| RULES & FAQ's |
Audax Club Parisien (ACP) and Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM) have very specific rules and guidelines governing
randonneuring events worldwide. These are common sense rules created to provide a safe, standardized format
for organizing, administering, and participating in brevets and randonnees around the world. For complete rules
and regulations, see the Randonneurs USA (RUSA) website. A very abbreviated summary follows:
randonneuring events worldwide. These are common sense rules created to provide a safe, standardized format
for organizing, administering, and participating in brevets and randonnees around the world. For complete rules
and regulations, see the Randonneurs USA (RUSA) website. A very abbreviated summary follows:
- Each rider must register, sign a waiver of liability, and pay a registration fee (if any) established by the
event organizer.
- Each rider is issued a brevet card and route sheet indicating the location of checkpoints. The brevet card
must be presented at each checkpoint (including any secret checkpoints) to be signed and stamped, then
signed by the rider and returned at the end of the brevet.
- Each rider must wear an approved helmet, and all applicable traffic codes must be followed.
- Each rider must be self-sufficient – no follow cars or support of any kind on the course.
- Each rider must be properly equipped for night riding from dusk to dawn, including a white front light and
red rear light attached to the bicycle. Riders must also wear a reflective vest or "sash" and reflective
ankle bands. See FAQ #5, below.
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Arrive early enough to register, sign a liability waiver, pick-up your route sheet & brevet card, complete the lighting & safety gear inspection (if the brevet
involves night riding), and for any last minute announcements. For the 300, 400, and 600 km brevets this will all be done in the dark, prior to the 4:00
AM start time – be ready!
Your route sheet details the route to be followed, the checkpoint locations, and places on or near the route where food can be purchased.
Your brevet card must be presented at each checkpoint (including any secret checkpoints) to be signed and date/time stamped.
While riding, keep in mind brevets are designed to be an adventure and a challenge – there are no organized food or rest stops, or support vehicles.
You're NOT in a race, you can stop for food or rest anywhere along the route, so long as you arrive at all the checkpoints during their "open" times and
complete the course in it's entirety within the time limit.
At the finish, sign and return your brevet card. Your brevet card serves as the only acceptable proof you completed the brevet. Don't lose it and don't
take it home!
FAQ #2: What's the weather like in May and June?
By early May the weather begins to stabilize with generally sunny and dry conditions, and average high/ low temperatures of 62F/ 34F. June weather is
noticeably better, with average high/ low temperatures of 71F/ 41F. All riding will be done between 6000 ft. and 8500 ft. elevation – the sun is very
intense during the day, and nighttime temperatures are always chilly! And there's always the chance for short, intense mountain rain and/or snow
storms.
FAQ #3: What's the terrain like?
Most of the routes traverse mountain valleys, followed by a climb up and over a mountain pass into another valley, etc, etc. Much of the cycling is in
national forests and national parks, usually following along rivers and streams through pine forests, aspen stands, and mountain meadows. With a
couple exceptions, the mountain passes are generally easy to moderate climbs. Driggs, ID is situated in Teton Valley at 6000 ft. and some of the
mountain passes are as high as 8500 ft.
FAQ #4: What are the roads and traffic like?
The roads in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are in very good repair, with very few potholes or broken-up areas. Road surfaces are typically asphalt or
chip & seal and usually include a nice shoulder. Motorists are generally very considerate of bicyclists. The May and June brevets are scheduled before
the peak tourist season of July and August, but expect increased traffic in and around the national parks.
FAQ #5: What about night riding?
Proper lighting and reflective safety gear is mandatory to participate in the 300, 400, and 600 km brevets. Each rider MUST have a primary lighting
system AND a back-up lighting system AND wear a reflective vest (or "sash") and reflective ankle bands, when riding from dusk to dawn. Reflective tape
attached to clothing and/or bicycle is highly recommended, too. A limited number of reflective "sashes" and reflective ankle bands will be available for
sale during on-site registration.
