In the school offshoot “Youth trains for Olympia” the slogan was “It’s the taking part that counts”. Of course, this slogan is well chosen to keep the chance to fail small. On the other hand, it expresses participating in something bigger. In addition, this variant has manifested itself in the cultural memory of the Olympics. But in the statutes of the IOC the motto “citius, altius, forties” – “Faster, higher, further” – applies. This sounds more like the competition that every person has in some form and finds in daily competitions with themselves, others or even things. The mother of rando-competition is Paris – Brest – Paris. And Basti will be there.
Fury Road
Paris – Brest – Paris. That’s what it’s called and no other way. The name is reminiscent of the last part of the Mad Max film series. The one in which it went an hour in one direction, only to simply drive an hour back the same route afterwards.
PBP may not be the best known competition in cycling, but it emerged from the oldest race, which first took place on 6 September 1891. But it is not just a race.
If the hard facts are on the table, one’s head already buzzes: 1200 kilometers, approx. 10,000 altitude meters, approx. 360 climbs. According to the rural masters of arithmetic, this makes a climbing of almost 830 meters per 100 kilometers. This is how phantom pains are bred. The conditions on site – seasonal or daily or whatever – are not even considered yet. What are the road conditions? How is the weather going to be? What do I do at night? Oh and please finish in under 90 hours.
PBP takes place every four years and is already a tradition for many participants. Over the years, the field of riders became more and more international and a wide variety of vehicles are sighted – but the main thing is: driven via chain without auxiliary means. All the lucky ones who managed to get a place on the grid have one thing in common. Their very personal qualification, which in turn is a chapter in itself. In order to get one of the 6300 starting numbers, brevets from the same year must be proven. Marathon races with a length of 200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometers. YES! ALL!
Man & Machine
Basti is the bomb. But it’s more of a deep-rooted bang, which only starts in a controlled way on the bike. When asked about his motivation for PBP, he remains objective: his constitution is in place. Basti established this after his 600er Brevet in Bennewitz last year. Crisp 680 clicks with 7500 meters of climbing. After two days of rest the decision was made. Paris – Brest – Paris: Let’s go for it!
Of course, he is also driven by the question that many have perhaps already asked themselves. What is possible in Endurance and where is my personal limit? Fascinating questions.
For the preparation Basti remained rather down-to-earth. He simply continued to ride his bike as always. No renunciation and also no training plan.
But then there was a small change. But this one is serious. Basti has built up a new Clueless with carbon fork in size M. Cockpit and seat post from Thomsen. Whereby a self-polished Acros headset was used. For a pleasant whirring and the necessary propulsion the choice fell on the Ultegra RX group which is combined with a polished SRAM Rival crank for its classic looks. The custom made wheels are Syntace W25i rims with DT240 hubs. Also polished, of course. Basti has chosen the Teravail Rampart in size 700 x 38 to be prepared for whatever roads there will be. A classic on the seat side: the Brooks Cambium C17. There was help with the fine lacquering and the self-made bag holders from Brainfart Industries. (Thank you!) The weight, if that is interesting for you, it is exactly 10kg.
In other words: the lad is fit, the bike is ready.
Life Cycle
We believe that each of us knows the feeling that attracts and drives us. That drives you out again and again, lengthens established routes, reaches for new ones and sometimes simply makes you suffer. Comfort zone or border shifting? We think it’s the moments of inner happiness and satisfaction with all its accompanying phenomena that occur. Some people say that it is like life itself. Demanding activity with its beautiful and painful sides.
Paris – Brest – Paris stands for it like a monument and we wish Basti stable material, fluffy conditions and a clear head to put his own to the test, from the bottom of our hearts.
Chain on the right!
Christoph, Henri, René – August 2019
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