Journals and Reports

The Road to Paris
Three DC Members Qualify for PBP

Don Cartwright, Mike Hrast and Kitty Goursolle have qualified for Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) by each completing the required full Brevet series (200k, 300k, 400k and 600k). If all goes as planned, they will be at the start in Paris on August 20th. For those unfamiliar with PBP, here is an excerpt from the Web site of Randonneurs USA describing this epic cycling event.

First run in 1891, the 1200-kilometer Paris-Brest-Paris, or "PBP" as it is commonly called, is a grueling test of human endurance and cycling ability. Organized every four years by the host Audax Club Parisien, the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneurs is the oldest bicycling event still run on a regular basis on the open road. Beginning on the southern side of the French capital, it travels west 600 kilometers to the port city of Brest on the Atlantic Ocean and returns along the same route. Today's randonneur cyclists, while no longer riding the primitive machines used a hundred years ago over dirt roads or cobblestones, still have to face up to rough weather, endless hills, and pedaling around the clock. A 90-hour time limit ensures that only the hardiest randonneurs earn the prestigious PBP finisher's medal and have their name entered into the event's "Great Book" along with every other finisher going back to the very first PBP. To become a PBP ancien (or ancienne for the ladies) is to join a very elite group of cyclists who have successfully endured this mighty challenge. No longer a contest for professional racing cyclists (whose entry is now forbidden), PBP evolved into a timed randonnée or brevet for hard-riding amateurs during the middle part of the 20th century. The event is held in August every four years.

Inspired? Well here’s a recap of Don and Mike’s 400k qualifier that might serve as a reality check. Personally, I’m wondering if they might need some support staff at the finish? I’m sure I could find something to do in Paris during the nearly 4 days they’ll be out riding!

Yes it rained in the North Bay. But the "OH CRAP" moments started Friday night at the motel where Mike & I were staying. Laying out the riding gear for the 400K I found that I forgot to pack my knee warmers. "OH CRAP" #1. That meant not wearing my wool argyles. Not the fashion statement I wanted to make riding with calf covering socks, bare knees & lower thighs, and then shorts.

Up at 4AM and a look at the window found no rain and dry concrete. Maybe the day wouldn't be so bad after all. On the drive from Vacaville (couldn't get a room in Davis do to something called Picnic Day, the 63rd annual) to Davis the dry road started to get wetter. The dry start for the ride was out the window (out of the sky ?). "OH CRAP" #2. For the 300K there were about 200 riders. For this wet start it was down to 94 starters. Having ridden up with my Diablo contingent I didn't have to circle the parking lot.

On the flat run along Putah Creek Rd. and Pleasants Valley Rd. the speed of the pack was 15 to 16 mph with burst up to 19 to 20 mph. On the 300K the speed of the pack was 20 to 21 mph. Oh what fun riding in the rain, and some rider's rooster tail, can be. After riding through Fairfield it was up through Wooden Valley and up Hwy 121 to Moscowite Corner & Hwy 128. The 2nd Control Point (the 1st is the start), mile 67.3/Kilometer 108.4, is at Capell Valley School. Having pulled away from Mike on the climbs I had an extra 5 to 10 minutes I used to try and get my wet gloves off so I wouldn't get my Brevet card wet. With a run of 4 hours to this stop we were on pace to wrap the ride up in 18 hours. Mike laughed that off.

From there it was North along Hwy 128 past Lake Hennessey (the location of the 1st or 2nd stop on the Tour of the Napa Valley) and a right turn onto the Silverado Trail to Calistoga and "OH CRAP" #3. In Calistoga there was supposed to be a right turn on Washington St. and into Control #3. However I swear that Washington St, didn't have a street sign. On our 2nd ride through town Mike found Washington and we rolled into the Control at mile 96.3/Kilometer 155. With it being still cold and damp I had a hot cup of noodle and chocolate chip cookies. Mike had a sandwich and some cocoa. Nothing like good eats for Lunch.

Next stop, Geyserville, Control Point #4, and the turn around point. Leaving Calistoga the weather started to clear and out came the sun. And the wind. After 20 miles of sun and blow drying by the wind it was time to take off the reflective vest and rain coat. At the Control Point we both put on dry socks to keep our feet happy. On the way back the head wind turned into a welcomed tail wind. Rolling into Calistoga we could see that the clouds had returned. One of the sag drivers, Lee Mitchel, let us know that it was raining hard on Cardiac.

Leaving Calistoga we hooked up with a Steve Berry Special, a tandem. We rolled down the Silverado Trail at 25 mph until we hit a roller or little hill and the tandem's speed would drop very quickly. When the tandem got a flat we found out why. Holding the back end of the tandem you could feel that they must have 40 pounds in the bag they had on their rack. Turning off of the Trail and heading back up Hwy 128 to the Control Point at the Lake Berryessa Dam I decided to leave the tandem and climb on my own. About 7 miles up the road the rain returned so it was a quick stop to put on the rain coat. Another 10 miles down the road it was another quick stop to put on the reflective vest and turn on my lights

Hitting the backside of the Cardiac climb there were several areas where the rain had caused lots of rock slides onto the road. On one I passed a Highway Patrol Officer kicking the bigger rocks off the road. I thanked him on my way by and he said "Your welcome". He must have thought what the hell are cyclists doing out here. Rolling down the front side of Cardiac I hit rock pretty hard, "OH CRAP" #4, and had to pull to the side of the road to check the tire for any cuts. The rim had a good dent but the tire was still good. Slower speed down hill was the practice from that point on.

Rolling into the Control Point at the dam a lady came out of the dark and asked me if I had lost a water bottle. I thought she was talking about the cut down bottle I use to carry clothing in. Looking down I noticed that she was right. Must have been that damn rock. She quickly got me an Arrowhead water bottle with a sports top that I could use for the rest of the ride. That Davis Club is great on support. I parked the bike and waited for Mike to roll in. The rain was coming to a stop as I waited under the tent. They were offering those large black garbage bags to wear to keep the rain off. I grab one and stuck it under my damp thermal vest to keep the cold off my chest . Next was another cup of noodles and peanut butter sandwiches. I wasn't getting colder but I wasn't getting warmer either. When Mike rolled in I thought I might as well put on my dry arm warmers. That helped warm me up.

With Mike ready to roll it was on to Vacaville and our Receipt Control Point at a 7-11. Having studied the map they gave us along with the written directions I knew the 7-11 was on the left side of the street. Or so I thought. After riding 3/4 of the way across Vacaville Mike finally spotted a 7-11 on the left. I let him go inside while I watched the bikes. The location just didn't feel right so I read the directions, "OH CRAP" #5. I went in and told Mike but he was already in line with his hot chocolate & banana. Mike came out and tossed the hot chocolate and it was back the way we came to get to the correct 7-11. Rolling out of the correct 7-11 we were feeling confident as we would be returning on roads we had done on the earlier Brevets.

As we rolled along Allendale Rd. we came to a T intersection with Meridian Rd. Mike calls out with authority "Right Turn" and on down Meridian we went, and on and on. It was "OH CRAP" #6 when we came to the Freeway (almost back to Vacaville). Reviewing the directions under a street light we found it should have been a LEFT turn, thanks Mike.

From there it was a pretty normal ride back to the finish. That is if you consider finishing at 1:30 in the morning normal. 19.5 hours for 263 miles (should have been 250). Then it was a nice snack of chocolate chip cookie smeared with peanut butter. Oh what we won't do for Paris.