Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - PBP Controle Question

Forgive my naivete, but when I read about riders stopping at a controle point during the PBP Brevet and eating lunch/getting a cup of coffee/etc......are the riders paying for this, or is this included w/ the registration? I really haven't read a ride report that specifically said "we bought lunch at the control," or something like that. Most of them read "we got lunch at the control."

I'm assuming that you have to pay, since the registration fee doesn't seen high enough to cover all the logistics, organization AND food, but I wasn't sure.

Also, what sort of spare parts are available? Tubes, CO2, batteries???

danimal -- not to take away from the traffic on this list, but in the interest of keeping your eye on every vector of information you should also either subscribe to or at least monitor the list traffic on the American Randoneering list on Topica (http://lists.topica.com/lists/randon/read). There's been a lot of PBP traffic on that list recently, and more than a few PBP veterans chiming with their thoughts.

oh, and insofar as one can take an educated guess at your answer -- here's a page from the British Columbia randonneurs site (http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/pbp/misc/expenses.html) that gives guidelines on budgeting for PBP. You'll notice that there's a line item for "Food during PBP" so, I'm assuming that we're paying for our own meals.

I would also plan on being as self-sufficient as possible. I imagine that there will be supplies at certain checkpoints, but I would not rely on them.

You bring or buy all your food during the ride. I think the pre-ride dinner is included and one coupon for a post-ride beverage at the adjacent bar is included.

I don't recall what was available for parts. I know there were mechanics at most (all?) controles so I assume they also had spare parts.

I used Des Peres Travel for shuttle and accomodations and also used their service to bring drop bags out to 2 of the controles. I packed clothes, food, and parts and resupplied as needed.

I figured as much. The dollars/francs just didn't make sense if food was included.

I'm going to definitely use drop bags, still working on how to get my bike to the hotel though. Des Peres' website says nothing (at least it didn't yesterday) about PBP 2007, but I guess its early.

Dan

Some PBP riders found that the lineup at the controles were very busy so that it took much longer to get food than they had anticipated or allowed (time-wise). So they checked in and rode off down the road to one of the local food establishments to grab a French delicacy (which they paid for). However, the food at the controles was good, but the service was too long at times.

Machka said she got a massage at one of the controles. Others have mentioned they got their bikes repaired at some of the controles, too.

The control food is purchased. The pre-start meal is pre-paid only (when entering).

The mechanics work for free, the parts cost. Batteries, standard tubes and tyres easily available, other components are 'patchy', depending the local bike shop mechanic doing the work.

I've never had a massage at PBP so don't know for sure but think they are free.