Paris-Brest-Paris – Mud and Brevets

The 2007 running of the PBP proved to be a tougher challenge than normal . The Willesden CC team arrived home sporting a variety of injuries, ranging from hypothermia, projectile vomiting, trench foot and temporary blindness, through to a broken jaw and the spontaneous growth of a third testicle! As well as squaring up to 1227 kilometres of riding within 80, 84 or 90 hours (the PBP organisers thoughtfully offer three levels of masochism), riders also had to contend with British style summer weather, specially imported into France for the event. Though the rain was abundant, fortunately the accompanying winds were not strong, nor temperatures too low.

The Willesden CC began to assemble at the accurately called Parc Etang campsite from Saturday 19th August, where our wet weather acclimatisation process began. The first rain storm arrived overnight on Saturday. I awoke in the morning to find the roof of our two person tent sagging down to towards my nose. The cause was over 10 pints of water that had accumulated there overnight. Daylight also revealed that the campsite had acquired a number of new “etangs”, the largest of which cut off the WCC camp from what was laughingly called the shower and toilet block.


Parc Etang campsite

The rain continued on and off through Sunday causing the PBP organisers to abandon the bike check that normally accompanies the PBP signing on process. As Sunday progressed into Monday our campsite quickly descended from Parisian turf to Glastonbury mud. Despite the conditions the Willesden Support team of Vyv Baker, Wendy Mears, Jim Mears, Keith Elliot, Marianne Harding and John Devine did a superb job of setting up the WCC field kitchen, regularly dispensing hot drinks whilst treading ankle deep mud. On Monday evening they served up a full pre-PBP meal for over 26 people from the midst of the mire. Respect guys!


The last supper

First riders away to Brest are the sub 80 hour “Vedette”, or Star, class at 8pm on Monday evening. This year we had two riders starting in this group, Martin Lucas and Mel Kirkland . At 9:30pm the 90 hour randonneurs were scheduled to leave. This group comprises of the bulk of the PBP entry, with over 4,000 riders departing in five main groups. First time Willesden PBP riders in this group were Liam Fitzpatrick, Ian Oliver, Minoru Mitsumoto and Akiko Kawachi (who was on PBP Support duties in 2003). They were joined by PBP anciens – Bob MacDowall, Mark Green, Yoshi Sekido, Dennis Falvey, Andrew Deaner, John Davies, Ivo Miesen, Peter Turnbull, Tim Wainwright, Norman Lazarus, Ray Kelly and Mark Brooking.
Ready for the off

Mike Ellison, this year realised he needed more beauty sleep and was starting in the Super Randonneur class at 5am Tuesday Morning. He was on hand to guide PBP neophytes, Steve Ayres, John Williams and Darlene Rini who were all gunning for a guts-or-glory sub 84 hour time.

The 9:30 pm start proved a little chaotic, with a huge queue to get to the start line. I, along with Mark B., Akiko and Ray were in the last group to get away at 11:20pm after 2 hours of standing on our feet. However the queue was well behaved and we passed our time chatting to other competitors and trying to keep the Mexican wave going around the stadium. As we waited the rain came and went several times. We were eventually called up to the start line just after 11pm, but still had to endure a number of speeches and we finally got away at 11:20pm. As we left a big fire work display lit up the damp Parisian night and hundreds of spectators cheered us on our way.

The first part of the night ride was dry and it quickly became clear that the Parisian rain had been located mainly to the PBP start area. As the night drew on it became progressively warmer, the clouds began to disperse and reveal the stars. I thought that the weather had turned and we would be in for a warm and dry ride. My optimistic prediction held good for a least the next 45 minutes, when it was finally dissolved by a serious down pour. I would not see dry feet for another next three days.

The first official Control is at Vilaines, where Marianne, Keith and John Brooking were waiting for us with breakfast. It is such a great morale boost to meet your support team especially after a night paddling and pedalling through the French country side. As soon as riders arrived Keith and Marianne provided a hot breakfast, drinks and water bottles were replenished. Excellent service!

