Cycling UK Forum

45 hours PBP would surely not be allowed if it were "work". (There are directives on working hours and for truck drivers and factory workers). I have never ridden more than 16 hours, that was enough. Seems to me as a safety enthusiast that PBP would clearly be much too much (for me), I would not ride it for fear of endangering my health. But I am a bit ignorant here so I can not really form an opinion.

What happens (mentally, physically) when one goes so long with little rest or sleep? I would love to read the opinions of those who have done it, or the end-to-end plus (1000 miles). What about even longer events (e.g. RAAM)?

Nadolig llawen! Cymru am byth!

The fast guys are the lucky ones. They go for 45 hours without sleep, knowing they could have an occasional nap if they wanted. The slow riders on the other hand could (in theory or with drugs) be 90 hours without sleep!

I think that I have done that long or longer without sleep with the army, it is hard to tell though, you learn little tricks like sleeping with your rifle in the aim position to fool the NCOs (no real enemy trying to kill you out in the field in my day), you end up having slept without even knowing it but you can not do that for long on a bike.

Plenty of tales of people hallucinating on PBP. Also roadsides covered with napping cyclists.

Another problem with Audax is that you often start it with a sleep deficit through either logistical problems or nerves or both. I remember being unable to ride but also unable to stop due to weather after about 24 hours without sleep but on both occasions I had had four hours or less the night before.
Just a few minutes in a bus shelter can recharge you.

Frohes Weihnachten! Deutschland Uuups! Alles Klar.

Sleep is a very individual thing and even then can vary considerably according to circumstances. I think age has a part to play also.

In 1979 I started with the vedettes with the aim of a sub 60 hours ride but punctured soon after the start leaving me last in the field. I got to the Brest turn in 27 hours but suffered on the return. My saddle pin slipped leaving me unable to level the saddle. The saddle was a dressed Brooks leather - what a mistake.
The combination of slipped pin and dressed leather resulted in bad saddle sores which slowed me down and forced me to ride through a third night. I had got through two nights as planned with only short stops but the unplanned third night did for me. I struggled home in 67 hours.

To ride for a fast time support is needed (not allowed officially in 1979 but there are rules and there are rules). Anyone who has done the qualifying rides, and more so LEL, should get round easily within the time limit, even after allowing a generous time off to sleep each night. Do your own ride. Ride with groups but do not them dictate. You know yourself better than anyone and know when to stop and sleep.

Bon route.

beardy wrote:Plenty of tales of people hallucinating on PBP.

Such as this one.

If you want a real nutter endurance ride, Iditabike is the one.

Hi,
Well we have all been there, mine unsupported means lack of sleep starts to affect my ability to cycle in a straight line Then your mind goes blank and blind You know this because you are not where you were on road a fraction of a moment earlier, which in reality is several seconds, but your feet are still moving...............
I have since modified my methods by stooping earlier for power naps, but I am still trying and hope some success in the new year.

I wont go down the caffeine route as it can permanently affect you in the future. That is that you will now be susceptible to a erratic heart rate.......do you want that.

NATURAL ANKLING wrote:Hi,
Well we have all been there, mine unsupported means lack of sleep starts to affect my ability to cycle in a straight line Then your mind goes blank and blind You know this because you are not where you were on road a fraction of a moment earlier, which in reality is several seconds, but your feet are still moving...............
I have since modified my methods by stooping earlier for power naps, but I am still trying and hope some success in the new year.

I wont go down the caffeine route as it can permanently affect you in the future. That is that you will now be susceptible to a erratic heart rate.......do you want that.

Um, is this your own theory or one that that's been reliably confirmed? I've never seen any conclusive evidence of long term harm caused by caffeine. There is more evidence that prolonged exercise may make you more susceptible to AF.

Tim

Hi,
OK so it does not increase the risk of AF.
But if you have had it (AF, me once) then I rather stay off a higher dose.
I don't like to use stimulants If I don't need to, individuals choice............

Carbo loading some thing I never did and don't see the need today either.

Lack of sleep on PBP is a problem especially if you go into it already short of sleep, as I did in 2007 (eventually finishing after 84 hours). I was on the road for four nights and had a total of 4.5 hours sleep over those four nights and experienced hallucinations on the last night where I was convinced I was cycling on Ireland, always feeling that I had the sea on one side of me and mountains on the other side. At other times, I felt like I was constantly going under flyovers which simply weren't there.

Hi,
Well I see you would never have a need for any recreational drugs.....................

I don't think a Brit has ever got under 50 hours for PBP, so nobody here will be able to talk about doing a 45 hour PBP with any authority.

I've ridden brevets up to the 1600km Mille Miglia. Doing up to 400km a day is ok, allowing enough sleep for me to stay alert while riding. Other riders are faster; allowing more sleep for the same daily distance or more distance for the same amount of sleep.