PBP questions

[Pam Wright]

Hi All,

 

Yep, my first PBP is coming!!  Still planning on being the happiest finisher, but right now am trying to "out-think" customs and am probably over-thinking (part of my "charm")  How do the rest of you plan to handle:

 

1 - Sports Drink - I use Accelerade and have been trying HARD to find the individual packets we've all received in ride packets before with no success.  Accelerade company has been zero help and my LBS and I are hitting dead-ends.  I'm trying Pacific Health Labs now, but no return info yet.  Anyone have a contact for getting the packets or another idea?  Figure French customs might frown on my little baggies of powder and I dread lugging the jugs in my case!

 

2 - Other supplements like Endurolytes and Sports Legs - My plan was to carry new sealed bottles to limit any doubt.  Any input? I don't usually have problems with regular vitamins in ziplocs.

 

3 - Buying in France - Dan Driscoll says their giant store (like Wal-Mart) is MUCH more cycle friendly than ours.  The plan is to get CO2 there.  Any suggestions of other things to buy there and not fly over?  I worry about not finding my preferred nutrition....gels, clif bars, shot blox, etc.

 

Thanks for all the great input these past months!

Pam Wright

 

---

Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows.
Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.

[Jon Muellner]

On Jun 6, 2007, at 8:23 AM, Pam Wright wrote:

3 - Buying in France - Dan Driscoll says their giant store (like Wal-Mart) is MUCH more cycle friendly than ours.  The plan is to get CO2 there.  Any suggestions of other things to buy there and not fly over?  I worry about not finding my preferred nutrition....gels, clif bars, shot blox, etc.

I don't know much about the other two items, but you might consider a regular pump instead of CO2 cartridges. It removes the possibility of running out of air when you need it most and CO2s are just one shot and your done.

Even on small frames you can get a decent pump mounted (I have a little T-handle one that mounts next to the water bottle cage on my MTB and works great, if slow). You could still carry just one CO2 for a quick emergency fill if you need it on a cold rainy night...

I don't presume to know your arm strength or other issues, so maybe CO2 is your best option, but just thought it's worth a comment.

Jon

Jon Muellner

j...@mountainbike.org

Port Townsend, WA

[Pam Wright]

No, I appreciate the thought.  I've got a pump, but if it's 2am Thursday morning, I'm not gonna foch with it....bring on the easy co2! :)

Jon Muellner <j...@mountainbike.org> wrote:

---

Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels
in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.

[Adrian Hands]

> 3 - Buying in France - Dan Driscoll says their giant store (like Wal-Mart) is MUCH more cycle friendly than ours. The plan is to get CO2 there. Any suggestions of other things to buy there and not fly over? I worry about not finding my preferred nutrition....gels, clif bars, shot blox, etc.

I don't think you'll find much opportunity to buy cycling stuff on the
route, but in Paris it should be no problem. I don't use sports
drinks or sports food, but I did buy bike shorts at "Go Sports" in
Paris before the ride. I think buying CO2 would be no problem.
(Remember, CO2 is not allowed on the planes--even in checked bags). I
tried to by a jacket at the controls after losing mine and came away
with only a well-vented sleeveless vest. Nice vest, great souvegnier,
but less than what I needed for those chilly nights. Patisseries and
bakeries are easy to find on the route, and there's plenty of real
food at the controls.

I do recall seeing folks selling some kind of "gu" at the controls.
It was packaged differently from in the states--in some kind of hard
plastic tube, I think. They were also selling some really cool
looking cycling gloves: black and white with the Bretagne Ermine logo.

[Amy M. Harman]

Pam

we used SIS products in Spain this spring - you might want to look at their website and see about the ingredients they should be available in France or you can preorder and have some shipped to your pre PBP hotel.  We had good luck with their hydration drink.  They are along the same school of thinking as Hammer Nutrition.

http://www.scienceinsport.com/

 

Of course its never a good idea to use new products on a ride - also you will find a product called isotope which is also a fairly good hydration drink.

