Do you have any particular questions or are you wondering about anything in particular? The route looks nice. There seems to be a couple short steep climbs, but I wouldn’t worry about them. The elevation profile looks friendly in general. The first half is bumpy (don’t get pulled too far out of your comfort zone) and the last half looks pretty flat, in case you did.
It is an official ACP-brevet, as far as I can tell. Since they are making it an event, with a theme, there might be some manned controls. I’d still pack some food in my back pocket. Just food. You decide. Don’t run out of water, … and remember to drink it. In cooler temperatures you can think you don’t need it.
Try to figure out a group that you can ride with at the start. Sometimes, most times, the starts get a bit crazy. You’ll have to find a balance. It’s nice with company all the way around. Make sure you know the route and have a cue sheet or download the RideWithGPS route to your cycle computer if you have one. The routes are usually not marked. You have to be able to navigate on your own. You might get a flat and lose your group. Being able to navigate on your own is important in these smaller events. (PBP is nicely signed and there is a public along the whole way, more or less).
Enjoy! If you complete this, you can officially call yourself a randonneur. The title is life-long. Then focus on a Super Randonneur (valid for one year).
Thank you for your advices
I have some experiences as randonneur, I went three times in Romania with my bike.
What I would like to know is more about the clothes.
What kind of clothes wil be adapted to do 125 miles in Ireland on March?
Probably about the same as Romania. Don’t over-do it. We generate a lot of heat out there and if you are covered with wind-tight, you’re going to get poached, like an egg and freeze when you stand still (at controls).
If it was Sweden (probably not too far off temperature wise) I would have a skull cap covering my ears (Gore makes nice ones, Shimano too), a merino undershirt and a normal jersey. The merino undershirt would be long-armed. Jackets are a tough call. You want one to stop the frontal wind, but can breathe through the back, to let off that steam.
We’re all different when it comes to hands and feet. For my hands, I like a pair of cheap gloves I pick up at discount stores, knitted with 3M “Thinsulate”. They don’t get sweaty for me and they tolerate a lot of rain, and still keep my hands decently warm. That being said, I don’t freeze much on my hands; only the first 10 minutes.
Shoe-covers on your feet, the kind that will work in the rain.
Some people like the really baggy covers that go up your leg. The bagginess keeps your lower legs warm by working like a stove-pipe, leading and holding generated heat.
A good vest with reflectors and provides protection from the wind. A good vest can allow a lighter jacket.
If it rains (probably will) then use your past experience of riding in the rain. Myself, I’d not take a ride like that without mudguards/fenders … but that is just me. I don’t appreciate a stream of sand and dirt riding down my crack.
Cool that there’s a PBP-thread here! And hello @dlridings (we’ve ridden quite a few of the same brevets over the years)
I’ve signed up for this years ride, and also did the one in 2015.
That one I found way easier than the qualifying 600 km I did in 2015 - mostly due to how big the PBP is, that you see so many people along the route at all times, and how well organized the whole thing is. We were a group of four people that rode together, and we planned it so that we did legs of 400 km’s with a little bit of sleep inbetween. The 1200 km’s went by like a breeze I must say. My total time in 2015 was 64.5 hours.
I haven’t done a full series (200, 300, 400 & 600km’s) since 2015, so I’m looking forward to doing that again this year. Also signed up for an early start, as I’m pretty sure I’ll have no problems finishing well in time of the limit of 80 hours. In 2015 I rode in the 84 hour group, as it was all new to me, and I didn’t know what to expect.
I’m doing several rides on TrainerRoad every week, but I’m not following any plan at the moment. Looking forward to spring and being able to ride outside, but will continue doing more specific work inside on TrainerRoad throughout the year.
I’m starting at 18:15 (90 hour group). I like this with more slots. One of the attractions with PBP is that it is inclusive. Getting to the finish is the tough part. Getting to the start has usually been available to all.
Edit: Just looked. It looks like most of them went to the 80 hour group, and that group wasn’t going to be full anyway. Strange.
I hope to start on 19th.
Now, there are 383 entrances available.
For me the 19th is good because I will arrive on Thursday for the official reception of the end of the PBP2019.
I’m not registered yet because I didn’t do any Brm in 2018. I have to wait the 20th June.
I’m hopeful that will be possible and they will have probably disclaimers. That why the organization told me to call them on 20th June.
After the Tara 200, I will do a Brm300, à Brm400 and maybe a Brm600.
At the same time, I’m training myself for a raid ride bike with logistic from Lille to Budapest which I have planned from 13th to 31st july 2019.
It’s at a good moment of the season, between the end of the Brm and the PBP.
Any participants are welcome!
The website is : www.auxbellesescales.be
I haven’t any plans too except the Tara 200 next week end a raid bike ride with logistic from Lille to Budapest next summer.
I don’t know where I will do the others Brm.
They are internationale and I hope to find which are not too rough.
I live in Ashbourne and cycle on most of the roads that are on the Tara 200 route so if you are looking for any advice on the local area feel free to ask.
I have a few friends in the local cycling club doing this spin, they wear green and white jerseys and are a friendly bunch if you need any advice on the day they would be only too willing to help.
Enjoy the day and I hope the weather is good to you.
Really?
I’m very happy to know you live there and you have friends who will be there for this race.
I will be enjoy to ride with them.
This winter, I trained with mountain bike and I have started the road fews weeks ago.
I’m fit for a 100 km and I will have likely a bit difficult to finish this race.
What are the level of your friend?
If you see a special bike in Ashbourne with a long pack behind, it will be me.
To have an idea, you can see the pictures at the end of this page : http://www.auxbellesescales.be/en/bicycle-packaging
My friends have mixed abilities, some of them will finish easily but some of them might struggle. Like yourself some of them have only done about 100km spins this year.
I think if you can do 100km you will be able to finish, most of the climbing is in the first 50-60km and then it’s mainly rolling country roads with the odd short climb. The last 50-60km is relatively flat.
I will keep an eye for you and your bike and say hello if I see you!
I will leave Ireland on Wednesday 13th at noon by plane.
I will sleep for the last nights in the Gardiner House Holiday hostel in Dublin.
What do you think about an encounter on Monday or on Tuesday ?
Swords is about 15km from the start of the event, 20-25 minutes by car or about 30-40 minutes by bike.
With work and family Monday and Tuesday would be bad days for me to meet but if you would like to meet when you are finished the event I will buy you and your brother a pint in one of the pubs in Ashbourne!
