Patrice Plozner

Patrice made Sun Trip history in 2018. He was noticed for his spirit, his smile, his poems and his decision to turn back along the way. While in Georgia, he undertook a return journey to his home, always respecting the objective of solar recharging.

A return for a better return!

On the Sun Trip Tour 2019, with an improved ‘home-made’ bike, he was awarded the Jury’s Prize, and above all he rode together with Jean-Louis Machado.

This duo will be back together for the Sun Trip Europe in 2021.

In 2024, Frenchman Patrice Plozner will be taking part in the great adventure of “Destination Sahara”, out of passion and conviction, but also with a very specific performance in mind!

Read his interview here, which opens a series of exchanges with the 2024 participants.

1. Patrice, your name is once again on the ST24 starting list. Can you give us the list of your participations since 2018?
ST 2018, STT 2019 Auvergne Rhône Alpes with Jean Louis, ST Corsica 2019, ST France 2020 and ST Europe 2021…. With a score on the first 2 days of ST Alpes 22 & 23. So this will be my 8th appearance!

2. You have experience of both the “big Sun Trips” and the regional editions, and we get the impression that you like both equally. How do you explain these two types of adventure to people who aren’t familiar with them?
The big Sun Trips are all about adventure, discovery and surpassing yourself. The experience of unforgettable encounters. The real challenge! The regional editions, on the other hand, are all about sharing experiences with old adventurers and newcomers, and helping each other out. And yes, I like that concept just as much.

3. In relation to your participation in 2018 and 2021, how do you imagine your participation in 2024? Does it sound like this time you’ll be playing it solo from start to finish, with the podium in your sights?
Yes, you could! I really want to be at the top of the leaderboard. But without forgetting the mutual support between the participants, the real values of the Sun Trip.

4. Apart from the performance aspect, what do you like about the Sun Trip spirit?
Quite simply, the exchange between participants and travelling on 100% solar energy without any impact on the environment. And also making your own vehicle.

5. What is your analysis of the 2024 project? Any decisive sectors?
The start of the adventure, especially in mid-April, and of course the big Moroccan section of the Atlas.

6. What bike will you be using?
My cargo version of the tandem worked well for me in 2021…. A few minor modifications to make it lighter and I’ll be ready.

7. What has the Sun Trip changed in your life?
It gave me the desire to travel in a more ecological way, taking the time to enjoy every encounter and every landscape. The solar bike opens hearts and borders.

Interview during the Sun Trip 2018

With his friend Jean-Louis in 2019 :

“I, who had never traveled apart for work, signed up for the 2018 Lyon-Canton Sun Trip by discovering their website. It was with a bike that I built from A to Z that I started in this crazy adventure. 9 months of preparation during which I met an extraordinary world that is the suntrip and this family of suntripers. Our bikes are passports that open borders but also open the hearts of people of all countries.

Even though the Canton goal was not achieved, it was an incredible journey , surpassing oneself and meeting others, it was more than achieved. Which made me register for STT 2019 by accompanying a friend: Jean Louis Machado with whom we hope to reach the Tibetan plateau and Guangzhou in 2021.

As I had never been to Corsica, I wanted to test it… great experience of crossing the Isle of Beauty in a small group.

In fact, traveling by solar bike means riding more than 100km per day without being exhausted, enjoying the scenery, no longer having the apprehension of climbing a pass and taking the time to meet people, It’s freedom without pollute”.