Bertrand Goudenhooft

A grandpa for 3 months, I’m taking part in my 3rd suntrip for my 53rd birthday, my first BIG Sun Trip!

I’m taking part in this suntrip to learn more about my limits, forty days on my own, and to enjoy the encounters and moments along the way.

Bertrand is one of the Sun Trip faithful, but the 2024 edition of ‘Destination Sahara’ will be his first ‘grand Sun Trip’ and above all his first solo adventure, having taken part with his wife in 2019 and 2022! The challenge will be all the greater given that he only has 44 days to complete the loop, in the wake of the fastest competitors. A great human adventure in store, with the pleasure of “pushing back your limits” as a common thread. Interview below.

1- How did you hear about Sun Trip? ?
For my 50th birthday, I was looking for a ‘crazy’ challenge and while surfing the net, I found images and reports on the 1st Sun Trip Turkey and China. So I ordered an Azub solar trike from Declic Eco.

2 – How many times have you taken part? What did you like ?
My wife and I did the Corsica Sun Trip and the Sun Trip Alps. My ambition was to sign up for the Lyon Canton 2020, but the Covid and Geopolitics… During the Corsica and Sun Trip Alps, we met some extraordinary people (France and Bruno, Hervé and Christiane, Christophe and Sylvia…) with whom we formed TEAME ZERO, for whom sharing, laughing and enjoying the journey were more important than the physical challenge.

3 – What’s your greatest Sun Trip moment?
Among my fondest Sun Trip memories, the arrivals together in Calvi and Lyon were the most memorable: “succeeding together”.

4 – Why are you interested in 2024?
The 2024 SAHARA edition of 7000 kms seems to me to be rather long and difficult, with an average of 170/180 kms per day, but achievable. I want to get the most out of it physically, while being safe in Europe and then in Morocco, a country renowned for its hospitality, while remaining at a reasonable distance from other participants.

5 – What is your experience of cycling adventures?
I’ve never really travelled alone by bike. This adventure should teach me to get to know myself better and test my limits. We’ve already done the velodycee, the Loire à vélo, the Rhine, the Danube, the route de St jacques de Compostelle ….

6 – What about your bike ?
I’ll be taking part with my Azub solar trike from Declic-eco, which has already clocked up over 20,000 km. It’s a faithful, reliable and comfortable companion, and I’ve met some wonderful people on it. An atypical machine that raises questions!

7 – What are your goals for 2024?
For the Sun Trip Sahara, I have to be on arrival no later than Tuesday 28 May. That’s 44 days. Depending on the dates of the planned stages, I’ll either be with the “backpacker” group or just ahead. I’m here to ENJOY, PARTICIPATE AND BE AT THE FINISH!

Photos of his previous participations, with his wife Marie-Dominique :