http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Paris Brest Paris en Sun, 24 May 2026 08:17:27 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347&page=2#post-370243 Thu, 07 Sep 2023 20:32:48 +0000 Greenroofer 370243@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I have one of these. It wasn't a 'gravel' jersey when I bought it, but looks pretty similar to the one I got a couple of years back.</p> <p>It is rather wonderful for long rides, and cheap as chips (relatively speaking). One nice feature (amongst many) is two rows of pockets on the back, so you can temporarily load up with Co-op purchases.<br /> <a href="https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-merino-long-sleeved-cycling-jersey-grvl900/_/R-p-301955" rel="nofollow">https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-merino-long-sleeved-cycling-jersey-grvl900/_/R-p-301955</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347&page=2#post-370214 Thu, 07 Sep 2023 11:13:17 +0000 Dave 370214@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've had one or two merino things over the years, but I either found that they weren't quite as comfy and/or they were prone to getting holes. I had a really nice icebreaker T that suffered that fate! Sounds like these are better. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347&page=2#post-370205 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 21:39:19 +0000 bill 370205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson that's the one. </p> <p>@amir the Audax Eccose ones are made by Cina Coppi. 100% merino wool as @gembo says. </p> <p>@chdot no washing machine at all as @gembo says. A bucket of cold water we were told after ruining a bunch of them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347&page=2#post-370200 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 19:24:39 +0000 gembo 370200@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@amir</p> <p>Torm are Sportswool - so forty per cent merino - will therefore go in washing machine same as Rapha who they emulate at much lower prices. Go Torm</p> <p>Audax Ecosse 100 per cent merino. Never wash them. Bill famously doesn’t need to as perfect in terms of sweat and odour. Though @Bill suggests use of filters. But that is more on the Galibier website. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347&page=2#post-370199 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 18:16:49 +0000 amir 370199@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Torm merino tops seem to be happy with the washing machine. I can't remember who did the Audax ecosse top. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347&page=2#post-370195 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:41:59 +0000 gembo 370195@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Or in the washing machine instead of by hand. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370194 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:27:03 +0000 chdot 370194@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Perhaps washing at the wrong temperature…(?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370192 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 16:22:36 +0000 gembo 370192@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bill washing them seems to be the issue.? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370187 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 15:27:56 +0000 acsimpson 370187@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bill, that's a funny one. My friend in Cambridge (at least I assume it's him) emigrated from Scotland so I can see why the story would have been told. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370186 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:42:54 +0000 bill 370186@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@gembo the one I wore used to be men's size large before it was washed. Kindly handed down by @edinburgh87 </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370184 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:07:06 +0000 gembo 370184@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It is a lovely jersey though not meant for the washing machine </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370181 Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:13:25 +0000 bill 370181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@acsimpson I also learnt a way how to be become known: comment on @acsimpson's Strava. Turned out that the new friend I made and cycled a huge part of the PBP with is based in Cambridge. He then was telling his line manager about my Audax Ecosse jersey and turned out they did know of me from your Strava. So there you go. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370148 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:23:32 +0000 bill 370148@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Dave yay! Do it! You know you want to!</p> <p>I think the PBP used Rambouillet for the second time as the start/finish. There were no sleeping facilities at the end but the town itself works great. Lots of places to eat, a really festive atmosphere, lots of green spaces to hang out. </p> <p>Not many accomodation options in the town itself but quite a lot within a 30k radius. That's how I managed to see @Murun. Turned out we stayed at the same hotel on Saturday night before the ride but only met in a stairwell while checking out at the latest possible time on Sunday. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370143 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:19:47 +0000 Dave 370143@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Congrats both!</p> <p>In 2011 I got to Dreux late in the evening, at about 77h as I recall. I didn't want an amazing ride to end in the early hours at a deserted gym, so I had a massive sleep and finished the next morning! It doesn't look like it actually goes from the same start/end point any more.</p> <p>Thanks to your inspiration I'm vaguely, just vaguely thinking about the next LEL... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370141 Tue, 05 Sep 2023 11:03:03 +0000 bill 370141@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I absolutely loved the PBP. I managed to ride to Brest fairly swiftly (no sleep) but I partied my way back. I stopped a lot more on the way back for crepes, music, roadside picnics, star gazing, chats, hugs and laughs. </p> <p>After a fairly lonely TransAlba I longed hanging out with people on bikes. Luckily I managed to find some old and new friends amongst those 6.5k people. </p> <p>TransAlba was very hard on legs, with so, so, so many climbs at 10-15% gradients, often very short and sharp. I had nothing left in my legs at the end of it and swore at Fife hills so much. PBP isn't flat but the gradients are generally 4-6% and fairly long so plenty of time to rest on descents.