More PBP Advice

As we near the time to complete registration we start to think about which start time to go into.

This year it’ll be quite different. Here is my perspective of how it used to be like. Random thoughts.

We had 3 choices, the 80 , 90, or 84 hour start group. The 80 hour start group began at 8:00 PM on Monday. The 90 hour groups, started 2 hours later at 10:00. And the 84 hour groups started at 5:00 AM Tuesday morning.

This year is going to be different. More spread out starts and different times. I think the same basic premise will prevail with the 80 start groups starting first on Sunday afternoon/evening. Then the 90 hour people later in the evening.With the 84 hour starters still going off at 5:00 am Monday.

One question asked was, if there are fast riders in each group. With the reason being, fast riders are going to ride in a pack and suck you along with less effort early on giving us a fast easy start. I think you can expect it to be.

The reason Audax is spreading things out is to relieve congestion during the early parts of the event. You may find some of the controls lined up as you pass through to get your brevet cards stamped. I never have, I was usually able to ride more to the front of each group and get in an out of the first control quickly. After that the riders tend to get pretty wide spread anyway.

The differences are with the 80 group you’ll be assured of usually riding at the front of the wave early on in the event. The 90 group, gives you the most time to complete the event and the 84 hour start group can potentially have the benefit of riding during more daylight then night riding.

Both the 89 and 90 hour people will have to ride the first night through with no sleep, that to me is the draw back. While the 84 hour groups ride a few hours of darkness before dawn then the first day in light. From experience, we know that day time riding is faster than night riding. Easier to see and get perspective and you are not going against the cycle of the clock at night when your body normally is not awake.

Whatever you choose, my advice is to ride rather aggressive with your time early. Not stopping for an extended sleep break until 500 or 600 km are completed. Then you take much longer time to get back to Paris with longer sleep breaks. Plan your riding on the second half to be day light riding and sleep at dark. If you have to do night riding in the second half of the event start your sleep break at dusk, get up before dawn and ride in darkness when you are freshest.

Martin

Tags: Paris Brest Paris, PBP, Tips