2009 Boston Brevet Series Schedule
Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2009 8:53 pm
Interested in riding farther this year? This may be for you!
2009 Boston Brevet Series schedule
April 18 100K 8:00AM start lights optional
May 9 200K 7:00AM start lights optional
May 30 300K 4:00AM start lights required
June 20 400K 4:00AM start lights required
July 25 600K 4:00AM start lights required
TBD 350K 4:00AM start lights required
About Randonneuring:
In short, Randonneuring is a noncompetitive, timed, endurance cycling sport. Riders depart together along predetermined routes that are generally 200 kilometers or longer. In order to ensure that riders follow the route precisely, checkpoints are established every 40-75 miles where riders must get a card signed, proving that they reached that point within a certain amount of time. Rides 200k and longer are called Brevets -- a Brevet Series consists of four rides of 200k, 300k, 400k, and 600k lengths. Once a full series has been completed, riders are eligible to participate in longer events, with the pinnacle event being Paris-Brest-Paris (http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/EN/), a 1200k Grande Randonnee held along the same historic route every four years in France.
Randonneuring isn't racing nor cyclotouring. Unlike cyclotouring, riders are expected to maintain a minimum pace throughout the entire duration of the event. (Generally 15kph or faster.) Unlike racing, there is no distinction for finishing a route before others -- all riders finishing within the time limit are honored equally. While some riders race against the clock for a "personal best" many prefer to just enjoy the ride with friends.
For more information about randonneuring, visit the RUSA website (http://www.rusa.org/).
About New England Randonneurs, Inc
For years, the Boston Brevet Series (http://www.bostonbrevets.com/) had been organized and run by one person, with the help of some very dedicated volunteers. It was founded by Charlie Lamb as a means of preparing local randonneurs and randonneuses for 1200k events, particularly Paris-Brest-Paris. In the early 90s it was taken over by Dave Jordan. Between the two, a brevet series was created that developed a nationwide reputation as the premier series for its support, routes, and participation.
Bruce and Tracey Ingle took over the series in the early 2000s and did their best to fill some mighty big shoes. Familiar routes were modified a little, and new routes were developed. The support continued and even introduced the now infamous Summer Sausage and mini-Pay Day bars.
As the Series grew in number of events and participants, it became clear that a new way of managing the series was in order and thus New England Randonneurs, Inc. was founded. NER leads the region with a team-based approach to putting on an annual brevet series. We encourage participation by many, and ensure that no one or few people shoulder the burden.
New England Randonneurs plans to grow beyond the Boston Brevet Series. The region has long lacked permanents, year-round brevets, and most recently a 1200k event. Thanks to the dedication of our members, NER, inc., hopes to fill these voids and further expand the sport of randonneuring in New England.
You can join the NER mailing list (http://groups.google.com/group/ne-randonneurs?pli=1). This low traffic list is a good place to ask questions and discuss randonneuring in New England.
See you on the road!
-Jeff
2009 Boston Brevet Series schedule
April 18 100K 8:00AM start lights optional
May 9 200K 7:00AM start lights optional
May 30 300K 4:00AM start lights required
June 20 400K 4:00AM start lights required
July 25 600K 4:00AM start lights required
TBD 350K 4:00AM start lights required
About Randonneuring:
In short, Randonneuring is a noncompetitive, timed, endurance cycling sport. Riders depart together along predetermined routes that are generally 200 kilometers or longer. In order to ensure that riders follow the route precisely, checkpoints are established every 40-75 miles where riders must get a card signed, proving that they reached that point within a certain amount of time. Rides 200k and longer are called Brevets -- a Brevet Series consists of four rides of 200k, 300k, 400k, and 600k lengths. Once a full series has been completed, riders are eligible to participate in longer events, with the pinnacle event being Paris-Brest-Paris (http://www.paris-brest-paris.org/EN/), a 1200k Grande Randonnee held along the same historic route every four years in France.
Randonneuring isn't racing nor cyclotouring. Unlike cyclotouring, riders are expected to maintain a minimum pace throughout the entire duration of the event. (Generally 15kph or faster.) Unlike racing, there is no distinction for finishing a route before others -- all riders finishing within the time limit are honored equally. While some riders race against the clock for a "personal best" many prefer to just enjoy the ride with friends.
For more information about randonneuring, visit the RUSA website (http://www.rusa.org/).
About New England Randonneurs, Inc
For years, the Boston Brevet Series (http://www.bostonbrevets.com/) had been organized and run by one person, with the help of some very dedicated volunteers. It was founded by Charlie Lamb as a means of preparing local randonneurs and randonneuses for 1200k events, particularly Paris-Brest-Paris. In the early 90s it was taken over by Dave Jordan. Between the two, a brevet series was created that developed a nationwide reputation as the premier series for its support, routes, and participation.
Bruce and Tracey Ingle took over the series in the early 2000s and did their best to fill some mighty big shoes. Familiar routes were modified a little, and new routes were developed. The support continued and even introduced the now infamous Summer Sausage and mini-Pay Day bars.
As the Series grew in number of events and participants, it became clear that a new way of managing the series was in order and thus New England Randonneurs, Inc. was founded. NER leads the region with a team-based approach to putting on an annual brevet series. We encourage participation by many, and ensure that no one or few people shoulder the burden.
New England Randonneurs plans to grow beyond the Boston Brevet Series. The region has long lacked permanents, year-round brevets, and most recently a 1200k event. Thanks to the dedication of our members, NER, inc., hopes to fill these voids and further expand the sport of randonneuring in New England.
You can join the NER mailing list (http://groups.google.com/group/ne-randonneurs?pli=1). This low traffic list is a good place to ask questions and discuss randonneuring in New England.
See you on the road!
-Jeff