Zu Besuch bei LOOK Cycle Opportunities like this don’t present themselves very often, and if you are passionate cyclist like myself. This is one opportunity you need to seize, and indulge in completely.
Wie viele von euch wissen, bin ich globaler Ambassador für LOOK Cycle und Corima. Ich durfte schon ein paar Foto Shootings für beide Marken machen und ein paar der Leute hinter LOOK Cycle und Corima kennenlernen.
Anyway back to my next adventure and experience. I left Zurich, Switzerland with my LOOK 765 GRAVEL RS with a set of fresh road tires, this was packed into my car and I headed towards Nevers, France. The global headquarters of LOOK International. This is where the make their pedals and also the legendary T20 track bike. It also where they do all the R&D for their products including frames and other carbon components.
I also finally had the opportunity to meet some of the other LOOK ambassadors many of them for the first time, they had come from all over the world, Indonesia and even Colombia.
This was to be expected as this was THE LOOK DREAM TEAM annual summit.
The first day we all went for a small ride, this was followed by lunch and afterwards, we were treated to product training, we got to learn first hand about the history of LOOK and Corima, which was really intriguing. I’m sure many of you don’t know it was LOOK who created the first automatic clip less pedal back in 1984. The following year Bernard Hinault won the double, winning the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France using the pedals which were called the PP-65. Then in 1986 they created the first ever carbon fibre frame set called the KG-86, this along with their pedals was used in winning the 1986 Tour de France by the American Greg LeMond. Since then they have created and innovated products and bikes that would leave you completely in awe.Of course, we were also able to see what awaits us in the future from LOOK and Corima. ;)
There R&D facility was something to behold, you would completely appreciative their products even more if you actually saw what goes into making a testing their products. Simply incredible!
But what really made me smile was I got my new Corima rims, before we went for dinner again and eventually I got to bed.
The following day was Saturday and we all went for another ride together with the Look Crit and Gravel Team before the LaLook Crit Race which took place after noon. This race we saw the LOOK Crit Team and Paola participate in. It was also cool to see the guys from the Gravel Team also competed in the Crit race.
I check the time and saw it 22h00 before I had dinner, it was a change for me as my usual dinner time is around 5 and 6pm, it was a late before I could close my eyes and sleep. It was an action packed day.
After a few hours sleep I was up again and ready for the The LaLook Sportive. This was a 170km road ride in around Nevers. The weather was spectacular and I was ready to enjoy the ride. It was really cool because being a LOOK ambassador we were allowed to start in the first block and even were in the first row. :D
However I don't know if that was a good idea, because after the starting signal there was a mass start and from everywhere came cyclists, they bunny hopped up and down on the sidewalk and just wanted to push through every small gap. I’m someone who doesn’t take part in mass events that much, so it was a new experience for me.
This situation meant I went from being one of the first starters to one of the last in the field. :D
Ces’t la vie
After a challenging start, I could finally get into my rhythm and enjoy it. After a few km went by I started to catch up and even overtake many groups and riders, but I could not find a group that matched my tempo. Anyway what was suppose to be bunch ride needed up being an incredible ride alone and enjoyed the landscape and the great weather. Finally not freezing while cycling, yup you gotta love Summer in Zurich.
What I can say I was pleasantly surprised at how wonderful it was to cycle in Nevers, France, small roads and hardly any cars. Sometimes I even forgot that I was riding in a Sportive event.
After 165 kilometers and 1900 meters of climbing another great day on the bike came to an end. At the end I thought that I could have ridden a little faster, because I arrived at the finish line with a lot of energy. :D
It was truly an incredible 4 days, the LOOK DREAM TEAM summit was something I didn’t envisage. The people that I met, the energy and atmosphere was wonderful. I am truly grateful to have had such an opportunity.
