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Mental preparation for Paris Brest Paris, why do it

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Preparing and motivating oneself for Paris-Brest-Paris (the queen of cycling tourism events) is not achieved solely through qualifying rides. This opens doors with respect to the organizer, but also with respect to the 1,200 km that separate the start and finish, one victory over oneself further. If morale helps the physical, it is not worked on through the physical.

The wake-up call of the slap

It was after a 200 km ride between Créteil and Montmirail that I became aware of the work that still needed to be done. The 200 km had been trying, ridden at a fast pace, with inadequate nutrition for the weather conditions. My morale was rather low, as my body was feeling the strain, and there were still 20 km to go to get back home. Philippe offered to give me a ride back in his car, then cleverly said, 'If you want to do PBP, ride your bike home. It will help you work on your morale.' I don't remember what I said, but I fully agreed. Philippe went back in his carriage, and I went back to refill my water bottles at the Créteil Montmirail organization. One can, two, three... as the cans went down, the sugar level went up, and morale followed suit.
Once rehydrated, the remaining 20 km were completed without any problem. There was no physical failure; in fact, the body was not too tired. The morale, on the other hand, took a big hit. After this episode, a new door opened: 'being able to.'

Often, we seek to participate in rides, events, which represent a small challenge, something that is a little above (or so we think) our physical and mental capacities. Fear sets in, which motivates us, and there's the adrenaline of the start and the euphoria of the last hour of the ride. Frankly, it feels good, doesn't it? In this case, a mental barrier was pushed a little further. The slap may have done some good with a serious warning about the need to eat and drink properly, while facing and resisting the stress of distance or pace (Lesson #1 of long-distance cycling).

In terms of the physical aspect, the current barrier is above 212 km + 20 km there and back, which is 250 km. Compared to the 1,200 km of PBP, it's nothing at all. Since this mental breakthrough, the degree of freedom has gained value.

The week following the BRM 300, it was the very scenic route of the Sucs (L'Ardéchoise) that presented itself. I didn't consider it a challenge or a new goal, but I decided to take advantage of it to ride this distance over 200 km in relative solitude. The weather was rainy, but it didn't change my mindset. I put on my cycling shorts, arm warmers, and windbreaker and enjoyed the kilometers and the challenges of the unknown route to test myself.

L'Ardéchoise is a true cycling celebration with cyclists all along the road, but in the specific loop of the Sucs, there are no more cyclists and I find myself alone on the descent. It's not a big deal as long as I'm on the right track. So, I ride at my own pace, according to my feelings, and they seem good despite the rather gloomy weather conditions.

The rain intensifies, I cover up and slow down. When the rain stops, I warm up and take off again, expecting another downpour. Fighting against the wind is pointless; it's better to go through it and keep moving inward. The wind or the road will turn at some point.

In September, it's Levallois Honfleur, and since the opportunity won't come again soon, it will also be the return the next day to allow for 400 km in two consecutive days. Christian is my riding companion on these two beautiful days of cycling. Talking to other cyclists on other rides, I was able to see that this Honfleur trip was also done by Paris-Brest-Paris candidates. The mindset prepares itself gradually as physical preparation progresses.

Brevets and other rides will work on the physical aspect, and for the morale, other points of entry and other questions arise: What are we doing in this type of event, what are we looking for, what do we want to prove to ourselves, and to whom do we want to prove something?

In a club or solo

Doing PBP with a club, or rather with a group of friends from the same club, versus doing PBP "solo" are not the same approach. The "club" cyclist and the "solo" cyclist do not function in the same way. The former seeks approval and recognition from the group, whereas the latter seeks something more internal. They do not have the same view of the group or from the group. It seems important to me for such an event to know your fellow riders and to know that someone in the group could also ride alone very well. This person doesn't need the group, but can still provide help if they are willing to do so.

To find the leitmotif

It seems to me that it is important, necessary, and useful to find one's leitmotiv in this challenge that is PBP. What is my goal? How do I get there? What am I looking for? How will I achieve it? PBP is not just about going to Brest and back. Although this is the beginning of a rough approach, it is already a progression from one stage to another. Before Brest, one must aim for Mortagne, Villaines... then Loudéac, Carhaix, Brest, etc., and then think of moments of rest, sleep, meals, as so many successful stages, allowing to mark what has been achieved, and then project oneself towards the next stage (control point or meal time).

This organized thinking about PBP allows the cyclist to reposition themselves in their effort, in the whole days of cycling: knowing what they have done, knowing where they are, knowing where they are going.

And to think that every minute, every kilometer, that brings them closer to the arriving stage, the ultimate stage opens up to a formidable victory over oneself.

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