5. Don't underestimate the level of SMUG you get from seeing folks still heading for Brest, when you are Paris-bound; Fuck Yeah! OK, they almost certainly started later, and they're just doing what you did last night, but FUCK - they're headed West, when you're headed EAST. NUff said.
1. PBP is NOT flat.
I think those of us who finished it this time, owe it to the Ourselves of 2019 (and anyone else who might be interested) in committing to silicon salient experiences and summaries from this time, that the audax Men-in-Black will blot out. This thread might... just might... prove to be a resource for the PBP2019 sub-board that will probably appear near here.
Here are my contributions, in no particular order.
1. PBP is NOT flat. It's a 1% ride (1230km laterally/11700m vertically). There's nothing steep, but the rolling +80m/-80m is relentless - for days. So pick hilly qualifiers. Don't stay east of the meridian. Do the Bryan Chapman (or equivalent) for your 600.
There are hills east of the A1- Moors and Wolds 400 seemed to test a few riders IIRC.
2. Learn to manage sleep. Do some overnight rides in the vacuum between qualification and PBP itself; they really help.
Agree.
3. Emetophobes. You will see people throwing up. Deal with it.
Missed that , thankfully.
4. Don't fear the desire to eat Spag Bol at 3am. Listen to your body. Your body knows best, unless it's saying "I wanna go home...." in which case, stop at the next place that feeds your weakness. You know... McDs, a Crepe+Nutella place, a bar, just something that says "I hear ya - you're hurtin' - have some of this."
For one day only, prepare for PBP by eating nothing but riz au lait .
5. Don't underestimate the level of SMUG you get from seeing folks still heading for Brest, when you are Paris-bound; Fuck Yeah! OK, they almost certainly started later, and they're just doing what you did last night, but FUCK - they're headed West, when you're headed EAST. NUff said.
+1 -My strategy is based on get to Brest in the dark, leave in daylight. Just getting to the turn is a huge boost.
6. I mentioned the hills, right? If PBP2019 is your first - listen. PBP2015 was my first, and I was on the same bike as someone who had done it all before in 2011. She had no recollection of the hill at Bécherel. It has an Eglise, and a fucking great mast at the top, OK? If you do the Severn Across as your 400 qualifier, you'll know how masts-on-hills work. There are two on PBP - the one everyone remembers at La Roc'h Trevezel, and the other one.
Water tower-small hill, radio mast OMG. Ditto woodlands.
7. Unless you're really into the Refugee vibe - book hotels en-route. F1s aren't glamorous, but they do have a 24-hour checkin window, showers, and a bed that will feel SO much more comfortable than a grass verge, and if you carry 21st Century tech with you, you can cancel the fucker several hours in advance, if you've scored a tow from a tandem.
The expense of it all.
8. Tandems. Tuck the FUCK in, and hold on tight. NEVER. EVER, waste a tandem tow. If they're going just that bit too fast for you, work that bit too hard to stay the fuck on, because overall, they WILL save you energy, and time. Don't box them in on the descents, tuck the fuck in behind, and hold on tight. Next climb, take the time (there could be a lot!) to get your breath back, take in the surroundings, and admire the backside of the stoker.
No, I still couldn't hold on when you both hit the gas.
9. The hills. (You did that). OK.
The hills ,Esmeralda , the hills.
10. Have fun. It's a ride that has history, and true adventure.
I look forward to you harvesting your own food that has been grown on the bicycle to sustain you during future long brevets. That is self-sufficiency!
Buy bottled water for your bidons, you don't want or need the shits like some unfortunate folk...
I would not take a razor. No hot water to shave.
Quote1. PBP is NOT flat.
As said, it is down to what you are used to.
6. I mentioned the hills, right? If PBP2019 is your first - listen. PBP2015 was my first, and I was on the same bike as someone who had done it all before in 2011. She had no recollection of the hill at Bécherel. It has an Eglise, and a fucking great mast at the top, OK? If you do the Severn Across as your 400 qualifier, you'll know how masts-on-hills work. There are two on PBP - the one everyone remembers at La Roc'h Trevezel, and the other one.
I would not take a razor. No hot water to shave.
I took a razor and shaved roughly every 24 hours with a little wash. It renewed me no end and I wouldn't unestimate the power it can have on your mood and thus ability to complete the ride.
Hmm. Lessons for next time...
