bike, less than 1% of the adventure will travel along gravel routes. There are multiple highlights along the track but we like to emphasize the Checkpoints locations:

__CP1 Monestir de Sant Pere de Rodes.__ The monastery stands on one of the peaks of the Serra de Rodes, a beautiful seafront mountain range in the north of Alt Empordà, close to Girona and before hitting the Pyrenees. It is one of the many examples of Catalan Romanesque architecture, and perhaps the most architecturally sophisticated

__CP2 Port De La Bonaigua__. At Bonaigua the riders will cross from side to side of the Pyrenees across the valley Vall d’Aran. With an altitude of 2072 meters, it is the highest paved pass on the Catalan side of the Pyrenees. After the village of Esterri d'Àneu, the riders will not find shelter or services until they reach the top of the pass. Also, they should pay attention to the weather conditions, as they can be unpredictable and very harsh.

__CP3 Cim del Mont Caro__. Mont Caro is a 1,441-metre-high peak in the Catalan Pre-Coastal Mountain range (at the southern end of the range) in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula. More specifically, located in the heart of the Ports Natural Park, it is the highest point in the province of Tarragona. This emblematic point stands out above all the mountains in the area. The ascent is very demanding, as is the descent. If weather conditions are good, from the summit you can see the __Delta de l’Ebre__, as well as the rice fields of the plain.

Although we have not gone into very specific detail, the route presents other truly remarkable points such as round the volcanic area of the __Garrotxa__. Climb, while evoking the historical republican escape during the spanish civil war, through the __Col d’Arés__, or the scenic __Natural Park of Cadi__.

We look forward to have the dotwatching community tuned to the updates on the social media profiles of our participants, DotWatcher and Kromvojoj to discover the highlights as the adventure progresses day by day. We promise not to disappoint you!


For the first edition of __Kromvojoj__ there will be a total of 29 participants. Outstanding the presence of __Lael Wilcox__, ultra-distance cyclist and experienced bikepacker with victories in the *Trans Am Bike Race*, and *Tour Divide*, as well as the best time in the *Baja Divide*. Lael's participation in Kromvojoj also marks her return to road cycling, a discipline in which she has not competed since 2016 in the *Trans Am*.

We also highlight the presence of __Matt Ryan__, founder and race director of the *Pan Celtic Race*. The Welshman has two participations in the *Transcontinental Race*. The event serves to introduce the Portuguese __Rui Costa__, a regular in the major bikepacking and ultra-distance events in Europe: *Pan Celtic Race*, *Atlas Mountain Race*, *Transcontinental Race*, and the spectacular *Silk Mountain Race*. __Sophie Jail__, from France, arrives after finishing first woman at the *Race Around Rwanda* this year, Kromvojoj will be her second participation in a long distance event.

__Female__ participation represents 18% of the total number of participants, and in terms of age 56% of the participants were born in the seventies, the remaining 44% between the eighties and nineties. There are still no new participants born after 2000.

The youngest participant is __Lahcen Zoggagh__, 25 years old and born in Morocco, who has completed events such as the *Titan Desert* and the *Transpyrenees*. He is part of the only team of pairs together with __Zuhir Zammouri__: __Superacció__, with origins in a non-profit organization that promotes the empowerment of people through action and sport.

Within the group of local riders, we have well-known figures of the home scene: __Toni Calderon__, illustrious participant of the *Pan Celtic Race*, *Transpyrenees*, *Badlands*, *GranGuanche Trail*, and *Italy Divide*. Accompanied by __Pep Sánchez__, who has 30 *Ultraman* and *Ironman* races to his account, as well as an *Adventure Raid World Cup*. __Josep Maria "Mia" Guardiet__ and __Iban Omella__ are local legends with a multitude of local races completed. __Javier García Reboredo__ also stands out for his resume of events in recent years: *Transiberica 2019*, *Race Around Rwanda 2020*, *North Cape 4000 2021*, and *GranGuanche Road 2022*. We will also be accompanied by an old promise who was on his way to the professional peloton but ended up participating in our first edition, __David Pons__.

