RECOVERY STORY
- LÉA DESLANDES -
Text: Léa DesLandes
WHAT HAPPENED?
A sports accident literally turned my athletic life upside down: while kitesurfing, my board hit me on the head. We were on a film trip, documenting my e-bike and kite adventures.
Now, I am in the midst of a lengthy recovery process from a concussion. Months of rest, training, physical therapy, and ongoing hope—mixed with moments of frustration—are behind me.
Never give up: To regain strength while allowing my body to rest, my family and I decided to spend a month in Cape Verde. Cape Verde is a beautiful archipelago in Africa, known for its breathtaking landscapes, mountains, beaches, and bays. Alongside my family, I brought my bike, kite, and a photographer friend, of course.
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AFTER AN ACCIDENT LIKE THIS, STAYING PATIENT IS KEY — AND NEVER FORGET THAT THE JOURNEY DEFINES THE DESTINATION.
STEP BY STEP BACK TO RECOVERY
YOGA
In Santa Maria, on the island of Sal, I learned from Sheena, an Indian yoga instructor, what it truly means to disconnect. I rediscovered the connection between breathing and healing and learned how to ease my headaches by consciously making time for myself. Yoga taught me inner peace—quite a challenge for someone who’s always on the move.
GENTLE RECOVERY
From then on, I practiced "resting" every day—yes, that too is an exercise when you're not used to it. This was followed daily by 45 minutes of kiting and a very gentle return to cycling, sticking to flat terrain at sunrise to avoid exertion in the heat. Adjusting to the higher temperatures and resuming physical activity were my biggest challenges.
REGAINING FREEDOM
In addition to sports and the rush of adrenaline, I regained something else during my months in Africa—my freedom! The freedom to leave the beach and be alone with my board, my bike, and nature. Taming and mastering the wind, water, sand, and trails… all of it was something I had missed deeply, and step by step, I was reclaiming that feeling.
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BIKE ADVENTURES ON SAN NICOLAU
After two weeks in Santa Maria (a place that feels like our second home), we set off for San Nicolau. Our plan was to explore this island with our bikes. The boat ride, which was supposed to start at 1 a.m., didn’t get underway until sunrise at 4:30 a.m. After seven somewhat rough hours at sea, we finally reached our destination.
In San Nicolau, we quickly made our first connections, found a room in an unfinished building, and began exploring Carbeirinho, a spot often referred to as a world wonder. Even riding on the hot black asphalt road was a challenge for my body, still weakened from the journey.
DAY 2 – ACROSS THE ISLAND
Our goal was to discover the island’s national parks, trails, and incredible diversity. We started with a ride to a village in the northeastern part of the island, traveling on a mountainous, winding road. The effort was intense, but with time (and a bit of help from my companions), I managed to reach the highest point of our tour. The descent into the village was along a stunning path used by locals to traverse the mountains. These well-maintained trails, partly grass-covered and partly paved, allow residents to reach villages without taking the long route along the coastal road. Along the way, we encountered many locals.
CHALLENGE AFTER CHALLENGE
Each day, my body and mind allowed me to get back on the bike. After long nights of rest, the days passed, and I slowly rediscovered the joy of riding. Spending hours in the mountains began to feel good again. Reaching the day’s goal—whether it was the village of Ribeira de Prata or Praia Branca—gave me energy. Each day, we crossed the mountains around Monte Gordo, the island’s highest point. The trails were steep and challenging, and Fred often helped me by pushing or carrying my bike over the passes.
On the fourth day, I finally managed to carry my HAIBIKE LYKE over a rocky mountain pass on my own—the only way to reach the summit. It felt amazing to once again have enough strength in my shoulders, neck, and head, all of which had suffered so much over the past months.
AN ADVENTURE IS ALWAYS AN ADVENTURE
This adventure left me with so many unforgettable memories: encounters with amazing and impressive people, breathtaking landscapes, the hospitality of the locals, and even the moments where we shared our last can of tuna :D. San Nicolau is a largely untouched island, rarely visited due to its lack of tourist infrastructure. Yet, it is every bit as stunning as its neighboring island, Santo Antão. A visit is absolutely worthwhile!
THE BEGINNING OF MY SECOND ATHLETIC LIFE
I’ve never been this seriously injured before. After years of intense climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, and racing around Mont Blanc, this recovery has been an entirely new experience. The road ahead is still long, but this journey has shown me what’s already improving and what I still need to work on to reach my best level again.
Without the moral and supportive presence of my companions (and the love of my partner), I wouldn’t have been able to face this adventure. Together, we rediscovered the beauty of Cape Verde every single day.
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