Paris-Brest-Paris

It’s been my dream to race in Paris-Brest-Paris in France ever since I got into ultra cycling. In 2015 I finally got to the start line.

What follows is the ride as I posted it at the time.

Qualifying

And completed the last PBP qualifier ride, a 200 km, along Wakatipu in Queenstown, NZ. Wore a down jacket, two merino layers and ski gloves the entire ride to fight the cold and wind. It was a tough one and so were all the other qualifying rides, but that’s how Kiwis roll! :)

Wouldn’t have been possible if not for my awesome friends at Kiwi Randonneurs, who always encouraged me to push my limits and beyond. It’s time to book that ticket to Paris.

Naresh with his road bike beside the red Glenorchy shed on the shore of Lake Wakatipu

“Your entry to the Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) Randonneur 2015 has been accepted. Your frame number is: S195”

Woke up to this sweet, sweet email this morning.

After Te Araroa, New Zealand’s trail, the focus was on Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur. After many miles and several metres of climbs, I qualified for PBP and got my confirmation number today. The only thing between me and the start line is a visa.

On the way

Was helping out an old Indian family, who don’t speak English, at the Auckland airport. They speak my native language, Telugu, and a conversation ensued.

They were asking why I’m not a software engineer and why I’m wasting my time traveling. When I told them I ran the length of NZ and am going to Paris for a 1,200 km bike race, he looked at me with pitiful eyes, said “You are living such a miserable life” and offered some Indian rupees for food.

I guess it’s all in the perspective. What’s inspiring to one is insanity to others.

Naresh with a bike box and his bags at the airport, under a Welcome to France sign

Paris

Last year this time I was on my way to Nepal to tramp the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary to train for Te Araroa. A year later, here I’m in Paris on another epic adventure. So blessed.

Naresh's feet in sandals, resting on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower

Nothing like exploring a city on foot, especially a magical city like Paris. You never forget your first love, but you also don’t forget the very time you witness something so beautiful. Half Dome, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt Cook, things like that. Now it’s the Eiffel Tower. Just feels so unreal. 4 more days until Paris-Brest-Paris.

Naresh taking a selfie with a woman and a man in front of the Eiffel Tower — Happiness is dancing with two random strangers to some African music in front of the Eiffel Tower in the Champ de Mars, Paris. Two new friends in the bag.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” Oscar Wilde

Oscar Wilde's carved stone tomb among the graves of a Paris cemetery — Oscar Wilde’s lipstick-covered tomb in Paris.

Urban running adventures have come to an end. Nothing like exploring a city on foot, especially a magical city like Paris. Awesome city, great food, good friends and wonderful times.

The front of Notre-Dame cathedral against a blue sky

The Louvre courtyard and its glass pyramid

T-20 hrs for the start of Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 km.

The start

This is it. Paris-Brest-Paris, 18th edition, starts in T-15.

Naresh in a yellow vest beside his bike in the crowd of riders

This time last year, I toed the start line of the prestigious Paris-Brest-Paris 1200 km ride with these three fine Kiwis in France.

Four riders in matching New Zealand jerseys standing with their bikes — I posted this a year later, on the anniversary.

To Brest

220 km in 10 hr and 15 min. 980 km to go.

It brings tears to my eyes, the hospitality of French people. So many families out in the sun feeding the cyclists with homemade delicacies.

On the other hand, I got adopted by a French family. Now I have a French mama and papa!

Naresh in his New Zealand jersey with an older man and two boys outside a stone house with flowers — My French family!

Naresh with a family of four outside their house — My French family!

15 hrs, 310 km in the bag. It’s been over 27 hrs since I slept. Gonna push to 400 and see how I feel. Only 890 km to go.

363 km, 18 hr and 15 minutes. It’s so hot that most of the cyclists are holed up under whatever little shade they could find, under a tree, in the field or by buildings.

Riders strung out along a straight road past wind turbines

A line of riders passing through a village with a church spire ahead

448 km in 24 hr 15 min. Pushing to the halfway point. Hopefully!

Brest

In Brest, France. 34 hrs and 614 km. :)

Had to squeeze in some power naps. Crashing into a ditch while sleep deprived bloody hurts. Time to head back to Paris now.

A cable-stayed bridge rising out of the morning fog

Back to Paris

698 km in 44 hr 15 min. 532 km to go.

An empty crossroads in a village with a tall church tower

A cream-coloured building with flower boxes and a sign reading Bar L'Express

1,059 km done. About 170 km to go. Rural France and its people are stunning.

Riders arriving along a street lined with people beside a church — Witnessing this beautiful sunset was worth all that pain in the butt during PBP.

Naresh sitting on a stone wall with a group of children and two men — Witnessing this beautiful sunset was worth all that pain in the butt during PBP.

Last checkpoint done. 1,166 km in the bag. A quick nap and I’ll be Paris bound to finish PBP. My butt hates me.

It is done

It is done. I have finished my very first PBP 1200 km.

A challenge cannot be a real challenge unless there is a possibility of failure. It was quite a challenging day. Crazy rain, a nasty downhill crash and bloody bruises. Last 65 km with a broken bike with the clock ticking. DNF was so close, but not today.

Naresh at the finish line in the rain, showing the grazes from his crash

18th edition of Paris-Brest-Paris in the books. A dream that started back in 2011 has become reality. 5 hrs of sleep in the last 98 hours. What’s bike riding without road rash in France? It bloody hurts, and I knew how bad it was gonna hurt, but then I also knew how damn good it feels.

Thanks for all your support and kind words. You are awesome.