More on PBP

A couple more thoughts about PBP.

Drugs!! Not the kind Lance is accused of using, but over the counter stuff you might want to have along on PBP. Some sort of anti-inflammatory, be it Tylenol, Aleve, or what you like. This is going to probably be longer and harder then any other brevet you’ve done. You are going to get aches and pains, you’ll have to ride thought it and continue.

I usually take a couple prilosec (acid reducer) pills with me. We’re eating irregular snacks, meals, and riding a lot. Many times on longer brevets and PBP when going without sleep I get some acid reflux. It gets rather bothersome and the acid reducers help minimize it. I’ll also have a few Rolaids or Tums and Pepto-Bismol tablets. One PBP in 99 I was eating Tums with no relief from the heartburn. Luckily Sharon had some Pepto tablets and they fixed me up. So I’ll have a couple different kinds.

Last weekend I did the Hawkeye 1000. I was riding with Will Oberton and he pulled out his entire tin of Bag Balm. The whole tin is too much, and heavy. Find something smaller. I use old 35mm film containers, one on the bike with me and others in the drop bag. I use the true Udder Balm from Fleet Farm type store. It has a few more ingredients that help fight the infections that will affect you. Bag Balm doesn’t have the same thickness to it. I just saw a note from Bob E. where he mentioned a saddle sore. Before lubing up I also put down a layer of triple anti-biotic. The stuff with Lidocaine is an added bonus! If I know I’ll have to ride through lots of rain I’ll put Udder Balm on my arms and legs like sunscreen. The Lanolin is a water barrier and it’ll repel the water away from your skin and you’ll stay warmer. Having a good layer of it in your crotch also keeps much of the moisture away from there and prevent abrasion issues that can develop from wet chamois. For female riders, Sharon used a mixture of Vagisil, Desenex, and triple anti-biotic ointment. She mixed it up and packed a couple 35mm film container with it.

Pack everything in zip lock bags. Keep your clothes dry. The stuff in your drop bag as well as what you carry on the bike. Take a couple extra pair of gloves, they get stinky after wiping sweat away for a day. A bonus there is that you can use only one pair and when they get stinky towards the end of the event and you are sleepy, wiping your nose wakes you up sort of rudely.

-Martin Fahje