ORANGE COUNTY ON THE GO : RECREATION NOTES : Irvine Cyclist Enjoys His Tour in France

Chuck Bramwell’s vacation probably wasn’t anything like yours.

The 48-year-old Irvine computer consultant rode nearly 800 miles in less than three days in the Paris-Brest-Paris, joining 3,500 other amateur cyclists in the quadrennial event in France.

After about 780 miles of riding and 31,000 feet of climbing, Bramwell sprinted across the finish line in Paris at 12:30 a.m. Friday, about 67 1/2 hours after his Tuesday morning start.

“I was racing through the streets of Paris faster than I ever thought I could go,” Bramwell said. “Thirty, 40 miles an hour on the flat roads of Paris, just flying through the streets in total darkness.”

To finish was fine, and the bed in his hotel room never felt better, but Bramwell also enjoyed himself on the course across the French countryside between Paris and the town of Brest on the Atlantic Ocean.

The French villages were picturesque and the French people amazingly supportive, Bramwell said. “The people were out there in the middle of the night helping us and cheering us on,” he said. “It was something I’ll never forget. We rode almost all night long and no matter what time we came through the town families would be out with water, coffee and hot chocolate.

“The riding at night was just out of this world. It was a full moon with stars all around us and the temperatures were perfect for riding.”

At least six other Orange County riders fought sleep deprivation and finished the ride. Dan Crain of Irvine and T.K. Gardner of Orange finished in 82 hours. Times were not available for Lubomir Hristov of Tustin, Doug Patterson of Orange, Ken Campbell of Costa Mesa or Frank Neal of San Dimas, who rides with the Orange County Wheelmen.

EXTREME SUCCESS

Two Orange County athletes won bronze medals last week at the ESPN B3 (bikes, boards and blades) competition in Beaverton, Ore.

Mike Budnik of Irvine won the bronze in aggressive in-line vert skating Friday. Cesar Mora and Shane Yost, both of Australia, won the gold and silver. Budnik finished fifth Saturday in the aggressive in-line street event.

Chris Gentry of Costa Mesa took bronze in the vert skateboard final. Tas Pappas of Australia finished first and Andy MacDonald of San Diego was second.