OUR LAST FINISHER ANSWERS TO OUR QUESTIONS
19-05-2023Wim Van Els Just claimed its 1000th BIG. He is a finisher. We asked him our usual questions.
1) What are your feelings reaching the arrival ?
It's not like an exam that you can pass or fail, so it feels pretty normal, but of course I have a very satisfied feeling about the fact that I have completed such an extensive endeavour, and there is a lot of extra attention which makes it more emotional.
2) Why and how did you begin to cycle ?
Injuries that forced me to give up football and later I had problems running also. I wanted to keep practicing a sport and cycling turned out to be a logical option.
3) Why and how did you begin the BIG challenge ?
When I started cycling I immediately noticed that I liked cycling in hilly areas the most. When I read something about the BIG for the first time in 1999, I was immediately hooked.
4) Was there someone who motivated you in the beginning ?
Initially, I was self-motivated, even my friends in the local club showed little interest, but my acquaintance with others affected by the BIG virus during the Meeting in 2003 was very pleasant.
5) At which moment did you think : "I'll reach 1000"?
Perhaps the idea of reaching a 1000 was latent somewhere in my brain. But for a long time I thought I would end at about 950 climbs. Especially in 2014 after I had to turn around half way up the Orjen Sedlo in Montenegro because I wanted to be back before dark and a few days later when I skipped another Big because of the dangerous traffic. I never wanted to oblige myself to finish. But after cycling with other members in some special countries, I knew that finishing was achievable in an attractive way for me.
6) About your score evolution, were there events in your private life that increased or decreased it ?
To my surprise, my employer offered me the opportunity to take unpaid leave during the summer. I am still grateful to him for that.
7) What were the countries where you found more difficulties to cycle ?
I haven't had any real problems, nice people live all over the world. Some trips were of course expensive. There were bad roads or roads with too much traffic. In some areas there are no campings.
Once I was at the border of Ukraine but I had to turn around and go back home because I didn’t have the right car papers to enter the country. I drove back to Ukraine soon after.
In southern Italy, Greece and Georgia I had problems with aggressive sheepdogs.
Fortunately, I have not had any problems with for example, corrupt police.
8) What are the most beautiful sceneries (landscapes) that you met ?
I have discovered that I like green landscapes better than more arid areas. In the Alps, the highest areas stand out with Colle de Nivolet being the most beautiful. Landscapes that differ greatly from what I am used to in Western Europe always make the greatest impression. The climbs in Wales and Ireland really appealed to me. Climbs in Chile were epic to use a modern word. New Zealand, great. Norway fantastic when the weather is good.
The Azores, of which I said in 2009 that I did not like to go there, outstanding.
9) Did you often think : "I put my wheels where professional racers put theirs" or "where other BIG members put theirs" ?
I was always interested in professional cycling. So cycling famous climbs was a plus. And that also applies to watching speed cycling on TV with climbs that I have done myself.
10) Were there a final competition or race between those at the end who were near the Grail of 1000 ?
Not for me.
11) What are your best souvenirs of relationships sharing in the BIG world ?
I enjoyed meeting all sorts of people with different interests than most of the people I am usually surrounded with in my village and my local cycling club. I enjoyed the meetings. And I keep a special place in my heart for the BIG members with whom I have traveled in recent years to some special countries. So thank you Ard, Heiko, Anja, Luigi and Daniel.
And don't forget Helmuth, Patricia and Christiaan who live in my province and who were there for me at Gran Canaria.
But above all off course Tineke, nobody completed as many BIGs with me as she did.
12) What are your worst souvenirs inside the 1000 ?
Dogs in Greece really scared me.
Some roads with dangerous traffic.
Thunder, rain, storm, and cold. Strangely, I often felt satisfaction after I had braved bad weather.
13) The several languages used in the BIG Cycling World : is this an additional interest or a real problem for you ?
it's a plus for me.
14) Do you think that your kind of passion is very similar to the majority of the other members that you met ?
I do believe there is a shared interest in travel and of course an emphasis on climbing as part of cycling. Often people find the figures related to a climb very interesting, not to mention the feeling of scoring reaching a top.
15) Had you a good feedback inside your country when talking about the BIG ?
Of course many people, including cyclists, were hardly interested. That changed over time, as people realized that doing so many BIGs is quite special
16) Do you think that the national dutch challenge will give an additional interest to your fellow countrymen ?
That Dutch list is of course a bit idiotic. But if I'm in the area I'll pick them up. And I'm not the only one.
17) Among your 1000, what are the most difficult ones with the slopes ?
Angliru and Monte Zoncolan were tough, but two stand out: Malga Palazzo and the Nebelhorn. Two impossible climbs and an adventure in itself.
18) What do your family and friends think about this passion for cyclo-climbing in Europe ?
They think it's wonderful what I've done,
19) Do you have any bad or sorry feelings somewhere about all these years used to build your score in BIG ?
No, but otherwise I would have had some other travelling.
20) How do you see your future in your cycling practice ?
I'll keep on going, but won't go through complete lists anymore.
21) What do you want to say to those who begin the BIG now ?
Put enjoyment first, it's not about reaching 1000 climbs, but about getting there, el camino.
22) Can you sum up BIG in one short sentence ?
It's a hobby, a virus, a bucket list!
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