PBP 2015 / Paris - Brest - Paris Audax

Yes, like you I am pretty insensitive to setup changes. I went to see velophysio a bit back and she commented on this too. She also in a completely damning phrase said something like "You are very flexible, often if you get a rider who is more vigorous in their approach that flexibility will disappear"

Tyres are on the way. Mulling the dynamo over the next couple of hours. saddle, I'm umming and erring.

Run your 808 FC front

I could run 808 front and rear... but I won't. In bunches with all manner of numpties not calling out potholes, etc. so I'll stick with decent, truable wheels and alu braking surfaces.

Solo off the front then.

I'm starting maybe an hour down on the first wave so it's very unlikely I will see the fastest riders.

I rode the Tarmac in today. Nothing like commuting on flash carbon with a couple of grand worth of wheels strapped to it. :)

I've already entered. Is it possible to book the start meal now?

Good question that has crossed my mind as well.

Last time it was:-

"
Dinner on Sunday: you must book it at registration

Dinner is served at the Restaurant Les QUADRANTS, located about 1 km from the stadium (see attached map b).
The tickets for the restaurant are included in the folder distributed the day before the start, for all those who have booked a meal on their registration form.
· Pink tickets : Service from 11h00 to 13h00 for riders starting on Sunday at 16h00.
· Green tickets : Service from 13h00 to 17h00 for riders starting on Sunday between 17h30 and 22h00.
· Blue tickets : Low-priority service for riders starting on Monday morning.

Attention : Please respect the time indicated on your ticket. The colour of your ticket will be checked to let you in the restaurant.
"

In typical French style they rely on most people respecting the different coloured tickets but didn't bat an eyelid if you wanted to join someone else at a different sitting with the wrong ticket.

So 'do one' is the likely answer.

I'm going to use this route to get from Gare du Nord to the 'drome
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/8468843

I'll need to work out how to get to the hotel too. Hopefully my new French maps for the Garmin will sort that bit out.

Luggage will hopefully be able to be stored at the 'drome because I don't have the hotel for the two nights of PBP.

Off to get an SD card for these maps and wilkyboy's PBP TCX routes.

Still tweaking things on the bike. Riding without aerobars sucks. :S

Anyone else hitting panic mode yet?

Yep. Rounded the brake piston thread when installing the Luxos yesterday. Does the SRAM Garmin work? That will give me more shopping target for the next days.

I'm all set to ride but reading this thread is making me panic!!

Might do some research into controls.

Completely panic mode.

Fitted a new saddle at the weekend. No long rides done on it (though it is very similar to my current saddle, just a tiny bit of padding as opposed to completely solid). Waiting on a dynamo wheel from t_w. Hopefully get that sorted tomorrow. Fitted 28mm tyres at the weekend. No idea on a sleeping plan. Every commute feels hard and is accompanied by a "ooh, was that a twinge in my knee?" feeling. No research on route. No plan beyond "follow the crowd". Worried about Shermers neck and wondering why I am entered.

So how many of us are going?

1. graunch - George - Lynskey Sportive, 90hours
   

Yeah, I've got the SRAM mount now and it looks like it will clear quite nicely, so no more having to crush cables.

What sort of research? I don't know what to expect. The most 'interesting' bit is the 140 feed / 220k first control. I'm wondering if there's any way I can safely skip the 140 but I think not, given it's probably going to be hot and I need water refill at least.

If it makes you feel better, I'm riding a bike that, apart from a week in Majorca last year, I've only ridden for the club hill climb champs the last two years. We're talking 1.5hr, 2min race, 1.5hr.

Just for good measure, the saddle on it is brand new and the longest ride I've done is ~120k last Sunday. Brand new front wheel and tyres seem all good on that ride. I'm still faffing with bottle cages and top tube bag arrangement.

Sleeping plan: no sleep

Route? hahahahah Garmin hahhahaa

I can't take ibuprofen because of the anticoagulants I'm on. I do have some panadol. This is gonna hurt I think.

graunch - George - Lynskey Sportive, 90hours

hippy - God - S-Wanks Tarmac, 80hours (but it better be closer to 60hours)

I reckon that there will be quicker places en-route to get a water refill if you need one.

Ah you'll be fine. Last PBP my bike was stolen in July and I got the insurance replacement a week before PBP. I rode it for 15km before giving it to someone to put in their van to take over to Paris. I then rode it another 40km (hotel/start to and fro) before starting. Brand new Brooks Swallow saddle on it too (none of this 'breaking in' bollocks).

I have a SON in Mavic-Open-Pro wheel in SW15 if a dynohub wheel is required at short order.

I reckon that there will be quicker places en-route to get a water refill if you need one.

Water isn't a problem, there are plenty of locals standing by the side of the road (at all hours) willing to help.

I keep hearing about people outside their houses offering food and water. Could probably hit a service station or cafe or something. Or just carry a bottle or two in jersey pockets.

Yeah, my warmup is cycling across Paris.

Water isn't a problem, there are plenty of locals standing by the side of the road (at all hours) willing to help.

See? What he said.

Scultura- Ciaran- Merida, 80 hours but aspirations of going sub 50!! Brave or stupid, time will tell.

http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/pbp/stories/91_how-not-to-ride-pbp_BCstories.html

I'm gonna find your back wheel :P

Are you riding supported?