Touring - Randoneurs: Roll Call

How many here are members of RUSA (Randonneurs USA) or whatever organization handles randonneuring in your country? How many events have you participated in? What is the longest event you have done?

I belong to RUSA, but have yet to ride a brevet. My original goal was Paris-Brest-Paris this year, but that didn't happen. Right now I'm building up my miles to someday ride a weekend century with the randonnerurs in the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club.

I'm not a member but have ridden some 200K events.

I'm a RUSA member for the past two years. I've done full brevet series the past two years and completed BMB last year and PBP this year.

Dave

Hi,
sounds like...well, I am not going to say what that sounds like. What is that there randonneur; I mean, would Ma approve?

late,

Randonneuring is a type of organized touring and it works like this:

The events are 200, 300, 400, 600 and 1200 kilometers. You ride on open roads and must obey all traffic laws. Lights are REQUIRED when riding in non-daylight hours. You must do your own repairs. You may accepts parts, tools and help from other ride participants but you may NOT accept outside help- that is grounds for disqualification.

The events are timed, however the pace is pretty relaxed. You can average 15 mph and easily finish within the time limit. There are checkpoints along the way to insure that no one cheats by taking shortcuts. You must get your card stamped at each checkpoint (except for unmanned checkpoints where you must write down some piece of information about the checkpoint).

Everyone who finishes gets a medal and finishing times are listed in ALPHABETICAL order to discourage racing. To participate you must be a member of RUSA (randonneurs USA). http://www.rusa.org/

Currently I am not a RUSA member. I did ride the series, including PBP in 1983. I believe I was the first person to complete PBP on a recumbent, but not sure about that. I was the most difficult physical challenge I have ever completed. I have ridden a few brevets since then, and have considered riding PBP again, but other biking challenges have prevailed.

Jeff

Not a member (not required in Sweden), but I did one each of the 200, 300 and 400k rides this year.

/Csson

Hey visionrider, you're upstream from me.

All, what kind of rig do you need? Is there a faq?

what kind of rig do you need?

Road bike + brooks b17 saddle + low gears + wide tires + lights and fenders.

Comfort and gearing are two big factors. You can buy a purpose built randonneuring bike from Rivendell/PeterWhite/Singer/etc or you can convert a regular road bike.

I am using a Nashbar road frame with:

Nitto stem and handlebar. The handlebar is level with the saddle to reduce weight on my hands.

Brooks b.17 saddle set all the way back on the rails to further shift my weight balance rearward and off my hands.

Rivendell Roly Poly 700x27 tires

Ritchey Logic crankset with 48-34 chainrings

Suntour front derailleur from the late 1970's. Spring tension defaults to the big ring and cable pull moves the chain to the small ring. This makes it easier to downshift under stress (like when climbing a really big hill). Modern derailleurs work the opposite way.

Shimano 11-32 cassette with Shimano Deore rear derailleur and Shimano bar end shifters.

You can set up your own bike however you want but remember this- on a 200 kilometer ride comfort is WAY more important than speed.

Rivendell Roly Poly 700x27 tires

How do you like them?

How do you like them?

I love them. They are the smoothest rolling, best cornering clinchers I have ever ridden.

I am a member of RUSA even though I'm Canadian. I've completed 3 years of Randonneuring and have gotten my Super Randonneur each year. I have also done the Rocky Mountain 1200 and the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200.

This coming year I am planning to finish what I need to get my Randonneur 5000 award (I need a fleche, and a 1000K, plus probably a few more brevets), and I'm hoping to do the Great Southern Randonnee in Australia if all goes well.

Member # 154 PBP 1999

I've just sent off my membership application to RUSA. I plan to ride a full brevet series this Spring. I haven't ridden a brevet before.

I've ridden alot of centuries and a few double centuries, so I'm looking forward to the brevets. I'll be riding a nice new Vanilla bike configured for brevet rides. I can't wait!

