Iv’e read this a number of times and have no argument with your words.

I’m just finished packing for PBP and will be flying out later today. In this brief rest time I came back to your post and it caused me to want to leave a thought with you.

Laeading up to this I have had mixed feelings; in the last couple days of packing, repacking, tearing the bike down, trying to get it in the box without damage while still meeting the new weight limitations, along with all the home place disruption this represents I can honestly say that a number of times I have wished I wasn’t going. Just the ‘getting there’ is a big hassle, never mind the months of prep and the enormous cost.

But now that I’m prepped and ready, I’m really getting excited, I’m looking forward to this, can’t wait to ge that “PBP” feelng again.

I made a little presentation to ORR last November, and in my remarks I said that I would never encourage anyone to do this if they really had no interst or desire. But I also said that if you think you might be interested, then I would strongly recommend that you make the effort to get to PBP at least once in your lifetime.
I think David you fall in that category, though you make a good case for why 2007 is not the year. You know the joy of completing a difficult challenge, you know how to prepare, and you have an affinity for LD riding. I encourage you to look at your calendar and write in a date for PBP. It really is a seminal event for LD riders, and I think if you did this you’d get a greater sense of satisfaction from this than you have experienced on some of your other LD conquests.

I don’t know how many more of these I will be able to do, but my glass is only half empty; Looking forward to seeing you at the start in 2011!

PS: I really doubt this will be as good for me as PBP ’03 was nut I have high hopes. You can find my PBP 03 write up on my blog.

Bonne Route!

————–

Thank you, Dr. Codfish, for your thoughtful comments. And thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts with me about this particular essay.

This has been a somewhat difficult week for me, as so many of my comrades are boarding airplanes bound for France to ride PBP. I was on the fence with this decision until the last possible moment, when the applications were due to RUSA in June. The choice was the right one for me, but it was not an easy one to make peace with. What I have lost is the chance to ride with you and the rest of Americans in Paris. But I have gained just as much from the time I have spent these past six weeks (since riding the Glacier) with my wife and my son. Those experiences are beyond words.

I wish you and all Randonneurs all of the adventure that the grand dame of Grand Randonnees can bring. And I look forward to 2011, when I will be there, riding along side you. In the meantime, if your glass is half empty, fill it up, but make it the red, and say hello to Brest for me.

dr

I’m amazed by all the riders who have managed to sustain their Spring training over the past two months in prep for PBP.

We’ll see how things look when 2011 rolls around.

Lesli

Also, mentally, I can’t quite put a finger on it but I am just feeling remarkably unmotivated for PBP. But, I have my plane tickets, hotel, et al., in hand so off I go!

I was less worried about the time commitment for training (seems like most of us spend enough time riding for fun that the “training” comes for free!), than the time commitment for dealing with travel arrangements, bike transport, and other associated logistics.

I don’t really regret the decision at all. I was really pleased to have the 1000K option available, particularly so easily accessible and with such a scenic destination.