Willesden Support at Vilaines

During the day the French people were as encouraging as ever on this wonderful event. They had set up a number of coffee and hot chocolate stalls at the side of the road to keep us warm and awake. This year, we has an additional and unusual group of on lookers, thousands of 10cm orange slugs who had made their way out of the fields, only to be sliced in two by 5000+ pairs of Brest bound wheels.
Occasionally the sun did shine.
The major WCC Support was positioned at Loudeac, 450 kms from Paris. Here the support team had set up a camp in a municipal park and pitched tents for riders to grab a few hours shut eye. The menu was impressive with steak, eggs, beans and fresh vegetable soup on offer. As we pushed on towards Brest the weather improved. Shortly we were to meet Martin Lucas and Mel Kirkland as they sped back to Paris, some 200+kms ahead of the rest of us.

Returning to Loudeac from Brest I stopped in the pretty market square at Sizun to meet Tim and Mark Green. Tim was suffering with a very painful and impressively sized saddle sore. It was clear he could not continue and decided to pack. I also learnt that Akiko had abandoned earlier suffering from the onset of hypothermia. Norman also packed at Brest.
Pancake stop at Paul Rogue’s famous stop
Tim Wainwright
We returned to Loudeac that night for our second stop at the WCC camp. Whilst the WCC team were keeping us going on the road, back home in the UK, Ray Ellis has been hard at work keeping the Willesden members and riders families up to date with the whereabouts of their riders via the WCC-PBP blog. By this stage we had also lost contact with Mark Brooking (now on his seventh PBP) and Ray Kelly.
Martin Lucas. First of the WCC home

After we all left Loudeac, the team moved the whole support operation up to Mortagne for the final push for Paris. Arriving at Mortagne on Thursday conditions were drier and warmer than on the way out. The Willesden HQ were now based in a Sports stadium close to the control with the sleeping arrangements set up under the cover of the Grandstand. By this time Martin and Mel were back in Paris and fast asleep having finished their respective rides. Martin Lucas did a highly impressive 60 hrs 41 mins and Mel was second Willesden across the line with 67 hrs 11mins. We also learnt that Minora had packed, suffering from a temporary loss of eyesight and collapsed neck muscles

With under 200km to Paris we were practically there. At this point Darlene was beginning to suffer terribly from inflamed tendons and saddle sores. She was coaxed along by John W., Steve and Mike and reached Paris despite the obvious pain that she was in.

From Mortagne I rode with the much admired Audax Italia squad. Famed for their immaculate kit, pristine bikes and glamorous female riders. I was able to tell them about the mad Brits riding the event on fixed wheel bikes, recumbents and Drew Buck’s 1901 two speed Hirondelle bicycle (featuring a backward pedalling low gear and accompanying onions). They were suitably impressed and also showed a great interest in coming to the UK in 2009 to ride the London-Edinburgh-London Audax.

The last control before Paris was Dreux. With only a handful of kilometres to the end in Paris, the control was in a party mood. Traditional French accordion music added to the atmosphere and some riders with surplus energy, or perhaps it was adrenaline, danced to the traditional tunes. A message from Vyv told me that Ray Kelly was our fifth abandon.

Dennis Falvey joined me for the final 20km in to Paris. He wanted to get the finish before 15:30, which led to an adrenaline fuelled high speed bit-and-bit ride to the finish. My lasting memory of this years ride will be doing 40KPH+ along the dual carriageways into the finish with passers by and motorists cheering us on, together with a highly excited and animated Dennis. Superb fun.

Dennis and JRD “sprint” for the line
Suddenly it was all over and we were stood in a 20 minute queue to surrender our brevet cards. The beer tent had run out of beer, but at least it wasn’t raining. I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s PBP despite the conditions. I forged so many friendships along the road with riders of all nations.

My thanks once again to all the terrific support we received from Vyv, Marianne, Keith, John, Jim and Wendy. They all worked extremely hard and often went with less sleep than the riders. At all times they provided great food and drink in the most difficult conditions all done with good humour and willingness.

Before starting this event I said that this would be my last long distance Audax. However watch this space in 2011.…

Post scripts

1.
Whilst Mike Ellison was riding back to the Dieppe following his successful completion of the PBP , he was involved in a collision with an unknown object. Mike has no recollection of the incident as he was knocked unconscious by the impact. He awoke surrounded by Gendarmes and returning home UK audaxers . His jaw is broken in three places and his bike in one place. I have since met with Mike and he is unfazed by the whole episode. His jaw is beginning to knit together and he hopes to be fully recovered in around 6 weeks time.

2.
Mark Brooking finished at 20:11 having shed most of his waistline with the effort.

3.
Ivo Miesen was our sixth Abandon. Though he was shown as finishing in third place with a sub 70 hour time, Ivo actually abandoned between Fougeres and Villaines.