Just joined RUSA. There are no brevets in the Arizona area so I am getting excited about the permenants program. I am currently making a 300k permenant south of the Phoenix Metro area. Anyone know of any 600k brevets that don't go over Sunday? Want to someday do a full series but I don't ride on Sundays for religious reasons.

I did a 300K brevet last summer. Denver to Aspen. Awesome day, but sorry to say that I witnessed cheating with those riders who had personal support vehicles following them. Is that uncommon? ...the cheating that is.

I did a 300K brevet last summer. Denver to Aspen. Awesome day, but sorry to say that I witnessed cheating with those riders who had personal support vehicles following them. Is that uncommon? ...the cheating that is.

Personal support vehicles are allowed to provide riders with assistance at the controls, and they can be on the course essentially following the riders. (But NOT on the PBP because that would make the course too crowded). They are not allowed to provide assistance to the riders between controls though unless they are a part of a secret control, or unless there is some sort of emergency (i.e. the rider had an accident, is injured, and needs medical attention).

Cheating by having a personal support vehicle providing support between controls doesn't happen in my club. The only year we've ever had a personal support vehicle on the course was the year when we had a 70 year old rider with us for all our brevets, and his wife drove along providing assistance at the controls.

I'm not quite sure I understand why people would need extra support outside of what is provided at the controls on a 300K. You're out there for no more than about 17 hours, you ride in daylight for most of the ride, you're not into sleep deprivation, the controls are placed about every 50 kms where you can get food and supplies . . . .

An old thread, but it came up during a search of PBP :)

I will be joining RUSA in January, since they base memberships on the calendar year (no point in doing it now). I am hoping to complete the BMB Randonnee in 2006, and then use it to gain experience for my main focus, the PBP. Since I live in Connecticut, the BMB should be much easier in regards to logistics, so I can concentrate on learning what works and what doesn't on a 1200k.

In the past, I have completed a 12 hour ride, which was done well before I was seriously into cycling, and didn't know crap about nutrition, or even much about hydration. In retrospect, I have no clue how I finished that ride, other than guts and determination; if I stopped, I didn't get home, simple as that. I'm almost embarassed to reveal what we ate and drank on that ride....but hey, I was only like 15 years old :D.

I have a couple road bikes, a Trek 2100 circa 1995 (carbon main tubes, aluminum rear triangle and fork), and a 2004 Trek 5200. The 5200 will be my bike of choice during the brevets and BMB/PBP.....I have found the OCLV frame/fork to be stiff, yet very comfortable over rougher road surfaces. I'm somewhat concerned about the Bontrager RaceLite wheels (20 spokes in front, 24 in the rear), but I've hit some pretty good road obstacles and have had no issues, knock on wood. They seem pretty strong, and the aerodynamic benefits at speed are rather noticable over my 32 spokers on my 2100.

Being a mountaineer as well, I also have a keen awareness of weight, and choosing gear that is both lightweight, stowable and reliable, hence my bike choice as well. While I don't plan on skimping much on gear that I will carry, I am hoping to keep the weight down. The bulk of the weight will be in water and any food. Obviously, this will all be worked out during the brevet series and the BMB....if I end up carrying a few extra pounds of necessities, so be it; I've done enough unnecessary suffering in the past, and would rather not have to do so over 750 miles if I can help it at all.

I really can't wait for next year. I just hope I remain healthy and uninjured. I'm always good for getting injured at some point.

I'm not a member, but became aware of randonneuring since hanging out here on the board. I'm going to be joining the first of the year myself. There isn't a series down here where I live, but there is in St. Louis (where my folks are), and Atlanta (where nobody I know lives). I've been reading ride logs and reports, and it sounds like a perfect fit for my personality type and how I like to ride.

Steve W.
Who is currently holding a very happy cat

I signed on for my first membership this season. I had hoped to qualify for the 1200K BMB, but allas it didn't pan out. I DNF'd my 400K, as well as the 600K "replacement" the following weekend, and decided against riding the scheduled 600K. Not enough training time (and still being a heavy cigarette smoker).

I opted not to try for the BMB 1000K+200K option, due to my lax training (and compromised lung capacity).