Finally, we would also like to highlight those who are making their debut in the world of long-distance and self-sufficiency, such as the British rider __India Clare__, __Augusto Vallvé__, __Ferran Bargas__, and __Anna Bello__. Anna comes from the MTB competitive championship and she has been chosen in an action by Kromvojoj with the aim of opening up the world of ultra-distance to cyclists who have not yet ventured to start out in the discipline, while at the same time promoting parity in participation. Anna has the support and material of all our sponsors: __Komoot__, __Restrap__, __Albion__, and __MMR__.

At the last minute, we would also like to highlight the entry of __Weronica Szalas__, who after her experience in the *Women's Montañas Vacías Rally* was cyclo touring in self-sufficiency mode across the Pyrenees. After being offered a last-minute vacancy, she has presented herself at the start line in 24 hours to take part in what will be her first ultra-distance and self-sufficiency adventure. A remarkable attitude!

The first edition of __Kromvojoj__ has started at a furious pace, despite the participants could ride in group for the first 50 kilometres the attacks did not take long to arrive and __Aleix Mayor__, __Oriol Chias__ and __Toni Calderón__ took the first positions accompanied by __Lael Wilcox__. The head of the race reached Igualada in less than 3 hours, 90 kilometres from the start. 
As soon as she reached this point __Anna Bello__ was the first rider to scratch and around 11:30pm, __Sergi López__ reported a collision with a deer between Igualada and Manresa. Fortunately he is safe and still active in its journey. 

After Collsuspina the pace has began to slow down and the climb to Taradell alternated changes in the leading positions, a group that was joined by __Xavi Burgos__, in his first ultra, and __Francesc W__. 

__David Burgoa__ and __Ferran Bargas__ are following Xavi's dot as the best-placed beginners after midnight, followed by __Weronica Szalas__ and __India Clare__.

We expect the first riders to arrive to CP1 in the morning, around 9-10 am, plus a very strong heat which can cause an unexpected change in participants' pace.

Nightcall

Second day is over with changes at the head of the race, being led by __Oriol Chias__ in front of __Xavier Burgos__ and __Toni Calderon__, with almost 600km completed.

The first three are closely followed by __Francesc__ and __Lael Wilcox__, who is gaining positions as the route gains altitude. They are followed by two locals Aleix and Ferran who are completing a remarkable debut. Completing the top 10 are __Javier Garcia Reboredo__, __Sergi Lopez__ and __David Burgoa__. __Weronika__ and __Sophie__ complete the women's top three near the 500km mark.

The middle and final group has been affected by heat or stomach problems as in the case of __Matt Ryan__ and __India Clare__ at the beginning of the day and recovering their strength after passing CP1. __Javier Lopez__, after spending the night in a luxury hotel, has had a hilarious presence on his way through the CP1 as a result of a high caffeine consume. 

__Augusto__, after a long stop in Girona, and the Superacció team, with __Lahcen__ and __Zuhir__, end the general classification. 

We expect the first participants to arrive at CP2 at around 8am tomorrow morning, accumulating nearly 9,000 metres of elevation gain in 430km from CP1 to CP2 at the __Port de la Bonaigua__.

Day 1: highs on caffeine and electrolytes

CP1 closed before 11am after checking all active riders. Now CP2 awaits our participants at the top of __Port de la Bonaigua__ (2.072m) been the highest paved pass on the Catalan side of the Pyrenees.

Parcours between CP1 and CP2 is 430km with +9.100m of elevation gain. Before CP2, __Montan de Tost__ and __Port del Cantó__ can be an important turning point.

From now on, riders will have to face the accumulated fatigue and harsh weather changes.

The Pyrenees await

What a day! Sunday's started at 3AM with __Augusto Vallvé__ arriving at CP1 after a long rest in Girona and buying supplies to face the temperature changes between the hot range during the days and the sudden drop of temperatures during the night. 

