Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - registration cap for the 90h PBP

this was just posted today to Randon (http://groups.google.com/group/randon/browse_thread/thread/f84eae013842a42c):

I heart this year the number of 90h riders (including tandem and solo bikes) would be limited to 3000. you may read this on the french forum dedicated to pbp:
http://parisbrestparis2007.actifforum.com/Paris-Brest-Paris-2007-c3/Infos-en-vrac-f15/Depart-des-90-heures-limite-a-3000-personnes-t505.htm

Here, in france, we don't need to know the registration number for the 600k , just the name of the organizer club should be OK

I think you have to register online on monday 11th and buy your airline ticket after, unless you are a strong rider, in this case, you will be able to choose between 80h or 84h ! so, if you're planning on registering for the 90 hour start, do not delay in submitting your application.

From the forum thread, apparently 2628 riders did the 90h start in 2003. Considering that there have been 13% and 25% increases in PBP participation over the last few instances of the event, it's certainly possible that the 3000 rider cap will be filled this year.

If they are starting to cap PBP is it still fair to prohibit anyone else from offering a 1200k? Seems kind of lame to me.

"Foreigners" are subject to different registration and qualification requirements than French randonneurs.

Check the RUSA website for rules, but my understanding is that foreign applicants receive preferential treatment over French riders who are members of certain organizations. (I'm a bit fuzzy on this, since I don't understand the relationships of the three French organizations to each other)

Bottom line is that I've never heard of a qualified foreign entrant who submits their application within the RUSA window from being denied a starting slot. I'm not saying it can't happen, but according to the ACP rules a cap would affect French riders first.

actually, just after I posted this thread, someone else posted a clarification saying (as Goonster just mentioend) that preference will be given to foreigners, with French riders who do not have official FFCT affiliations being bumped off.

also, looking at the thread further, it appears that folks who don't get in under the 3000 cap will be allowed to register for the 80 or 84 hour window. Small consolation for someone who needs the full 90, but you won't be denied the opportunity to ride.

Here in the U.S. it doesn't matter when you mail your application to RUSA as long as it is in the month of June. They take all of the applications and send them to the PBP people at the same time.

I am still waiting for ACP to certify my 400k brevet.

They've been capping it for years. 4 years ago, this same sort of message was sent around and we all got our stuff in very quickly, and yet, when I got there, I found out that some riders basically walked up (or applied a few days before) and were still allowed to ride.

4 years ago, the overall cap was 4000 (no exceptions), and about 4150 riders rode.

UK and Australia also send their country's entries in one batch. As noted by Machka, I wouldn't worry about missing out.

If they are starting to cap PBP is it still fair to prohibit anyone else from offering a 1200k? Seems kind of lame to me.

I don't get it. Nobody else can offer a 1200km Brevet? Seems odd.



-D

I don't get it. Nobody else can offer a 1200km Brevet? Seems odd.



-D

Not in the year of the PBP. The PBP is a special ride ... it was the first ... it is the longest-run organized cycling event in the world. It's a "mecca" ride for randonneurs.

Since the ACP/BRM oversee all the 1200Ks in the world, it is their call.

I have no problem with it. :)

Not in the year of the PBP. The PBP is a special ride ... it was the first ... it is the longest-run organized cycling event in the world. It's a "mecca" ride for randonneurs.

Since the ACP/BRM oversee all the 1200Ks in the world, it is their call.

I have no problem with it. :)

Oh, if it is only in the year of the PBP that makes more sense.

-D

Not in the year of the PBP. The PBP is a special ride ... it was the first ... it is the longest-run organized cycling event in the world. It's a "mecca" ride for randonneurs.

Since the ACP/BRM oversee all the 1200Ks in the world, it is their call.

I have no problem with it. :)

Assuming you want a sanctioned event.
If there were to be caps, and this does at some point become a problem, I don't see why someone stateside couldn't organize and put on a ride.



Theoretically we could all head out and do a 1200k, get receipts at specific time / intervals, arrange for sleep , and perhaps get a relative to schedule bag drops (or even UPS or Fed Ex your stuff ahead on the route to a Mailboxes store)...

It just wouldn't be an 'event' - and it wouldn't be sanctioned, and you wouldn't get a medal or a certificate, and your name in a book in France... ;)

Oh, if it is only in the year of the PBP that makes more sense.

-D

Oh yeah ... just in the PBP year, which is every 4 years.

In all the other years there can be as many 1200Ks as people are willing to organize. I know some years have quite a few of them all over the world ... some years it's hard to decide which ones to ride!!

The thing is, limiting the PBP year to just the PBP gives the organizers/volunteers of other 1200K events a break, and allows them to go ride the PBP if they want, rather than putting on an event of their own, or to just take the year off.

And it gives randonneurs from all over the world the chance to come together to one event ... that was one the best parts of the 2003 PBP!!! :) :)

And it gives randonneurs from all over the world the chance to come together to one event ... that was one the best parts of the 2003 PBP!!!

It seems that way. Just reading about it here has spurred me into making it my 4 year goal to go to the next one.

-d

It seems that way. Just reading about it here has spurred me into making it my 4 year goal to go to the next one.

-d

The international aspect was just incredible!!

A group of Canadians were staying in one particular hotel, and we hung the Canadian flag from the balconies, and decked ourselves out in Canadian flag tatoos. I've never been a part of a team like that before. :)

Then out on the route, we were all wearing the jerseys of our countries (and there is a lot of jersey trading after the event), so we could tell where we were all from. I rode with a small group of French riders for a while, I got caught up with the Danes for a brief spell, I rode with some Canadians, I had great fun with a group of Spanish riders ... I had a huge burst of energy and we were "racing". :lol: And I ended up doing most of the ride with a cyclist from England who I still talk to now and then, and a young cyclist from Germany.