Its a great organization. I'd ridden random Brevets the past couple years, prior to becoming a member. I even completed a 400K, with near minimal training, a few months after I got back into cycling.

I've never done a randonee, but i did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night. :D

Sorry to hear about the DNF's....although I'm sure once you quit smoking, you'll feel 1,000% better.

I'm looking forward to my first brevet series next spring. I will hopefully get a decent mileage base in over the winter, although I admittedly do not ride outside in the winter, so the trainer will be getting a good workout. I still need to drop a good 20+ pounds to get to my "ideal" cycling shape/climbing weight. Although, by next summer, dropping a total of 30 pounds probably isn't out of the question. I'm not real fat or anything, just built up both fat and muscle via weightlifting and past injuries which resulted in no exercise. I'm in no real hurry though.....it'll happen.

I think my bike computer sucks (Ciclosport CM434)....it said my max watts for today's ride was like 1810. Lance would be extremely jealous.

Sorry to hear about the DNF's....although I'm sure once you quit smoking, you'll feel 1,000% better.

I'm looking forward to my first brevet series next spring. I will hopefully get a decent mileage base in over the winter, although I admittedly do not ride outside in the winter, so the trainer will be getting a good workout...

Thanks. Yeah, when I get around to wanting to quit again, I'm certain I'll feel a heck of a lot better. I just don't want to quit (rite now anyways).

Outdoor riding (near home) in the winter can be very good training for riding in bad weather (far from home). You can get used to whatever layering system/calorie needs you might use-but still have a quick "out". Handy if riding through a chill rain that might last 1/2 a Brevet (or longer). Apparently it ALLWAYS rains at some point during BMB, and could be cold as well in the mountains.

-Depending upon where you are in CT, you could ride the Berkshire, Boston, or the Princeton NJ series-or perhaps bits of the 3. Bruce&Tracy put on great rides for Boston, as does Don for the Berkshires. I've read good reports from Princeton rides, but have yet to ride one.

Hey everyone!
I'm down here in FL where we do get to train all year, even though there is always a headwind no matter which direction you are going!

There is a series of brevets in the middle of the state starting in January, which I am preparing for. I've been trying to find some info. on how to pack my bike. Do people use camelbacks for storage? Do they use panniers (spelling is probably wrong)?

I'm just looking for hints & tips so I'm not out there without enough supplies. I know I need to carry my own fuel/water and bike tools, tubes, etc.

I also plan on joining RUSA in late December. I want to be a member before the January brevet series starts!

Any hints/tips are appreciated!

Thanks,
Jan

I plan attempting to complete a Brevet Series early next summer. I'd like to do the Rocky Mountain 1200 ....but I think I'll have the Brevet Series completed too late to Register on time....Should have done the series this year but just learned about the event....Anyway, the Brevet Series and the RM1200 both seems like a good personal challenge and am looking forward to try it out.

Thanks. Yeah, when I get around to wanting to quit again, I'm certain I'll feel a heck of a lot better. I just don't want to quit (rite now anyways).

Outdoor riding (near home) in the winter can be very good training for riding in bad weather (far from home). You can get used to whatever layering system/calorie needs you might use-but still have a quick "out". Handy if riding through a chill rain that might last 1/2 a Brevet (or longer). Apparently it ALLWAYS rains at some point during BMB, and could be cold as well in the mountains.

-Depending upon where you are in CT, you could ride the Berkshire, Boston, or the Princeton NJ series-or perhaps bits of the 3. Bruce&Tracy put on great rides for Boston, as does Don for the Berkshires. I've read good reports from Princeton rides, but have yet to ride one.

Riding in the rain doesn't really bother me per se....it's my bike that I hate getting wet :D. With that being said, way back when I used to be in high school, I commuted by bike year 'round. I also climb mountains, and have the whole layering thing pretty much down pat. I also own more gear than I probably should, and some of it works well on a bike, actually.

