Fwd: Summary of 2023 PBP route changes

[Mike Sturgill]

Hello Randos!

For those of you planning to ride PBP this year, Eric Nichols has translated the route from Openrunner to RWGPS. I have not personally scoured this translation, nor have I heard that it's final. But, I wanted to get this out to you in case you're (like me) and like to study/plan ahead for long events.  He has done a really nice job highlighting the differences from previous versions.

Good luck to all!
-Mike

-------- Forwarded Message --------

Subject:	[PBP_prep] Summary of 2023 PBP route changes
Date:	Tue, 21 Mar 2023 06:29:54 -0700 (PDT)
From:	Eric Nichols
To:	PBP_prep <pbp_...@googlegroups.com>

ACP recently released the official 2023 route, which is available in OpenRunner here: https://www.paris-brest-paris.org/en/the-road/

I've transferred that route to RWGPS which is available here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42290788

Summary: ACP has made extensive changes to the route.  Here are the highlights:

• The outbound and inbound route between Mortagne-au-Perche and Villaines-la-Juhel runs farther north, bypassing Mamers (30 mi / 48 km new)
• The outbound and inbound route between Fougères and Tinéniac is almost entirely new (32 mi/ 52 km new)
• There is much more separation of outbound and inbound routes after Quédillac / Saint-Méen-le-Grand (from miles 241 to 517 / 388 to 834 km )
• Beyond Loudéac, the outbound and inbound routes are entirely separate except at Carhaix
• Saint-Nicolas-du-Pelem is only encountered on the outbound leg
• Sizun is only encountered on the outbound leg
• After the descent from Roch Trévézel into Sizun, the outbound route heads through Landernau to Brest, similar to the return route in recent years
• The iconic Pont Albert Louppe Bridge is crossed on the return, in the other direction, AFTER reaching the Brest control
• Five miles after the Albert Louppe Bridge, the return route is 100% new all the way to Carhaix (45 mi / 72 km new)

Overall, the new course has significantly more climbing. RWGPS reports 39,871 ft (12,153 m) which is a whopping 6,500 ft (2,000 m) more than the 2019 course.  As before, a good portion of that climbing is between Loudéac - Brest - Loudéac. 

The new course is about 3 mi (5 km) longer. 

The new course suggests the possibility of at least one new secret control between Brest and Loudéac. 

In recent years, Mamers hosted a well-stocked food station in the town square, which was used extensively by returning riders.  Hopefully another town picks up that service since Mamers is now bypassed.  

Overall, the new route is more challenging, though easier on the eyes at night.  It will likely feel significantly different to PBP anciens/nnes. 

Eric Nichols

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