Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - Could I call myself a Randonneur?

Did a double metric over the weekend, actually a touch more, 206.7k. Saddle time was 7 hours and 43 mins. Total ride time was close to 9 hours.

I've been doing research into Randonneuring, and looking at the RUSA website, it says anyone completing a 200k official brevet is a Randonneur/Randonneuse (which I had no idea about before my 200k ride).

So considering I did the distance, under the general time guidelines, and unsupported (although I did have a good ride buddy), could I call myself a Randonneur?

I'll probably do an official SR next year, but for the time being, can I update my facebook status, maybe print it on my business cards? ;)

You are a Randonneur, using the general definition, if you ride long distances unsupported, whether or not you complete a Brevet. If this was an organized double-century ride, with food stops etc. that may or may not fit the definition of Randonneuring depending on how you want to generalize. The Wiki definition of Randonneur is one who does long-distance cycling. A brevet is an event that a Randonneur may or may not take part in.

Having said that, I could list myself as a swimmer, since I can swim ... but since I don't go swimming regularly as a pass-time, listing myself as a swimmer gives someone the idea that I do it regularly. Are you a Randonneur if you went on a long-distance cycling ride once ? You decide for yourself what you want to put into your Facebook entry.

I would say that you are very ready to do an official Randonee. But I would not call myself an actual randonneur until I had completed a certified brevet. There is also no one out there to ploce what you call yourslef and if sparks an interest in the sport I say go ahead.

Kudo's for finishing in the time you did.

I would say that you are very ready to do an official Randonee. But I would not call myself an actual randonneur until I had completed a certified brevet. There is also no one out there to ploce what you call yourslef and if sparks an interest in the sport I say go ahead.

Kudo's for finishing in the time you did.

Considering that about 15 miles of you route was on crushed stone and gravel and that most streets had traffic signals every 2 miles, I would say you did very well :D .

It looks like you need to enter an event this year :giver: .

Michael

Just join RUSA and go ride a brevet or permanent in your area and you'll no longer have this dilemma :-)

Sounds like you won't have any trouble.

By the way, if you ever earn any medals for brevets or other events, then you can go into Denny's with the medal plus $8.95 and get a pretty decent breakfast! In other words, no one but you and other randonneurs really care about the medals or any of our other wonderful heroics :-)

Nick

...no one but you and other randonneurs really care about the medals or any of our other wonderful heroics :-)

WHAT??

When I complete an SR series, I'm getting an image of my SR medal tattoo'd on my rib cage! Are you telling me that all the cool kids won't know what it means? :twitchy:

...By the way, if you ever earn any medals for brevets or other events, then you can go into Denny's with the medal plus $8.95 and get a pretty decent breakfast! In other words, no one but you and other randonneurs really care about the medals or any of our other wonderful heroics :-)

That is so not true! You can get breakfast at Denny's for $4.99!

You are NOT a randonneur until you do an official randonnee sanctioned by the ACP (or BRM) ... but it sounds like you could be a randonneur if you wanted to be.

Fixed that for ya


You are NOT an official randonneur until you do an official randonnee sanctioned by the ACP (or BRM) ... but it sounds like you could be a randonneur if you wanted to be.

You are a Randonneur, using the general definition, if you ride long distances unsupported, whether or not you complete a Brevet. If this was an organized double-century ride, with food stops etc. that may or may not fit the definition of Randonneuring depending on how you want to generalize. The Wiki definition of Randonneur is one who does long-distance cycling. A brevet is an event that a Randonneur may or may not take part in.

Good point, anything under 100k is pretty leisurely, and I get the most enjoyment out of LD rides. I wish the work schedule would allow more. It was an unsupported ride with another BF member, and it was a good mix of trail, road, (small highway).


Considering that about 15 miles of you route was on crushed stone and gravel and that most streets had traffic signals every 2 miles, I would say you did very well :D .

It looks like you need to enter an event this year :giver: .

Michael

The crushed gravel horse trail on 23's was one of my favorite parts! Made me feel like a kid again, and I got to practice my cross kick skids. I'm not sure the horses were too fond of us! I also enjoyed the (seemingly 5 minutes) that we rode through the NBT . . . I barely remember it, we shot through it like a bullet.


Just join RUSA and go ride a brevet or permanent in your area and you'll no longer have this dilemma :-)

I'm sending in an app, once I get an answer on a couple of questions. There is another 200k in early Aug, so I'm probably going to do it.


That is so not true! You can get breakfast at Denny's for $4.99!

So wait, once you become official, you have to pay more for breakfast? Does the cost of cereal also go up?


You are NOT a randonneur until you do an official randonnee sanctioned by the ACP (or BRM) ... but it sounds like you could be a randonneur if you wanted to be.

Working on it . . . the RUSA site says you need lights and reflective gear? Is this true? I may have to postpone on the official part, between fees and rules (expenses to fulfill), the cost is starting to add up. At my pace on a 200k I would be done long before dusk, so that is one of the questions I'm waiting on.

