Paris-Brest-Paris: The challenge of 1200kms

For the uninitiated, Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) is a cycling tradition that started in 1891 and continues to this day, and is now one of the oldest amateur bicycling events in the world, running every four years. Conducted by Audax Club Parisien (ACP), which is based in France, this event requires cyclists to cover a distance of 1200 kilometres within 90 hours - starting from Paris to Brest and then back to Paris, which will have a cumulative elevation gain of about 36,000 feet.
To qualify for the race, cyclists have to do a series of qualifying rides called 'brevets' which are organised by more than 60 countries under the aegis of ACP. Brevets are self supported rides, where a rider is allowed any form of support only at control stations. In India these brevets are conducted by the body Audax India Randonneurs which is headed by Ms Divya Tate in Pune.
To qualify for PBP, one has to earn the title of the Super Randonneur. Any cyclist who completes a 200kms brevet is given the title of Randonneur and those who complete a series of 200, 300, 400 and 600kms in a calendar year earn the title of Super Randonneur. (I am a triple Super Randonneur, having earned the title thrice in the last three years.)
This year's PBP will have about 6,000 participants from 65 countries. India has seen a rapid rise in this format of cycling and it is expected that close to 50 cyclists from the country will be aiming to participate in the 2015 event. From Delhi Randonneurs, there are three riders aiming for PBP, while I'm the only Indian from Noida/Uttar Pradesh participating in PBP.
Cycling to me is a form of freedom, as it helps me break the shackles and lets me be myself when I'm on the saddle. As I explore the world around, the freedom that cycling brings with it also helps me explore and connect with myself on a deeper level.I have been following my passion for cycling after I took a break from my job as a Senior Vice President with Ten Sports in June 2014.
I have participated in various long distance events and tours, such as the Desert 500 where I finished in the elite category in the 250kms race in the event conducted in Rajasthan; over 6,000kms in brevets organised by Audax India Randonneurs in various Indian cities, with two rides of 1,000kms (Delhi-Atari Border-Delhi in about 62 hours in December 2014); a gruelling 900kms event in the Nilgiri hills across the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala; with Times Passion Trails from Manali to Leh in September 2014 (organised by the Times of India group), which was about 500kms of high-altitude riding across five passes in Ladakh, the highest of which was Tang Lang La at 17,600 feet.
You can follow me at PBP 2015 via my contributions to these pages during the competition.
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