Amy

-----Original Message-----
From: Pam Wright
Sent: Jun 6, 2007 8:23 AM
To: Randon Google Group , Lone Star Randonneurs
Subject: [Randon] PBP questions

Hi All,

 

Yep, my first PBP is coming!!  Still planning on being the happiest finisher, but right now am trying to "out-think" customs and am probably over-thinking (part of my "charm")  How do the rest of you plan to handle:

 

1 - Sports Drink - I use Accelerade and have been trying HARD to find the individual packets we've all received in ride packets before with no success.  Accelerade company has been zero help and my LBS and I are hitting dead-ends.  I'm trying Pacific Health Labs now, but no return info yet.  Anyone have a contact for getting the packets or another idea?  Figure French customs might frown on my little baggies of powder and I dread lugging the jugs in my case!

 

2 - Other supplements like Endurolytes and Sports Legs - My plan was to carry new sealed bottles to limit any doubt.  Any input? I don't usually have problems with regular vitamins in ziplocs.

 

3 - Buying in France - Dan Driscoll says their giant store (like Wal-Mart) is MUCH more cycle friendly than ours.  The plan is to get CO2 there.  Any suggestions of other things to buy there and not fly over?  I worry about not finding my preferred nutrition....gels, clif bars, shot blox, etc.

 

Thanks for all the great input these past months!

Pam Wright

 

---

Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows.
Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.

"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel...the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood."--Susan B. Anthony

[Cris Concepcion]

Pam,

I've got an old friend from high school who spent five years working for
Customs Canada. I'm planning on bringing some Sustained Energy and
Endurolytes as supplements (but still primarily leaning on real food, as
French cuisine is part of my plan for being a happy finisher) and asked him
for tips. He said that, so long as you aren't actually bringing contraband
and are only transporting enough of the substance for your own personal use,
you don't have much to worry about it. If customs is alarmed, you'll get
some hassle from being temporarily detained while they test it out, but
generally inspectors won't confiscate your gear if they don't find anything
objectionable.

With that said, it's still advisable to keep your actual quantities low.
One sandwich bag of drink powder probably won't raise too much attention,
but several kilos will. Not necessarily tagging you as a drug mule, but it
will make customs officials think you're a commercial product smuggler
looking to get around import tariffs or customs duties. The key quantity to
aim for is personal use. Bring enough that seems reasonable for yourself.
Don't agree to bring any for your friends.

Also, regarding your third question. Do -not- expect to find any American
nutrition supplements in France. I believe that the furthest Clif's
distribution has gone is the UK. If you plan on using powders and gels as
your primary fueling source, bring enough for the -entire- ride.

Personally, given the exchange between the Euro and dollar, I'd limit the
amount of things that I plan on purchasing there.

-- cris

[C. Duque]

I recently returned from a bicycle tour overseas. I packed a gallon
ziplock with powder Gatorade. On my way out, at SFO the security check
guys asked me to open my shoulder bag where I had clothes and the
Gatorade, once they saw what it was I was on my way. This is the first
time I take Gatorade with me on a tour overseas, nowadays in most
countries you can find similar products.

I would take powder sports drinks with me only if I was sure I would
not be able to find it at my destination but there *must* be an
alternative in France. But if you need to have a specific brand of the
stuff, take it with you. The worse that can happen is they confiscate
it upon arrival but the stuff is cheap.

Carlos

On Jun 6, 8:23 am, Pam Wright <texaspamri...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Yep, my first PBP is coming!! Still planning on being the happiest finisher, but right now am trying to "out-think" customs and am probably over-thinking (part of my "charm") How do the rest of you plan to handle:
>
> 1 - Sports Drink - I use Accelerade and have been trying HARD to find the individual packets we've all received in ride packets before with no success. Accelerade company has been zero help and my LBS and I are hitting dead-ends. I'm trying Pacific Health Labs now, but no return info yet. Anyone have a contact for getting the packets or another idea? Figure French customs might frown on my little baggies of powder and I dread lugging the jugs in my case!
>
> 2 - Other supplements like Endurolytes and Sports Legs - My plan was to carry new sealed bottles to limit any doubt. Any input? I don't usually have problems with regular vitamins in ziplocs.
>
> 3 - Buying in France - Dan Driscoll says their giant store (like Wal-Mart) is MUCH more cycle friendly than ours. The plan is to get CO2 there. Any suggestions of other things to buy there and not fly over? I worry about not finding my preferred nutrition....gels, clif bars, shot blox, etc.
>
> Thanks for all the great input these past months!
> Pam Wright
>