1) Possibly book that bit of the Jollys as "Cubs-at-their-dad's" time
2) Have less Stuffs planned in the weeks leading up to it, in the hope of being a bit more organised
3) Try and find somewhere self catering with an oven :D
No reason why cubs shouldn't be there . It is a great spectator event as well , with sights to behold.
Mrs M would have gone over this time if there had been a few more wives / partners willing to form a support party.
I remembered (and was dreading) the hill up to Becherel from watching the Tour go past there @2008. But when I got to it I enjoyed it - it was a relief for a "proper" hill after the endless draggy climbs.
One important piece of advice for anyone reading this in 2018/19 and panicking about getting a place etc.
I believe I am right in saying that everyone who wanted to ride PBP and managed their qualifiers, regardless of pre registration etc, got a place.
So don't stress about it!
2. Ride as long as you can on Monday but sleep in a bed not at the roadside. Tomsk and I had planned to get to Carhaix but cut it short and slept at St Nik du Pele. The short first leg on waking was great. (Similar thing on the way back with Tinteniac/Quedilac)
12. Talking of Marcus. His cheerful hellos to fellow YACFers and sundry others is the way to go. It was amazing how many riders didn't acknowledge the support at the roadside or make any effort at civility generally. It's a holiday and it's supposed to be (type 2) fun.
Not sure if I can poke my head in here as I didn't ride PBP this year, but one thing I've not seen mentioned with respect to queuing at controls. This is almost always described as a problem and one of the downsides of PBP. But I think in part it is a question of attitude. I didn't mind the queuing as it helps if you think of waiting in line as part of rest and socialising at controls. It's tempting to think of queuing as something that has to be got out of the way before you can properly relax at controls, but enjoying the buzz while you wait is far less stressful. And I say that as someone who was very much in the bulge last time.
Not sure if I can poke my head in here as I didn't ride PBP this year, but one thing I've not seen mentioned with respect to queuing at controls. This is almost always described as a problem and one of the downsides of PBP. But I think in part it is a question of attitude. I didn't mind the queuing as it helps if you think of waiting in line as part of rest and socialising at controls. It's tempting to think of queuing as something that has to be got out of the way before you can properly relax at controls, but enjoying the buzz while you wait is far less stressful. And I say that as someone who was very much in the bulge last time.
Be ready for the sting in the tail in the Rambouillet forest. You ride over exactly the same roads going and they're easy, but the slopes on the way back, with 1200+ km in your legs, are something else.
Be ready for the sting in the tail in the Rambouillet forest.
This time Damon was filming or photographing as I graunched upwards.
Oh, and one to add:
* Make sure Marcus is taking part and you bump into him. If his cheery mood doesn't lift your slump, at least you can admire his shiny orange steed.
We had real issues remembering the different controls after the 2011 edition, so have put together a blog post to remind ourselves.
http://blog.tandemthings.com/2015/09/the-controls-of-pbp.html?m=1
6. I mentioned the hills, right? If PBP2019 is your first - listen. PBP2015 was my first, and I was on the same bike as someone who had done it all before in 2011. She had no recollection of the hill at Bécherel. It has an Eglise, and a fucking great mast at the top, OK? If you do the Severn Across as your 400 qualifier, you'll know how masts-on-hills work. There are two on PBP - the one everyone remembers at La Roc'h Trevezel, and the other one.
We had real issues remembering the different controls after the 2011 edition, so have put together a blog post to remind ourselves.
http://blog.tandemthings.com/2015/09/the-controls-of-pbp.html?m=1
Ye gods, there's a restaurant upstairs at Tinteniac? I had no idea. (the snack bar had moved down to the bike park thobut). I never found the dorm here, although I understand there is one. I kipped under a space heater in the marquee.
In two PBPs I have yet to visit the restaurant at Villaines "Kids help carry trays down the maze"
In two PBPs I have yet to visit the restaurant at Villaines "Kids help carry trays down the maze"
We had real issues remembering the different controls after the 2011 edition, so have put together a blog post to remind ourselves.
http://blog.tandemthings.com/2015/09/the-controls-of-pbp.html?m=1
Ye gods, there's a restaurant upstairs at Tinteniac? I had no idea. (the snack bar had moved down to the bike park thobut). I never found the dorm here, although I understand there is one. I kipped under a space heater in the marquee.
In two PBPs I have yet to visit the restaurant at Villaines "Kids help carry trays down the maze"
They also complained about the number of signs taken as souvenirs in this area while they were still needed.
The organisers were extremely upset & have issued an apology to everyone. All controls are run by the local communities and believe me they take it personally when it goes wrong. They knew that things didn't quite work out how they wanted. I said I'd pass on their apologies on here.
