PBP 2007 Fini
Page: 8
Gainesville RBA Jim Wilson & Barbara start with the
"velo bizarres"
A firework signals our start, air horns blare and in
the evening drizzle we take off. Even with the rain, there's
sizable crowds gathered along the roads and standing on the
overpasses to applaud and cheer us on. Flat tire start right
away—I don't know what it is about rain and
flats—One theory is that rain repositions glass
particles that are already on the road, but surely
there's not much broken glass on French roads (they don't have as
many convenience stores, for one thing). Another theory is
that water exposure softens tire rubber, but
our tires are not that soaked (yet!). Recognizing the first part
of the route from the pre-ride, and from 2003, gives 2007 a
very different feel. This year, there's not the same sense of
dashing off madly into darkness. At Tremblay-les-Village
(70km) there is the patisserie with the cycling mannequin on
the roof. It's around midnight and the owners are outside
handing out bottles of water and treats. There's no cyclists
stopped there now, so I stop so as to not seem
ungracious.
Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais
At Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais we find the Bar of
which Jean Paul BATTU spoke—owners Annick and Fred had
posted to a cycling forum:
"Good evening, we will take part in Paris Brest Paris by
remaining open in the night from the 20 to August 21 to
accommodate you at Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais (the Eure
and Loir) - Stage 1 (approximately 80 km from the
departure). We wish you all (organizing and participating)
a very good Paris-Brest-Paris 2007! We greet in the passing
the participants whom we met at the time of your
rides…"
Copyleft © 2007 Adrian Hands.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or
modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free
Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version
published by the Free Software Foundation