And the French people ...... I hardly know what to say .... they were amazing!! They line the streets day and night and cheer us on!! In the middle of the night, like 2 am, we'd arrive in a small town which would be all lit up with music playing ... and they'd serve us coffee and cookies. Even children would still be up and about. And speaking of the children ... I rode a good part of the ride with my right hand outstretched because the children wanted to "high-5" us all. At some of the controls, some of the volunteers went out of their way to help me out with some difficulties I was having, despite the fact that they were dealing with 4000+ other cyclists. And the food they served was fabulous!!!

None of the rest of the 1200Ks I've done can compare!

Assuming you want a sanctioned event.


Edit: Original post lost in the ether somewhere

The 1500 km German Super Brevet rides were non-LRM sanctioned but were enjoyed by a few British riders I know.
www.audaxclub-schleswig-holstein.de/DeutschlandBrevet2006/assets/Super-Brevet_Englisch.pdf
Perhaps the Audax Club Schleswig-Holstein and Audax Randonneurs Allemagne will come to an amicable agreement for the next one.

It seems that way. Just reading about it here has spurred me into making it my 4 year goal to go to the next one.

-d

I barely made PBP as a goal for this year. Since starting to ride long distances about four years ago I have had to figure out a whole lot of things the hard way, the worst being my stomach. It tends to go bad and shut down (and blow up) after 8-10 hours of exercise. As late as March this year the cause was still a total mystery to me. I DNF'd the 400k out of Casagrande, AZ because I was totally disgusted with the whole thing. Now I got it working right, and by god I am getting my name into that book in France. :D

Carpe frackin' diem. That's Latin for "seize the frackin' day". ;)

I barely made PBP as a goal for this year. Since starting to ride long distances about four years ago I have had to figure out a whole lot of things the hard way, the worst being my stomach. It tends to go bad and shut down (and blow up) after 8-10 hours of exercise. As late as March this year the cause was still a total mystery to me. I DNF'd the 400k out of Casagrande, AZ because I was totally disgusted with the whole thing. Now I got it working right, and by god I am getting my name into that book in France. :D

Carpe frackin' diem. That's Latin for "seize the frackin' day". ;)

Nice to know (not the stomach problems necessarily). I just started riding seriously last year after many years off the bike. I have had some setbacks this year, but I expect 4 years should be enough to get me ready for the next PBP.

-D

I expect 4 years should be enough to get me ready for the next PBP.


People have gone from a longest ride of less than 100 km to PBP in a year.

Assuming you want a sanctioned event.
If there were to be caps, and this does at some point become a problem, I don't see why someone stateside couldn't organize and put on a ride.



There are sanctioned 1000K brevets all over the world in the PBP year ... in fact they are encouraged because if you get your fleche, 1000K, PBP, SR series, and enough additional brevets to make up 5000 kms, you are awarded your Randonneur 5000. You've got 4 years to get your Randonneur 5000, but most people like to get them ASAP.

People have gone from a longest ride of less than 100 km to PBP in a year.

I am sure they have. And if I told my wife to take a hike with our 2 small kids I probably could too :D

But given the current demands on my time, I figure 4 years gives me more than ample time to ramp up.

-D

There are sanctioned 1000K brevets all over the world in the PBP year ... in fact they are encouraged because if you get your fleche, 1000K, PBP, SR series, and enough additional brevets to make up 5000 kms, you are awarded your Randonneur 5000. You've got 4 years to get your Randonneur 5000, but most people like to get them ASAP.

Well aware of them.
I was being a bit sarcastic in that it seems we need to have these 'events' to qualify and train for, then box up our bikes and travel half way across the world, so we can ride our bikes.

I was excited about the Fleche this year until some minor surgery made it look like I would be taking a chance on it, and since I wasn't planning PBP this year I decided not to push it, because I'd have to do another in order to qualify for the R5000 again.

I am considering PBP next time around... for many of the reasons you list below.... but I really hope BMB will be back next year. It runs right by my house - so I don't need to burn jet fuel to ride it. I just need to travel a bit in New England to get the qualifiers done (or become an RBA and run my own).

Yeah, but the boxing up our bicycles and travelling halfway across the world part is the best part!! :D I've travelled all over the world (well, North America, Australia, and Europe) for these events, and am anxiously awaiting the time when Japan has their first 1200K. If it is at all within my power, I will be there for that!!

I love travelling ... I'm working toward a lifestyle where I can spend a good portion of the year cycletouring and travelling around the world. :)

I've got a 1200K quite close to where I live too ... I rode it in 2002 ... it was my first, it is a very good 1200K, and I want to ride it again next year. But I've got a list of 1200s I want to do over the next few years. If all goes well ... 2008 - RM1200, 2009 - LEL, 2010 - not sure yet, but likely something in Australia or Europe - I have my eye on several, 2011 - PBP ....

Yeah, but the boxing up our bicycles and travelling halfway across the world part is the best part!! :D . . . .am anxiously awaiting the time when Japan has their first 1200K. If it is at all within my power, I will be there for that!!

It's looking like I'll be traveling to Japan next month on business and I've already investigated riding a brevet while I'm there. That would be just AMAZING!

I took my skis out there for a business trip in January. The skiing was at a small hill not far from Tokyo, but the cultural experience made it one of the best days I've ever had on snow. I can't imagine how cool it'd be to ride around with some of the locals!

It's looking like I'll be traveling to Japan next month on business and I've already investigated riding a brevet while I'm there. That would be just AMAZING! Holy crap! yeah, bring back pics if you do get that opportunity. When I was there last year, the entire country made me think of a densely populated version of Vermont or New Hampshire. Climbs and forests everywhere.