DC Randonneurs has 5 RUSA-sanctioned (non-PBP-qualifying) brevets between now and the end of February -- four 200K's and a 240K. We already have nearly a dozen pre-registered riders (including me).
The PBP qualifying series starts in March with two 200K's, a fleche, another 200K, three 300K's, two 400K's, and the 600K). For details, see the "Calendar of Events" links for 2006 and 2007 at
www.dcrand.org.
The brevets typically cover terrain in the north-western portions of Virginia (e.g., Warrenton or Middletown) the eastern portions of West Virginia (e.g. Wolf Gap or Shepherdstown) the central portion of Maryland (e.g. Frederick or Catoctin), and southern Pennsylvania (e.g. Gettysburg). The brevets include a combination of gently rolling and mountainous terrain, usually rollicking around the foothills of the Appalachians and often going over the main ridge, all intended to match conditions at PBP or BMB. My altimiter shows average climbing of about 7,300 feet of climbing per 100 miles traveled, which is a tad more than on BMB. But the worst, extended climbs on our rides are not quite as tough as the worst, extended climbs on BMB.
We'll have other as-yet-unscheduled brevets continuing on up to PBP, so there won't be a chance to get out of shape (if you ride them).