They also complained about the number of signs taken as souvenirs in this area while they were still needed. Anyone notice cyclists on their way to Brest going the wrong way on the main road leaving Carhaix?
Instant disqualification and withdrawn brevet for anyone found carrying a sign at any point on the ride should sort that out easy enough.
They also complained about the number of signs taken as souvenirs in this area while they were still needed.
A pox on those self-centred souvenir-hunters, I say.
They also complained about the number of signs taken as souvenirs in this area while they were still needed. Anyone notice cyclists on their way to Brest going the wrong way on the main road leaving Carhaix?
They also complained about the number of signs taken as souvenirs in this area while they were still needed. Anyone notice cyclists on their way to Brest going the wrong way on the main road leaving Carhaix?
Actually, Jacques (and continuing off topic), are there any signs still kicking about? I didn't manage to grab any this edition :(
There were people still riding to Brest a long time after I returned from there.
Find a loo somewhere before Brest control.
O:-) I didn't dare collect a sign, because :
A. I'm Golden Balls
B. I saw the results of pissing with the signs first hand and luckily I had a Garminograph on.
C. I saw someone on the ride with a Brest, a Paris and a Control sign and called him a Cnut for doing it.
and
D. I thought LWaB would give me a special seeing too, if I did. And I don't want a Special Seeing Too from LWaB
PBP officials were handing them out at the Velodrome (the Brest signs) when I finished.
H
8. Tandems. Tuck the FUCK in, and hold on tight. NEVER. EVER, waste a tandem tow. If they're going just that bit too fast for you, work that bit too hard to stay the fuck on, because overall, they WILL save you energy, and time. Don't box them in on the descents, tuck the fuck in behind, and hold on tight. Next climb, take the time (there could be a lot!) to get your breath back, take in the surroundings, and admire the backside of the stoker.
C. I saw someone on the ride with a Brest, a Paris and a Control sign and called him a Cnut for doing it.
8. Tandems. Tuck the FUCK in, and hold on tight. NEVER. EVER, waste a tandem tow.
I think some signs were missing as I approached Tintineac on the return. It was a bit disconcerting as I thought I might be off route. We got some from a skip at the finish in 2011 but I won't take them from the route.
IMHO any rider (or whose registered support team) is in possession of an event arrow - during or after the event - should be instantly disqualified.
i spoke to one rider at arrivee, he said he got lost six times.... some because of missing arrow signs in the daylight.
We collected our outward-bound signs a fair bit closer to Paris than that. As I said, we hadn't seen anybody outward-bound for quite a while.
IMHO any rider (or whose registered support team) is in possession of an event arrow - during or after the event - should be instantly disqualified.
Can you guess what my response to you might be?
Bring a lightweight hi vis jacket so you don't have to use the official PBP gilet
Bring a lightweight hi vis jacket so you don't have to use the official PBP gilet
Indeed. An excellent souvenir perhaps but not an item of clothing for those than run hot.
Bring a lightweight hi vis jacket so you don't have to use the official PBP gilet
Indeed. An excellent souvenir perhaps but not an item of clothing for those than run hot.
Bring a lightweight hi vis jacket so you don't have to use the official PBP gilet
Bring a lightweight hi vis jacket so you don't have to use the official PBP gilet
Indeed. An excellent souvenir perhaps but not an item of clothing for those than run hot.
The PBP Hi-Viz is a superb bit of kit for the UK, where I use it as a "half windproof" but too warm for warm evenings.
It fits well and is VERY Hi-Viz. Useful now Autumn is clearly here in England.
Pick up a couple of extra bags of jelly babies before leaving the UK. They are hard to find in France and the local substitutes just don't do it.
Target sub 70h. That's it.
Target sub 70h. That's it.
Target sub 70h. That's it.
On fixed?
Bring a lightweight hi vis jacket so you don't have to use the official PBP gilet
Indeed. An excellent souvenir perhaps but not an item of clothing for those than run hot.
Target sub 70h. That's it.
Target sub 80h = drink more beer and take more ibuprofen. That's it.
Rufus' speed recorded by the Garmin, not on some doggy old cateye technology! Double checked 68kph max. Perhaps being a light boy is making a difference?
Strategy-wise, consider aiming for the earliest 90 hour start and riding hard initially to escape the bulge.
My B&M has quite a cut-off beam too and I've found it handy to have a reasonably powerful headtorch for the night, mainly so you can scan around at a junction for reflective arrows.
