Three bikes and a vision....

When I first got involved with this project back in October of last year, I was unaware that bullfighting was part of the French patrimony.

Being from North America, I remember a bullfighting spectacle that was brought to Montreal in 2000, where 8 bulls were trucked all the way from Massachusetts for a 2 day feria. Two died during transport and one made his great escape at the border and went missing for 3 days. We all cheered for this act of defiance and although I don’t remember what happened to this nameless bull, I do recall the ill feeling that the fair had still managed to fill 6000 seats at the Olympic stadium.

Fast forward to 2012, and this so called ‘tradition’ still retains huge appeal in certain parts of Southern France.  There are true and passionate aficionados who refuse to see the mockery and cruelty behind the bogus performance.

So as the dog days of summer approach, so does the big day for the 3 BFP cyclists.  Their love for the massacred bulls will fuel their 2200 km bike journey from Torino all the way to Seville.

Intense daytime heat will likely hit the high 30’s maybe 40’s, and while most of us will be enjoying lazy days with a cool drink at hand, Paolo, Cristiano and Paolo, will be on the road with their beloved bikes trying to educate and put their message across.

 

33 days and counting to the big send off in Torino with a dream at hand!!…  The dream that one day the majestic bull will never be doped up again, taunted and ridiculed to then slowly be tortured by a colorful but wretched executioner in the midst of a bloodthirsty, jeering crowd.

My friends… May the forces of the mighty bull accompany you on your journey!!!  Ole!!