Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Paris-Brest-Paris
Aug. 20 - 24, 2007 several Touchstone members (Bruce Berg, Dan Brekke, Jaime Grant, Marty Kaplan, and Elmar Stefke) participated in the 16th Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) randonneuring bike event. Much like the Olympics this grand spectacle is held every four years and predates the Tour de France. Cyclists must successfully complete a timed series of rides called brevets, covering distances of 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K in order to qualify for PBP, which covers a distance of 1200K (actual distance 1227K or 763mi) and over 30,000' of climbing in less than 80, 84, or 90 hours (participants chose their starting time/time limit).
This year's PBP turned out to be tougher than usual. Daily rain and wind combined to make things miserable for many of the 5300 riders from around the globe and the number of abandons exceeded that of previous years, including many 'anciens,' previous PBP finishers. The event was truly unique and spectacular, heading over rollers through green fields and quaint villages out to Brest on the Atlantic and back much the same way. Trying to stretch fifty French words into a conversation that would pass time for hours, staving off boredom and exhaustion in the dark and rain. Sitting in pacelines with a handful of foreign riders who hadn't slept much for several days. Was that "to your left" in Danish? Finally the French along the road, who proved to be unparalleled cycling enthusiasts, constantly clapping, cheering, and urging the riders forward, even in the pouring rain and early morning hours. 'Bon Courage, Bon Route, Bon Chance!'
Aug. 20 - 24, 2007 several Touchstone members (Bruce Berg, Dan Brekke, Jaime Grant, Marty Kaplan, and Elmar Stefke) participated in the 16th Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) randonneuring bike event. Much like the Olympics this grand spectacle is held every four years and predates the Tour de France. Cyclists must successfully complete a timed series of rides called brevets, covering distances of 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K in order to qualify for PBP, which covers a distance of 1200K (actual distance 1227K or 763mi) and over 30,000' of climbing in less than 80, 84, or 90 hours (participants chose their starting time/time limit).This year's PBP turned out to be tougher than usual. Daily rain and wind combined to make things miserable for many of the 5300 riders from around the globe and the number of abandons exceeded that of previous years, including many 'anciens,' previous PBP finishers. The event was truly unique and spectacular, heading over rollers through green fields and quaint villages out to Brest on the Atlantic and back much the same way. Trying to stretch fifty French words into a conversation that would pass time for hours, staving off boredom and exhaustion in the dark and rain. Sitting in pacelines with a handful of foreign riders who hadn't slept much for several days. Was that "to your left" in Danish? Finally the French along the road, who proved to be unparalleled cycling enthusiasts, constantly clapping, cheering, and urging the riders forward, even in the pouring rain and early morning hours. 'Bon Courage, Bon Route, Bon Chance!'
Labels: Berkeley Ironworks, cycling, members
¶ Tuesday, September 04, 2007
