Sun!

Just a few hours before the first riders start, and the sun has come
out. Looks like the 80- and 90-hour groups will have dry roads heading
out of town

Check-In

Due to the rain, bike check has been cancelled--the organizers will
check bikes at the starting line(!) Here is a shot of riders from
dozens of nations checking in at the gymnasium.

Rain!

We woke up to rain this morning (Sunday). Forecast is looking damp.

Bikes, Bikes and More Bikes

The bike room is *really* full!

Guess where?

Friday, August 17--Peter and I went to Paris to check out a famous
local landmark ...

First thing: Build the bike

Drop PDF your luggage, then it's time to build the bike

Bikes!

The bike room at the Campanile is filling up!

Paris at Night

Photo from last night. Eiffel Tower in the distance.

Second Wave

4 pm Friday, local time, and the second wave of US cyclists has
arrived. Here at the Campanile, the already full bike room is getting
*really* full. The weather has been good all day today, and many
riders took the opportunity to get out of town for a spin in the
country. Others headed for Paris or for the many local stores for bike
parts, food, etc. More training opportunities tomorrow, then bike
check Sunday.

--Eric Norris
Sent from my iPhone

Paris!

Here's a photo from Notre Dame. More to come.

Paris!

We have arrived at the hotel--1:45 pm local time, 4:45 am California
time. Niles arrive soon, then we assemble them downstairs, get some
dinner, and then sleep :-)

On the shuttle!

6 am Tuesday (California time)--Peter and I are on the way to the
airport!

While We're Waiting ...

While you're waiting for PBP to start, here are links to pages with photos from some of my training rides earlier this year:

600-Kilometer Qualifying Ride

Seattle to Portland Solo in One Day

"The Ride"--San Francisco to Santa Barbara in 3 Days

Welcome, DBC, RBW, and PMC Friends!

You have found my PBP blog. As I type this, all of my gear is packed and ready to go--airport shuttle arrives at 5:45 a.m. We're leaving tomorrow, but it will be Wednesday, Paris time, by the time we can get to the hotel and start working on getting rid of jet lag. Then, a few days to relax and see Paris before the fun starts!
Remember to check back for updated reports. The ride starts for us at 5 a.m. on Tuesday the 21st (Paris time). I hope to blog from the ride, assuming I can find a computer in the little French villages we will be riding through.
See you online!

Paris Weather

Look over there to the right--we've added realtime weather and forecasts for Paris. As of today, the weather for the ride is looking pretty good--mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-70s.

August 11--Ten Days to Ride Start

Spent some time today getting packed for the trip. Our bike is in its travel box, and we bought a variety of supplies (sleep aids, immodium, etc.) for the trip. Here are shots of our bike in mid-pack, and some of our gear laid out.