Hello All,
I was watching results to see how a friend fared.
He said it was cold and rainy for much of the ride and that influenced the DNF rate.
90 hours to do about 720 miles.
Cheers,
Neal
5307 start - 1459 DNF - 3703 finish
Tough Race
http://www.audax-club-parisien.com/
Click Paris - Brest - Paris then the English flag then The Ride
.
Lots of rain but not really that cold. Most of the riders who DNF’s may not have had the items they needed in the rainy conditions or perhpas they did not have the experiance of riding in wet weather. Being from the SF Bay Area I have had my share of wet rides so it was not as tough for me as others. You can only get so wet.
Willy in Pacifica
87 hours for 760 miles
Props out to my roadie buddy, Todd Williams, 60 hours. Has been 55 hours! 4 years ago.
He had a great story though - got hypothermic and disoriented, broke into some farmers barn in the middle of nowhere when he couldn’t bike any longer, hid his bike in the barn (he had no idea what he was doing, but knew he had to protect the bike), stumbled around and passed out. Woke in a local hospital, police around. The farmer found the bike and BROUGHT IT TO HIM in the hospital with some soup/bread. Todd, apologized profusely and offered to pay - of course the farmer would have none of it. Todd went on to finish after warming IVs.
My faith in the French went up several notches after his story.
That’s hardcore. I guess wet and long-distance cycling don’t go together very well.
One of my buddies just got back from there. Did the ride on his FIXED GEAR. Fuckin insane bastard. He said there were several other lunatics doing that way as well. Gotta give him credit - he finished.
What is the usual DNF rate??? curious because I have heard that this sort of weather is not un common for this race. I would think the DNFs would largely be because the ride is like 750 miles long. My longest ride ever was 211 and it rained on us most of the day, after that, I couldn’t imagine tacking on another 550 miles…someday maybe.
From your sig line it looks like you have done some long rides, but PBP has, as a group, the most experienced riders for distance you will find. More mechanicals, more saddle sores, some just not wanting to ride 90 hours in the rain, etc. All in all not a bad completeionrate for that ride in those conditions.
Styrrell
This year’s PBP was one of the worst ever for weather. Yeah, it usually gets rain at times for it, but this year it was pretty constant. Roadbikerider.com had something on it last week and said it was pretty bad.
http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/EN/index.php?showpage=242 shows numbers over the history of the race.
clm
From your sig line it looks like you have done some long rides, but PBP has, as a group, the most experienced riders for distance you will find. More mechanicals, more saddle sores, some just not wanting to ride 90 hours in the rain, etc. All in all not a bad completeionrate for that ride in those conditions.
Styrrell
I have done my share of long ass rides but this was the longest. I wanted PBP to be my first 1,200k.
I had a great time and really had no issues other then being tired a couple of times in the middle of the night. I was never cold but I was wet plenty of times. Wet and warm is fine, cold and wet is not. I was comfortable on my new Vanilla and had no aches or pains AT ALL. The Sella An-Atomica saddle was wonderful. I cannot say enough about this saddle. I had zero issue and that was over 750 miles and most of those were wet miles. I rode with Tom the Sella An Atomica guy for the first day and told him he should have had a booth at Brest.
The DNF rate was about 30% when it is usually 15%. I think one of the biggest issues was riders not used to riding this long under the conditions this year. 600k in the rain sure, 1,200k dry sure, but 1,200k wet takes some thinking. I had a drop bag at 1/3 and 2/3 so was able to get into dry clothes each time and felt fresh to continue. I think this helped more mentally then physically.
I also was not planning to haul ass thru this ride. My goal was to finish in 88 hours. Just enough cushion to not worry but also I got to enjoy the ride more than those going for a PR. Hey, when am I going to get another chance to ride in Europe?
I am working on a ride report so will post when it is finished which is taking longer than the actual ride.
Willy in Pacifica
RUSA #2505
PBP 2007 - 87 hours
Thanks, and congrats on the update. My main goal for next year is B-M-B. I’ve done a few 200 miler, and many back to back centuries, but essentially 3.5 back to back 200 milers is hard to even think of.
Styrrell
As of now I believe there is no more B-M-B as Jennifer Wise is no longer putting it on. Depending on where you live there are a few others to consider. I always wanted to do BMB as well so I am bummed.
There is the Gold Rush out of Davis
Last Chance out of Colorado I believe
There is one up in Canada
Seattle puts one on that I would like to do.
Not sure which will be offered in 2008 as the schedule is not out yet but not all of them are put on each year.
The Seattle one is a bit different in that you ride a specific leg then the organizers have a bunch of hotel rooms available and food. If you get there early enough you have a shower and bed available and they will also carry a drop bag to each legs finish but the bag will not be available during each leg so you need to carry what you will need for each leg. Usually each morning everyone lines up again for the next days leg.
willy in pacifica
I thought that BMB alternated years with PBP…am I wrong?
BMB is no longer unless someone steps up to organize it as Jennifer has stepped down.
Willy in Pacifica
Ritchey SwissCross
IF Planet X
Meridian TT
Merlin Agilus
Co-Motion Alum Expresso
Co-Motion Steel Expresso
Co-Motion Norwester
Bilenky Armet Tandem
Santana Triplet
Vanilla Road bike
Vanilla Brevet (PBP) Bike