Your First Randonnée

Use the information below to prepare for your first randonée.

A randonée (pronounced ran-doh-nAy) is a French word, loosely translating to 'hike'. A randonnée is a long distance bicycling event with distances ranging from under 200KM to over 1000KM. The route for the randonnée is fixed in advance by the organizing body, and so is the starting time. It is a non-competitive event - there is no prize for completing the route in the fastest time. The objective is to cultivate the qualities of endurance and self sufficiency for long distance riding. There may be, however, limits on the minimum and maximum time one may take for each segment of the route.

Before the Ride

Make sure you're physically fit to ride long distances.

Check your bicycle for road-worthiness -- check tires, brakes, etc. You may find the IBN Checklist for Long rides helpful.

Procure all equipment you will need on the ride.

Download and print the cue sheet for your ride. Make sure you understand the route -- the start point, the controls, general directions, etc. Read and understand the cue sheet for the ride.

Before Start of the Ride

Wake up well in time for ride, make sure you've got a good nights rest. Double check your bicycle and equipment. Eat a good breakfast, and drink some water before you ride.

Arrive at start venue about an hour before the ride. Complete the registration formalities, get your bicycle checked and collect your brevet card. Fill in the brevet card.

Five minutes before the official start time, the organizers will make last minute announcements and changes. They will then start the ride.

During the Ride

Pace Yourself: Ride at a steady pace, remember there is no prize for the fastest time. However there is a minimum average speed requirement. Although this requirement is only 15kmph, remember that all stops, including scheduled stops (controls) count towards this - the clock never stops!

Navigate using the cue-sheet: Remember that the route is unmarked. The cue-sheet is the official route guide. Even if you use a GPS, make sure you follow the cue-sheet.

Eat before you get hungry and drink before you are thirsty. If you feel tired, you may be hungry or thirsty. Carry some food with you always like a bar of Snickers or some bananas. You should also carry plain water and electral.

Controls: Controls are designated points along the route that you need to stop at to get your brevet card stamped. Each control has an open time and a close time. You must arrive after the open time and before the close time for a control. There are four types of controls:

1. Manned Controls will have a volunteer who will stamp your brevet card.
2. Unmanned controls are shops or ATMs where you can get a receipt with the time stamped or printed on it.
3. Secret Controls may be placed by the organizers to ensure that riders do not go off course- so do not take any shortcuts!
4. Information Controls are controls that require you to answer a question, like "what is the text on a signboard?", etc.

At the End of the Ride

Make sure you sign your brevet card at the end.

Hand in your brevet card to the organizers. If this is a populaire, your brevet card will be returned to you immediately. If this is a brevet then your card will be returned after homologation.

Other Useful Information

Much of the information above was adapted from these documents:

What to expect on an SIR Brevet