Monthly Archives: December 2010

June 11 2011 6 AM

AV 600k Ride Summary

AV 600k Cue Sheet 090810

AV 600k Return Leg Controls 090810

General Information for the Apple Valley 600k Brevet

April 23 2011 8 AM

Apple Valley 200k Elevation Profile

AV200k Cue Sheet V4 (1)

Apple Valley 200k Brevet Route Map

Mark Olsen	5502	+ Vancouver Island 1200k
Michele Brougher	4480	+ 700k of the Cascade 1200k
Rob Welsh	3608	+ PACTour Elite Tour (3,100 miles)
Richard Soderberg	3500
Jim Joy	3400
Martin Fahje	2860	+ Perth Amboy Perth 1200k
Richard Miller	2100

Randonneuring is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is non-competitive in nature, and self-sufficiency is paramount.

When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport of cycling in France and Italy. Friendly camaraderie, not competition, is the hallmark of randonneuring.

What is a Randonneur?

There is no direct English translation of the French term “randonnée”, which loosely means to go on a long trip, tour, outing, or ramble, usually on foot or on a bicycle, along a defined route. A person who goes on a “randonnée” is called a “randonneur”. (The correct French term for a female participant is “randonneuse”, but such distinctions are often lost in America, where we tend to lump everyone together).

In cycling, it means a hard-riding enthusiast who is trying to complete a long randonnée inside a certain time allotment. Note that a randonnée is not a race. Overall, about the only thing being first earns is some bragging rights.

It is not uncommon for the last finishers to get as much applause as anyone else. Indeed, there is much camaraderie in randonneuring. One does it to test oneself against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route – but not to beat the other riders.

In comparison to other forms of competitive long-distance cycling, such as at the Race Across America (RAAM), where there are following cars with crews supporting the riders every inch of the way, randonneuring stresses self-sufficiency.

Help can only be given at the checkpoints along the route, so support crews (if there are any) must leapfrog the rider. Any rider caught receiving assistance from a support crew in-between checkpoints (or, “contrôles” as they are commonly called) will be subject to a time penalty, or even disqualification.

Randonneurs are free to buy food, supplies, or bike repairs at any stores they encounter along the route. Once riders have successfully completed a 200-kilometer “brevet”, they are entitled to be called a “randonneur” or “randonneuse”.

What is a Super Randonneur?

The following people completed at least one Super Randonneur Series for 2010:

Gary Bakke
Bill Bennett  *
Michele Brougher (F)
Doug Carlson *
Norman Ehrentreich
Martin Fahje
Craig Futterer
Kelly Hines *
Jerry Hofmann
Jim Joy
Richard Miller *
Jonas Nygard *
Mark Olsen
Hall Sanders
Richard Soderberg
Lara Sullivan (F)
Rob Welsh (2)

17 riders
2 women
5 first time Super Randonneurs
5 riders > 60 years old
1 rider 70 years old

Numbers in parenthesis indicate multiple SR series completed 
* Indicates first time Super Randonneur
F  Indicates female (randonneuse)