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    First Timer at Paris-Brest-Paris 2023



    In 2019 my qualification hopes ended with sickness in the 600km distance qualifier, and then faulty Di2 scuppered my last hope, a 1000km distance event. Three seasons of failed 600km attempts later I ticked one off when it counted, and grabbed a golden ticket to the legendary Paris-Brest-Paris event. However, that 600km success came at a price. An ITB injury which meant that I couldn’t put full pressure through the pedals, and a niggling tennis elbow injury that made changing to the big chain ring damn painful.

    I rolled up to the start with no expectations, just to enjoy the atmosphere, catch up with friends, chat to some well known faces from the audax scene, and not to get sucked into the craziness from the start. Perhaps if everything works perfectly I could complete the event. This is the video of my experiences as a first timer for PBP.

    Music by:
    Teho – Glacier 3000 (special remix for the Circle live events)
    Max Cooper – Origins (Live at the Acropolis)
    Oceansize – Music for a Nurse

    Route animation by www.relive.cc.

    Special thanks to Richard Lake @BikepackingAdventures for use of a clip.

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    22 Comments

    4. @sveloman on

      Hallo John, ein großartiges Video von dir! Hat großen Spaß gemacht es anzusehen, eine absolut gelungene Aufbereitung! Ich freue mich darauf dich bei den Brevets in 2024 wieder zu treffen! Bis dahin alles Gute!

    5. @DanilaKulakov on

      Mate! Respect for your effort! This time and place will be always in my heart! It's no nice to go back there in a winter time. Nice movie, excellent soundtacks, some comments made me laugh:D

    7. @user-sq2xj8yk2t on

      Great video John!

      Thanks a lot for sharing.

      My first PBP attempt too and I feel the same impression as you did in this awesome video.
      I started 1 hour after you did, passed Tinténiac 1 hour ahead of you, and had a big stop à St Méen-Le-Grand. Reached Brest in 40h 39m.
      With limited hope to finsih in time, I cooled down and planned for DNF , looking for a train to go back home and finally stopped at Loudéac on the way back.

      So this video is a great way for an emotional revival, sitting at home : much more relaxed than cycling under the hot weather.
      THANK YOU SO MUCH !
      Keep the spirit, and let us make it in 2027 !
      Arnaud (T148)

    11. @freddixon on

      This type of riding is so cool. So many miles and riding through the night too. May I ask what type of shorts and saddle do you use that allows you to ride for so long? Cheers and thanks for the insight into this very interesting type of bicycle riding, I will have to explore the sport more.

    12. @jcmuellner on

      Did 82 hours in 2003 and hors delay of 94 hours in 2007 after food poisoning. You never know what PBP will give you! Hope you give it another go.

    13. @LateStarter52 on

      So great sunrise / sunset shots, thanks for the video, I had a brief fantasy about qualifying in April 23 and even pre-registered but that is as near as I got, certainly envy your ride, maybe 2027? I am of two minds regarding the apparent rush to close-up after the control close time, while the close time for the P start had passed a while before the close time for the final Z2 start group was still almost warm when you arrived at Loudeac would have been nice to keep the control open a few hours past close. I saw a video of some Hong Kong riders, out of time too but who wanted to continue but keep arriving at deserted controls, finally just got the train at Rennes, their video is 25 hours ! (at double speed), see Jason's Cycling Videos on Youtube. You are all amazing and I can only hope, thanks again, good luck next.

    14. @BarilletMontre on

      Good Job anyway. You will rock it in 4 years. It was also my first PBP this year, I chose the 84 hours limits with the departure monday morning. I did it in 81 hours and your video helps me to reminder how great was this race. The mix between riding in a group, chatting with people from all over the world, and also a LOT OF TIME riding alone. Take care

    17. @cargra4860 on

      Danke für das tolle Video und zurückholen von Erinnerungen.🙂 Eine echt harte Tour für den Kopf und mit 4.500 km in den Beinen und 6 Monate Vorbereitungszeit dann doch zu viel um mit dem Lastenrad im Zeitlimit zu bleiben. In vier Jahren nochmal? 🤔

    19. @rebeccaclark3657 on

      I was in the blue helmet and braids just in front of you at the start! The heat on the return from Brest was brutal, I agree. 89h30 minutes or so for me. My first time I also rode Paris-Brest-Loudeac (2011). It's a lot to process, finishing "only" 800km. Bonne route for your future endeavors!

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