TPRNo5: Thomas Boury (109) // HAVE A GO

Words by Thomas Boury

Photos Tomás Montes

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Looking at the 2026 calendar, I knew things would play out differently. My son, Milo, was due in early May, so last winter when I was looking at how to schedule my season, the Trans Pyrenees Race seemed an obvious choice. Later in the season means more time to train after a busy family period, and the Pyrenees have always been on my radar. 

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My experience with these mountains began at an early age, when I went there on vacation with my grandparents. I remember the unique atmosphere — a mix of shapeshifting fog, staggeringly steep reliefs and an ancient charm. I returned to take part in Further Pyrenees back in 2023. The race explored some of the areas we visited this year on the French side. During Further, we spent 3 days under relentless rain and storms. I definitely wanted to have another go in this region, making new, less soggy memories, but that’s for the mountains to decide. The gravel edition played a big part in my choice to race, as I define myself as more of an off-road rider, and I was keen to dig deep in the remoteness of the Pyrenees.

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When I’m looking at a race, my decision making process is simple : 

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• Do the parcours excite me? (Without this spark, it’s a no-go) 
• Is the race a major event in the ultra scene? Is the event likely to attract some of the best ultra racers?
• Will the race be a step towards the next race? Or make sense within my overall planning and progression?
• Is the race spirit in accordance with my own?

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TPR answered positively in many ways. It was a GO.

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Route planning for the Trans Pyrenees Race

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As there is no fixed route in the TPR, planning played a big role in how the race itself would unfold. I love maps, so this part was a pleasure for me. I enjoy diving into the cartography and exploring which options would be the best for my race. Despite this year's edition being a gravel one, my strategy was to ride as much as possible on tarmac between the mandatory gravel parcours. This means fewer possible mechanical failures, less mental strain, and a smoother ride. Once my paved options were planned on Ride with GPS, I spent a lot of time using the Street View option to better understand the road surface, and to optimise my resupply when passing through towns. I added POIs to my route so they would appear on my GPS computer during the race. 

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I also have several backups for accessing route information: 

• A Google Map showing options for sleep and food stops (organised by type: supermarkets, restaurants, bars etc.)
• An iPhone note with my race strategy, distance markers, and expected arrival times, as well as some basic emojis showing the type of resupply options. 
• A Google Sheet with more detailed information.

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Last but not least, ahead of the start I spent a lot of time looking at sleep options. Booking hotels in advance is not in accordance with Lost Dot rules, but beyond that, I’m trying to ease my mental workload as much as possible. I used the Booking.com app to create a potential list of hotels that might be viable options along the way. I wrote to them in advance to check their policies for late arrivals. I also asked if there are vending machines to access some candy bars or sodas. No matter how much I plan ahead, this preparation is nothing without the ability to adjust on the fly. For this, I rely on my experience and confidence.

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Kit Choices

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As this year's race included around 15% gravel surfaces, and considering my plan to ride as much tarmac in between these sections as possible, I opted for an all-road configuration: a road bike with 35c tires. I knew this setup would be slower on the gravel segments, and would require extra caution on the descents, but I was confident enough in my technical and physical skills to make the cut. On the other hand, this setup was perfect for road riding. 

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Overall, I was quite happy with my setup, especially with the extra footwear I packed for the lovely hike-a-bike section I included on my route. They were great for walking, with no chaffing, and much more comfortable than walking in my MTB shoes. On top of this, they were lightweight, at less than 200g, and can fit in any bag. I hardly noticed them in my chest vest during the race. The only thing I would change was my gear ratio. I ran 50/34 – 11/34, and found it hard to manage on the steep off-road sections, leaving me with a cadence that would take a toll on my muscles in the later stages of the race. With a weary left vastus medialis, I pedalled the last 200 kilometres on one leg and a half. Despite this, I was happy with my gear and kit selection. I wore all of my garments, and did not miss a thing. I also brought a sleeping bag, which really came in handy on the fifth and sixth nights when I slept outside. 

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That’s a wrap

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All in all, I’m pretty happy with my racing experience at the Trans Pyrenees Race. In the lead-up to the race, six weeks prior to the start, I had a nasty crash during a race. I collided with a wild boar at night and fractured four lumbar vertebrae. This year, being on the startline, healthy and recovered, was already a good effort. My aim at the time was to give the race my best effort given my “not so ideal preparation”. On the performance side: I gave a 100% effort that I didn’t know was there. On the adventure side: the race’s parcours delivered far above my expectations. From sunrise to sunset, and peaks to valleys, the autumnal colours of the Pyrenees were like jewels in motion. It fuelled me every day, and I felt so lucky to experience such astonishing scenery. 

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For anyone wondering whether they should take part in the TPR, my main message is: HAVE A GO, you’ll be glad you did. But, don’t forget, the Pyrenean terrain is demanding. It will challenge your body and mind. So come prepared, stay humble, and have some fun. The Pyrenees will give back tenfold.

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