Les Liens: Staying Connected in an Analogue World

In modern society, it seems that many of our connections are made in a world of algorithms, a superficial sphere in which swipes and likes have replaced the more tactile world I grew up in. While we crave connection, we are increasingly isolated from one another, caught up in a world where our eyes and hands are fixed to our screens.

Let me be clear, I do not consider myself a troglodyte; I accept this is progress and when the moral compass points in the right direction, we should embrace the advancement of technology. What I am arguing, though, is that this era of technological infatuation should not be at the expense of meaningful connections on a more intimate, human scale. In my world, I want to turn a virtual connection into an actual physical connection as quickly as possible.

Tomás and I have known each other for nearly six years and, in that time, we have established a strong bond; a mutual trust and respect for each other. He has a genuine appreciation for the simple things in life and a heart of gold. He is one of life’s rare really good guys.

We have shared many hours together on the bike but we recently set out on our first multi-day bikepacking adventure. For the route, we focused on creating meaningful links; my home with his home, my family with his family, my region with his adopted region (Tomás now lives in Barcelona but hails from Galicia). The ride would link my local roads with his local roads and amongst many other important cultural touchstones, the French croissant with its Spanish equivalent (which is ENORMOUS).

From the rich and fertile floodplains of the northern Ariège, we rode due south towards the Haute Pyrénées via the beautiful Route des Corniches and the frontier crossing point of the Col de Puymorens. This was by no means the best place to cross by bike but recent snowfall precluded us from passing via the Col de Pailheres, or any off-road trails and our preferred route to Puigcerda, the first stop in Spain.

Tomás and I both had a very busy spring so neither of us are in the best riding form. This started to become increasingly apparent towards the end of day two when it became painfully clear that we would not be making it to Barcelona by nightfall, as we’d planned. In better shape, we’d have happily travelled through the night but with dinner and drinks on offer at Tomas’ apartment and a train station in nearby Manresa, we agreed to take the easier option. I’d not met Tomas’ partner, Sylvia, before but just like everyone else Tomás had introduced me to over the years, she welcomed me like a member of the family and any regret for not riding further was quickly forgotten. That night, I dream of penguins.

An early start and a quick coffee in Girona with superstar Finley Newmark, another good guy, who has a very wise head on very young shoulders. Girona is mobbed and despite an evening in Barcelona, it’s a shock to the system to see so many cyclists about. Chatting with one rider at the train station in Barcelona, we learned that he’d just finished the Desertus Bikus ultra race and we quickly made the connection to a mutual friend. So Stef joined us for the day and the ride back over the border to picture perfect Collioure. Les Liens.