Originally Posted by USAZorro

A couple years ago, I was ready to set the randonneuring world afire, and I bought a Surly LHT.

This was a very versatile bicycle, and would have been very good for touring, but it was a heavy beast, and not the bike one wanted to be on while going up repeated hills of 10 - 15% on the "local" DC Randonneurs death course they called a 200K brevet. I traded it, and pressed my old Fuji Finest into service. Those 4 fewer pounds make a big difference. IMO, a comfortable sport tourer makes a better poor-man's rando bike than a tourer does. Of course, if you're randonneuring in Florida - it won't make much difference.

Originally Posted by IanHelgesen

From the site: "Any form of human-powered vehicle is acceptable. The only stipulation is that the vehicle must be powered solely by the rider."

Unlike racing bikes, randonneuring bikes aren't regulated beyond safety requirements (lights for events involving night riding, etc). I believe fenders used to be required for some of the major events, but that was removed. People complete randonneuring events on recumbents, tandems, Moultons, and just about anything else you can think of.

Also, randonneuring events are explicitly not competitive. I believe there's actually a rule that results are to be published in alphabetical order rather than by completion time, to prevent it from being percieved as a race.

Veloria has it right. Randonneurs are concerned with a time limit, and so tend to travel light, often with only a handlebar bag and/or saddlebag for luggage. They basically need enough clothing to deal with whatever weather they're likely to encounter, enough food to make it to the next stop, and tools to fix anything that breaks. Cyclotourist tend to carry more comforts (often including a full set of camping gear), and move at a more relaxed pace.