. . . the RUSA site says you need lights and reflective gear? Is this true? I may have to postpone on the official part, between fees and rules (expenses to fulfill), the cost is starting to add up. At my pace on a 200k I would be done long before dusk, so that is one of the questions I'm waiting on.

Check with your local club(s). In my parts, no one requires lighting or reflective gear on 200Ks, and some RBAs will give you a pass on a 300K during the long part of the year. Of course, if you ride at night without proper gear on any event, you'll be DNF'd (not to mention dangerously invisible to cars). Welcome to the sport!

Check with your local club(s). In my parts, no one requires lighting or reflective gear on 200Ks, and some RBAs will give you a pass on a 300K during the long part of the year. Of course, if you ride at night without proper gear on any event, you'll be DNF'd (not to mention dangerously invisible to cars). Welcome to the sport!

I've ridden with four different clubs and three of those required lights and reflective gear (i.e. Sam Browne Belt & anklets) even for 200k's. It's not a large investment in safety ... probably less than $100 for battery front & rear lights & RUSA belt & anklets. (The PlanetBike light set is $14.99 from Performancebike) ... of course this is NOT what you'd want to have for any real riding in the dark, but will get you a "pass".

When riding Permanents, of course, you're on your own recognizance.

You are NOT a randonneur until you do an official randonnee sanctioned by the ACP (or BRM) ... but it sounds like you could be a randonneur if you wanted to be.

IMHO there are people who do long distance riding, falling under the definition of Randonneur who don't belong to the "club". That doesn't mean that they're not Randonneurs. Others might belong to RUSA, for example, and do Permanents but not Brevets ... they too are Randonneurs. In Ontario, Canada, many Populairs are run, often done as group rides. The distances are relatively short, eg. 100km and people ride these for fun -- they too are Randonneurs even though ACP has never heard of them.

I'm a runner if I run, not because I entered into ... and completed ... an event. So too with Randonneuring. This is not a profession where you have to be board-certified. I am a Randonneur. I have no objection to anyone who calls themselves a Randonneur because they enjoy long-distance riding. I may ride more miles than that person, or less, ... that doesn't bother me.

I've ridden with four different clubs and three of those required lights and reflective gear (i.e. Sam Browne Belt & anklets) even for 200k's. It's not a large investment in safety ... probably less than $100 for battery front & rear lights & RUSA belt & anklets. (The PlanetBike light set is $14.99 from Performancebike) ... of course this is NOT what you'd want to have for any real riding in the dark, but will get you a "pass".

When riding Permanents, of course, you're on your own recognizance.

Speaking of lights . . . I was thinking of this one, does any LD's have suggestions?

http://www.lickbike.com/lickimages/3334.gif

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB=%273334-00%27

I would be using my energizer double AA 2500ma rechargeable batteries. But the front especially would provide sufficient lighting for road cracks/etc?

The description on the front light says 1500 candlebar, 10 hours of "headlight quality" light?

The LD 1100 is a great battery powered tail light, a close second to a PB Superflash. (http://ecom1.planetbike.com/3034.html) Can't speak to the headlight.

Speaking of lights . . . I was thinking of this one, does any LD's have suggestions?

http://www.lickbike.com/lickimages/3334.gif

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.aspx?PART_NUM_SUB=%273334-00%27

I would be using my energizer double AA 2500ma rechargeable batteries. But the front especially would provide sufficient lighting for road cracks/etc?

The description on the front light says 1500 candlebar, 10 hours of "headlight quality" light?

I use two EL530s when night riding on brevets. I think it's an outstanding light for the money. You have to spend a lot more to get something better. That said, it's not in the same class a generator hub with one of the new LED headlights. By the way, I use two primarily so I'll have a back up if one fails. You could get by with one though you'd want to keep your speed down on the descents. For a good cheap rear light, it's hard to beat the Planet Bikes Superflash.

Hi John,

You really need 400 Lumins at 20 mph or you will be unable to see far enough ahead to react to bad pavement and road hazards.

Look for 10 watts or more. REI has a great light review sheet.

I've been happy with this: http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/Lights/light-and-motion/solo-logic-mv/PRD_352279_130crx.aspx

And I also have this system and often use the two systems together: http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/Lights/cygolite/night-rover/PRD_352269_130crx.aspx

Hi John,

You really need 400 Lumins at 20 mph or you will be unable to see far enough ahead to react to bad pavement and road hazards.

Look for 10 watts or more. REI has a great light review sheet.

I've been happy with this: http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/Lights/light-and-motion/solo-logic-mv/PRD_352279_130crx.aspx

And I also have this system and often use the two systems together: http://www.mtbr.com/cat/accessories/Lights/cygolite/night-rover/PRD_352269_130crx.aspx

These probably put out quite a bit more light than the Cateye EL530, but generally they aren't going to work for randonneuring. The run times on the batteries won't get you through a full night of riding. On a tough 600k, you may even end up riding through two nights depending on the start time. That's why so many randonneurs use generator hubs.