Mike reveals the secret of his form
Rocco sells himself
Ian Oliver making it look easy!
Peter in his trade mark yellow Jacket
Mark Green leads the way home
Bob’s SPD sandals proved ideal for the wet conditions
Liam arrived home with three minutes to spare
Andrew Deaner had a great ride.
At the Brest turn Steve contemplates his strategy for final 600km.
Job done, Yoshi thoughtfully arranges his body on the funeral pyre.

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Paris-Brest-Paris 2007 – Film

Damon Peacock manages to compress 1227kms of PBP riding in to a 4’14” film. No shots of any of the slugs though???

John Davies

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New Willesden CC Kit – Version 2

Richard Melik has been hard at work designing Willesden Jerseys too.
He has dropped the proposed logo in case we have difficulty in obtaining permission to use it. Richard is keen that London is used on the jersey so that the world knows where Willesden is. A good idea I think.

Cheers

Ray Kelly

Let Ray have your thoughts on the design either via the “comments” facility or through email on willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk
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Glad’s Tidings – w/e 25/26 August 07

Joanna Austin (Pictured above), who only joined the club last month, won the Ladies Invitation Handicap event run by the Hillingdon C.C. on Sunday. She not only took lst handicap with 23.07 but also recorded the fastest time 28.52. Jenny Wright also rode for the first time this year and her handicap time was 27.48.
In the Old Crocks Ten held on the same course which was also by invitation of the President of the Hillingdon C.C, Jim Mckay recorded 29.30 and Ron Purdy 30.54.

On Saturday in the North Hants RC.25 Ed Packard did a 57.27 to record a personal best and go under the hour for the first time. Gill Reynolds also rode and returned in 1.05.04.

STOP PRESS!!! Just heard that Ed rode in the A3crg (yes that is right) 50 mile event this morning and improved by over 10 minutes to finish in 1.59.53 finishing in 37th place out of 102 riders.

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Willesden CC Post Cards

A set of Willesden Post cards has been created to give to potential new club members, leave in cafes (but not phone boxes!) and post in local bike shops. We will be taking some out to the PBP to give out to the water carriers as well as other cyclists.

There are three separate fronts (se below), but all share the same reverse side.

By the way all Willesden Blog activity will be on the Willeden PBP blog site until the end of the month (www.wcc-pbp.blogspot.com).

Forza Sqaudra Verde

John Davies


Post card 1

Post card 2

Post card 3
Reverse side of cards 1,2 and 3
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WLCA – 100 Time Trail

Wot! 100 miles with out a cafe stop??? Read about Ed’s latest aventure at….
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Glad’s Tiding – w/e of 11/12 August 07

Sorry I am a bit late with the results, but after getting up at 4.30am on Sunday to stand on the roundabout at Chawton to marshall the West London C.A. 100 mile event I was too tired to tackle the computer on Sunday night. It was a special event to mark the 100 years of the WLCA and Ed Packard marked the occasion by making this his first ride at the distance. He finished in 13th place with a time of 4.20.29. There was a few showers but it wasn’t too windy and only 6 riders out of over 50 starters failed to finish.

Earlier in the week Gill Reynolds and Brian Moon rode in the London Vets 10 at Fifield. Gill was the fastest lady witha 26.49 and Brian recorded 29.56.

The Vets road racers were in action at Hillingdon and in the fastest race of the season so far -26.5mph – Tony Woodford and Chris James finished in the main bunch. Tony finished in 3rd place in his age group.

Gill rode on Sunday in the Finsbury Park 25 at Sandy recording her fastest 25 mile time of the season a 1.05.09.

Gladys

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WCC -PBP Blog

I’ve created a separate blog site (Sponsored by Sainsburys?) for the Willesden riders taking part in Paris-Brest-Paris, which starts in exactly seven days time.

It will display regular updates on the Willesden riders taking part. Plus there is a short and usually insulting profile and picture of each rider for your information.

The site also contains the full route and links to the official PBP web site

You can access either by –
1. Following the link in the Menu bar on the right hand side of this blog
or
2. type in www.WCC-PBP.blogspot.com

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New Willesden CC Kit

Design 1 – White Strikes

Design 2 – Plain

Ray Kelly and James Foster have designed a new like kit for the Willesden, and very good it looks too. The design has been based on the current strip used by the Barloworld Team. The club name once again returns to our chests, along with a salute to a local land mark! Both designs are of a classic retro look, the main difference being a couple of flattering white “strikes”.