__Lahcen__ and __Zouhair__, from the __Superacció team__, arrived around 11AM to seal CP1 and set off towards CP2 with the goal to check in 48 hours. 

CP2 was conquered by __Oriol Chias__ at around 2PM in first position after taking advantage of the long breaks of __Xavier Burgos__ and __Toni Calderón__ who arrived at Port de la Bonaigua around 6pm and continue in their pursuit of Oriol in second and third place respectively. __Francesc__ is still in fourth place after reaching CP3 and intends to rest once the night falls. 

The rest of the top 10 is very animated, having climbed the Port del Cantó and are now fighting for the climb to Bonaigua. __Lael__ is in sixth position, chasing __Javier Reboredo__, fifth. __Weronika__ and __Sophie__ seventh and ninth, with __Matt Ryan__ in eighth position. __Sergi López__, despite his fall on the first night, closes the top ten. 

The middle part, led by __Josep Tarrés__, who despite stopping every night to sleep keeps a high pace and tonight we will have to keep an eye on __Pep Sánchez__, who has slept during the day to avoid the hottest hours and aims to advance throughout the night. 

__David Burgoa__ started the day with significant pain in his knee but seems to have managed to keep going with renewed energy. 

The rest of the group continue on, currently in the Ripoll area with the Collada de Toses and Coll de la Creueta ahead. __India Clare__ has reported pain in her left hand but her legs and mentality push her to keep going with a contagious enthusiasm to continue enjoying the adventure. 

The Superacció team finishes the day on its way to Camprodón, after reaching the Col d'Ares in its objective of completing CP2 on Tuesday. 

Unfortunately today we had to notify the withdrawal of two participants, __Aleix Mayor__ after completing an incredible first 500km. His body could not withstand the high temperatures putting at risk his recovery taking the difficult decision to abandon despite the illusion shown at all times. __Sergi Gomà__ withdrew at midday, after completing 580km and not being able to continue at the expected and desired pace. 

Tomorrow CP3 opens at Mont Caro and we expect the arrival of the first three participants in the early and mid-afternoon. We will see if __Xavier__ and __Toni__ are able to reduce the gap with __Oriol__, who is currently showing himself to be a solid and determined leader. The rest of the day will show us the consequences of today's day with the high volume of climbs and the high temperatures, which have reached around 40 degrees Celsius.

Day 2: Sunday always comes too late

Today opens the third CP: __Mont Caro__ being the highest mountain of Ports de Tortosa-Beseit with its 1,441 metres of altitude and a parcours of 22,6km to reach the summit.

The route between CP2 and CP3 consists of 465 km and 9,930m of elevation gain. Crossing the areas of Montsec and Priorat that stand out for their high temperatures and lack of resources for the participants.

Mont Caro, the last colossus

The early morning of the third day started with __Matt__ and __Weronika__ passing CP2 without stamping their brevet card due to poor visibility at night in the area. Our team had to run after them to find them sleeping at a bus stop and stamp their card. During the whole adventure they also witnessed a spectacular meteorite. We thought the story was result of the accumulated fatigue, but today we have confirmed its veracity in the news. 

The parcours through CP2 left many anecdotes, such as __Josep Tarrés__ breaking his frame bag and losing lots of accesories. Today he has been able to buy some of the essential material to continue. 

Some cyclists really struggled yesterday to find some food, pushing themselves, like __Ferran Bargas__ who didn't eat anything for almost 6 hours. He ordered a huge meal when he reach "El Rey del Bocata" in Vielha. A place called "Sandwich king", imagine the size of the bite! 

__Jose Garcia Reboredo__ was spotted by __Francesc__ in a full-body bee-bath to cool down. The problems with the heat continued today, due to the extreme temperatures through the territory between CP2 and CP3, as well as the lack of places to buy food and drinks. 

