Respirer Paris, cela conserve l’âme. – Victor Hugo When Olivier asked me to join him for the ACBO (Amicale Cyclotouriste de la Banlieue Ouest) remembrance day ride to Rethondes I didn’t hesitate for a second (well … I did because of some work-related stuff). Being able to visit the Alex Singer boutique, seeing our friends …
Last weekend we were happy to volunteer at the Dirty Boar. We provided the riders with hot food at the third feeding station. Me and my family had a great time and it was so good to see familiar faces during the day. Despite the cold and rainy weather al the riders were in good …
Paris-Brest aller-retour. Non, ce n’est pas une pâtisserie. C’est une course. En fait, non, même pas une course, car il n’y a pas de classement. C’est une randonnée ! Le Paris-Brest-Paris, soit 1230 kilomètres, se fait à vélo et en moins de 90 heures au maximum s’il vous plaît. – Marie-Sandrine Sgherri Paris-Brest-Paris is the …
The bike I’ll be using, and has built especially, for Paris – Brest – Paris is a Noble. Handcrafted by the master Nicolas Noblet himself and put together by Fietsen King. You can find a full spec list of the bike here. The last few months and during the qualifier brevets I’ve been perfecting my …
Some may wonder whether such a pristine bike should be ridden at all, or whether it should be sealed away hermetically. I agree that it should not be allowed to deteriorate, but much of what makes such a bike special can be accessed only by riding it. Bikes like the 1962 Alex Singer have inspired …
A sure sign of wisdom is a cheerful temperament. While you look at what is given, look also at the giver. Conservative pacing, cheerful optimism, and appreciative awareness can be important ingredients in Paris-Brest-Paris. – Kim Freitas “PBP: Randonneur Philosophee” (March 1999 Ultra Cycling Magazine) What better way to spend summer solstice than on your …
“When it’s hurting you, that’s when you can make a difference” – Eddy Merckx It’s 4:45 AM and my alarm is buzzing … I wake up after a terrible sleep in my hotel in Oostende. The wind had been howling the whole night and it got me a bit scared about riding this brevet 600. I …
type 2 fun 1. An activity that is fun only after you have stopped doing it. It’s 4 am in the morning and I’m lying down on the front porch of a church deep down in La Wallonie. Why am I here? Who’s stupid idea was it to ride to Orval and back during the …
You never have the wind with you, either it is against you or you’re having a good day. – Daniel Behrman After an intense few cycling weeks in April, it was time to relax a bit. I didn’t ride much the past week but I did mark the BRM 200 in Lier in my calendar. …
Randonneuring is the most hardcore and humble way of riding a bicycle I’ve ever experienced. – Erik F Nohlin In order to cash your Paris Brest pre-registration one must ride a full superrandonneur series: 200, 300, 400 and 600 km. For most randonneurs the 400 km is the most dreaded distance. Most of the times …