Friday Night Ride to....Paris-Brest-Paris

[StuAff]

it depends how you set your mind to it. you must aim for a finish as that's the only thing what matters most (once you start). what happens in between is quite irrelevant - pains, distractions, inclement weather etc. you just spend as much time pedalling as you can and minimize stopped time. some people make it seem harder than it really is.

Says the man who did it in under 60 hours. And this year's London Marathon....

 

[User482]

it depends how you set your mind to it. you must aim for a finish as that's the only thing what matters most (once you start). what happens in between is quite irrelevant - pains, distractions, inclement weather etc. you just spend as much time pedalling as you can and minimize stopped time. some people make it seem harder than it really is.

What you need to understand is that when the going gets tough, I go to the pub. My idea of an audax is a pleasant 80 miles with a long cake stop...

All of which is why I am full of admiration for you lot.

 

[frank9755]

some people make it seem harder than it really is.

That is so true!

What Stu and User482 are saying is also true: most reasonably fit, regular cyclists could work up to doing PBP if they wanted to do, but it is perfectly ok not to want to do it!

 

[MacB]

That is so true!

What Stu and User482 are saying is also true: most reasonably fit, regular cyclists could work up to doing PBP if they wanted to do, but it is perfectly ok not to want to do it!

Phew that takes the pressure off Frank....congrats again by the way to all of you, I was exhausted just following it online

 

[srw]

What Stu and User482 are saying is also true: most reasonably fit, regular cyclists could work up to doing PBP if they wanted to do, but it is perfectly ok not to want to do it!

But could most reasonably fit regular cyclists have any hope of even think of doing it in 70 hours?

In my experience, once you've done something challenging and off-the-wall, whether it's riding overnight to Brighton or taking three weeks to ride across France on a tandem, it seems as if anyone could have done it - and you're inclined to play down the difficulty. I don't think that's just me.

For some reason PBP doesn't sound desperately attractive to me, but I am curiously drawn towards LEL. There's something about riding between places that are real in a way that Brest isn't. A real place, I mean - however much the thousands of Brestais must think it is.

Now, I must finally get around to entering an audax.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I think what bothers me most about PBP, LEL, and 'just' 400s, 600s etc is the sleep deprivation. The need to balance making the cut with getting enough sleep, or at least rest, enough food...in a sense going fast and going slow enough..and judging by what I've read it's not that easy even for the experienced.

Nope, I think I'll leave that kind of event to others...

What impressed me from Frank's write up was the clarity of his decision making and his ability to see his choice through once he embarked on it. That also shines in other long ride write ups like "Barring Mechanicals".

Mental strength plays a big part in success. Lack of sleep saps my moral fibre. I've twice tried 400km (one DIY and one permie) Audaxes and been so befuddled on both that I've got lost in the last 40 - 50km on both and really struggled to keep a decent, for me, average 20kph speed. 300km's have been much much easier but all of those have been, at least in part, organised Audax rides when I've been in company for most of the time, or at least have seen other people out on the road.

Anyway Stu I'm in awe of the mileages you clock up for fun on a bank holiday weekend!

 

[mmmmartin]

What impressed me from Frank's write up was the clarity of his decision making and his ability to see his choice through once he embarked on it.

I agree. Also his fixation on the job in hand. I have learnt a lot from his write-up and intend to put it into practice next year. Especially his time-trial experience, that looks very useful.

 

[Aperitif]

I agree. Also his fixation on the job in hand. I have learnt a lot from his write-up and intend to put it into practice next year. Especially his time-trial experience, that looks very useful.

Regular, balanced breakfasts, Martin...pain aux raisins with an even number of currants too.

 

[dellzeqq]

the problem with Frank is that, outwardly, he's such an easygoing sort of chap. I simply can't reconcile the man I see with the hard-bitten, driven, nay, crazed loon that would cycle 750 miles with numb toes and a sore arse. The Frank I know would retire to a hostelry, there to sip yellow beer with User482 and swap economical apercus with Olaf. While stealthily removing TC's buff.

 

[mmmmartin]

While stealthily removing TC's buff.

yet another post useless without photos...................

 

[GrumpyGregry]

the problem with Frank is that, outwardly, he's such an easygoing sort of chap. I simply can't reconcile the man I see with the hard-bitten, driven, nay, crazed loon that would cycle 750 miles with numb toes and a sore arse. The Frank I know would retire to a hostelry, there to sip yellow beer with User482 and swap economical apercus with Olaf. While stealthily removing TC's buff.

I reach a similar conclusion. The inner man, and his inner chimp, are clearly hidden beneath a splendid layer of socialisation. He is a veritable onion.

 

[Aperitif]

That's shallot, Greg.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

That's shallot, Greg.

nah she's shallot

 

[clivedb]

nah she's shallot

She certainly knows her onions.

Glad to see another Gillian Welch fan here.

 

[frank9755]

This thread seems to have got into a bit of a pickle!

The Frank I know would retire to a hostelry, there to sip yellow beer

I've been called some things in my time but never a lager-drinker!