__Lael Wilcox__ continue to be the first female rider in the lead despite suffering a double puncture in the Vielha tunnel and spending up to an hour repairing in the dark of the tunnel. Then she had to wait to find a bike shop and change tyres, with another hour stopping her.
__Weronika__ and __Sophie__ continue at a good pace and we hope they reach the top of CP3 tomorrow, Tuesday. __India Claire__, despite the pain in her left hand, is still in good spirits and hopefully will reach the top of CP2 tomorrow. We declare ourselves supporters of her stories on Instagram through the whole journey.
__Javier López__ ends the day resting in a hotel just two hours from the summit of La Bonaigua, where we hope the rest of the participants will arrive tomorrow. 

The third day ends with __Oriol Chias__ about to complete the journey and be the first participant to cross the finish line after 3 days and a few hours since the start of the race. So brilliant!
__Xavier Burgos__, after reaching the summit of Caro, is on his way to the Delta to consolidate second place ahead of __Toni Calderón__, who is resting before completing CP3. Behind him is __Francesc__, and we hope there will be a duel for third and fourth place. The management of resting seems will be decisive.

Day 3: Be brave, clenched fist

From 40 to -1, that's how we could resume a day that blew any forecast. If you should never trust, in terms of weather, high mountains, today we had the clear example. 

CP2 in La Bonaigua has been hit by a storm that has caused temperatures to drop below 5 degrees Celsius. The day started off intensely, with __Iban Bealta__ showing signs of hypothermia, he had to take refuge in one of our vehicles and has recovered positively after a few hours in a hostel. He is now being sheltered until the weather is stable again. 

Throughout the day, __Javier López__ and __Augusto Vallvé__ managed to overcome the drastic adverse conditions, leaving the difference in altitude a small detail in their journey. The __Superacció__ __team__ were no less, being forced to make a small bonfire, safely, to dry some of their material and continue on. 

On the way to CP3 __Ferran Bargas__ had a double puncture on the Col d'Ares and had to walk about 21 km, as he didn't have enough spare parts, and was able to repair it in the town of Ager. 

In our CP3 the day started cloudy, giving small signs of what was to come. __Francesc__ reached the top at around 6am. At the arrival of __Lael Wilcox__ the fog and rain began to make its presence and intensified at midday after the arrival of __Weronika__. In the early afternoon torrential rain and a strong wind lashed the whole area from CP3 to the Delta and Reus. __Matt Ryan__, __Javier Garcia Reboredo__, __Sergi Lopez__ and __Sophie Fail__ were affected on the climb to CP3. The wind gusts were close to 80km/h, putting the riders at risk on the descents. __Matt Ryan__ had to get into a car to complete the descent for safety. He is currently resting in Tortosa to climb back and complete the remaining descent tomorrow. 

Luckily we already have new participants having completed the adventure, __Toni Calderon__ in the early hours of the morning has become the third to cross the finish line and __Francesc__ the fourth. __Lael Wilcox__ is the fifth participant to finish and the first female to finish Kromvojoj. Throughout tonight we expect the arrival of __Weronika__ and __Javier Garcia Reboredo__. 

We'll see what the weather conditions are like for tomorrow, but we expect about nearly half of the riders on the road to complete CP3 during the day, as at night temperatures are expected to be below 0 degrees and the wind is blowing at 80-90 km/h.
Those on their way to the Delta, whose tracks are flooded by the downpour, will have to be skilful to reach Reus and add their name to the list of finishers of this already memorable first edition.

Day 4: Doomsday

Lick the wounds is not the attitude of the Kromvojoj participants, at least not as long as the adventure continues! Despite the harsh weather conditions on the fourth day, the riders decided to continue their mission to conquer CP3 in Mont Caro or the finish line in Reus. 

__Javier Garcia Reboredo__ and __Weronika__ managed to arrive in the early hours of the morning in Reus and put the fifth and last stamp on their brevet card. __Reboredo__ was able to hold on in the rain, as the Galician saying goes "*Si chove que chova*". __Weronika__, on the other hand, had to solve navigation problems with her Garmin before reaching the Delta, and she had to complete the last 100 kilometres by checking the route manually with her phone. 

