randonneuring

Randonneuring is non-competitive, long-distance, unsupported bicycling on set courses utilizing public roadways.
Established (and occasional secret) checkpoints are used to ensure the route is completed in it's entirety within an
overall time limit.

Modern randonneuring is part of a long tradition dating back to the very beginnings of the sport of cycling in
France and Italy in the nineteenth century. The most common randonneuring events are brevets and
randonnees. These are timed long distance bicycling events, but NOT races – there is no “winner".
Camaraderie, not competition, is the hallmark of randonneuring.

Brevets are open to all fit, experienced cyclists. They are purposely designed to be very challenging – to test
riders and bicycles in preparation for successively longer brevets and randonnees. The successful completion
of ANY brevet is challenging, but the completion of a full brevet series will test even the most experienced
cyclists.

A full (or Super Randonneur) brevet series consists of the following four brevets:

200 km. (125 miles) in 13.5 hours
300 km. (185 miles) in 20 hours
400 km. (250 miles) in 27 hours
600 km. (375 miles) in 40 hours

The successful completion of a Super Randonneur brevet series qualifies a rider to participate in randonnees
– the ultimate challenge for a randonneur. These are very physically and mentally demanding events that
involves riding 1200 km. (750 miles) in 90 hours.

There are four North American 1200 km. randonnees scheduled for 2008 – for complete details see the
Randonneurs USA website.