By Jan Heine
Training: The year before PBP, I focused on distance, completing 600, 1000 and 1200 km brevets. From January 1, 2007 until Paris-Brest-Paris, I rode 9200 km. My longest ride was the qualifying 600 km brevet, followed by the Seattle-to-Spokane ride/race (S2S, 450 km). The focus of my training was speed and hill climbing. I rested the last 2 weeks before the ride.
Bike: Ca. 1973 Alex Singer randonneur with aluminum fenders, handlebar bag, SON generator hub, Brooks saddle, Philippe Professional handlebars, Grand Bois 700C x 30 mm tires.
Clothing: Short-sleeve wool jersey, long-sleeve wool jersey, cycling shorts with real-leather chamois, Lycra tights, wool socks. Windstopper rain shell and thin neoprene booties (each worn a few hours).
Food during PBP: 9 bottles of Ensure Plus meal replacement, approximately 15 Clif and Odwalla bars, soup, noodles and rice pudding at the controls. Three GU gel packs for quick energy in difficult situations. Water mixed with apple juice or Coca-Cola.