Brevet (cycling)

A Brevet or Brevet de Randonneur is an organised long-distance bicycle ride in the sport of randonneuring.^[1] Brevets are often colloquially called randonées or audax rides. (The term randonée is correct, but can also be applied to other types of distance cycling event. Audax is short-hand for Audax allure libre, and should not be confused with the original team-riding version of the Audax sport, which has distinct rules.)^[2]

In a Brevet, cyclists - who, in this discipline, may be referred to as randonneurs - follow a designated but unmarked route (usually 200 km to 1400 km), passing through check-point controls, and must complete the course within specified time limits. These limits, while challenging, still allow the ride to be completed at a comfortable pace - there is no requirement to cycle at racing speeds or employ road bicycle racing strategies.

Randonnée is a French word which loosely translates to 'ramble' or 'long journey' (in French the verb 'randonner' originally means 'hiking', but is nowadays also used for bicycle and even motorized tours). 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.

In Great Britain, Australia and Brazil the term audax is also used for brevets, although this term actually designates a different kind of long distance bicycling, see Audax. The French brevet club is called "Audax Club Parisien", which increases the confusion.

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, when participants are required to carry lights, spare bulbs and reflective gear. No specialist bicycle is required; most riders use either a racing bicycle or a fast touring bicycle - several manufacturers provide models with a Randonneur or Audax name to reflect their target market. Those are usually racing bicycles with mounts for a baggage carrier and mudguards. On many brevets recumbents and velomobiles can be seen, as these types of bicycles are well suited for long distances.

Brevet types

The classic distances for randonnées are 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km. To complete one of each during a given year is known as completing a "series". A randonneur is required to complete an Auduax Club Parisien series to qualify for Paris–Brest–Paris. There are brevets of distances greater than 600 km but none under 200 km. The organizations recognise and run events called Populaires for those events less than 200 km.

The time limits for the distances are as follows:

200 km - 13.5 hours (14 hours in the UK, as in the original events.)
300 km - 20 hours
400 km - 27 hours
600 km - 40 hours
1000 km - 75 hours
1200 km - 90 hours (or 80 or 84 hours by choice)
1400 km - 116:40 hours (optionally 105:16 or 93:20 hours)

Paris–Brest–Paris

Sometimes regarded as the Blue Riband randonnée, Paris–Brest–Paris (PBP) is an approximately 1200 km event held on an out-and-back course between Paris and Brest every four years. Begun in 1891, it is the oldest bicycling event still regularly run. It began as a race for professional cyclists, but is now a non-competitive endurance challenge. To qualify, a cyclist must complete a series of brevets within the same year. The series can be completed in any order (200, 300, 400 and then 600k is traditional), and any brevet may be replaced with a longer randonnée.

Boston–Montreal–Boston

Boston–Montreal–Boston (BMB) is also a 1200 km out-and-back between Boston and Montreal. BMB is sometimes regarded as the North American equivalent of PBP. It was held every year except when Paris–Brest–Paris was held but there are currently no plans to hold the event in 2010.

Other 1200 km and longer brevets

External links

French website of ACP
RUSA - The ACP-sanctioned brevet coordinating organization for the United States of America.
Randonneurs Salamanca - Spain

References

^ Wise, Jennifer, ed. (2009). Randonneurs USA Members Handbook. Santa Cruz, CA, USA: Randonneurs USA. p. 10. ISBN 0900424621.
^ Audax UK. (2010). Audax UK Handbook, 2010 edition. Ashford: Headley Brothers, p. 2

[def-1] Wise, Jennifer, ed. (2009). Randonneurs USA Members Handbook. Santa Cruz, CA, USA: Randonneurs USA. p. 10. ISBN 0900424621.

[2] Audax UK. (2010). Audax UK Handbook, 2010 edition. Ashford: Headley Brothers, p. 2

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