Archival Clothing: oregon randonneurs

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Friday, September 09, 2011

Archival Report: Paris Brest Paris 2011

PBP spectators in Villaines, France

I just got back from the 17th edition of Paris Brest Paris, an ultra distance cycling event held every four years in France. I always say that I record and erase my memory of rides longer than 600k. I can confirm via official records that I successfully covered the 1200k course in a time of 86 hours and 55 minutes. My primary setback was a series of intense drowsy spells that left me convinced that I was pedaling in my sleep, but overall I felt strong.

First night. 1200k to go

Scenic views and slumbering cyclists

During PBP, I did my best take photos of my practiced obsessions: people, bicycles and food. Snaps of the scenic countryside are in short supply. For interested parties, here is visual evidence of my participation in Paris Brest Paris with some fragmentary notations

Maya. Organized first randonneuring events in Japan

Amused Breton bystander

Rando Buddha

Audax England rider (designed the club's jersey)

Photogenic Bryan on his Box Dog Bikes Pelican (SF Rando pal and AC stockist, Gabe, offscreen)

NC rider on one of the last Coho rando bikes

Duane Wright on his Peugeot fixie

Susan sporting a signature cycling dress at the famous PBP crepe control

Snappy French (?) gent riding a Gilles Berthoud

Riding buddy Jeff on his lovely Boxer Bicycles custom

Swedish pal, Jan-Olov, on his Velo Orange Pass Hunter

PBP Ancien Willi Nevin on his Vanilla custom

Kitty Goursolle, ultradistance cycling legend. We finished the Cascade 1200 together.

Jeff "I'm having the time of my life" Tilden

Bill, Oregon rando pal, at the ride start

Charismatic control worker

Food is one of the great motivators in cycling. On PBP, you can forage from Boulangeries on the course for your primary fuel (for me, pain au chocolat and jambon sandwiches). Jeff's strawberry tart was a visual highlight of one boulangerie which we liked as much for the free coffee. Fatigue and the need for forward movement often drove us to save time by eating at the official PBP controls. My photos reflect the matter of fact nature of this food.

Start

Halfway

One control from the finish

Jeff's brevet card (so much suffering to go)

Sample view. Vanilla at rest.

Full PBP 2011 flickr set here.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Archival Departure: Paris-Brest-Paris

Tomorrow, I (Lesli) leave for France for Paris-Brest-Paris,"the most famous long-distance randonnée." During the ride (which covers 12oo kilometers in 90 hours), I will be off the grid and out of communication with Archival readers. In lieu of a live broadcast, I'm providing some placeholder photographs documenting my experience.

Arrival at Brest

On the train

Lining up for the August 21st start (8 p.m.)

Traveling along a road in France

Overnight control in Loudeac

At the finish (August 25th).

Interested parties can track my progress via the Official Paris-Brest-Paris site. The Vanilla and I are registered as US frame number 4641. Eight riders from my club, the Oregon Randonneurs, will be making the trip. After PBP, I will be spending a week in Paris recovering from the ride and shopping from the present.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Archival Night Ride

As prep for the night start of Paris-Brest-Paris, a small group of Oregon Randonneurs decided to do an all-night 200k on Friday. Friends Susan, Theo, Marcello, Bill and I headed out from Hillsboro, Oregon at 9 p.m. for a sub 24 hour brevet. Our route would take us out to Dallas, Oregon (about 65 miles away) and back again in under 9 hours and 55 minutes. After a few hours in the dark, my brain starts rattling around like a ball bearing in a spray paint can. I take photos to keep myself awake and as evidence of my participation. Here a few snaps: