Frequently asked questions
courtesy of New England Randonneurs
Administrative Questions
Is the ride canceled if the weather is bad?
How do I register for an event? Can I get a refund if I can’t make it?
I don’t know if I could ride the distance. Should I start?
Can I have a personal support crew?
Are there opportunities to buy food and water along the route?
Can I download a Cue sheet in advance?
What should I do before my first Brevet?
Do I even need to ride a bike?
What is the right type of equipment for Randonneuring?
How should the bike be equipped?
What should I carry during the ride?
Training & Preparation Questions
How much to eat on a long ride?
What are common reasons for DNFing (Not finishing)?
Ride/Navigation Questions
I want to abandon the ride. What should I do?
What’s at the Control? Got at Control Tips?
I have more questions! Where can I learn more?
Administrative Questions
Q: Who can Participate?
All of our rides are open to the public and do not require membership in any organization. We welcome new riders on all of our events.
You will be required to sign a liability release waiver and pay the full event cost before starting. There are no age limits, though those under 18 will require a parent or guardian to co-sign the release waiver.
Q: Is this a race?
Randonneuring events are not races — You are only competing against yourself and the time limits, not other riders. Some people try to complete the ride as quickly as possible whereas others build up enough time to stop for coffee and ice cream.
Q: Is the ride canceled if the weather is bad?
No. Rides are not canceled due to weather conditions except in extreme cases.
Q: How do I register for an event? Can I get a refund if I can’t make it?
Click the “Event Calendar” link at the top of the page for links for online pre-event registration via BikeReg. Bikereg adds a small processing fee of around $2.50 which they keep. Pre-event registration ends the Wednesday evening before each event.
All events offer day-of registration for an additional fee. You don’t need to tell us you are coming — just show up at the start location 30 minutes early to complete the paperwork and pay the entry fee + day-of-event $5/$10 surcharge.
Q: What is PBP?
Paris-Brest-Paris 1200k brevet with the longest history, first held in 1891. More info on Wikipedia and the official PBP page.
Q: What are the time limits?
The time limits for events are determined by ACP and RM. They are:
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200k: < 13.5 Hours
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300k: < 20 Hours
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400k: < 27 Hours
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600k: < 40 Hours
There are also opening and closing times for all controls. Time limits are based on a formula established by RM.
Q: I don’t know if I could ride the distance. Should I start?
Before considering an event keep in mind volunteers won’t be available to help you along. If you get tired or have a mechanical problem you’ll be personally responsible for contacting someone who can find you and pick you up. If you’re looking for a more supported event there are many long events run by local cycling clubs which are designed to offer help along the way.
That said, most cyclists who can comfortably ride a century can complete a 200k. If you do OK on the 200k then you’re ready for a 300k. And if you do OK on the 300k then you might as well try the 400k…
Q: What do I get if I finish?
You get your brevet card stamped with homologated result if you finished within the time limit, and you can order the medal (10 eur fee applies) if you want to.
Q: What is RM?
Randonneurs Mondiaux. This is the international organization which sanctions 1200k+ events and establishes rules for the sport.
Q: Can I have a personal support crew?
Brevets are about self sufficiency and thus no personal support (including follow support) is allowed outside of controls. While we discourage it, personal support is allowed at controls provided that it doesn’t interfere with the control’s operations. Take a look at UMCA events if you prefer help along your ride.
Q: Are there opportunities to buy food and water along the route?
Most routes pass convince stores every 40-50 miles during the day. At night services might be much more limited. Plan on carrying everything you’ll need with you on the bike.
Q: Can I download a Cue sheet in advance?
Yes! The cue sheet will be available for download 3 days before the event.
Q: What should I do before my first Brevet?
Make sure your bike is in good working order. Shake or bounce the loaded bike. Did anything fall off? Ride-test any new components and accessories well before the brevet.
Download and look at one of the cue sheets. Do you understand how to read it? Do you have a way to attach it to the bike? Some riders like to enlarge the text or cut up the sheet to make it fit a holder.
Try to go for a longer (60+ mile) ride a week or two before the Brevet. Is the bike comfortable? Do you need to adjust anything? Your bike isn’t going to get any more comfortable as the ride progresses. Do you feel comfortable with your speed?
Go for a night ride with your lights before the brevet. Are your lights good enough? Do you have enough batteries? Do you have a backup plan in case one of your lights fails?
On the day before the ride, gather everything you plan to take so you aren’t scrambling to find things early in the morning before the start. If you live close to the start, riding from home is a good way to get warmed up.
Q: Do I even need to ride a bike?
Nope. Any human powered vehicle is allowed. Just make sure that you have a reasonable chance of finishing within the time limits.
Q: What is the right type of equipment for Randonneuring?
The rules for randonneuring are flexible but it must be a 100% human powered vehicle. Other than that, observation of randonneurs of all speeds and abilities shows only two obvious consistent factors: good quality, reliable equipment is typically preferred and correct fit is important too. Beyond that, it’s up to the individual.
We’ve had riders complete the series on fixed gears, tandems, recumbents, 3-speeds, old road bikes, and expensive lightweight racing bikes.
Q: How should the bike be equipped?
Here are some suggestions for bike accessories:
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A method of holding your cue sheet. (Handlebar bag, clips on cables, etc.)
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A basic cyclocomputer.
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A watch.
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2-3 water bottles and/or a camelback.
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Some place to store tools, food, and cloths.
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Fenders — it will rain on many rides.
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Two battery taillights or one battery and one generator taillight.
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Wider tires (28mm+) are preferred by many riders.
Q: What should I carry during the ride?
Here are some suggestions:
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Your Brevet card. (Don’t Lose it!)
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ID, insurance card, etc.
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Cash and a Credit Card.
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Snacks to eat while riding.
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Spare batteries and parts for lights.
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Rain jacket and/or additional clothing layers.
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Ziptop bags for keeping brevet card and cue sheet dry.
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Pump, tubes, patches, and tire levers.
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Basic tools, a chain master-link, etc.
Training & Preparation Questions
Q: How much to eat on a long ride?
While the advice from reputable sources is very consistent, polling experienced randonneurs suggests that it is a personal matter. So rather than making specific recommendations, we suggest one attempts to find an approach that works for the individual. Always attempt to eat enough to avoid bonking but don’t eat a great deal while riding as the digestion can’t keep up. And avoid water-electrolyte imbalances. If you bonk, stop and eat whatever you have available. Most riders recover from a bonk quickly if they get plenty of food.
Q: How much to drink?
Varies according to weather conditions, rider weight and individual physiology and effort level. Some riders sweat more than others and just need more water. The references provided with the previous answer will explain how you can estimate your individual sweat rate. Take the trouble to figure this out because dehydration is dangerous, can be debilitating and takes a long time to recover from. Know its signs but avoid it in the first place.
Q: How fast to ride?
This can be a complex problem. One first needs to state the objective of riding in the event since the question of riding speed depends on that. Consider the differences among the following goals: ‘have a safe, comfortable ride, enjoy the weather and scenery, and get some exercise’, ‘ride together with my buddies X, Y and Z’, ‘finish and get off the bike as soon as possible’. Clearly these lead to different approaches to riding speed. With the goal established, the answer to the original questions is: whatever achieves the goal for the individual. What that means in practice depends on the individual’s talent, fitness, equipment, etc. Experience can
help a rider put a number on it. A typical brevet series offers rides of increasing length through the riding season to allow one to gain this experience.
Q: How to train?
