Steel Wüleur Dave Reid vs Paris Brest Paris

Charles Terront after his 1891 PBP victory

Super Dave checked in with us today and will be starting his 1200 k ride tomorrow evening at 6 pm. He has 90 hours to complete it. This event happens once every 4 years and you have to qualify the same year it is held (200k, 300k, 400k). If you are not familiar with Paris Brest Paris it is the oldest bicycle race on planet Earth (1891). In 1931 the amateur's separated from the professionals and created the Brevet (also called randonnee).


To track Dave's progress click on the site below and type in his ride # 4512.

17th PARIS BREST PARIS Randonneur - Paris-Brest-Paris 2011

I can't think of a better ambassador for our county, state, and country than Dave Reid. He is the consummate nice guy. He has pushed more tired cyclists at 25 mph than some people have pedaled. Little do those folks know that we have sent our very best to represent. For those of you that have spent time on his wheel, can't you picture some Frenchman or German saying, "did you see that American with the big ass pushing that tired dude over the cobbles at 3 in the morning?". Dave will be tackling this event with his little brother. Can someone say, "Johnny Cash" 'I hear the train a' coming, its rolling round the bend!'

To give you an idea as to what the ride is all about here are 6 rules that they live by. It resonates well with our Steel Wül Credo.

Rules:
1. Most of all, be polite, which means being considerate of others. While raw aggression has a place in racing, it does not in randonneuring. Try to be an ambassador for cycling, for your club and for your country.

2. If you have ridden in a small group for a while, and if everybody has been sharing the work, try to finish together. This should include stopping for flat tires (unless one rider has multiple flats because they ride old tires or stupid equipment).

3. Attacks are not part of the sport. If somebody gets dropped because they cannot follow the pace, so be it. But sudden accelerations to rid yourself of fellow riders are not polite. That is why there is no finishing sprint: All riders of a group are classified the same and get the same time. (In a race, the need to declare one winner leads to complex equipment and difficult decisions to determine exactly who crossed the line first, if only by half an inch.)

4. Avoid putting yourself in an "irregular situation." Follow the rules of the event. This means respecting the rules of the road: Obey stop signs and red lights. Ride only with riders who are participants. If there is a car following your group for an extended period of time, especially at night, something is wrong. If there are official follow cars of the PBP organizer, they will drive with only their parking lights on, to avoid giving an advantage to the first riders. If you find yourself in the company of an illegal support car, ride ahead or drop behind, but don't stay with an illegal group. While it is hard to give up the advantage of a group, consider that if you are caught, the penalties will more than outweigh the time gained by riding with the group.

5. Be friendly to volunteers and officials. Follow their orders. Thank them for their time. This takes only a second or two. Without them, you would not be riding in this wonderful event.

6. Finish the event! The goal is to do the best ride possible under the circumstances. To ride fast and then to drop out because you cannot achieve your time goal is the ultimate failure.


Stay tuned for more Super Dave updates and photos.................