Remember to take your shoes off when stopped , prevents you getting hot foot.
This only works if you're stopped for a significant length of time, chiz.
I never had this problem with Look Deltas, and am thinking about a switch to Shimano SPD-SL
8. Tandems. Tuck the FUCK in, and hold on tight. NEVER. EVER, waste a tandem tow. If they're going just that bit too fast for you, work that bit too hard to stay the fuck on, because overall, they WILL save you energy, and time. Don't box them in on the descents, tuck the fuck in behind, and hold on tight. Next climb, take the time (there could be a lot!) to get your breath back, take in the surroundings, and admire the backside of the stoker.
Remember to take your shoes off when stopped , prevents you getting hot foot.
This only works if you're stopped for a significant length of time, chiz.
I never had this problem with Look Deltas, and am thinking about a switch to Shimano SPD-SL
Don't have the gear cable snap inside your DC lever as you cross the bridge after leaving velodrome. Leaving you spinning in the granny ring as the pelotons stream away. For 19 I have bar end shifters which are fixable on the road and simpler to start with.
And points mean...
...faffing with entry forms and routes. I prefer to just follow my nose and find somewhere along the way to stop for the night.
Oh!, and make sure your cranks are firmly fixed to your bike BEFORE starting.
Too fucking right! It never ceases to amaze me that:
a. the crank worked loose 3km from the start and
b. my Guardian Angel would appear as if by MAGIC (I named my next three children after him as a mark of my utmost gratitude)
Don't have the gear cable snap inside your DC lever as you cross the bridge after leaving velodrome. Leaving you spinning in the granny ring as the pelotons stream away. For 19 I have bar end shifters which are fixable on the road and simpler to start with.
Don't have the gear cable snap inside your DC lever as you cross the bridge after leaving velodrome. Leaving you spinning in the granny ring as the pelotons stream away. For 19 I have Etap
Remember it is fucking ace and have a brilliant time.Marcus, I was always cheered up by you being sociable and saying hello when you passed me. Thanks
Be sociable.
Don't have the gear cable snap inside your DC lever as you cross the bridge after leaving velodrome. Leaving you spinning in the granny ring as the pelotons stream away. For 19 I have bar end shifters which are fixable on the road and simpler to start with.
I already went that way for 2015. In 1995 I had Suntour Command shifters, no issues. In 2015 Bar ends, no issues. Between 1999 and 2011 Ergopowers. At least on 2 occasions they needed a service lasting about 15 minutes. In '97 LEL even a major breakdown costing several hours.
I stick to Bar ends now. I might change thouch if SunXCD or someone else starts to produce 10 or 11 speed Command shifters though.
Don't have the gear cable snap inside your DC lever as you cross the bridge after leaving velodrome. Leaving you spinning in the granny ring as the pelotons stream away. For 19 I have bar end shifters which are fixable on the road and simpler to start with.
I already went that way for 2015. In 1995 I had Suntour Command shifters, no issues. In 2015 Bar ends, no issues. Between 1999 and 2011 Ergopowers. At least on 2 occasions they needed a service lasting about 15 minutes. In '97 LEL even a major breakdown costing several hours.
I stick to Bar ends now. I might change thouch if SunXCD or someone else starts to produce 10 or 11 speed Command shifters though.
:thumbsup:
I had to get my rear gear cable replaced at controls on PBP 2015 AND on LEL 2017 :facepalm: , using Shimano STi 10speed (PBP) and 11speed (LEL). On both occassions, cables lasted about 7000km. New bike does have 11spd bar-end shifters, and the remaining 11spd STi will be swapped to it pronto (all the parts already stocked)
Some thoughts from the distant past if anyone is considering riding fixed.
The first Audax I completed on fixed was the PBP in 1983, I rode a gear of 64.8” or 48 – 20. It was an incredibly fast spinning gear to ride, there is a time on many hills when people with gears stop peddling on the descents, it was at this point I would often pass a group of riders. I found 64.8 an easy gear to ride on both climbs and descents. I always rode with two brakes, and used them both to slow the momentum of a fixed.
I quit smoking in July 1981 and started to ride a bike, it had a 72” fixed. I changed over to gears and managed a 600k the following year before breaking my collar bone. In the second year I did the end to end in May and that put me off distance riding, so I put a 64.8 fixed on my bike.
When my friends said they were doing the PBP three months later it did not appeal at all. That is until Jane Ramsdale said in jest; why don’t you do it on a fixed. I entered two shorter practice events but packed on both, so the PBP became my first completed event.