As with the previous question, it’s largely up to the individual and depends on his or her goals. But it’s clear that being well trained allows one to ride in greater comfort. For long distance cycling, endurance is the primary training focus followed by climbing ability. More training is good but overtraining is not. With those points in mind one can turn to the
advice of the professionals:
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The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling: Build the Strength, Skills, and Confidence to Ride as Far as You Want by Edmund R. Burke and Ed Pavelka
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The CTS Collection: Training Tips for Cyclists and Triathletes by Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong and Jim Rutberg
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The Cyclist’s Training Bible (Paperback) by Joe Friel
Many long distance cyclists have noticed that the adaptations of long-distance training and brevet riding accumulate year-on-year. This is especially encouraging because it seems to apply even into later life. To get the most out of this one should keep doing long distance rides after the brevet season closes through the fall and early winter and maintain some kind of a reasonable fitness program over the winter.
Q: What are common reasons for DNFing (Not finishing)?
Digestion and physical ailments are the most frequent causes of not finishing. Experienced riders learn what food works for them and know the early warning signs of problems. Physical ailments can often be minimized by fixing anything that is uncomfortable as soon as possible. Minor annoyances can become ride-ending problems within a hundred miles.
Mechanical problems account for a smaller number of DNFs. Use quality parts and check the bike before the ride.
Ride/Navigation Questions
Q: I want to abandon the ride. What should I do?
If you can’t continue, you MUST CALL the ride leader and tell them you are abandoning.Contact info is listed on the cue sheet distributed at the start of the ride. Then call a friend or a cab to pick you up.
Tip: Try to make it to the next control and rest for a few minutes before deciding to DNF. Sometimes a 15 minute break and some food can improve one’s spirits.
Q: What are Bag Drops?
On some Brevets riders can bring a SMALL bag of supplies (cloths, food, batteries, etc) and the ride organizers bring this bag to a specified control so riders can retrieve or leave items. Bag drop locations will be listed on ride webpage and on the cue sheet. Note: fast riders might arrive at the finish before their bags make it back. Not all events have bag drops.
On the 600k riders are encouraged to leave a sleeping bag and toiletries in their drop bag if they plan to stay at the overnight control. Check the event page a few days before the event for specific information about the event.
How can I navigate from a cue sheet at night?
A helmet mounted light can be shone on the cue sheet and on road signage. Cheap LED helmet lights can be purchased form hardware and outdoor stores.
Note: Be careful with helmet lights — it’s inconsiderate to point your light in other rider’s eyes.
Can I leave the route or stop outside a control?
Sure. You’re welcome to leave the route so long as you return the same location before resuming the ride. Some riders find a good cup of coffee at a nearby cafe well worth a few extra miles. However, bypassing any part of the route (intentionally or not) is grounds for disqualification.
Q: What is a control?
Controls are mandatory stops placed at the edges of the route to ensure riders keep a steady pace and do not shortcut portions of the course. Controls are typically found every 50-120 km. At the control you’ll need to get your Brevet card signed by a brevet volunteer. In the event that a control is unstaffed, you’ll need to get your card signed by a local merchant or answer a question printed in your brevet card.
Q: What’s at the Control? Got at Control Tips?
You want to get through the control as quickly as possible. 30 minutes on a bike might seem like a long time but 30 minutes at a control can go by in a heartbeat. This time adds up!
Get you Brevet card signed ASAP once you arrive at the control. Forget this and you DNF the ride. Fill your bottles, flip your cue sheet, and otherwise get your bike ready for the next leg. Then it’s time to eat.
Should I carry maps?
Some riders like to carry maps. If you’re prone to getting lost you might want to carry a GPS with loaded maps. Even if you don’t preprogram the route, GPSs can be preferable to paper maps. (Particularly at night when it’s raining.)
Q: Should I use a GPS?
GPSs are allowed and some riders find them helpful. However, they aren’t a substitute for the cue sheet. Note: GPS files are NOT reviewed by the ride leaders for accuracy. We are not responsible if you go off-route while following a GPS.
The Cue sheet provided at the start of the ride is the only listing of the official route. Deviate from the cue sheet and you risk being disqualified. If using a GPS, double-check all turns with the cue sheet before turning.
Q: I have more questions! Where can I learn more?
Please don't hesitate to contact us via Contact page.