Mikel Bringas He is a cycle traveller from Donostia. He is behind a project called BizibidaiaWe could translate it as “The journey of life by bicycle”

Mikel says that in Bizibidaia tells the story of a hobby that is a source of joy.

In addition, Mikel does the podcast, Bikes on the map, where he interviews travellers who have cycled around the world. At different times, alone, as a couple, in a group. Names like Miguel Ángel Díaz, Olayo Reynaud, Gabriel Pernau, Chris Atkin, Bego García, Hugo Alfonso and many more.

Chance has offered us the opportunity to have Mikel in Madrid this weekend. He suggested that we come to Rutas Pangea to tell us a story, to make a reality, a harsh reality, visible.

I borrow Mikel's words to tell you: “One of the most beautiful routes I have ever traveled is the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR). It is presented as the longest off-road cycling route in the world: 4.339 km and 45.618 m of ascent (seven times Everest!), on all kinds of tracks and paths. In all those hours of pedaling there is plenty of time to think of new ideas. In my case it was the origin of this new route, the Basque Divide (BD).
As I continued along the GDMBR, my family and friends would tell me: “What a tough route you’re doing!” My ego was dashed when I reached the end and found so many people who had travelled many more kilometres than me, and not exactly on a cycling holiday, in many cases risking their lives.

The GDMBR takes as its reference a watershed; the BD alludes to a cultural divide. The GDMBR and the BD begin and end in two places that are similar in their symbolism.

The GDMBR begins in Banff, Canada, next to the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks natural complex, a World Heritage Site. An asset to be preserved.

The GDMBR ends at the border between the United States and Mexico, where the largest number of “illegal crossings” in the world take place, resulting in the deaths of an average of 250 migrants each year. A problem that needs to be solved.

The BD starts in the St. Martin's Stone, where the Tribute of the Three Cows is celebrated every year. It is considered the oldest treaty in force in Europe, declared an Asset of Intangible Cultural Interest. An asset to be preserved.

The Basque border in the Pyrenees has historically been a dividing point for Basque culture. Today it remains a cultural dividing point, mainly between Africa and Europe. The end of the BD is at the Avenida bridge, a place that has been a disgrace to all of Europe and the values ​​it claims to defend. This is a space that France has kept closed for almost three years, a period in which ten migrants have died along the Bidasoa trying to cross the border. A problem to be solved.”

Mikel will be on Sunday, February 2nd at the Pangea Routes local at 17:30 p.m. to introduce ourselves The Great, the Basque and you. Dividing water and culture.

Its aim is twofold: to promote bicycle travel and to encourage reflection on borders.

If you want a different Sunday afternoon, sign up.

We'll see.