I will most likely do the Boston brevet series, although the Berkshires seems kinda tempting. I dunno....time will tell. I live in the northeastern section of Connecticut (near UCONN/Storrs campus), so either aren't very far for me; about and hour to an hour and a half at the most. Fortunately, this area has really no flat rides to speak of, so the hills get you in shape fairly quickly.

Hey everyone!
I'm down here in FL where we do get to train all year, even though there is always a headwind no matter which direction you are going!

There is a series of brevets in the middle of the state starting in January, which I am preparing for. I've been trying to find some info. on how to pack my bike. Do people use camelbacks for storage? Do they use panniers (spelling is probably wrong)?

I'm just looking for hints & tips so I'm not out there without enough supplies. I know I need to carry my own fuel/water and bike tools, tubes, etc.

I also plan on joining RUSA in late December. I want to be a member before the January brevet series starts!

Any hints/tips are appreciated!

Thanks,
Jan


I guess you could use a Camelback for storage, but I would only carry a very small amount of stuff, since your back will get sore over the longer brevets, unless you're actually used to carrying a pack all the time. Might carry some Clif bars, small first aid kit....that's about it. Everything else I would stuff in a trunk.

This would be a decent rack to get if your bike does not have any eyelets to attach a rack to:

http://www.topeak.com/products/Topeak-RXBeamRackwDualsideframe.html

That is what I will be using. It has a 15 pound limit, which is fine by me since it means I won't have the urge to bring everything including the kitchen sink. You can throw on a decent-sized travel trunk, say 600-700 cubic inches, and you'll be good to go.

I used a small camelback, a ?1.7L size, to keep hydrated on the 600k. It's a small model, with only enough space to jam some stuff (like arm/leg warmers+hat*) around the water bladder. In my cages I had cytomax in one bottle, and Ensure Plus brand liquid nutrition food. I think I fit 3 1/2 bottles of Ensure plus into the bottle for my cage (around 1000 calories worth).

Unless it's really hot (like the 600 was), I usually just use two cages, with oversized bottles.

*I'm glad I had some extra layers, even on one of the hottest days. After I could no longer continue (simply couldn't turn the pedals anymore). I had a long wait for retrieval ~4hours. Although it was probably still in the 60's by that point I was shivering, because I wasn't moving, had burnt out my energy stores+couldn't take on more.

Another training tip: Get used to the types of food you'll be using well ahead of the series. I didn't. Gastro intestinal problems (gas/runs or in my case constipation) can ruin a ride easier than a mechanical.

Camel & Guitar Wizard,
I appreciate the tips! I really want to make sure I have my bike setup properly. I'm going to use my road bike since it's not in the budget to buy another one. My mountain bike is pretty heavy & I really don't want to lug it up hills on the road. Yes, there are hills in central & northern FL! Pretty steep ones, as a matter of fact.

I'm excited to complete the series her in FL next winter.

What other tidbits can everyone share?

Camel & Guitar Wizard,
I appreciate the tips! I really want to make sure I have my bike setup properly. I'm going to use my road bike since it's not in the budget to buy another one. My mountain bike is pretty heavy & I really don't want to lug it up hills on the road. Yes, there are hills in central & northern FL! Pretty steep ones, as a matter of fact.

I'm excited to complete the series her in FL next winter.

What other tidbits can everyone share?

Janny,

You are talking about series in Gainesville right? I live in Jacksonville and I am planning on doing the Gainesville series myself. Cant' wait. Right now I am waiting on cooler weather.

Hey TomM,
yep - planning to do the Gainesville area brevet series. Have you done those before? I love the area in the middle of the state, but I'm sure it's really hot there right now. At least on the coast we have a breeze.

What kind of bike are you riding? What's your training been like?

Camel & Guitar Wizard,
I appreciate the tips!...

...I'm excited to complete the series her in FL next winter.

What other tidbits can everyone share?

No problem, more my "mistakes" than anything else though...

If you have a chance read through some of the Topica Randoneuring e-mail list posts (http://lists.topica.com/lists/randon/read) (if you haven't allready). There is tons of info regarding training, clothing, nutrition etc-more specific to ultra-distance cycling (than just to touring).

