Here here,
A battery backup just to read a map is a goodly idea. Also sometimes if you are riding in the night in a pack a bulb could go and you can switch onto battery power to keep within the safety regulations until a convenient time presents itself to change a bulb. Perhaps a control stop. As a matter of comment the Schmidt product is very well regulated and bulbs seem to last and last, a good selling point.
The damaged front wheel is a dilemma. As per old TDF rules one must use the same bike throughout the event, no bike changes allowed in Paris Brest Paris. It is a reliability trial on body and cycle. NO follow cars are allowed. I have heard and viewed follow cars on the Brevet qualifiers in this country and I think that I think it is a great disservice to allow them on the course...sometime the organizers turn a blind eye and sometime it just can't be helped. Wheel changes are allowed but (see below) using ultra light or fragile equipment on marathon bike tours at night on unfamiliar roads can on ly bring problems. You must carry luggage and food to complete the ride and your Helium's and Spinergy's are poor choices for finishing. A broken spoke on some of the modern wheels is a catastrophic experience on the road!
The riders with follow cars are cheating, plain and simple and it is not fair to the other participants that must fend for themselves for food, clothing, shelter, mechanical needs and moral support. In addition it is unfair to the riders with support cars as they become handy capped and helpless without the aid of support vehicles should they loss contact with them and they leave their warm clothes or rain gear in a vehicle. I seemed that most American's that had early trouble on the PBP and dropped out blamed their follow cars for not being where they could locate them during the event. Follow vehicles are allowed to join riders in PBP at control points only (about every 100km) and riders are usually DQed if their vehical is on the course at all even if not near a rider.
As you can probably see I feel that rider self supported can do quite well and I would advise not relying on any support personal (people seem to wait for them a lot) in you planning and preparation to have a good finish.
In a message dated 11/6/00 4:58:15 PM, moos@penn.com writes:
<< Another disadvantage I've heard mentioned in regard to randonnee is that if one has to change a damaged front wheel during a brevet, one is then without lights, which in many cases would mean immediate disqualification. I guess one could carry a battery light as a backup, though.
Regards,