__Matt Ryan__ slept, had breakfast and got the bike ready by resting in a hotel in Tortosa. He recovered his strength to repeat part of the climb of the Caro, after his descent by car due to the adverse conditions. The Welshman, despite being a great climber, acknowledged during his passage through the Delta to be enjoying the scenery around him and the pleasant sensation of riding on the flat between rice fields, migratory bird watching areas such as flamingos and reach to touch the Mediterranean Sea at the end of the Delta. __Matt__ arrived in Reus and closed his participation in Kromvojoj, an event that he has supported from the first moment being an important part with his advice and collaboration. See you soon Chief and best of luck with the next Pan Celtic Race! 

__Sophie__, after a tough climb to CP3, arrived in Reus showing obvious signs of exhaustion and broke down in sweet tears of happiness on completing the course. There was an emotional hug with __Lael__ on arrival and she confirms the presence of three female participants among the top 10 participants. 

CP3 was quiet, with no incursions until 4 p.m. when __Ferran Bargas__ arrived and told us that he had spent the whole night under a downpour in the area of the approach to the port, in Porrera. At the top of the climb, his greatest wish was to arrive in the evening and enjoy pizza and beer, a classic in the Kromvojoj diet these days. For 2023 we will ask Telepizza for sponsorship, let's see if the pact is consummated in the next days, after the finishers party on Friday. 

Behind Ferran came __Pep Sánchez__ after the ordeal of the previous day. He had to spend the night in a hostel, the second one he had booked the same day, due to the downpour. With symptoms of hypothermia, he went into the shower dressed until he regained sensations throughout his body. On the way to the Caro he cracked one of his tyres, Pep's visits to the bike shops have been constant throughout the route. His decision was clear, to finish the ride the same night. 

While Ferran and Pep made their descent to Tortosa, __Josep Tarrés__ reached the summit of Caro. Fresh and full of energy, he admitted to having enjoyed the climb despite having accumulated 1,180km in his legs. Josep has been sleeping and resting as much as necessary in hotels every night. He has not exceeded the limits of fatigue and this has allowed him to enjoy the route with all his senses. His attitude was clear and not competitive. All in all, Josep is the 13th person to cross the finish line. 

Back to __Ferran__ and __Pep__, they arrived at the finish line in the evening and were greeted by a good number of dotwatchers and family members on their arrival. 

CP3 completely changed weather conditions and after a spectacular sunset the wind returned to the summit with gusts that compromised the arrival of __Enric__, __David__ and __Rui__. The portuguese advanced many metres walking over the 22km to the summit. After overcoming the last col they headed straight to the Delta with the idea of finishing the sixth day. 

Behind and competing for the *lantern rouge* are __Augusto Vallvé__ and the __Superacció team__, who we hope will crown or approach Monte Caro on Thursday. __Iban Bealta__ closes the active classification, after two days of rest in Vielha after flirting intensely with hypothermia at Bonaigua, CP2, cycling with vest and arm warmers below five degrees. Legends never die. 

__India Clare__, despite scratching due to problems with her left hand, decided to rest, shortcut part of the route and continue on her adventure called alt-kromvojoj. Her route will be shorter  but with the same merit and who knows, maybe her track will allow us to present two alternative routes in 2023. We declare ourselves unconditional fans of her instagram stories and narrative. 

To finish the report of the day, we don't want to forget __Juan Carlos Carrillo__ who scratched on the third day on his way to Port del Cantó, __Josep Maria, Mia, Guardiet__ who took the same decision in Sort, and *Javier López* in Pobla de Segur. All of them due to serious problems with their butts and not being able to continue enjoying the adventure sitting on their bikes. We wish them all the best and a speedy recovery. We hope to see them again soon! 

We finished the day between beers and pizzas at the finish line, waiting for more participants and not forgetting the appearance of a surprise cake to celebrate the 44th birthday of our race director, __Joan Carrillo__. Happy birthday from all the team mate, we love you!


Day 5: There will be quiet, after the storm

An ultra-distance adventure designed to be ridden at your own pace, an antidote to the high speeds of modern life.

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