So glad to have found this thread. I've already written in the schedule of germany's brevets for 2006 in my planner. Hope to qualify for the PBP in 2007.

being the disorganized, surly type, all my randonneuring is done without the benefit of parent organizations :)

randonneuring is a sport not limited to organized events in my opinion.

I'm joining even as we speak, and my goal is the ride the brevet series next year. I'm going to use my Bianchi Volpe, it's lighter than the Cannondale, low gears, will fit decent sized tires and a small rack to carry stuff.

I never had heard of Randoneering prior to this web site, but now I'm intregued by it. I'm going to blame it all on some canadian chick who posted about it.

Steve W.
Who may not be fast, but he is bullheaded. Seems like the perfect fit.

I am a member of RUSA even though I'm Canadian. I've completed 3 years of Randonneuring and have gotten my Super Randonneur each year. I have also done the Rocky Mountain 1200 and the Paris-Brest-Paris 1200.

This coming year I am planning to finish what I need to get my Randonneur 5000 award (I need a fleche, and a 1000K, plus probably a few more brevets), and I'm hoping to do the Great Southern Randonnee in Australia if all goes well.


Oh ... I guess I can update this!

Let's see ... in 2004, I rode the fleche, the 1000K, and the Great Southern Randonnee ... and was awarded my Randonneur 5000 medal and certificate.

Then in 2005, I attempted an SR series, but DNF'd on both the 600K attempts I made (weather and electrolytes). I also attempted the Gold Rush but DNF'd on that one too (electrolytes and lack of food). However, I got my act together in September and rode the UMCA 24-hour Time Trial and then the Last Chance 1200K.

Having now completed four 1200K events on three different continents, I have qualified for the International Super Randonneur 3-Continent 1200K award, which I plan to apply for shortly. :D


For 2006 ... I've got my sights set on the BMB.

I never had heard of Randoneering prior to this web site, but now I'm intregued by it. I'm going to blame it all on some canadian chick who posted about it.

Steve W.
Who may not be fast, but he is bullheaded. Seems like the perfect fit.


This Canadian chick has been blamed for similar things before!! :lol:


And ... no fast but bullheaded is the perfect description of most of the Randonneurs I know! :D

I've been trying to find some info. on how to pack my bike. Do people use camelbacks for storage? Do they use panniers (spelling is probably wrong)?

I'm just looking for hints & tips so I'm not out there without enough supplies. I know I need to carry my own fuel/water and bike tools, tubes, etc.

Any hints/tips are appreciated!

Thanks,
Jan


For the shorter rides you could probably get away with the camelbak and maybe a seatbag, but for the longer rides, most riders use a trunk bag on a rack, and often a handlebar bag too. Using panniers is very, very rare. They catch too much wind, and you don't need to bring that much stuff with you.

I plan attempting to complete a Brevet Series early next summer. I'd like to do the Rocky Mountain 1200 ....but I think I'll have the Brevet Series completed too late to Register on time....Should have done the series this year but just learned about the event....Anyway, the Brevet Series and the RM1200 both seems like a good personal challenge and am looking forward to try it out.

Sorry ... the RM1200 was cancelled for this year. They are considering offering an unsupported 1200K on Vancouver Island though, which sounds very interesting.

http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/rocky/rm1200.html

For those who are interested, here are some links to Randonneuring organizations and some other ultra-distance stuff:


http://www.randonneurs.bc.ca/links/links.html

http://www.rusa.org/

http://www.audax.org.au/index.asp

http://www.audax.uk.net/index2.htm

http://www.ultracycling.com/

http://www.pactour.com/

http://www.adventurecorps.com/

http://www.bikecenturies.com/

BTW - for the Randonneurs and long distance cyclists in the crowd, there is a Long Distance forum over on the Bicycling Mag site:

http://forums.bicycling.com/forum.jspa?forumID=16

That forum is mainly for Randonneurs and long distance cyclists:

