Some thoughts on PBP before the big event. I'm no
PBP expert, having only ridden the course once, but
for first timers it might be worth presenting some of
differences you'll experience compared to a "normal"
1200K. Here are some notes I made in reference to
a discussion we had at Bill's orientation earlier
this year.

What makes Paris-Brest-Paris different from any other
kind of randonnee?

1. Roads
- Slightly rougher surface
- Some "Pave"
- Hardly any shake & bake sections
- Rolling, nothing > 9% grade (but: never flat)

2. Controls
- French riders do not queue in line
- Main areas:
- bike racks
- card swipe/stamp (Go HERE first!)
- cafeteria / cafe

(The cafe, if available, is mostly for food "to go"
and doesn't offer the selection of hot, buffet-style
food at the cafeteria.)

- Optional areas:
- Water spigot (ask for "Aqua")
- Sleep (A cot may be available at peak hours)
- Shower trailer (Only available at some controls
such as Loudeac. Don't expect hot water, bring
your own towel.)
- Drop bags area (Loudeac)

3. Markets
- No 24-hour "Kwik-Marts"
- Bars are often open past midnight and serve food
- Roadside offerings: "Aqua" & "Cafe"

4. Everything: A La Carte
- No freebies, always carry euros

5. Restroom breaks: Public restrooms are almost
non-existent and you may have to wait a while
at the controls. Bring toilet paper!

6. Sleep breaks
- At the controls:
- You may have to wait.
- Cots were $2 Euros in 2003
- Bring earplugs (100+ snorers = high decibels)
- Out in the open:
- Daytime: find some shade
- Nighttime: careful not to use someone's restroom

7. Motorists:
- Patient, except for trucks (lorries)
- You may ride side-by-side with bothering anyone
- Don't yell "Car back!". It's stupid, unnecessary,
and assumes everyone around you speaks English. Not.

8. Road Markings
- Excellent: bright with reflective tape
- Cue sheet: Almost useless, but program your bike
computer to use kilometers anyway.
- Town-to-town: Although the cue sheet isn't very
useful, it *is* helpful to know which town you're
about to enter/leave. If you get lost, it's easier
to find your way back.
- Vandalism: On the last few kilometers in 2003, some
punks vandalized/removed the route makers. Fortunately
the organizers painted the markings so we could find
our way back to the finish.
- Outbound vs. inbound: Each direction will have a different
color marker. Don't follow the wrong color! This has
happened before and caused riders to DNF.

9. Self-sufficient
- It may rain, temps can drop into the 40's at night.
- No roving SAG support such as GRR, BMB, etc.
- There are excellent bike mechanics at the controls,
however you may have to wait in line for them to
attend to your needs.

--
Jeff Bauer
Nashville, Tennessee