Paris-Brest-Paris

[maillotpois]

Salsa whatever will you do to pass the time...

[GLC1968]

Now that's the way to experience PBP!

Let us know how the croissants taste ...

I was thinking the same thing!

I hope all members of the TE family have a wonderful time in Paris - whether on the bike or off.

[Susan Otcenas]

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone!

Jeff & I arrived safely yesterday morning. I put my bike together with only one small mishap (the brake assembly loosened up and I did not have the correct wrench to tighten it. Found a mechanic to help!)

Spent today on a whirlwind tour of Paris. Notre Dame, Sainte-Chappelle, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. Wow, I'm pooped!

Tomorrow, I'm joining the Davis Bike Club on a pre-ride of the 1st 25 miles or so of the course, then we'll probably go back into Paris for some more sightseeing.

To answer the Twitter question: no, I wasn't planning on it, but Jeff might post under my account. Maybe. But if not, I'll try to do a writeup afterwards.

[salsabike]

I just met Susan! She is--pardon me---really ADORABLE. She looks great, she's ready to roll. She has dimples! She's wearing a cycling dress and just looks EXCELLENT. A whole bundle of them just left on a sort of pre-ride--the first 20 and last 20 miles of the course.

This is just a sight to behold. Sorry I don't have a picture of it to post, but they will be coming!

[Susan Otcenas]

Here's the photo from my camera of me, Salsa & Mr. Salsa. Salsa, so glad to FINALLY meet you in person!

[Susan Otcenas]

A few more pics.

1) The jersey. I have it, now I need to EARN it.
2. Sacrea-Couer Basillica
3. The PBP pre-ride ride.
4) Eifel Tower at night
5) Sainte-Chappelle

[Susan Otcenas]

One more: the bike! Good thing I know how to put it all together again. :-)

[indysteel]

Good luck, Susan! That may be the coolest jersey ever!!!

I so love Paris: thanks for sharing the pictures. The city looks gorgeous as always!

We'll be cheering you on! Can't wait to hear all about it!

[jobob]

Looks like you folks are having good weather - I'm so glad for you!

Pictures from PBP four years ago showed nothing but heavy rain for at least the first couple of days; the bike inspection had to either be moved indoors or cancelled outright, I forget which. It sure looked grim.

Fingers are crossed that the weather keeps behaving this time around (hope I didn't jinx it)

[OakLeaf]

So excited for you! Good luck and have fun!

[Susan Otcenas]

Looks like you folks are having good weather - I'm so glad for you!

Pictures from PBP four years ago showed nothing but heavy rain for at least the first couple of days; the bike inspection had to either be moved indoors or cancelled outright, I forget which. It sure looked grim.

Fingers are crossed that the weather keeps behaving this time around (hope I didn't jinx it)

JINX!

The weather looks like it's going to be pretty shitty. I start around 9m local time. (around 9 hours from now). I'm expecting it to begin raining before dawn, and not quit until Tuesday night or Wednesday morning at the earliest. Chance of rain in 70% tomorrow, all the way to Loudeac with thunder and lightning expected in the late afternoon into the evening. (sounds like fun, huh?) Rain will continue overnight to Tuesday. Brest (the turn around point) should see showers all day Tuesday, and the rain is expected to continue all the way back to my 2nd overnight back in Loudeac. With luck, there will be some overnight clearing Tuesday night. Still some chance of showers, mixed with sun, on Wednesday into Mortagne au Perche, where I plan to rest the 3rd night. However, looks like the sun will finally come out for good on Thursday for the ride back into Paris.

[Susan Otcenas]

My bike is fully fendered, and I will be carrying a FULL contingent of rain gear.

In my trunk bag I have:
GORE Goretex jacket http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodGB_JALPWO.html
Vaude Drop pants (waterproof) http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodVA_05970.html
Bellwether booties
Peal Cyclone Gloves http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodPI_14241010.html
GORE goretex gloves
Ibex glove liners http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodIB_6594.html
(can you tell my hands get cold?? )
Craft Moving Wing Base layer http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCR_1900244.html
CEP compression socks http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCP_WP40.html
Luna leg warmers http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLU_504.html



At the start, I'm wearing:
Luna jersey: http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLU_117508.html
Louis Garneau shorts http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodLG_1050369.html (actually, I'm wearing the 2012 bib short version of this, which is not yet out for general release to the public. I have a vendor test sample, and it's every bit as awesome as the short.)
Craft base layer http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodCR_193686.html
Smartwool socks http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSW_10366.html
Sidi shoes
Mavic Vest - we're required to wear an European EN1150-certified reflective vest. Sadly, there's NOTHING available in women's with this certification, so I had to buy a man's vest and have it tailored to fit my hips to prevent it from riding up to my waist.

My intent ALL YEAR has been to wear cycling dresses for all of PBP. I've been training in them all summer. But with a lot of rain in the forecast for the 1st two days, I've switched to Luna silk/wool jerseys instead. Better moisture/temperature management in the rain, and less fabric hanging out to absorb all that wetness. However, my drop bags for days 3 & 4 still have dresses in them, so I *will* get to wear some pretty clothes on the last two days. Should help my mood, too.

Susan

[jobob]

Aw, crud!

At least you're well-prepared. And got a few nice days in beforehand.

[salsabike]

And they know how to ride in the rain. They'll be okay!

[jobob]

Here's a small glimpse of what it's like starting out. Riders head out in groups of 400. Wheeee!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AahNJBsJi_8

I think this might have been the 80 hr start, which is the 'fast' group -- they intend to complete the 1230 km / 765 mi in 80 hrs or less. gahhhh

It's interesting to see the varying amounts of stuff being carried by the riders. The riders will also have drop bags waiting for them at the various controls, so they don't have to carry everything they need (thank goodness). Still, some of these folks look like they're heading out on a century ride, wow.

I suspect the 90 hr folks might, on average, carry more stuff with them. Just a guess.