Brevet (cycling)
A brevet or randonnée is an organised long-distance bicycle ride. Cyclists - who, in this discipline, may be referred to as randonneurs - follow a designated but unmarked route (usually 200km to 600km), passing through check-point controls, and must complete the course within a specified time limit. This limit, while challenging, still allows the ride to be completed at a comfortable pace - there is no requirement to cycle at racing speeds or employ road bicycle racing strategies.
Randonneurs do not compete against other cyclists; randonnées are a test of endurance, self-sufficiency and bicycle touring skills. Riders are expected to carry appropriate clothing for inclement weather, spare parts and tools needed for likely repairs. Brevets frequently involve night riding and participants are required to carry lights, spare bulbs and reflective gear.
Randonnée is a French word which loosely translates to 'ramble or 'long journey'. Brevet means 'certificate' and refers to the card carried by randonneurs which gets stamped at controls; it is also used to refer to the event itself. ie: a certificated ride.
The classic distances for randonnées are 200km, 300km, 400km and 600km (metric measurements tend to be used to reflect the French origins of the discipline), though there are also shorter and longer events, plus some permanent routes.
Paris-Brest-Paris
Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) is an approximately 1200km randonnée held on an out-and-back course between Paris and Brest, France, every four years. Begun in 1891, it is the oldest bicycling event that is still regularly run. It began as a race for professional cyclists, but is now a noncompetitive endurance challenge. To qualify, a cyclist must complete a series of sanctioned brevets within the same year and in the specified order.
See also
External links
- RUSA - The ACP sanctioned brevet coordinating organization for the United States of America.
- Audax UK