2007Paris Brest Paris & Alpe d'Huez Photo Galley

The Big PBP Ride. What were we thinking really? Photos are from a Yashica T4 35mm film camera and my quad band phone, in chronologic order. The Zeiss optics in this point & shoot camera are far better then an corresponding digital point & shoot. Not to mention the film camera takes photos the digital can't. Every photo taken is posted unedited.

Following PBP I drove to Bourg d'Oisans to ride Alpe d'Huez and elsewhere in the region. From there I made my way to Lake Constance on Switzerland Germany border for Eurobike trade show (wow there is fabulous bike stuff for EU markets that we don't see here in USA), then train to and from Brussels including the Grand Place, Brussels most famous ancient landmark plaza, which was conceived and constructed centuries ago. I enjoyed dinner there in the Baker's Guild, built in the early 17th century if my recall is accurate? It may be much older than that, definitely not newer. Mechelen, Belgium train station bike park recognizance where there were saddle secrets to unearth! It should be noted that bicycles are an integral part of everyday life in Europe, unlike predominant recreational use in the USofA.

Driving through border crossings in Europe is now easier than boarding a domestic plane flight in the USA with the implementation of the EU. I drove through eight border crossings in Europe, was never asked about a passport or anything else for that matter, and was only stopped once by a guard who wanted to know if the bike in back was new or used. I didn't try to explain that it was made out of bamboo and had recently completed PBP!

Tom's PBP story A Week Awake is here.

Tom off the plane in Zurich.	View from the sound proof hotel room, dinner and a good night sleep under goose down.	Way to Zurich electornics store and road to Paris.
Limmat river west of Zurich.	Tunnel signs.	Border crossing into France, faster passage than a produce inspection station into California.
Welcome to France.	Excellent highway signage throughout Europe.	Ancient fortification on the highest hilltop.
Novotel Championship hotel.	Peaceful scenic view from Novotel room.	Bike back together.
Pam Wright & friends, eating and drinking in public, getting warmed up for dinner at Campanile.	Group photo, Texas meets California, meets Australia.
DFW RBA Dan Driscoll and Pam Wright.	Mmmm good. Lisa & Liz.
	Tom's car. Loaded, not locked.	PBP here we come, no here we are!
Novotel bike assembly.	more carnage.	Golfing or riding?
Novotel bike room.

more Novotel bike room.	saddle studies, what not to ride for 1,200 km.	tandem central, got hope they love each other...
mub flap, harbinger of things to come...	more, not to ride...	Guttenberg at Guttenberg. Bike shopping for folks who's bikes were lost in transit.
Parisians making fun of the lunacy that is PBP.		"If only we new what was in store." Three California Dreamers.
Have to admire the paint.	Campanile bike room.	chaos. I just want to ride.
Back at the Novotel over in portion of the hotel cyclists dare not visit without their clubs and that means golf.	What does one do during an early morning rain, explore the hotel roof top. Paul & Liz. True that I will follow Paul anywhere by bike.	Birdseye view of the Novotel.
Seriously in conversation...	Mmm hhhh.	California here we come. Another Paul.
The long lost tandem arrived at the 11th hour. Dumb pilot managed to arrive late, but the day before the bike.	and they're off! Only to sign in with their bike, having devoted a day to shopping to buy or rent while waiting for the airline to find this one.	the way in to the stadium bike parking.
we've arrived.	They are too happy for words, unaware of what is to come...	too bad it rained on our parade.
OK, where do I belong?	eating again, can't get too much food.	one to two Calfee tandems, far far from home.

our Novotel room. Working chaos.	Final prep for the one off PBP steed.
ride to the start from Novotel.	ride to start #2.	The scene before the crime.
Novotle sunset the night before. I am hopeful of a good nights sleep.	I missed the great sunrise shot of this sculpture.	more bike room.
assembling the long lost tandem #2.	80 hr starters chomping at the bit.	and they're off.
vintage chrome dream, or nightmare, of a VIP Frenchman, awaiting access into the starting line.	the first 90hr pack of 500 working toward our abbreviated "tech inspection."	Three's A Crowd.
90 hr starters. eating, smoking, acting relaxed.	Ominous clouds, anxious starters.
and we're off, almost...	my "0.0" odometer. Only have 1,200+ km to log before I sleep.	We're off.
Riding into my first rain soaked night. God I love it.	Can only wonder what the folks behind me look like.	A saddle customer, former PBP rider asked to me watch for this section of road where one sees tail lights to the forward horizon, then headlights back
I have no idea and I wasn't tired yet.	one of many village centers.	darned luny Italian in an enlcosed trike. I was much more comfortable in the weather.
It's Christmas.	I love the narrow, ancient town streets.	The trike exposed.
Two tough French gentlemen. I never saw them with more clothing than this, weather be damned.	What are the English thinking anyway? Trike riders without lollypops.	I love the homey feel of narrow streets.
Villaines La Juhel Controle parking.	Family & Friends.	This place was so inviting I turned around, bought some food in the market, and sat dead ahead to eat and watch riders pass.