PBP Memories

PBP Memories
By Dave Bundrick
July 15, 2007

Wish I were going! Reading Jeff Bauer's posts brings back good memories of my two PBPs.

A couple of thoughts:

While "Aqua" is undoubtedly understood throughout the Western world as water, the French word is easy to pronounce: de l'eau (roughly duh low). A few other French words and phrases are easy to learn and go along way.

Resist - I repeat - resist the temptation to go out too fast. The start is exciting and it's easy to get caught up in the moment. If possible, start with a friend and watch each other here. In 2003 I started at 10:00, went out way too fast, skipped the first stop, which is not mandatory, and by dawn was exhausted.

Be very careful when stopping along the side of the road - the place you're about to sit might have been "watered".

Plan on cold on the way back, when you're exhausted. An undershirt would be well worth the weight. I prefer wool, but plastic fibers are ok, too. Take a space blanket. It can be slept under or ripped and stuffed under a jersey.

I never had a problem with inspection. Spare bulbs and batteries can be an issue, so just take a pocket full to inspection and leave what you don't need in your baggage. The bulbs don't have to fit, they just have to be bulbs.

A great and wonderful adventure, and not one to be wasted trying to post a good time. No mater how good you are, you won't be near the top of the leader board, so just enjoy the ride!