Randonneuring
In randonneuring, riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined "controls" (checkpoints) every few tens of kilometres.
Riders aim to complete the course within specified time limits, and receive equal recognition regardless of their finishing order.
[4] Similar events became popular elsewhere, and in 1904 French journalist Henri Desgrange produced Audax regulations, which belonged to his Auto newspaper.
Randonneuring has much in common with cyclotouring, the founding-father of which is often said to be the journalist Velocio (Paul de Vivie), also credited with making derailleur gears popular.
[7] In such events, riders follow a course through a series of predetermined checkpoints called "controls"; these are typically a few tens of kilometres apart.
In some events, riders will be asked to supplement this by collecting till receipts in certain places and by answering questions about their surroundings at "information controls", such as recording a distance from a milepost.
Riders are expected to be fully self-sufficient between controls and must carry food, water, spare clothing and tools to meet their requirements.
In these events, the "controls" are predesignated places where a rider will stop and collect evidence of passage such as a shop receipt.
These brevets are seen as a good introduction to the full-blown "randonneur" events, and also as a manageable distance for riders who want to maintain regular participation in the sport over a sustained period of time.
As of 2019, modern lighting (LED & Lithium Ion batteries), paired with a dynamo hubs are more prevalent, as well as a mix between equipment designed for bikepacking (aerodynamic, lightweight) and more traditional pannier systems, particularly for longer distance events.
Some events require riders to carry specific equipment, for example, lights, spare bulbs, and reflective clothing, though this varies depending on the organiser.
The majority of brevets are relatively small and locally organised, making for a busy calendar of events for enthusiasts.
Sometimes regarded as the Blue Riband randonnée, Paris–Brest–Paris (PBP) is an approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) event held on an out-and-back course between Paris and Brest every four years.
The series can be completed in any order (200, 300, 400 and 600 kilometres (120, 190, 250 and 370 mi) is traditional), and any brevet may be replaced with a longer randonnée.
Allure Libre consisted of individuals riding alone in the spirit of self-sufficiency, while Audax riders rode as a group and maintained a steady pace.
For events homologated by Les Randonneurs Mondiaux where the rate of climbing is greater than 11 meters per kilometre their President will give consideration to requests for extra time.
