Gallery: 10 strange sightings at Paris-Brest-Paris 2023

Paris-Brest-Paris is the biggest brevet in the calendar, drawing riders from all over the world. Strange bikes are part of the fun, with recumbents, tandems, tricycles and more all taking part in the ride. But the bikes weren't the only strange things at Paris-Brest-Paris.

Whilst in France filming our latest GCN+ documentary, Paris-Brest-Paris, we couldn't help but notice a few peculiar details. Here are 10 surprising things we spotted at Paris-Brest-Paris 2023.

1. Drink plenty

Go to any other cycling event, and riders will be rehydrating on sports drinks, gels and smoothies. At Paris-Brest-Paris, it's claret, Burgundy and Bordeau. At each control, beer and wine are available for riders.

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A selection of wines on offer for riders at checkpoints

2. Packing eggs

Spotted at the first control point: a rider carrying half a dozen eggs on their saddle pack. Rumour has it they cracked before the finish.

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Eggs on a saddlebag

3. Cigarettes in the frame bag

If you were wondering what riders carry inside their frame bags, here's your answer. Perfect if you want to smoke the competition on the climbs.

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Cigarettes in the framebag

4. A duck on a helmet

We spotted this man with a small rubber duck on his head. Thankfully, the duck was wearing a helmet, as per Paris-Brest-Paris rules, Article 9.

A man with a small rubber duck on his helmet

5. Seriously bad tan lines

Ultra-distance professional Marko Baloh didn't have time to stop and reapply suncream, evidently.

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Seriously bad tan lines after a day in the sun

6. A stern man holding a small umbrella

In the baking heat, a spot of shade was a wise idea. Nonetheless, this man with his tiny umbrella stood out.

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Ready for action, or a light shower

7. Deliveroo rider

If that Pain au Chocolat you ordered is taking longer to arrive than you expected, this might be why.

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Did someone order pizza?

8. Helmet sun visor

Sun safety is tricky, especially when you're riding for days on end. We've never seen anything like this helmet attachment, but we want one.

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Helmet tutu / sun visor

9. Sleeping cyclists

All across North West France, from Paris to Brest, were sleeping cyclists, just like this one. An odd sight.

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For a few days, North West France was littered with sleeping cyclists

10. Packing the weekly shopping

With all that room in there, it's hardly surprising that velomobile riders don't pack light. Even so, watching this rider cram an enormous bag for life into his recumbent was a sight to behold.

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A recumbent rider packs the week's shopping for PBP