I'm off to Paris to ride Paris-Brest-Paris

Paris-Brest-Paris is the blue riband event of the audaxing community and has a history that dates back to 1891. Every four years over five thousand cyclists from around the world gather near Paris to ride to Brest and back. It is not a race but has a rather testing time limit of 90 hours for the 1200km (750 mile) distance.

Since I started audaxing three years ago PBP has been the aim. Last year I rode my first 600km ride (see The Souwester March/April 2019) which ensured me a possible place on the ride. This year I have had to ride a series of qualifying rides at 200, 300, 400, and 600km.

I start at 1830 on Sunday 18th from Rambouillet, near Paris and need to be in Brest by Tuesday morning. Then I have until 1230 on Thursday to get back to Paris.

Details of the ride can be found here.
https://www.paris-brest-paris.org/index2.php?lang=en&cat=accueil&page=edito

If you want to follow my progress there is a tracking page here.
https://track.rtrt.me/e/PBP-2019#/map
Just add my name or number (K128) to the box top right and it should show you where I am. It will only be getting information from the controls which are around every 100km so could be estimating my position.

I will be riding in my Souwester jersey (as it already has experience of cycling in France from the Dieppe Raids) and hope to have a photo of it back in Paris next week.

Author: Neil C

15 Comments:

Tony 13 August 2019 at 12:12 BST

Chapeau 👍

Frances Stewart 13 August 2019 at 15:21 BST

Best of luck

Mark G 13 August 2019 at 15:21 BST

Have a great ride, Neil - I'll be watching the dots!

Janice 13 August 2019 at 16:22 BST

Good luck, I hope all goes well!

Steph 13 August 2019 at 21:56 BST

What a fantastic ride ! Hope you and the jersey make it back.

mike morley 14 August 2019 at 00:25 BST

With the very best of luck Neil, just qualifying is a major fete in itself! The very best of luck I am sure you will make it!

Steve D 14 August 2019 at 08:04 BST

Bonne chance mon ami!

Simon L 14 August 2019 at 09:17 BST

You are amazing Neil - and that's just for entering! Good luck and may you have a following wind in both directions.

Brian 14 August 2019 at 14:31 BST

Hope it goes well. Best of luck

Dave Vine 14 August 2019 at 21:48 BST

May the wind be behind you and the peloton with you. You will do it. Best wishes!

Neil C 15 August 2019 at 02:30 BST

Thanks for all your encouragement.I was going to turn up in Guildford today on my fully loaded PBP bike but the weather put me off - I got enough wet weather training on Monday. See you in a couple of weeks.

Ged Lawrenson 15 August 2019 at 06:40 BST

Pick-up a good train and have a comfortable cushion. Respect! Good luck!

Mike Barrett 15 August 2019 at 15:40 BST

Best wishes Neil, I hope all goes well.

Unknown 15 August 2019 at 16:21 BST

Neil,Bonne Chance!!!
Enjoy your ride, stay safe
Jennie & David

Tim C 16 August 2019 at 17:18 BST

Neil, it does sound totally loony, so quite unlike you, but I admire you greatly.

We'll look forward to monitoring your progress.

Best of luck

Tim