PARIS–BREST–PARIS / ENGLISH EDITION
A 1,200 km memoir—and a practical companion for PBP 2027
Further Than
I Thought
How an Unfit Doctor Rode 1,200 km
to Finish Paris–Brest–Paris
Dr. Iruka did not reach the finish through determination alone. Across 88 hours 29 minutes, preparation, rest, judgement and the people riding beside him mattered just as much. This is the whole journey—from flying with a bicycle to the final kilometres across France.
For riders looking toward PBP 2027The closing section turns the 2023 experience into practical questions about terrain, travel, jet lag, sleep, fuelling and when to stop riding.
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The same English Kindle edition is available in each store and is included with Kindle Unlimited.
Elsewhere? Search ASIN B0HN99N8PF in your local Amazon store.
BY DR. IRUKA
across France
29 minutes
practical questions
WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR
For those who want to ride this world—
and those who want to understand it.
STORY & PRACTICE
Read the journey.
Use the lessons.
Before the start line
Travel, bicycle transport, accommodation and the uncertainty of taking a familiar machine into an unfamiliar country.
The reality of 1,200 km
Night roads, climbing, pain, sleepiness and food—what happened as the kilometres accumulated.
Not a solo achievement
Friends, volunteers and people along the route helped turn one more pedal stroke into another.
Listen, slow down—or stop
A physician’s perspective on fatigue and the small decisions that matter when the body no longer behaves as expected.
THE WHOLE JOURNEY
From the bike box
to the finish line.
The book does not isolate the triumphant finish. It follows the uncertainty, mistakes and moments of doubt that came before it.
- 01From 1,000 km to the next unknown distance
- 02Travelling to France with a bicycle
- 03The start: nerves, excitement and pacing
- 04Through the night: sleep, pain and food
- 05Returning from Brest: time, fatigue and judgement
- 0688 hours 29 minutes—and what made it possible
- 2027A practical section for future PBP riders
The practical section is based on the author’s 2023 experience. Event rules and schedules can change; always confirm the latest official information.
Choose your Amazon store ↑He could keep riding because
he did not ride alone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Iruka
Dr. Iruka is a head and neck surgeon, PhD, and sports physician from Japan. After starting with no regular exercise and living with obesity, he gradually progressed from everyday cycling to long-distance brevets. In 2023, he completed Paris–Brest–Paris in 88 hours 29 minutes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Before you choose the book.
Is this useful for riders preparing for PBP 2027?
Yes. Alongside the 2023 narrative, it considers terrain-specific training, overseas bicycle transport, accommodation, jet lag, sleep, fuelling and the judgement to continue or withdraw. Always confirm current rules and schedules with the official organisers.
Is this only for experienced randonneurs?
No. It is written for audax and long-distance cyclists, first-time overseas event riders and readers who simply want to understand the world beyond 1,000 km.
Is it an official PBP guide?
No. This is an independent memoir and practical account based on the author’s 2023 experience. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Paris–Brest–Paris organisers.
Does the book give individual medical advice?
No. It offers general information and personal experience. Readers with symptoms or medical conditions should seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Step inside the world
beyond 1,000 km.
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This is an independent account of the 2023 event, not an official Paris–Brest–Paris publication. Event information may change; consult the organiser’s current guidance before making plans.