SAMAYA X RACE ACROSS FRANCE
SAMAYA AT THE START OF THE 500 KM RACE
Samaya was present at the Race Across France for the start of the 500 km race in Saint-Jean-en-Royans on June 29 and 30, 2023, to provide a base camp for the riders. On this occasion, Tanguy Donnars, Product Development Assistant, tells us how bivouacking is gradually integrating into the practice of bikepacking.
What does Samaya’s presence at an event like the Race Across France represent?
Tanguy Donnars: Samaya is immersed in the world of touring. Today, we are touching on one aspect of it with our 4-season tents and their heavy use in mountaineering. We realize that there are other aspects of touring to explore, particularly bikepacking, through which many practitioners are getting into touring. The Race Across France is an iconic bikepacking event in France that brings together a lot of people.
What did you bring to the RAF cyclists?
TD: Checkpoints are set up throughout the RAF, called “base camps,” so that riders can eat and rest. We set up a base camp at the start of the 500 km race in Saint-Jean-en-Royans with Samaya INSPIRE2s, NANO BIVYs, and a tarp. Several riders were thus able to benefit from a comfortable and restful shelter to spend the night, despite the storm.
Bikepacking is growing tremendously. How does bivouacking fit into this practice?
TD: It was interesting to talk with the riders about their practice, to see how they adopt bikepacking and equipment, and how they might repurpose it. We were able to see practitioners with Samaya drybags on their bikes, for example. They preferred choosing drybags over the bags available on the market, which are specifically designed for this use, because of their lightness. We were able to discuss with the practitioners the fact that a tent represents a real added value for the practice of bike touring. It gives practitioners the freedom to stop where they want, when they want, and for as long as they want, without worrying about hotel or campsite time constraints. The advantage of Samaya in this regard lies in the lightness of the equipment, whether it’s the tent, the bivy, or the tarp. In a discipline where speed and maximizing bike equipment go hand in hand, a few grams less make a difference over long distances, to save time.
