This year's Paris-Brest-Paris quickly turned into 1,200 km (745 miles) of misery for riders who had already ridden qualifying events of 200, 300, 400 and 600 km just to be there. PBP, held every four years, has been lashed by rain and buffeted by cold northerly crosswinds in one of the worst summers Europe has known. Forecasters said the rain was due to end only when the last riders were back to Paris after 90 hours. Northerly winds on a route that runs east-west are almost as difficult as headwinds. Temperatures have been consistently in the 50-60F (10-16C) range. More than the usual number of retirements is expected when the final accounting is done. I finish the 80hr time with hours to spare. I did ride hard to each check point, but took my time leaving, eating a lot!!!