> ---------------------------------

[Pam Wright]

Thanks Chris, there's certainly a fine line between carrying weight (and risking airline upcharges) with the value of the $ and buying things in France. 

 

Right now, I'm planning to carry my own nutrition.  For any of you interested in Accelerade packets...I FINALLY got a live person at Pacific Health Labs!!  REI is the only retailer. They're even for sale on the website (figures I didn't check there first).  $1.45/packet BUT there's a 20% discount for more than 12 packets.

 

You also can buy them directly from PHL. 100 packets/case and I think he said about $80?  (I stopped listening when I heard 100)  800.397.7683

Pam Wright

Cris Concepcion <cr...@rcn.com> wrote:

---

Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing.

[Robert Sheldon]

I too was concerned about shipping white powder in baggies for ’03 PBP.  Prior to PBP, I called both customs and TSA who assured me there would not be a problem.  Good.  I then sorted out my various powders in baggies, labeling each bag and cut the label off the jugs, placing all the baggies in a 2 gallon freezer bag with the labels.  I also wrote a letter explaining the powder and their use.

 

Since PBP, I have flown several times in the states with white powder baggies and never had a problem, however, I’ve always included the label off the jug.       

 

Hope that helps.

 

Bob Sheldon

-----Original Message-----
From: ran...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ran...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Pam Wright
Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2007 11:23 AM
To: Randon Google Group; Lone Star Randonneurs
Subject: [Randon] PBP questions

 

Hi All,

[Robert Magyar]

If you have preferred nutrition, bring it with you.
 
In 2003 many searched for Gatorade and Ensure, none was to be found in the bike shops or the mega marts with 67 check out lanes. Additionally, even it the items you are looking for are were available, do not expect to find them with similar packaging.
 
Most bicycle shops are closed for summer holiday in August, the main source of bicycle supplies was found at the sporting goods stores.
 
French Customs may not be the biggest problem for large bags of white powder. TSA types and and baggage handlers inspecting luggage might find it interesting, and interesting could mean, lets talk to you about it while your plane leaves, or score I got me a new stash!
 
If you can't find your favorite powder in individual packets, consider making your own with a food sealer and sticking labels on them.

Zefal makes CO2 cartridges (Cartouche (x 2) AIR CO2 16g) for their AIR FLASH II, but they might have metric threads and not work in your unit, so you might need to get the Zefal AIR FLASH II as well. Hopefully the number of bars they are pressurized to are close to the ones you currently use, otherwise POW!
 


Bob

---

Date: Wed, 6 Jun 2007 08:23:08 -0700
From: texasp...@yahoo.com
Subject: [Randon] PBP questions
To: ran...@googlegroups.com; talk...@googlegroups.com

[David Buzzee]

The hypermarket mentioned earlier is Carrefour.  It is the largest chain in Europe and second world-wide only to WalMart - but a very different kind of store than WalMart.  There is one near the start of PBP.  I looked on their website for Hammer products and didn't find any but just had a minute to scan through.  I did find a brand of chocolate milk ("Cacolac" brand) to answer another previous question.  Some other information about Carrefour which may prove useful:

The Carrefour website starts with an English version.  It does however revert to French for specific information. Go to  http://www.carrefour.com.  Carrefour hypermarkets carry everything from multi-media, clothing, electrical goods and household goods through to foods.

