Alen Johnson, collaborator of Jouve in India will soon undertake a long journey and take up a real challenge!

He will be at the starting line together with other 6 673 participants of the mythic Paris-Brest-Paris cyclo-tourism trail in August 2019. Created in 1891, this trail will receive the representatives of more than 66 countries whose ages range from 18 to … 84 years old!

Alen will have to cycle 1 219 km and take the roads of 181 municipalities.

Let’s focus on his sporting background and his motivations.

Alen, how did your passion for sport develop?

I believe that I have always been keen on sport. During my studies, I was already practicing several sports including football. Over the years, I progressively abandoned sport, gained 20 kg and I was always panting and feeling tired. Being aware that this new lifestyle was impacting my health, I decided that the latter was a priority and that I needed to react quickly.

The story begins with my friend Deepan, a Marathoner / Ultra Runner. He motivated me to start walking then he helped me familiarise to running. He then introduced me to an Ironman in Chennai whom accompanied me to take on a new challenge… the marathons. Thanks to this encounter, I participated in more than 10 marathons!

My sportive background is therefore a succession of beautiful sportive encounters and a constant motivation to surpass myself.

How does one switch from running to cycling?

My friend Anil Sharma had considered that I was ready to discover a new sport… cycling. My first thought was that cycling would be easier to approach than running but I quickly understood how wrong I was! My first 50 km long-distance race has been the most difficult of my life and has required me to truly break my limits! This sport is so demanding… It requires a lot of practice and discipline.

 

Afterwards, I discovered that there is a cycling club in India called AUDAX INDIA RANDONNEURS-AIR which is the official representative of the AUDAX CLUB PARISIEN and I signed in. The Randonneurs Mondiaux memberships include different races of 200, 300, 400, 600 and 1000 km. I started in 2015 with the 200 km race then I progressed over the years. In total, I have now travelled 26,116 km by bike and completed the 600 km race 4 times!

You are now heading towards France and the 1200 km. What drives you to accomplish this new challenge and trip?

I would never have imagined that my sporting engagement would lead me to so many challenges and to being selected for the Brevet de Randonneurs Mondiaux. I am proud to have been selected for this 1200 km in France.

It will also be the first time that I leave India to participate in an international race. And what a race! I see it as a new adventure that will lead me to France… where the headquarters of my company are. I am lucky that Jouve sponsors me, notably by financing my stay in paris and for the cycling gears. It has been essential for me to be able to participate. I really feel encouraged, it is a major boost. It is now up to me to make them proud and to cycle tirelessly to reach the finish line!