Permanent FAQ

What is a Permanent?
A Permanent is like a brevet but you can ride it any time, not just on one specific date. Like brevets, routes can start and finish in the same location, but they can also run point-to-point, and can be any distance of 200km+ (100-199km for a Permanent Populaire). Permanent rides in the US are validated by RUSA.
Who can ride a Permanent?
RUSA Permanents may be ridten only by current RUSA members and by foreign riders who are current members of an ACP "correspondent direct" organization. ("Correspondent direct" organizations are the country or other organizations that have direct affiliation with the ACP, such as Randonneurs USA, Audax UK, BC Randonneurs, and Ontario Randonneurs.)
Who can organize one?
Any RUSA member can organize a Permanent - you do not need to be an RBA. For more information on how to set up a Permanent, refer to the Rules for Permanent Route Owners document.
How do I enter a Permanent?
First check the listing of available routes. Contact the organizer well in advance of your planned riding date - at least four weeks is recommended. The organizer will provide you with an entry form and further information about the ride, including the entry fee. Submit the completed form and fee to receive your control card and cue sheet. At the agreed date and time, obtain a stamp on your card at the start location and you can begin riding!
How do the rules differ between a Permanent and a BRM event?
The rules for riding a Permanent are based on the BRM rules. Rules for Permanent Riders details the rule differences between BRM events and Permanents
Does a Permanent have to be a solo ride?
No, you may ride a Permanent in a group with others. The rule regarding drafting requires that everyone in the group be entered in the ride. Also, if you have a support crew, the rules allow them to meet you only at the control points
Can I ride a Permanent on any day of the year?
In theory, yes. However, the date you ride is by agreement between you and the organizer. An organizer may choose to make his/her route available only during certain months, and he/she may need to restrict certain dates due to other personal commitments. Remember, all organizers are unpaid volunteers working for your benefit.
Can I use a Permanent ride towards qualification for Paris-Brest-Paris or other foreign brevets?
No. Permanents are not ACP registered events. ACP will not recognize them for PBP qualification, neither will other organizers outside the US.
Can I use a Permanent to qualify for BRM, or other long distance US events?
This will be at the discretion of the organizer requiring qualification. A rider who wishes to use a Permanent towards qualification for one of these rides should contact the organizer well ahead of time. The Permanent must be as long or longer than the qualifying distance it represents.
How quickly after my ride can I expect to receive my validated control card?
Firstly, you are requested to submit your completed card to the organizer within 10 days of your ride. Organizers in turn are asked to submit the result within 10 days of receipt of your card. Validation is not subject to the same vagaries of communication with France as it is for BRM events, and will normally take place immediately. It is therefore reasonable to see a validated card returned within a few weeks.
Can I use a Permanent toward earning RUSA's Distance awards?
Yes.
How about the ACP Super Randonneur or R5000 award?
No. Once again, all rides for these awards must be ACP validated.
I rode the same Permanent route twice in one season. Can I count both these rides towards the RUSA Distance awards?
Yes. Beginning January 1, 2009, every Permanent route that you successfully complete will count toward your RUSA Distance Awards. This includes repeated rides of the same route. (Before 2009, each Permanent route could be ridten only once per year for credit toward the RUSA Distance Award.)
What kind of route makes a good Permanent?
If you have a favorite long training ride, perhaps because it is especially scenic or challenging, this would probably make an excellent Permanent. Point-to-point rides might have a theme, such as riding between state capital cities or national parks. Remember the controls need to be appropriately spaced, and situated to avoid shortcuts.
Can I ride a Permanent that I organize myself?
Yes, as soon as it is posted on the website and available to everyone.
Can I organize a Permanent that is less than 200km?
Yes, to a minimum of 100km. A Permanent of 100-199km is designated a Permanent Populaire, and is subject to the same rules as other brevets Populaire.
How many entries might I receive for my Permanent?
This is impossible to answer! It will depend on the population of riders in your locale, and the type of route you are offering. Shorter routes normally attract more entrants. If your route is 1200km or longer, you may not see entries every season.
I decided not to start a Permanent last Saturday because it was raining. Can I use my control card to ride this weekend if the weather is better?
Unlikely. At this point your entry has expired, and you will have to submit a new entry form and fee to the organizer. It is up to him/her to decide if you can ride this weekend at such short notice. The key point here is that the organizer must know ahead of time when you will be riding, in case they decide to set up a secret control or otherwise keep an eye on you. For the same reason, I hope you informed the organizer when you decided not to start the ride last Saturday.
Will the route be marked with arrows on the road, like it usually is when I ride a brevet?
Very unlikely. Since yours is probably the only entry fee the organizer has received, this will obviously not cover the cost of marking the route. It is highly recommended that you carry a good map with you when riding a Permanent.
May I start a Permanent from a location on the route other than the designated starting point, say, at one of the other controls?
If the route starts and finishes in the same location (loop or out-and-back), you must start at the start location specified for that route. If the route is designated as "reversible," you may ride the route in either direction but only from the specified start location. If the route is point-to-point (e.g., starts at point A, finishes at point B), and the route is designated as "reversible," you may start your ride either at point A or point B. Whether a route is reversible is indicated in the route's website info. If you wish to ride such a route in reverse, you need to inform the owner beforehand.
Who do I contact if I have questions about Permanents?
Go to RUSA Officials Search and select: "Committee Permanents" and click on the Search but