I guess this isn’t specific to randonneuring but more about the classically styled bicycles that are often associated with randonneuring.

Main question is if there is any kind of difference (besides aesthetics) of aero and non-aero brake levers (where the cables run vertically out of the hoods)? Are there any functional differences? Maybe maintenance is easier? Is one better for rinko-style traveling than the other? Etc

Hi!

I’ve been wanting to ride a brevet for a while and I’m going to go for it in spring 2025. Wanted to get some tips and any preparation I should consider.

For my background, I started riding as an adult about 2 years ago. Quickly got into riding distance, touring and gravel. I ride roughly 10 hours a week between commuting, a few shorter road or gravel rides during the week and usually a 50-100 mile ride over the weekend. My longest ride to date is 104 miles over 9 hours with a lunch break and a few shorter breaks. I also know typical bike adjustments on derailleurs and brakes and how to fix a flat.

One thing I am concerned about is that the brevets in my region all have a good amount of elevation gain. I live in a very flat area and am usually only gaining 3-4k feet over 150 or so miles for the whole week. The brevets seem to be gaining 5k-10k feet. Like I said, not a lot of long elevation options near me, should I be doing outdoor hill repeats or using an indoor trainer to prepare?

I’m also nervous about mechanicals. I think I have most of the knowledge I need for anything roadside, but I’m no professional mechanic. Is there a list of repairs I should know?

Has anyone here done the NorthCape 4000 (Rovereto - North Cape), or maybe its 3000k version starting in Berlin (which is the one I am mostly interested in) ?

Specifically:

- Would you do it again?

- Did you find it harder or easier than a typical Grande Randonnée? It's longer, but you can get away with "short" 200k days.

- How much did you pack?

- How difficult was the logistic? E.g., coming back from North Cape, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Constraints: no front rack (carbon fork), and cantilever brakes. So I’m probably looking for something with a handlebar-mounted support like Carradice offers.

I’m working up to longer rides currently and need to practice eating/managing layers without stopping, so I’m looking for something that is accessible while riding where I can store snacks/battery/raincoat. Any suggestions that are easy to open/close and won’t interfere with cantilever breaks? Thanks!

https://youtu.be/ZlAOunY9sXc?si=ozw64VwOR18EB3Pt

I finished my first 300km BRM last Sunday, and I was more cooked than a well-done steak. This was my biggest ride ever and the most elevation I have gained. The whole day, it averaged 37-38C, and I was basically just surviving the heat. When I arrived at the finish point, I didn't feel as much achievement as I thought it would be. Maybe I'm burnt out of cycling? I don't know if I should take time off or continue cycling. Is it normal to feel that way?

However, it still felt like a big achievement for me, but not how I expected it to be.

Good afternoon,

I had my first brevet last weekend. DNF. At check-in I was nervous, but believed in self. But immediately getting on the bike, I felt sluggish. After ten miles I was certain I wasn't going to finish. I made it to the third control, about 80 miles, and bailed.

I'm trying post-mort so next time I finish with plenty of time. All the things went wrong:

1. time on bike, I think I relied too much on just being generally in good shape, I'm mostly lifting and running these days, I bike commute daily and do group rides or longer solo rides, but those are bi-weekly and I don't make all of them;
2. speed/time on bike again, my current "long" solo rides are about 60 miles over flat terrain, during which I've been managing 15 miles per hour moving time, feeling strong the entire time, but the last two long rides including back to back century and 60 mile ride were at the beginning of October; I really should learn how to do speed work;
3. tired, lack of sleep, my kids have been waking me up nightly and I'm averaging 6 hours interrupted sleep, including 5 hours the night before the ride;
4. weather, it was 41-48 degrees all day, 15 degrees colder than we'd been averaging the last three weeks, I was underdressed; and
5. tired again, I did a long run Tuesaday evening (Saturday brevet) and lifted on Wednesday, I made sure to rest on Thursday and Friday, but probably should have rested more, expecially considering the lack of sleep.

Given all that, I think I should resolve to:

1. have more time on the bike, including learning how to up my speed, but also more long distance rides solo, maybe a solo 200km;
2. sleep consistently, espeically the week of the brevet, not sure how I'll manage this; and
3. taper better the week of the brevet.

What do you all think? Any training recommendations?

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?