Paris Brest Paris

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The Next Paris-Brest-Paris is in August, 2011

First run in 1891, the 1200-kilometer Paris-Brest-Paris, or "PBP" as it is commonly called, is a grueling test of human endurance and cycling ability. Organized every four years by the host Audax Club Parisien, the Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneurs is the oldest bicycling event still run on a regular basis on the open road. Beginning on the southern side of the French capital, it travels west 600 kilometers to the port city of Brest on the Atlantic Ocean and returns along the same route. Today's randonneur cyclists, while no longer riding the primitive machines used a hundred years ago over dirt roads or cobblestones, still have to face up to rough weather, endless hills, and pedaling around the clock. A 90-hour time limit ensures that only the hardiest randonneurs earn the prestigious PBP finisher's medal and have their name entered into the event's "Great Book" along with every other finisher going back to the very first PBP. To become a PBP ancien (or ancienne for the ladies) is to join a very elite group of cyclists who have successfully endured this mighty challenge. No longer a contest for professional racing cyclists (whose entry is now forbidden), PBP evolved into a timed randonnée or brevet for hard-riding amateurs during the middle part of the 20th century. The event is held in August every four years.

To learn more, please explore the links below. If you are new to randonneuring, please check out the FAQ pages for additional information.

1. ACP Announces PBP 2011 Plans to Limit Entries
2. PBP 2007 Fact Sheet
3. PBP FAQ
4. ACP 2007 PBP English Site
5. ACP 2007 PBP Brochure (pdf)
6. A Short History of Paris-Brest-Paris
7. Americans at PBP
8. La Société Charly Miller
9. 2003 PBP American Results
10. PBP 2003
11. 1999 PBP American Results
12. Photo Gallery of 1999 PBP
13. PBP 1999
14. PBP Checkpoints
15. PBP Outbound Route
16. PBP Return Route