Paris Brest Paris 1987 Official Video on YouTube

[David Cambon]

Jeff Shmoorkoff did the 1987 Paris-Brest-Paris.  I could not find the 1987 PBP Official video on the internet so I had the original VHS tape version of it converted to an MP4 file and I uploaded it to a dark, dusty corner of YouTube that no one watches (my bike channel).  It has (so far) not been subject to any copyright strikes for the Bowie tunes (except in Russia and Belarus).  The Gypsy Kings, Pijon, Sananda Maitreya and Toure Kunda are ok with it.

https://youtu.be/NzzPGk-uaQc

The take-aways from 1987 are the ultra-crappy incandescent bike lights only marginally better than previous PBP coal oil lamps, stupidly skinny tires (thank-you Jan Heine for fixing that) and some of the Americans and Canadians wearing Shermer Neck boat anchor Bell Biker helmets. 

If anyone wants the MP4 file just let me know.  

[Dan Paarsmarkt]

Hey David, I rode in 1991.  Is there a video for that year.  Would be great to relive those memories.

Dan Paarsmarkt

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From: abr...@googlegroups.com <abr...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of David Cambon <bikelanesfo...@gmail.com>
Sent: March 31, 2026 9:37 AM
To: abr...@googlegroups.com <abr...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [AB Rando] Paris Brest Paris 1987 Official Video on YouTube

 

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[David Cambon]

Hey David, I rode in 1991.  Is there a video for that year. 

Dan, here is 1991:

https://youtu.be/GOnf1ksMKZ0

 

[Jeff Shmoorkoff]

Thanks Dave,

1987 and 1991 were my first two years at 24 and 28 yo. Then my profession (and kids) kept me away for quite some time. I returned in my 40s and 50s for a few more. Sadly, I DNFd for my first ever event at my last one, due to a disc protrusion in my back. I continue to enjoy 200s and the odd 300. But I will unlikely ever do multiday brevets again, now in my 60s. My profession continues to consume xs time. But I have enjoyed multisport (triathlon, Duathlon and X events) since 2001. Thanks for these links 😊.

I have so many slides of the early days with AB Randonneurs (aka Rocky Mountain Randonneurs). I may transfer to a digital format and put together some type of slide show. I’d use Alan Parsons for the background music. But time … and tech experience needs to be learned and committed to … and retirement first! Maybe in my 70s?

Jeff Shmoorkoff 

Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 31, 2026, at 10:18 AM, David Cambon <bikelanesfo...@gmail.com> wrote:



Hey David, I rode in 1991.  Is there a video for that year. 

Dan, here is 1991:

https://youtu.be/GOnf1ksMKZ0

 

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[David Cambon]

1987 and 1991 were my first two years at 24 and 28 yo.

You may have been the second youngest Canadian at PBP in 1987.

 

Then my profession (and kids) kept me away for quite some time.

I think brevets should be handicapped according to the occupation and number of children of the randonneur. For instance, if a randonneur works 60 - 80 hours a week at a desk job and they have five preschool-age children, they should get a five hour head start on a 200 kilometer brevet.

Sadly, I DNFd for my first ever event at my last one, due to a disc protrusion in my back.

That is indeed awful.

 

My profession continues to consume xs time. 

 

I can sympathize with that.  My occupation has grossly interfered with my randonneur career.  I work 75 - 80 hours a week and I am always out of town.  To make matters worse, I am permanently car-disabled so I have to ride my bike to brevets.  I missed the last brevet by three hours after riding 2000 km to get to the start.

Note to readers:  I did not lose my licence for DUI.  I have a valid drivers licence.  I don't have a car.  I spent my car budget on bikes (and sports drinks).

[Erik Bakke]

These are parts of history that deserve not to die, thanks for bringing them into the digital age!

[David Cambon]

These are parts of history that deserve not to die, thanks for bringing them into the digital age!

I think the 1987 PBP video should be preserved because it is more arty and less serious than the more recent PBP videos.   For some context as to what is going on in that video, Spaniard Alberto Guisasola Usandizaga and American Scott DIckson (at 1:12:06 - Official Car following them because they are at the front) teamed up to try and stay ahead of the mighty Belgian, Herman De Munck.  Their strategy worked and Scott Dickson arrived back in Paris slightly ahead of Herman De Munck.

My claim to fame:  I met the great Herman De Munck on a training ride.  I thought he might be ferocious but he is actually a very personable fellow and we had a lovely conversation.

[Wim Kok]

Greetings

Great memories. When I rode PBP again in 2015 we started at the Velodrome. 

Willi Fast and I made a point of visiting the track the day before.  Incredible place which was also the site for track cycling (Olympics 2024)

We hung around in the centre of the Velodrome, where I chatted with author Jacques Seray and his wife. 

They were seated at a table promoting Jacques' new book on the history of PBP: "Paris-Brest-Paris 120 ans, 1,200 kilometres". 

Upon purchasing my copy, he autographd the book with:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    "Pour Wim, qui connait parfaitement la route de Paris-Brest-Paris.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Bien chaleureusement. Jacques Seray. Au Vélodrome de Saint Quentin en Yvelines, le 16 août 2015."

As we were chatting another gentleman joined the conversation, and he was none other than the Belgian Herman de Munck, who 'won' PBP three times (and finishing in the top two on other occasions).                                                                          Diminutive in stature, very affable, but one look in his eyes and you saw a champion. We chatted about PBPs past and his experiences in long distance cycling. This included his attempt to ride RAAM.                                                                            An acute and serious medical condition however ended his dream prematurely. He mentioned that his trade as a floor installer required him to be on his knees a lot, which caused serious ankle-foot problems later in life.                                                  A surgeon suggested drastic measures to solve the issue, which would have ended his cycling adventures. None of that he mentioned. In his own and unconventional way, Herman overcame the issue, fixed it himself                                                 nd and continued cycling. A wonderful gentleman with a warm heart and a deep passion for PBP. The twinkle in his eyes told all.

From: Paris Brest Paris 2015 - Wim Kok   

Cheers,

Wim

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[Jeff Shmoorkoff]

Great memories. One day, I’ll look at my cycling slides and relive some of the early Rando days in AB, Sask (I qualified through in 1987) and make digital forms from 1987 and on. Maybe a video to music like I said … Alan Parsons.

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 2, 2026, at 2:28 PM, Wim Kok <ewko...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/abrando/CADRi7akOWcLFkO8BY7Tgog92Asy42A6%3DOEoLKWdyTwi8H9KxHw%40mail.gmail.com.

[John McWhae]

This all sounds very interesting. Possibly a film night at my home in Calgary sometime, maybe something in Edmonton?

John

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 5, 2026, at 8:54 PM, Jeff Shmoorkoff <jfs...@gmail.com> wrote:

Great memories. One day, I’ll look at my cycling slides and relive some of the early Rando days in AB, Sask (I qualified through in 1987) and make digital forms from 1987 and on. Maybe a video to music like I said … Alan Parsons.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/abrando/27F28F87-3672-4047-BD4A-9485E627ED84%40gmail.com.