-- to discuss things like our training and nutrition strategies for our brevets, centuries, double centuries, and other long rides.
-- to discuss our long distance equipment
-- to talk about our long rides - ride reports etc.
-- to participate in a Century-A-Month challenge and the 25 Centuries for 2005 Challenge (although that will be upped to 26 Centuries for 2006!! :D)
-- and to generally chat about things we long distance cyclists find interesting and amusing. :)


I've had the chance to meet and ride with a number of the people over there ... they're a nice group! :)

Thanks for the links Machka! The topica list I linked to above is nice as you can read it on the web, recieve individual e-mails or as a daily digest. The daily digest modes are great for lists, allowing me to scan a bunch of lists without having to use a browser when I don't want to.

Machka, thanks for all the links, it's very interesting. I'm hoping to do some of this in the future. I did a "Century a Month" this year, just finishing my 12th century last Friday. I've done 150 miles once and 145 miles on a loaded tour so I think I'm ready to step it up a little and go for the 300k ride.

being the disorganized, surly type, all my randonneuring is done without the benefit of parent organizations :)

randonneuring is a sport not limited to organized events in my opinion.


True, but the camaraderie is one of the big reasons I want to do the brevets. Living in a foreign country, it isn't so easy to meet people by walking into a pub and striking up a conversation. =)

For all those who have DNF'ed, why did it happen? Did you do something specific, or was it a general approach that caused you to not finish in time.

And is it a DNF if you finish, but not in time?

Not a randoneur, or audax as it's refered to in these parts but it sound like something to get into. 150-200k is what I consider to be a nice day's riding. I'll have to look into starting that after I've done my Trans-Canada. Any pointers on randoneuring in Toronto?

For all those who have DNF'ed, why did it happen? Did you do something specific, or was it a general approach that caused you to not finish in time.

And is it a DNF if you finish, but not in time?


Up till this year I had never DNF'd. This year I DNF'd three times.

1) 600K brevet attempt
DNF'd at 320 kms. Conditions: pouring rain for 27 straight hours, a high of 10C/50F, howling wind. City and town officials were evacuating the towns we were cycling through, and closing roads because of flooding because of all that rain. One bridge was washed out a couple hours after we crossed it. Winds were so strong I had to shift into an easier gear going downhill. Thunder and lightening periodically. Cool temps which, when combined with the rain and wind, led to the early stages of hypothermia. By the time I got into the control at the 320 km point, I was barely coherent, shivering uncontrollably, and had started throwing up. I decided it was in my best interests to call it quits ... especially since the storm showed no signs of letting up.

2) GoldRush 1200K attempt
DNF'd at about 400 kms. Quite the opposite of the 600K above ... very, very, very hot. Also, although the ride was supposed to be supported, the organizers didn't provide much food at all, and the little they did provide didn't take into account the fact that some people (me) have food allergies to things like peanuts. They served peanut butter sandwiches. I kept running out of food. I bonked several times, with growing severity. I also knew nothing about electrolytes -- who needs them in Canada? And I finally DNF'd in the middle of a bad bonk combined with electrolyte depletion. It was another 18 hours before I could eat.

3) 600K brevet attempt (solo)
DNF'd at about 380 kms. Fairly hot ride, and started it at quite a brisk pace. Not sure what happened, but at some point I quit consuming electrolytes (I still didn't know much about them then). I spent the last 14 hours of the ride throwing up in the ditch but still trying to keep riding. The situation finally got to the point where I realized I couldn't make the next control on time because of all the stops I was making. I lost approx. 8% of my body weight and was severely dehydrated. It was about 12 hours before I could stomach anything at all (even water), and days before my urinary tract started returning to normal. But I did some research and learned about the importance of electrolytes!


And yes ... it IS a DNF if you finish, but not in time.

I might try the Gvl Brevet series as well, or at least the 200/300 ones...

I also knew nothing about electrolytes -- who needs them in Canada?

Isn't long distance cycling fun. I learned about electrolytes this past summer. Living in Fla, you would think I would have known about electrolytes. I spent too much time worrying about calorie intake.