I am used to riding through on 600s and almost never get a hotel. Now I would like to try a 1000. I know the normal way to go is three ~333.3 km days, with two hotel stops. But I am wondering if people are getting away with less hotel time, to save money and maybe finish quicker?

What is the least sleep that /r/randonneurs are managing to get away with on a 1000 km route? Have you gotten away with a single hotel stay, and if so what kilometer mark/ time of day did you get there?

Finally made the jump to clipless which means no more going to cold/wet events in boots.

Anyone got a shoe cover they like for conditions around 1C/33F and rainy? I'm wearing Lake shoes in wide if that matters.

Anyone with a history of reconstructive ACL surgery who is an active randonneur? How long before one can restart long distance riding? Tips, pointers? I know bike is extremely recommended for rehab, but riding 200k+ is certainly different.

200km tomorrow in Venlo. I managed to get to the campsite by train without getting kicked off for having a bike in the spitsuren for 20 minutes.

Hello, I have ridden several loosely-organized 200Ks in my area and did well and enjoyed the experience and so that has made me interested in randonneuring. I looked at rusa.org (I'm in the USA) and there doesn't seem to be a randonneuring group within 2-3 hours (by car) of my location. Is that common? How do I connect with other randonneurs near me? The bike shop that organized the 200Ks is mostly a bunch of young men and I'm old enough to be their mother haha. How would you suggest I proceed in getting into randonneuring? Ride perms by myself? There are a few within an hour (by car) of me. I want to find people who can help me! I'm in central Virginia.

New-to-me San Marcos (Rivendell-Soma collab). Planned to ride a Permanent in the Driftless area today while I'm in the area for work, but I left my gear bag with my warmer gloves, cap, shoe covers, snacks, etc. on my back porch while packing the car yesterday. Waited around for shops to open up and grabbed a flat kit and Ortlieb bar pack (love it!) and rode up to Grandad Bluff instead.

I have a SON dynamo hub on my bikepacking bike, but I'm not yet sure I want to add one to my road/randonneuring bike. What are some recommendations for long-running lights suitable for all-night events? I'd love to see recommendations for both front and rear lights if possible. Thanks!

https://www.thebikesmiths.com/products/panaracer-700c-gravelking-slick-race?variant=51443647676576

The Bikesmiths here in Milwaukee have most variants of the new version Gravel Kings about 50% off with a 2 tire limit. Not my ideal rando tire personally, but I'll ride them for $40 and I know some people swear by them.

So next week is a self supported bike race / challenge. The length is approx 450 km with a pretty hilly start ( at 9 in the evening ). I have a pretty good base of daily commutes of 50km total, and have done the tour de Flanders. But nothing more than 260 km and never in the night. Any last minute advice or some good luck wishes ?

Hey guys! Don’t know where to post this so ended up here, saw these bars on a walk in nyc today and neeed to know what they are. They seem to be a combo of bullmoose and nitto bosco bars and I feel like I need them in my life. Hoping they aren’t custom and I can order a pair🙏

Is there an etiquette about this? I’m interested in more experienced people’s thoughts on the matter. I’m preparing for my second 200km brevet. In my first brevet the group of about 20 to 40 people seemed nice but was riding a bit more casually than I felt capable of so I rode away from them and had a great solo ride. But I can’t help but wonder did I miss something by not socializing?

Hey all,

Looking for advice for a Northeast US based rider. I tried wearing my regular shoes with a set of overshoes and I just felt damp and cold. Any insight and links if possible would be appreciated.

I've been searching through the RUSA FAQ site for something that may be obvious, but I can't find an answer to it:
According to the above mentioned FAQs, a "Super Randonneur" is:

Any randonneur who successfully completes a sequence of 200-, 300-, 400-, and 600-kilometer brevets in a single year is considered to be a "super randonneur".

So what does "in a single year" mean?
Is it

• Calendar year (January 1 to December 31 of the same year) ?
• Any months (for example June-1 to May 31 the following year) ?
• Any 365 days (for example August 13 to August 12 the following year)?

Been talking to a few audax veterans. They're suggesting i change my grx groupset to a more dedicted road one. I know it really depends on the terrain and pedaling style. But all of the past conversations is having me rethink my stand on my choice of drivetrain.

Our roads are quite punchy at some sections but mostly flat too.

