PBP Update #2

Support:        For a randonneur event, you can only receive support at the designated checkpoints, not anywhere else along the route.  If the riders run into trouble, they have to be able to make it to the next checkpoint to get any help from a support crew (though they can make their own way to a bike store or whatever they need along the way).

So Julie and Fred were providing support for Colin and me.  They had a minivan loaded with supplies, registered and labeled as an official support vehicle.  In PBP, because of the large number of riders, you are allowed to provide support within 5km either side of the control point.  We decided that we wanted to have all our support before the controls, not after.  And we had heard that it can be pretty chaotic, so we wanted to be a few km out, not right close in.  To help identify the van, we heard that a distinctive flag was they key, so Fred took a Colorado state flag and adorned it with some PBP flair.  He turned the central "C" of the flag into a coat of arms, with "Partager La Route" (Share the Road) inscribed in the "C", and a pair of spear-wielding marmots on either side.  It was destinctive to say the least, and got many stares and comments from cyclists as they rode by.

Support van with infamous flag

So the routine went something like: within 5km of the control, Colin and I would begin to scan for the flag.  It turned out that because we were at the front of out group, and Fred and Julie founds spots that were away from the crowds, it was easy to find them.  They early supports were fast, simply an exchange of bottles and resupply of food items, maybe changing out some items of clothing.  Then we were off to the control to get our cards officially stamped, then back on the route to the next control.  We were usually fast enough to be back among the lead riders after the control - but after a couple of controls, the lead peloton was separated into a number of smaller groups.

Somehow, Colin ended up in a ditch between Villaines-la-Juhel and Fougeres.  We're not sure how it happened, but he overlapped wheels with me, I moved to follow the wheel in front of me, and he went down on the chip seal (yes, they have chip seal in France, too).  Luckily it was still very wet, and he slid quickly into the grass, but not without a nice hole in the knee and road rash on his hip.  The Frenchman we were riding with stopped and helped us back up, and the three of us continued on to Fougeres. 

Apart from that, the rest of the day was fast and we arrived in Loudeac ahead of plan, about 9:30pm  That's 280 miles in 16.5 hours.  It was a great start for us, despite Colin's crash, and now it was necessary to get a few hours sleep in preparation for Day 2.  We had a good hotel near the course, which catered to PBP riders by setting aside a conference room for all the bikes.  Shower, recovery drink and a bite to eat, and it was lights out for another middle of the night wakeup call.