Thanks for that advice Bagbog.
I have joined Audax Randonneurs danmark and they always take a good party to PBP and so hopefully they will be able to point me in the right direction.
Steve
Steve, I must admit I have looked for the Danish contingent to ride with on each of the PBP I have been in. There is always a good crowd. They are excellent company and, in general, they ride very well as a group. They tend to look after each other.
The advice I gave about RRTY would be ideal but if not possible then it can be done with determination on less. I did my first PBP in 1995 and had only ridden over 100 miles on one occasion before I started the qualifying events. So it can be done, it is just a little harder thats all. There is no substitute for hours on the bike because that is what PBP is about.
On most qualifying events I tend to ride alone. If I get company then it can be a bit of a bonus but on long rides it is very difficult to find a partner who will suit. Riding alone can give you a lot of inner strength and, for me, boosts self confidence.
On something like PBP you, or your partner, will go through difficult times I prefer to go through these by myself. Company can help but it can also be detrimental. Some of my friends almost never ride alone because they need the support of others due to the perceived benefits of drafting behind them.
PBP is like no other ride. I tend to avoid the British group because I have been with them all year and I want PBP to be different hence I look for other nationalities to ride with, if I feel in need of company at any time.
Obviously at night it can be better in a group because of the addition lights. Again I do not feel the need to be with anybody at night because I have managed to put a really good light system together. I can only remember it being out shone once in the last PBP.
The average PBP, for me, would see me riding alone for 80% of the time after the first night has split the big groups up.
I have always ridden to Cahaix before resting which I do between 24 and 26 hours, generally. I have always booked a hotel, get there for about 12 midnight and sleep until 7 had breakfast and be on the road by 8. A nice trip to Brest then your on your way home with half the job done and loads of time left. It has worked for me everytime but will not suit everybody.