Paris Brest Paris (PBP) 2023

Rimas arrived in Brest 20min ago.

Is Quedillac a classic sleep spot? Was expecting a few of the "dots" I'm watching to have been through the next control but last checkin was Tinteniac.

Obviously good luck everyone!!!

Balls.

You couldn't locate a spare crank? Are they weird cranks on a tandem or somewhat standard?

It was the standard bit of the chainset. But it's square taper and the mechanics on night duty didn't have anything.
If we waited until the shops opened we'd have lost 12-14 hours so well out of time.

Rode back solo to the start. Met a group of other Dnfers in a bar and had our own little non finishers party.

He's usually there at lunchtime!

He always does his best rides on pbp, never done as well on tcr for some reason.

Sleeping in the afternoon on the first day?

My stoker's crank

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you couldn't just chauffeur the passenger there and back ? or take turns up front ?

Given he is blind, I generally prefer to be on the front!

Marko Baloh looks like he is on track for the record.

He was at Villaines just before 3am, averaging just under 30kmh. 200km to go. I'll pop out after breakfast and try to catch him finish.

Actually first finisher was Nicholas Dehaan, in 41:46.
I think that's a record, and possibly below the time limit. I got here just too late to see him in.
Average speed 29. 18

Saw his interview, American guy, ride seemed to go OK, hard to work hard to get on after the controls as his family team weren't as slick as the Euros!

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Just listened to Marko and Severin interviews.

Basically there was a group of about 8 until Brest. They agreed a 10 minute poo stop, but Nick cracked on.

The group broke up as they tried to catch him.

He then went off route and Marko / Severn were working together at the front trying to catch, but he then caught them, and just rode past.

They worked together all the way back but he just built a lead. It was Baloh's fastest PBP, his fifth.

They agreed a 10 minute poo stop, but Nick cracked on.

Dick move?

I guess only if he said he'd stop, and then didn't.

I mean if there were two of you working together and he did that, then maybe.

Not wanting to hang around for 7 riders is fair enough tbh, especially if you're near the front

dick move?

Dunno but sounds like a bit of an asshole to me

Given he is blind, I generally prefer to be on the front!

A reply for the ages, there! Rep and comiserations. What rotten luck.

Sunrise from the top of that big climb before Brest.

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After I saw you guys at the top of that climb, I rode all the way down before realising I’d left my camera back at the top 😂

Oh, mate! Actually gasped out loud when I read that, what a ballache.

My Friend Rob Bullyment is out there riding his seventh PBP

I rode it fixed in 2003 at the tail end of a heatwave, I carried far too much water, there were so many places between controls where you could get drinks, .

I rode 73" fixed to Brest and geared down to 68" for the return leg as my achilles flared up.

It's a fantastic experience, that ride out of Paris with a long line of tail lights ahead and headlights behind and the French roadside support is phenomenal.

In 2003 of the 4184 starters six of us were on fixed and five of us were Brits :D It's lumpy around Montagne a Perch and the run in to Brest but nothing too taxing.

amazing

I didn't realise that I felt like this but all the chat about it reaaaaaally makes me want to ride it again

Great pic!
I'm following Rob and hope to welcome him in later today.

It is a bit addictive!
I had no intention of doing it again but being down here has made me think maybe next time...

Say hello to your friend Rob Bullyment; he was one of the riders I bumped into pre PBP2015 a few times like you do. Straight out of Hackney I stayed on his wheel for a bit until we had food in Cambridge as the audax was his recovery ride from the 100mile TT the day before.