Paris-Brest-Paris started as a "challenge to all" in 1891. The idea was to show that bicycles were able to cover vast distances. But the competition between the pro racers overshadowed the achievement of amateurs who simply rode to finish. From then on, it became a pro race, held every 10 years: 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931.
The pros used whatever bikes were current at the time. I suspect derailleurs were not allowed. They weren't used even in 1931. The follow cars lit up the road, so the pros did not even use lights in the later days. (But in the early days, there were no cars, so lights were used!)
After a hiatus (no 1941 edition due to the war), PBP was resurrected in 1948, then done again in 1951 to get back on schedule. Coincidentally, 1951 was the last pro race - racers didn't want to bank a full season's training on a race where they could lose by one bike length.
In 1931, the randonneurs had begun to ride in PBP as well, in a separate event. At the time, all randonneur events required what we'd call "real-world" bikes with lights and fenders. In the 1990s, the fender part of the requirement was waived, mostly because few bikes today easily accept fenders. Rebour and Madame had fenders on their Herse tandem.
In 1948, the randonneur event started two days before the pro race. And the tandem of Jo Routens/Fourmy broke the professional course record of 1931 (beating all single-bikes) by a few minutes! So for a few days, these two randonneurs held the absolute PBP record. But then the pros pulverized the record (as mentioned before, they now were using derailleurs - now there is a clear proof that modern bikes are faster on a hilly course! The 1931 winner, Hubert Opperman, was considered a great racer, yet the post-war guys easily beat his time by almost 8 hours or by 15%.)
There also were the Audax, who ride in a large group at a pre-determined (but quite fast) average, eat in restaurants and sleep every night. These guys finish PBP in 75 hours - faster than most randonneurs.
So in 1948, there were 3 PBP events: The pro race, the randonneur event (with categories for singles and tandems, male and female) and the Audax event. -- Jan Heine, Seattle Editor/Publisher Vintage Bicycle Quarterly c/o Il Vecchio Bicycles 140 Lakeside Ave, Ste. C Seattle WA 98122 http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com
In the last PBP they stopped requiring fenders.
Chris Ioakimedes http://www.fattiretrading.com
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of marcus.e.helman@gm.com Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 6:34 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Accessories for PBP
I thought PBP required fenders and lights. The Rebours' bike has a handlebar bag and a light. I can't tell if the bike has fenders or not. Hendrickx, Fazio and Neuville don't have any of that gear. Were there different rules for different classes of participant?
Marcus Helman Huntington Woods, Michigan USA North America Western Hemisphere Earth
Aldo Ross wrote:
Pic of the Day 6 March 2005
Paris-Brest-Paris 1948
(Three pics that go together)
1. The Rebour Tandem
http://www.wooljersey.com/
Some of you might recognize Mme Rebour, or at least recognize her husband. For her, PBP begins with pumping the tires. From "Miroir Sprint" No.120, 6 September 1948.
2. Hendrickx Leads Fazio
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(Proof that Albert Hendrickx recovered from his terrible crash in yesterday's Pic of the Day.) Albert Hendrickx leads Mario Fazio in the closing kilometers of the 1948 Paris-Brest-Paris. From "Miroir Sprint" No.120, 6 September 1948.
3. Hendrickx Wins P-B-P 1948
http://www.wooljersey.com/
In the final sprint on wet cobbles, Albert Hendrickx beats fellow Belgian Francois Neuville to the line. 1,200 of racing, and separated by one bike length. From "Miroir Sprint" No.120, 6 September 1948.
Aldo Ross Blue Ball, Ohio ETATS UNIS
"Gardiol, Gardiol, Gardiol..."