The primary lighting system must be securely attached to the bicycle and include (at a minimum) a white front light and a red rear light. Carry extra
bulbs, batteries, and spare parts. A small helmet mounted light is very useful for reading route sheets, street signs, changing a flat, extra lighting going
downhill, etc, etc. And an extra small "clip-on" rear taillight that can be attached to the rear pocket of a cycling jersey or hydration pack adds lots of
night time visibility to motorists approaching from the rear.
involves night riding), and for any last minute announcements. For the 300, 400, and 600 km brevets this will all be done in the dark, prior to the 4:00
AM start time – be ready!
Your route sheet details the route to be followed, the checkpoint locations, and places on or near the route where food can be purchased.
Your brevet card must be presented at each checkpoint (including any secret checkpoints) to be signed and date/time stamped.
While riding, keep in mind brevets are designed to be an adventure and a challenge – there are no organized food or rest stops, or support vehicles.
You're NOT in a race, you can stop for food or rest anywhere along the route, so long as you arrive at all the checkpoints during their "open" times and
complete the course in it's entirety within the time limit.
At the finish, sign and return your brevet card. Your brevet card serves as the only acceptable proof you completed the brevet. Don't lose it and don't
take it home!
FAQ #2: What's the weather like in May and June?
By early May the weather begins to stabilize with generally sunny and dry conditions, and average high/ low temperatures of 62F/ 34F. June weather is
noticeably better, with average high/ low temperatures of 71F/ 41F. All riding will be done between 6000 ft. and 8500 ft. elevation – the sun is very
intense during the day, and nighttime temperatures are always chilly! And there's always the chance for short, intense mountain rain and/or snow
storms.
FAQ #3: What's the terrain like?
Most of the routes traverse mountain valleys, followed by a climb up and over a mountain pass into another valley, etc, etc. Much of the cycling is in
national forests and national parks, usually following along rivers and streams through pine forests, aspen stands, and mountain meadows. With a
couple exceptions, the mountain passes are generally easy to moderate climbs. Driggs, ID is situated in Teton Valley at 6000 ft. and some of the
mountain passes are as high as 8500 ft.
FAQ #4: What are the roads and traffic like?
The roads in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming are in very good repair, with very few potholes or broken-up areas. Road surfaces are typically asphalt or
chip & seal and usually include a nice shoulder. Motorists are generally very considerate of bicyclists. The May and June brevets are scheduled before
the peak tourist season of July and August, but expect increased traffic in and around the national parks.
FAQ #5: What about night riding?
Proper lighting and reflective safety gear is mandatory to participate in the 300, 400, and 600 km brevets. Each rider MUST have a primary lighting
system AND a back-up lighting system AND wear a reflective vest (or "sash") and reflective ankle bands, when riding from dusk to dawn. Reflective tape
attached to clothing and/or bicycle is highly recommended, too. A limited number of reflective "sashes" and reflective ankle bands will be available for
sale during on-site registration.
The primary lighting system must be securely attached to the bicycle and include (at a minimum) a white front light and a red rear light. Carry extra
bulbs, batteries, and spare parts. A small helmet mounted light is very useful for reading route sheets, street signs, changing a flat, extra lighting going
downhill, etc, etc. And an extra small "clip-on" rear taillight that can be attached to the rear pocket of a cycling jersey or hydration pack adds lots of
night time visibility to motorists approaching from the rear.
FAQ #1: What's the"routine" at a brevet?
Before the brevet, double-check all your gear and equipment – a reliable bicycle, a basic repair kit (extra tubes, patch
kit, small selection of tools including a spoke wrench), extra food & water, money, and I.D. Carry extra clothing
suitable for the expected weather conditions. For longer brevets involving night riding, you'll also be required to have a
primary and back-up lighting system and rider reflective safety gear. Be certain your lighting system is powerful
enough that you can actually see where you're going on a moonless night.
Before the brevet, double-check all your gear and equipment – a reliable bicycle, a basic repair kit (extra tubes, patch
kit, small selection of tools including a spoke wrench), extra food & water, money, and I.D. Carry extra clothing
suitable for the expected weather conditions. For longer brevets involving night riding, you'll also be required to have a
primary and back-up lighting system and rider reflective safety gear. Be certain your lighting system is powerful
enough that you can actually see where you're going on a moonless night.