PBP 2023

Paris Brest Paris Randonneur – PBP 2023

1230 Km in 90 Hrs.

The qualifying year for PBP is 2022-23 ie the year in which it takes place. You are required to be a Super Randonneur in that year, between Nov 2022 and July 2023.

The previous year then PBP, ie 2021-22 is a pre-qualifying year. your longest official brevet in that year, allows you to register before someone with a shorter ride in that year. As PBP is usually oversubscribed, they open registrations for people who have done 1000 first in 2021-22, then 2 weeks later for 600 and so on.

The tentative date for PBP is between August 16 to 27, 2023. A decision will be taken in January 2022.

In 2023, Super randonneurs from across the country will gather in Paris, together with cyclists from around the world, to take part in the  Paris-Brest-Paris. Held once every four years, the 5000 or so participants will attempt to cycle over 1200 kilometers of hilly roads from the outskirts of Paris to the city of Brest on France’s Atlantic coast, and back again, within the event time limit of 90 hours.

Completion of Paris-Brest-Paris is the highest attainment of a randonneur cyclist. For many randonneurs, participation in P.B.P. represents the culmination of years of effort on the bicycle, a peak of their cycling experience. Each cyclist will have qualified for this event by completing a brevet series, consisting of 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometer officially certified rides, in the year in which P.B.P. is held. Each will have invested many hours in training, and in preparing and equipping their bicycles, in anticipation of the event.

The route follows quiet roads through the lush countryside of Normandy into the French cycling hotbed of Britanny. Cyclists pass through villages clustered around medieval churches, and past historic castles and chateaus. Along the route, local residents turn out, even into the early hours of the morning, to cheer the cyclists on. At the thirteen control points along the route, inexpensive meals, sleeping accommodations, and mechanical assistance are provided to the riders on the course.

Paris-Brest-Paris is an event with a great tradition. First run in 1891, it was for many years one of the most important races in professional road cycling. Randonneur involvement dates from 1931, when an event for amateur cyclists was held in parallel to the professional race. Since 1951, the event has been one for amateur cyclists exclusively. Indians first took part in P.B.P. in 1983. Theirs has been a growing presence on French roads, with more and more Indians participating.

About PBP 2019: (Participation from india)

Over 300 Randonneurs from India Participated in Paris-Brest-Paris 2019 and its fair to say that all participants had a transformational experience a the event, interacting with the rest of the world of Randonneurs.

Universally the Indian contingent was moved by the hospitality of France, the historic scale of this event and the beautiful and extremely challenging landscape!

Tangible results were far below expectations, but the learning curve is steep and the more people that are engaged in learning through experience and sharing with the community back home….. the more likely we are to improve on numbers!

Interacting with the international community will be the huge benefit in that goal and as evident from the photographs here….PBP was great place to do just that!

(Ref: Audax India report on Fb)

For more Info on Paris Brest Paris:  https://www.paris-brest-paris.org/

Enjoy!