Subsidiaries include

Ed  - Discount stores http://www.ed-fr.com/

Promocash - Cash and Carry   http://www.promocash.com/ 

Shopi - mini-markets or small grocery shops found in many small villages. http://www.shopi.com/.  These have hours to suit the proprietor.  If the shop is attached to a bar, it can be open most of the time.

 

 

Pam Wright <texasp...@yahoo.com> wrote:

---

Luggage? GPS? Comic books?
Check out fitting gifts for grads at Yahoo! Search.

[David Lach]

Liquid Ensure is available from pharmacies in France. It is typically not in stock in a local pharmacy, but if you ask they will bring it in from the drug warehouse, often on the same day. The manufacturer is Abbott France. It is packaged in plastic packages like apple juice, with a straw on the side. If I remember right it is packaged slightly smaller than the North American size, perhaps 200ml yielding 300 calories for Ensure Plus, instead of 335 calories from a North American package.

But I don't know whether powdered Ensure is available.

/dl

-- 

--------------------------------------------------------
David Lach                              Baseline Type & Graphics

Tel  604.683-5038 ext 103       816 - 736 Granville Street
cell 604.809-5038                             Vancouver, BC  V6Z 1G3
Fax  604.683-1642                         Canada
dl...@baseline-graphics.com       www.baseline-graphics.com

[Michel Gagnon]

Pam Wright a écrit :

> Hi All,
>
> Yep, my first PBP is coming!! Still planning on being the
> happiest finisher, but right now am trying to "out-think" customs and
> am probably over-thinking (part of my "charm") How do the rest of you
> plan to handle:
>
> 1 - Sports Drink - I use Accelerade and have been trying HARD to find
> the individual packets we've all received in ride packets before with

> no success. ....

Or you could bring a can of powder and a series of plastic bags. Pack it
in individual bags once you have crossed the ocean.

--

Michel Gagnon
Montréal (Québec, Canada)

[pamela blalock]

I wouldn’t worry about powder in ziploc bags. The taste test will quickly eliminate you as a drug courier. Drug dealers rarely pack their white powder in ziplock bags in their suitcases with their bike shorts and bike jerseys and bike shoes and such. The drug sniffing dogs seem to know the difference too.

 

I’d be much more worried about how TSA is going to repack your bike case after they open it L

 

Enervit is one of the more common sports drinks in Europe. I’ve seen it on most of the organized events I’ve done in recent years. As others have said, don’t expect to find the exact same stuff you get here, and if you must have the exact stuff you use here, take it with you. I’m not a fan of sports drinks, and suffer energy bars rarely. Orangina and croissants (pain au chocolat especially) at cafés in between controls did the trick in 99!

 

Go Sports and Decathlon are two of the big sports stores. Unlike a big sports stores in the US, they will actually have high-end bike stuff. We were thrilled with what we found in these two stores. We actually found things like a single STI brifter, so if you broke one, you could replace ONE – good luck doing that in the US!  We also found a sports section in a grocery store near our hotel in 99 that had freehub bodies – John bought them out!

 

pamela blalock                    pgb at blayleys.com
car-free in watertown, ma         http://www.blayleys.com

 

[RoadiJeff]

Pam,

On PBP I rely primarily on Spiz for nutrition. It's a white powder
and you can imagine what people would think seeing baggies of that in
my luggage. I always cut a label off one of the containers and place
it with the baggies and have never had a problem at the airports. Spiz
is great because it lets me avoid long food lines at the controls. I
also take along powdered Gatorade.

The Carrefour stores sell CO2 cartridges, as has already been said.
However, don't expect the one near the start of PBP to have any left
in stock within 3-4 days of the ride start. When I arrived 10 days
early in 2003 there were lots of CO2 cartridges on the shelves but
none soon after that.

I've smuggled cartridges in the foam in my bike case on two previous
PBPs and the officials never found them. Since then I bought a Topeak
Road Morph pump and will no longer have to worry about getting caught
with contraband. The pump actually weighs less than the CO2
cartridges, inflator, and mini pump that I had been carrying.