</p> <p>As @paddyirish noted it took me 4.5h between the last two controls -- I just didn't want it to be over so soon.</p> <p>On one hand there is an urge to finish. On the other hand you don't want it to be all over. </p> <p>I slept only 3h in total, but no regrets!<br /> I brought myself le COVID, but no regrets! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370112 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:33:37 +0000 chdot 370112@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Long time no see“</p> <p>Welcome back. </p> <p>Rumour had it that you’d moved south (not that that would matter as a CCEcontributor).</p> <p>“but i'll be back there again, in 4 years”</p> <p>Good to have a plan! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-370111 Mon, 04 Sep 2023 14:40:45 +0000 DaveC 370111@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hi Folks!</p> <p>Long time no see. I did finish in time, with plenty on the clock! I was hoping to get in nearer Craig Jardine's but it was raining and the timing control was 300m before the finish line, and I CBA waiting so I rolled into the finish.</p> <p>I quite enjoyed that run of PBP. I did not finish in 2019 due to a fall a couple of weeks prior injuring my knee, which didn't heal well enough in time.</p> <p>This time (my third) was a test to see if I could still complete it. I had a nice ride, starting at 20:30, due in most part to a non SR 2022, where my longest ride was only 400km, so later entry opening date, so a lot of the earlier times had gone. But this turned out to be a blessing, as I was behind the bulge, managing clearer roads. I had plenty of sleep, 3 x 1 hours iun the first full day (Monday), then 5 hours at Loudeac o the return, with another hour at Tinteneac and Villaine-La-Jeul. I also rode with a few peolpe who were slow and needed some moral boost, but inevitabley had to ride alone to get to the finish in the 90 hours.</p> <p>Thoughts. It was hot, but I drunk loads, didn't pee much! ate a meal at each control, every 5 hours. Spoke to lots of riders, some nice other a little weired, met old frineds and hopefully a few new ones.</p> <p>Its nice to be at home, but i'll be back there again, in 4 years. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369927 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 16:53:02 +0000 Dave 369927@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>Good luck in the 200 Dave. Which one?</blockquote></p> <p>Lumpy Bannocks tae Spott, wondering if I need a bigger cassette! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369924 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:42:09 +0000 acsimpson 369924@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Murun, Oft, trading a night in a hotel for a night on the floor isn't pleasant. Well done on completing in such a good time.</p> <p>DaveC is back with almost an hour to spare and has joined the Adrian Hand Society.</p> <p>Craig Jardine came closer with less than 10 minutes on the clock. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369923 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:41:18 +0000 paddyirish 369923@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Great effort Dave C- I was thinking it was very close to the wire. Imagine a mechanical at that stage!</p> <p>Good luck in the 200 Dave. Which one? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369919 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 13:06:05 +0000 Dave 369919@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>daveC made it in the final hour! I was the on the edge of my seat there....</p> <p>You've inspired me to enter a 200 in a couple of weeks. It's not going to be pretty </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369918 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:28:49 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 369918@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I’d have preferred to finish before 10pm, as I had a hotel booked but I needed the train to get there, and they knock off quite early that far out! Back to sleeping on the floor.</p> <p>Any daft thoughts of cycling back to the airport have gone out the window - raining à Paris, amongst ‘other reasons’. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369917 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:03:24 +0000 acsimpson 369917@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The sections times include time taken at the previous control. I assume Bill knew she had plenty of time so stopped for a proper meal.</p> <p>Murun must like finishing in the middle of the night. He did something similar on LEL. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369916 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:56:01 +0000 LaidBack 369916@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>What a great result for them! So hard on last bit I'm sure. Remember @dave saying as he only got in with not much time to spare. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369915 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 11:05:27 +0000 paddyirish 369915@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Bill has finished. Congratulations to her and Murun!</p> <p>The last segment took Murun ~2 hours and Bill ~4.5... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369913 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 10:19:52 +0000 acsimpson 369913@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>DaveC arrived at the final check point with just under 4 hours on the clock. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369910 Thu, 24 Aug 2023 08:27:19 +0000 paddyirish 369910@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So Murun finished, Bill is through the last checkpoint and on her way to the finish and DaveC must be close to the last checkpoint now. May be touch and go for Dave. Fingers crossed! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369887 Tue, 22 Aug 2023 20:28:35 +0000 gembo 369887@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@bill cycled for 47 hours without stopping and reached Brest. Bill then had a nap and then headed for Paris (well the town outside) I like to think with a Massive Tailwind</p> <p>Go Bill and Go Dave C </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369878 Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:49:50 +0000 amir 369878@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>You can add H070 to the list. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=21347#post-369871 Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:02:52 +0000 Arellcat 369871@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A colleague of mine has done PBP in the past. I seem to remember him describing getting to 400km as the hardest part of an audax, and anything above that as 'a nice bike ride'. </p>