At 03:29 this morning Paris time, a pair of fine leather shoes crossed the finish line after 1,230km and over 58 hours of cycling. The feet belonged to Philipp Hympendahl, an internationally renowned cycling photographer; the feat was a successful first attempt at completing the Paris-Brest-Paris randonnée.
Reading about Paris-Brest-Paris it soon becomes clear that the word "epic" is bandied about a bit casually these days. If a 100-mile sportive is epic, how are we to describe a monster like Paris-Brest-Paris at 764 miles, non-stop.
An ultrasportive?
Welcome to the world of audax; we're gonna need a bigger dictionary.
Racers on PBP ride through the night, battling fatigue and snatching a few minutes' rest at crowded control points en route. The faster riders - known as Vedettes - aim for a time of sub-80 hours, with some completing in well under 50. For most, known as the "Touristes", completing the ride at all is a badge of honour to be worn with pride.
But how do you prepare for a ride of such phenomenal length? Sponsorship from Dromarti was a welcome start for Philipp, but it needs more than some stout brogues to see you through PBP.
As part of Philipp's training he decided to enter the gruelling 24-Hour Race at Germany's legendary Nürburgring race circuit. Set amid the Eifel forest, some 70km from Cologne, the circuit was described by British Formula 1 driver Jackie Stewart as the "Green Hell". It's a nickname that has stuck, and one cyclists are sure to agree with as organisers insert a temporary hill with 17% gradient into the picturesque 26km track.
Below, Philipp describes his his preparation and thoughts ahead of tackling Paris-Brest-Paris.
It only remains to say a heartfelt "Chapeau, Philipp." Or should that be "chaussure"...
About Paris-Brest-Paris
PBP is a long-distance cycling event. It was originally a 1,200km race from Paris to Brest and back to Paris. It is one of the oldest bicycling events still regularly run. The last time it was run as a race was 1951. The start of the ride is scheduled from the national velodrome situated in Saint Cyr-Ecole.
Cycling came into my life, after a bad motorcycle accident I had when I was 20 years old. I broke my left foot with long-term damage.
At the time, in the 90s, mountain-biking came to Germany and in the early years there was a bunch of amateurs racing in the same events with the pros and I was one of them. The bikes were simple and without suspension, but at the time it was exciting.
I remember an uphill race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. John Tomac won and, as a typical local present, he received a huge cow bell with which he went down the mountain, making noise all the way. I can still hear this bell ringing!
Later I switched to race bikes and raced as an amateur for several years. Not being a sprinter, and due to a high level in this area of Germany, I was not very successful concerning results, but I liked the action and speed of racing.
In the meantime I got married and had two children, which makes cycling not easier - plus I got older.
Last year, in my mid 40s, I asked myself, what challenges does this sport still have for me? And I remembered, it was the famous Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) cycling challenge, having photographed the race years ago.
As the event only takes place every four years, 2015 was the next opportunity, so my decision was made.
Preparation
To prepare for this challenging event, I adjusted my cycle training a little and thought going long distance would be a little easier concerning the speed.
Then I started the qualification brevets of 200-300-400 and 600km and I was surprised how fast the first riders go over this distance. I was also positively surprised of how good my body, my legs and my mind would cope with the strain in my first long distance events.
After the qualification brevets I had severe problems with my body.
My neck was hurting, my achilles tendon was swollen, my wrists hurt, and recently I had fatal problems with my bottom after the 24h race. Cycle training without pain was not possible, but I had to persevere.
Luckily I could solve most of the problems, now shortly before the start of PBP.
I have always dreamt of being a professional cyclist and now I had the chance of running a campaign with the opportunity of using a lot of modern technical and physical support.
My position on my new bike was set by specialists from KOMsport in Cologne. I trained professionally, I went to physiotherapists for massages etc, and as a vegetarian I took care of my nutrition very carefully.
Support
With Martin from Dromarti, I found someone who supported me, because he liked my photography and also what I planned on the bike.
Now I have a situation to do what I want on the bike, without having the pressure of bringing results.
My first long-distance race at the Nürburgring was pretty successful: I finished 21st out of 400 starters and 8th in my age class.
But long-distance cycle racing is not against other cyclists, it is a battle against your own physical and mental limitations and this is what makes it so special. You learn that you can nearly always carry on, the limitations are in your head - assuming you have done your homework. So let's hope I have done mine and I stay healthy another week.
Dromarti are proud to sponsor Philipp and wish him well during this most epic of events.
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