The design for the shorts is still under development and will be announced shortly.

Please let Ray have your comments, either through the blog or email him at WillesdenCyclingClub@yahoo.co.uk

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For Sale

Polar “Protrainer XT” Heart Rate Monitor.
Complete with case/manual. New batteries fitted plus new chest strap and transmitter.
Bargain at only £45.00 ONO

CAT EYE Stadium 3 Front Light
Bulb: 21watt metal halide (3500 candlepower)
Battery: Bottle 12v-4500mAH Ni-MH rechargeable with battery indicator
Charger: 12v AD 1622 Ni-MH
Operation Time: approximately 3 hours
Charging Time: approximately 3 hours
As new, complete with case, manuals etc £300+ new, will accept £180.00 ONO

Giro Helios Helmet
Red/black, as new £35.00 ONO

Contact Dennis Harris at den_har2003@yahoo.co.uk

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Glad’s Tidings – 4/5 August 2007

The improvement in the weather has meant improvement in times.

Richard Melik riding only his 2nd 25 mile in the Hitchin Nomads event in Bedfordshire took second place with a personal best of 58.30. He only recently returned from Austria where he took part in the Ironman Competition and broke the 10hour barrier for the first time recording 9hours 50mins. Richard’s partner Jenny Gowans won the 30-34 age group in 10hours 15 mins which qualifies her for a place in the World Champonships in Hawaii.


Richard Melik

Staying with our triathletes. Melissa Arkinstall finished 3rd in the 30-34 years group in the Olympic distance event in the London Triathalon yesterday. Her headset on her competition bike decided to break just 24 hours before the start! However this, nor the oppressive heat affected her time and Melissa finished in 2hr 22. She came 5th in her category and posted the fastest run split. She now has the coveted sub-2hr 30 time to go in the “Fast wave” next year.
Melissa also raced at the Wakefield triathlon and qualified for the World TriathlonChamps in Hamburg on Sept 2nd, so the GB kit is coming out again! She also did the Dorney team relay tri last weekend, finishing in fourth place. Later this week she is doing a 4-up and the National Team Relays at Holme Pierre point (doing both the team event on Saturday, followed by the individual race on the Sunday). Phew!

Claire Beckwith also took part in The London Triathlon and finished in an excellent 2hours 27mins 59secs.

Gill Reynolds has been making up for lost events and went down to Wales to ride the Abergavenny 10 on Thursday finishing 4th in 25.46 and then she was 4th again on Saturday in the event organised by C.C. Topp on behald of the Welsh District Association.

Ed Packard after his 200km night ride in the Dunwich Dynamo last weekend sped round in the Charlotteville C.C. 10 at Farnham to record a personal best of 22.41

Gladys Purdy
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Great Ormond Street Hospital – Appeal

Hi guys and gals of the WCC, this is your Hon Sec calling

This year (2007) I am riding the PBP for the FIFTH time (who said get a life!?)
For those of you who don’t know (really?) this is a 1200km/750 mile ride that must be completed in 90 hours max.In my four previous rides I have got round in 89 hours, 89 hours, 89 hours, 88 hours.
This time I thought I might try to put the ride to some worthwhile use and use the ride as a charity appeal.

Many cycling charity collections go for The Heart business. I thought I would go for the children’s charity – GOSH – Great Ormond Street Hospital. Probably the greatest tragedy on planet earth is the death of a child. It ruins lives forever. Many children who are referred to the hospital have a poor prognosis.

Great ormond Street Hospital is at the leading edge of research but NHS funding is insufficient to meet the needs and so the hospital has to rely on charitable donations. I have launched the appeal at my own school with good response. Now I am inviting you to contribute to the collection
I hope you feel that any contribution would be worthwhile.

I have set myself two targets for completing the ride: 84 hours and 75 hours.
I am inviting you to make two offers/contributions – one if I meet the 84 hour target and an additional one if I make the 75 hour target. As things stand at the present time, if you offer an 84 hour contribution then you will probably have to pay up. However, for the additional 75 hour offer your money might be safe. I have had three weeks off the bike with a nasy bug so am behind with my preparation. However I am working on it so you have been warned!

If you would like to contribute to this worthy cause then please email me with your offer(s) at
michael.ellison@blueyonder.co.uk

Mike “The Bike” Ellison

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Club run – 5th August 07

The Willesden CC had a lot to offer yesterday. A long and a short club run, plus the Club picnic at Langely Park. All coinciding with the hottest day of the year.

