About Randonneuring

Randonneuring is a type of endurance cycling consisting of timed long distance events sanctioned by Randonneurs USA. It’s not a race; each distance has both a minimum and a maximum time, and all riders who complete the route within that time are official finishers. All bikes must be human powered only.

Events have an official route, with checkpoints called “controls” where riders must check in or provide proof of passage. Most randonneuring events are called “brevets”, while the shortest are called “populaires” and the longest are called “grand randonnées”. There are also several team events with slightly different formats, where a team of 2-6 bikes ride together for the duration of the event.

Randonneuring events are typically minimally supported, although events of 600km and longer often have sleeping accommodations provided. Riders may stop at any services along the route such as stores and restaurants, and organizers generally try to design routes that have services available at least every 20-50 miles when possible. 

Typical event distances and their time limits:          

  • Populaires:         
    • 100km (62 miles): 6 hours 40 minutes     
  • Brevets:         
    • 200km (124 miles): 13.5 hours         
    • 300km (186 miles): 20 hours         
    • 400km (250 miles): 27 hours         
    • 600km (375 miles): 40 hours         
    • 1000 km (622 miles): 75 hours          
  • Grand Randonnées:         
    • 1200km (750 miles): 90 hours           
  • Team Events:         
    • Fleche: 360km minimum, 24 hours, (3-5 bikes (a tandem only counts as one!)
    • Dart: 200km minimum, 13.5 hours, 3-5 bikes
    • Dart Populaire: 120km minimum, 8 hours, 3-5 bikes
    • Trace: 200km minimum, 2-6 bikes
  • Permanents:
    • Permanents are approved routes that can be ridden for RUSA credit at any time, not just on the scheduled day of an event. The format and time limits are similar, but the start time is up to you!

The following list of Frequently Asked Questions will hopefully address many of your initial concerns and questions about RUSA. If you have a question not addressed, please feel free to contact the RUSA President. There is also a glossary of terms available online.

Acronyms

  • RUSA: Randonneurs USA
  • ACP: Audax Club Parisien
  • RBA: Regional Brevet Administrator
  • PBP: Paris-Brest-Paris
  • SR: Super Randonneur
  • RM: Randonneurs Mondiaux

FAQs