I think i did okay with my 48/31 11-40 drivetrain for the whole brevet series.

I like to keep my heart rate low when doing climbs. Is there really any truth to a road dedicated groupset for long endurance rides? Am i really missing out on speed as they're implying?

I'm a 50 year old male who wants to work up to some long rides in 2025. I really prefer to have structured training plans to give me achievable goals and keep me focused and accountable. Advice like, "Just ride a lot" doesn't really help me much. Can anyone recommend good web sites, or books that can help me build a detailed, well-structured plan to work up to longer rides in a smart way?

For background, I have always been a distance runner and have completed several marathons and ultras over the years. I have been riding regularly for several years and currently ride 300-400km per month. I do 60-80 km rides several times a month and ride 100km routes 4-5 times a year, but the longest ride I have done is around 130km. I ride outside maybe ten months a year and I am getting a trainer for when it is nasty outside, and to do some more focused tempo/power training. I would love to be able to work up to something epic like PBP someday, but I know that is well in the future. I would really benefit from a structured plan, and I would really appreciate your advice. Thanks

Has anyone done an Ironman triathlon here? I'm worn seeing how well Randonneuring fitness translates over to Ironman fitness. I just completed my first 400km ride in 19h and I assume that I should be able to complete an Ironman in ~14h. I have run a half marathon and can swim ~2km.

Would love to know your experience training and how well your randonneuring fitness translated over. Thanks!

Popped the bag off for the pic. This used to be my townie bike with cruiser bars and all. I wasn't jiving with my road bike geo, so I mixed and matched and stumbled upon my favorite bike to date. Originally built it up with Force AXS, but I couldn't stand how loud it was and how clunky it felt compared to a well set up mechanical group. An easy 75km today as I prep for a more productive 2025.

I'd like to take part in Styrkeprøven (The Great Test of Strength) in Norway next year. It's 540km and 4000m elevation on a well maintained paved road.

I have a bit under 9 months to prep, although unfortunately the winter months. Apart from cycling regularly I'm not really sure how to prepare. Yesterday I cycled over the Gotthard Pass in Switzerland for a total of 187km and 2800m elevation (9h on the saddle, 11h total), which is the most I've done in a day. By the time I got down the other side I was completely exhausted, my windpipe was hurting and I was struggling to take deep breaths. I'm sure it partly had to do with too little food in the latter part of the day, but I just couldn't force myself to eat another sweet snack. I also took a 45min lunch break, and I really needed that break to recoup (tbf, it was after a 1000m climb). Styrkeprøven is 3x as long, although much less steep, but I still feel that I'm far away from where I'd need to be. I'm 192cm and 83kg, so pretty normal BMI, although not super fit.

What can I do to prepare?

Hi Guys,

I need a new wheelset on my steel randonneuring/ gravel steed. I only weigh 54kg and stick to long distances, would like something light as possible (but within my budget) and something that will survive absolutely nasty weather conditions for most of the year. I tend to ride 38-47s in 650b. These seem to be my most attractive options:

1. Hunt 650b Adventure Sports (cheapest by several hundred euros and suspiciously the lightest).

2. DT Swiss 240 on a DT Swiss GR 531 with Sapim D-light with 2x lacing done by a machine and tested by an unknown wheelbuilder b/c these are coming from a large online shop. (180€ more than Hunt).

3. Hope RS4 CL 28 on Duke Lucky Star Ultra 23 asymmetric also with Sapim D-light laced by a guy that is very well recommended in my city. (300€ more than the Hunts)

I have heard rumors that Hope have relatively exposed bearings so need changing more often and that distance cyclists have lots of cracks in asymmetrical rims so am tending to option 2 but figured, I would ask Reddit anyways. This wheelset would accompany me on things like LEL, Super Rando but also shorter (under 200km) gravel tours. For longer gravel tours I use a different bike.

This question has been asked before, but I haven't found a really good answer.

I am looking to get a saddle bag (probably Apidura or Restrap). For day rides and brevets, something between 8 and 10 liters seems like more than enough space. However, a larger bag (14-15L) gives more options, should I want to use this bag for longer tours, and the price difference is very small.

Is there any downside to getting a larger bag which is partly empty most of the time?

Would you rather keep the saddle bag small and use a second and third bag if needed?

Thanks in advance!