Torre del Mar to Copenhagen by bike! Identical twin brothers Kiko and Jorge Montoro from Torre del mar set off on a 2400-kilometre bike ride to Copenhagen in mid July.
The plan was to cover 2400 kilometres by bike over a three week period, aiming to cycle between 100 and 160 kilometres per day and arrive in the Danish capital on 14 August, then rest for ten days and then participate in the famous Compenhagen Ironman Triathlon. The triathlon consists of a 3.9k swim, 180k bike race and finishes with a full marathon. The triathlon alone is considered a formidable challenge with most triathletes training for 6-9 months before the event. The combination of the 2400 Kilometres bike journey to Copenhagen and then the triathlon makes it an awesome feet of endurance both physically and mentally.
So why do it?
The brothers have both been through medical scares. They were both diagnosed with brain tumours in 2013 and have since recovered from operations to remove them. This has been one of the main motivating factors for the brothers to embark on this challenge.
They are known locally as excellent athletes, both are PE Teachers at schools in Malaga, both are exceptional triathletes representing local triathlon and sports club CD Axarlon, also as well as teaching they own a personal training fitness company.
I first met the brothers at a triathlon in the Sierra Nevada a couple of years ago. They were both friendly and welcoming and it is easy to see why they are popular characters in the local sporting community.
20th July 2017
To launch the challenge, the brothers organised for family and friends to bid them fair well in Torre del Mar. After a speech by the Mayor and some press interviews they set off at 9.30am for Almeria surrounded by 30+ cyclists that were to accompany them for some of the journey on the first day. Myself and Jansen Riley from Competa were lucky enough to be in that group of cyclists, as we had previously arranged to join the brothers on the entire 1st day to Almeria.
Once we arrived at Almunecar the group had shrunk to just the four of us. We continued onto Calahonda where we greeted by their old friend Trapi. He kindly let us store our bikes in his apartment whilst we went for a swim and some lunch. At 5pm and now joined by Trapi we left to cover the final 100 Kilometres along the impressive coastline to
Almeria. We finally arrived at around 9pm and quickly showered and changed and proceeded to a nearby bar for some dinner and to meet up with more of their friends.
We ate extremely well! Jorge explained that they needed to take on an whopping 6000 calories a day to fuel the journey. The following morning they pushed on, with a further 136 kilometres supported by some more local friends. Meanwhile Jansen and I made the return journey to Torre del Mar.
During the next three weeks they kept friends and family updated daily via a facebook page that boasted an impressive 8000 followers.
Copenhagen Ironman
Both brothers started the race extremely fast, swimming together and finishing the 3.9k swim in
1hr-04 minutes. Next was the 180 kilometre bike leg that consisted of two loops through the rolling countryside that surrounds Copenhagen. Even with rain on the second loop Kiko averaged an speedy 35.5 km/h whilst Jorge was just behind averaging 35 km/h. Running a marathon is tough enough, but running a marathon in an Ironman race is about survival and crossing the finish line. At the 4k mark Kiko slipped and injured his foot but continued on. Jorge crossed the line first in 10hrs -19 minutes and Kiko a little later in 10hrs -45 minutes.
Congratulations to them both, they have been through a lot and have come out the other side even stronger. I look forward to their next challenge.
The Schedule:
20 July: Cycle from Torre del Mar – Almería 175km.
21 July: Almería – Aguilas 136km
22 July: Aguilas – Los alcazares 100km.
23 July: Los alcazares – Calpe 146km
24 July: Calpe – Castellón 200km
25 July: Castellón – Altafulla 205km
26 July: Altafulla – Badalona 110km
27 July: Badalona – Argeles Sur Mer 188km
28 July: Argeles Sur Mer -Frontignan 170km
29 July: Frontignan – Orange 142km
30 July: REST
31 July: Orange – Beaurepaire 169km
1 de August :Beaurepaire – Baume les messieurs 193km
2 August: Baume les Messieurs -Mulhouse 213km
3 August: Mulhouse – Baden 162km
4 August: Baden – Heidelberg 92km
5 August: Heidelberg – Frankfurt 94km
6 August: Rest
7 August: Frankfurt – Marburgo 100km
8 August: Marburgo – Gotinga 146km
9 August: Gotinga – Hannover 115km
10 August: Hannover – Soltau 86km
11 August: Soltau – Hamburgo 82 km
12 August: Hamburgo – Neustadt 96km
13 August: Neustadt – Sakskobing 115km
14 August: Sakskobing – Copenhagen 125km
20 August IRONMAN COPENHAGEN
