What Makes Paris-Brest-Paris Different

What Makes Paris-Brest-Paris Different
By Jeff Bauer
July 15, 2007

Some thoughts on PBP before the big event. I'm no PBP expert, having only ridden the course once, but for first timers it might be worth presenting some of the differences you'll experience compared to a "normal" 1200K. Here are some notes I made in reference to a discussion we had at an orientation earlier this year.

What makes Paris-Brest-Paris different from any other kind of randonnee?

Roads:
-Slightly rougher surface
-Some "Pave"
-Hardly any shake & bake sections
-Rolling, nothing > 9% grade (but: never flat)

Controls:
-French riders do not queue in line
-Main areas:
--Bike racks
--Card swipe/stamp (Go HERE first!)
--Cafeteria / café
(The cafe, if available, is mostly for food "to go" and doesn't offer the selection of hot, buffet-style food at the cafeteria.)
-Optional areas:
--Water spigot (ask for "Aqua")
--Sleep (A cot may not be available at peak hours)
--Drop Bag area (Loudeac)
--Shower trailer
(Showers are only available at some controls such as Loudeac. Don't expect hot water, and bring your own towel.)

Markets: -
-No 24-hour "Kwik-Marts"
-Bars are often open past midnight and serve food
-Roadside offerings: "Aqua" & "Cafe"

Everything:
-A La Carte
-No freebies, always carry euros

Restroom breaks:
-Public restrooms are almost non-existent and you may have to wait a while at the controls.
-Bring toilet paper!

Sleep breaks:
-At the controls:
--You may have to wait.
--Cots were €2 (Euros) in 2003
--Bring earplugs (100+ snorers = high decibels)
-Out in the open:
--Daytime - find some shade
--Nighttime - careful not to use someone's restroom

Motorists:
-Patient, except for trucks (lorries)
-You may ride side-by-side without bothering anyone
-Don't yell "Car back!”
(It's stupid, unnecessary, and assumes everyone around you speaks English. Not.)

Road Markings:
-Excellent: bright with reflective tape
-Cue sheet: Almost useless, but program your bike computer to use kilometers anyway.
-Town-to-town: Although the cue sheet isn't very useful, it *is* helpful to know which town you're about to enter/leave. If you get lost, it's easier to find your way back.
-Vandalism: On the last few kilometers in 2003, some punks vandalized/removed the route makers. Fortunately the organizers painted the markings so we could find our way back to the finish.
-Outbound vs. inbound: Each direction will have a different color marker. Don't follow the wrong color! This has happened before and caused riders to DNF.

Self-sufficient:
-It may rain; temps can drop into the 40's at night.
-No roving SAG support such as GRR, BMB, etc.
-There are excellent bike mechanics at the controls; however you may have to wait in line for them to attend to your needs.