Lola Bakker has been back from her adventure in Tunisia for a few days now, and she is still searching for the right words to describe the Desert Bike Race. The event took her outside of Europe for the first time, pushing her well beyond her comfort zone and served as a fantastic conclusion to her season.
“I’ve had the privilege of competing in many wonderful and demanding races, but this one was completely different. At times, you ride for kilometers through a landscape where there is absolutely nothing, not a single tree on the horizon, just you and the endless desert. When you’re riding alone, it can sometimes be a struggle to maintain mental composure. Naturally, I’m incredibly happy with my second-place finish after a week of racing, which included a prologue and four stages. Totaling over 400 kilometers and 3,000 meters of elevation gain.”
“Looking back, however, that’s not the first thing that comes to mind. The experience, the challenge, the people I met, and the moments where I truly encountered myself and found joy are far more valuable. Furthermore, the landscape was indescribably beautiful, and we were met with great hospitality everywhere we went. The race also opened my eyes to the fact that easy access to basic amenities things we take for granted isn’t a given everywhere. All in all, it was an unforgettable adventure,” says Bakker.