Here is a photo of the Box hill club ride regaining their cool under the shade of a tree.(Photo from Steve Ayres).

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John & Dulcie Walker Road Race

In addition to his exciting and fascinating race write ups Richard Jerome has been hard at work giving our web site a much needed make-over (to be launched soon).

He has also introduced some valuable and time saving systems for the Willesden Road Race, which will be held in September. Not only can riders can now enter on line (as opposed to on-the-line), they can also see who else has entered.

He is using a service called RiderHQ.com. Riders registered with RiderHQ.com can enter on-line on one of the two following links.

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Bid for a Trek Madone

The Club has received the following email offering two Trek Madones for sale, which may be of interest to members –

“Dear all,

I am not a member but am a keen cyclist and triathlete. These bikes were used for a charity ride from Edinburgh to London so have only done 500 miles and were donated to us by Trek. The monies raised will be for a bike park fora school in North London, and some training for the children.

Please email me if you are interested and I will send some pictures.

Thanks, Chris Turner.”

Two TREK Madone 5.2 SL Double Project One Limited Edition bikes for sale.
One 56cm frame and one 58cm frame. Each worth £2,100.

LIMITED EDITION PROJECT ONE PAINT WORK – ONLY 100 MADE IN THIS COLOUR IN THEWORLD. Each bike has done 500 miles in a charity ride for St Gildas’ with the money raised from the auction to be donated to the school.

Specification as follows:
Frame : OCLV 120 GSM round tubes with Bontrager Race X Lite Carbon forks.
Transmission : Shimano Ultegra STI 10 Speed 52/39
Stem/Bars: Bontrager Race Lite 31.8mm/ Bontrager Race Lite VR bar
Rims: Bontrager Race Lite Wheelsystem

Please email either John Sinnott jjsinnott@btinternet.com, or
Chris Turnerchris@christurnerphotography.co.uk with your bid.

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Dunwich Dynamo

Ed Packard is continuing his exploration of cycling beyond the testing world. In addition road racing he took part in last weekend’s Dunwich Dynamo. This is a classic London Cycling event involving a 200 km night ride from a North London boozer London to the lost city of Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast. Read Ed’s customary excellent account on his blog, it’s a treat.

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Annual Club Picnic – This Sunday

The Annual Willesden Club Picnic will be held this Sunday (5th August) in the usual venue in Langley Park. Starts around Mid-day with the afternoon reserved for games and the odd water fight. Bring your own picnic and blanket.
Langley Park Country Park is close to Iver Heath in Buckinghamshire. Entrance and car park is in Billet Lane, which runs South off the A412 to Slough.
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Track Training Sessions

TRAINING FOR NOVICE & EXPERIENCED TRACK RIDERS
GOSLING STADIUM, WELWYN GARDEN CITY,
4th & 18th August 1st & 22nd September
.

Arrive at track at 1.30pm for introductions for all novice riders and meet the coaches.

2.00 p.m. Novice riders line up with their coaches ready to start.

2.15 p.m. Experienced riders 10 lap scratch race

2.30 p.m. Novice riders line up for half lap change overs.

2.45 p.m. Experienced riders line up for team pursuit -10 laps.
.
3.00 p.m. Novice riders – 5 lap pursuit.

3.15 p.m. Experienced riders – 10 laps Cat & Mouse.

3.30 p.m. Novice riders – 5 lap scratch race.

3.45 p.m. 20 Lap scratch race for any riders who wish to ride.

Organiser : Brian Wright. 01494 87 4854 e-mail brianwright121@tiscali.co.uk

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Glad’s Tidings – 28/29 July 07

The effects of the flooding are still being felt as the headquarters at Aldermarston can’t be used and any events due to be held in that area have been cancelled.

Our veterans were lucky to get a ride in the London VTTA 10 at Billington on Wednesday afternoon. Gill Reynolds was the fastest lady in 25.56, Brian Moon 26.56 and Ron Purdy 30.05.

All for now,
Cheers Gladys

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Minimilist Tabard?

Tired of wearing that old bulider’s tabbard on your nighty rides.
Looking for something easy to pack ?
Want to get noticed?
Then send your money to http://marietadesign.wordpress.com/ who have created the first tanga-tabbard or Tanga-Al-a-vista as the product is called
Who’ll be first in the Willesden to sport one?

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