The thought of riding a fixed is possibly harder than actually doing the ride on a fixed, I think a lot more people have the ability to do the ride but never attempt it. I found that it helps to sort the mind out first. When I took on a ride that I thought might be beyond my capability; I would make plane to ride to the event and back, we rode about 200k to the start of the PBP and back, although on the way back a kind Frenchman gave us a lift for about fifty miles. I don't know how it helps, but planning to do an extra 400k somehow made the 1200k seem easier.
I remember thinking who on earth would attempt such a ride on fixed.
67" bad, too much pedaling on the frequent long 3-4% downhills for me after the first few days, and I like to spin (even though I'm rubbish at it). Should have gone for 71" at least, possibly even 74".I remember thinking who on earth would attempt such a ride on fixed.
I, personally, blame j[w]o.
Remember it is fucking ace and have a brilliant time.Marcus, I was always cheered up by you being sociable and saying hello when you passed me. Thanks
Be sociable.
ps. I now have a proper bike :P
I'll be my usual 72-inches — both in stature and in gearing.
I tried to move to a larger gear a couple of months ago, to make it a bit more interesting, and discovered that it's incompatible with my frame, which cost me a rear tyre (due to brake rub), and it was a new one, too (expensive mistake). I can go down to 64 inches, but where's the fun in that? The alternative is to replace the 44T with a more traditional 47T, which might work the front-back positioning of the rear wheel to more convenient positions in relation to the pad-adjustment on the rear brake.
72-inches is a nice compromise for me, because a) I'm heavier than Rob by about 15 kilos, and b) my bike is heavier than Rob's by about 5 kilos. I'm also not quite as fit — not even in the same league, he's a bit of a monster. I think I should be able to climb just about anything on the PBP route on 72 — especially now the forest-climb near the end has been scratched.
It will still be a bit easier than the last bike I rode PBP on (https://www.16inchwheels.uk/2015/08/20/paris-brest-paris-1200-on-a-brompton/) :facepalm:
I’m pretty sure your article is one of the copies of Arrivee Recycled that I scoured before my first attempt. I remember thinking who on earth would attempt such a ride on fixed.
A tip from TTing is to gear for the fast bits and not the slow bits. When I rode on 70” I span out too often and ended up with very sore hands and arse.
Don't have the gear cable snap inside your DC lever as you cross the bridge after leaving velodrome. Leaving you spinning in the granny ring as the pelotons stream away. For 19 I have bar end shifters which are fixable on the road and simpler to start with.
I already went that way for 2015. In 1995 I had Suntour Command shifters, no issues. In 2015 Bar ends, no issues. Between 1999 and 2011 Ergopowers. At least on 2 occasions they needed a service lasting about 15 minutes. In '97 LEL even a major breakdown costing several hours.
I stick to Bar ends now. I might change thouch if SunXCD or someone else starts to produce 10 or 11 speed Command shifters though.
:thumbsup:
I had to get my rear gear cable replaced at controls on PBP 2015 AND on LEL 2017 :facepalm: , using Shimano STi 10speed (PBP) and 11speed (LEL). On both occassions, cables lasted about 7000km. New bike does have 11spd bar-end shifters, and the remaining 11spd STi will be swapped to it pronto (all the parts already stocked)
Indeed, at least 3 replacements during various events, 1997 LEL, gearlever snapped, detour to a bikshop (costing a lot more as 30 minutes) and more recently 2007 PBP gearcable replacement & replacement by downtubshifter since the whole lot was so mucky that shifting was too hard for my shoulder. 2011 Gearcable replacement at Villaines la Juhel. A gearcable replacement with downtube shifters takes 5 minutes at the max, a lot less as with Ergopower/STI.
Shimano STI shifters are known for eating cables since they moved from the original 'washing-line' to the cables under the bar tape due to the tight bend the cable has to negotiate.
Are downtube shifter cables more immune from fraying/snapping than STIs then? Why?"more immune"? You mean like "More unique"?? :P
Are downtube shifter cables more immune from fraying/snapping than STIs then? Why?"more immune"? You mean like "More unique"?? :P
Anyway:
Yes [but don't bother asking me for statistical evidence]. And
don't know, but if pushed, i'd say being much simpler devices means less places for damage/stress to occur.
Oh, and you are perhaps more likely to see a damaged cable before it breaks?
(Disclaimer: I don't believe I've ever broken a gear cable in either type of device.)