Scheduling Flèches

Flèches-USA team randonnées are intended to be held on or near the Easter weekend. The Flèche Vélocio, upon which the Flèches-USA are based, is always an Easter-weekend event — and in France, with its northerly latitudes, this can bring cool springtime temperatures, not to mention an increased chance of precipitation. Riding near the spring equinox means day and night hours are roughly equal, making this 24-hour event more challenging than in seasons with longer, warmer days.

Easter Weekend Accommodation - If it is thought that traditional Easter celebrations for riders' families will limit Flèche participation, RBAs can hold their event one week before or after Easter. Remember, too, that teams can start their ride as early as Thursday noon if they want to keep the weekend open for family and/or religious activities.

Wintry Regions Accommodation - Regions that are prone to wintry weather around Easter - such as the Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes, or New England - can choose to schedule their Flèche up to the end of May. But for unseasonable wintry weather in other regions, remember that, like other ACP events, a Flèche can be postponed up to a week because of unsafe conditions. So that’s the option for regions not prone to wintry conditions in spring.

[1/2017]