Bicycle for Life

BLF-RUSA Brevets

Please check out the Bicycle for Life - RUSA calendar
Click here to go to Calendar


Taste of Carolina 1200k

TC1200 info link here

TC1200k will be just before Columbus Day weekend Thurs-Sun: Oct 10-13, 2013


More info will be posted on the calendar as it is available


Brevets

  • Brevet is a French word for which we have no direct translation for its cycling usage. In general, it means a "patent", "certificate", or "diploma". For the randonneur or randonneuse, the randonnée (a long ramble in the countryside) they have entered is often called a "brevet". This is typically a challenging 200, 300, 400, 600, 1000 or 1200 kilometer ride, each with a specific time limit. A randonneur carries a brevet card which is signed and stamped at each checkpoint along the way to prove they have covered the distance successfully. To pronounce the word correctly: "brevet" rhymes with "say" or "Chevrolet", not "get" or "let".


Link to completed 2012 events

Link to completed 2011 events

Link to completed 2010 events

Link to completed 2009 events

Brevet pre-registration

Please pre-register for your brevets! You may pre-register for brevets using our online form. Please bring any donations with you to the start. Sign-in may end about 10 minutes before the start to allow for a rider briefing. Registration for late riders may continue after the official start of the brevet. Late arrivals may not be allowed to register, so please arrive early. Even though the starting control is scheduled to close one hour after the start, please do not be late for the start. You must get your registration prior to start of events. If you start after the official start time due to late arrival, no time credit will be given, so you must make all the time cutoffs to qualify and receive credit for the brevet.


Rules

All riders must read and understand RUSA Rules For Riders. You will be required to sign that you have read, understand and intend to obey these rules before your Brevet card is issued.   

All riders must declare a specific distance and route before the start an event. All accompanying paper work (waivers, registration, etc) must be properly filled out.  Failure to complete the required paperwork will result in disqualification. Remember, it is your responsibility to have your brevet card properly completed at each control point.  An improperly completed brevet card will result in disqualification from the event.  If you are just looking for a training ride and are unwilling to stop at controls or carry a brevet card, we ask you that you respect our event by training safely and not interfering with those that are trying to complete the brevets following the set rules and guidelines. 

Riders must pay any and all fees associated with the Brevet (fees for each ride length are posted for each event on the pre-registration form). 

A brevet is not a race and there is no prize money, so please be polite to the sag, volunteers and fellow riders, and convenience store attendants. Helping a fellow rider to finish is allowed and should make you feel better.

RUSA Rules for Riders allows that any complaints, requested corrections, comments or constructive criticism must be directed to the Regional Brevet Administrator in writing within 72 hours of the notice. We are human and not above mistakes. We welcome your comments and feedback as a way to continually improve our Brevet series.

Spirit of randonneuring emphasizes self sufficiency. Personal sag vehicles are not allowed on the course and can only be used in certain situations defined in RUSA's Rules For Riders. We may supply neutral sag, but prefer that you become less and less dependant on any sag, especially if you plan to do a longer brevet or a 1200k event. Brevets are non-supported events where it is up to the rider to be self-supported including getting back to the start if they DNF. For true emergencies, please rely on local emergency support agencies if needed!

Any rider who is determined by the RBA to threaten the safety and/or harmony of the Brevets by flagrantly or consistently violating the Rules for Riders may be immediately disqualified from the event and banned from participating in future events.

Please ensure that you dress appropriately for the weather conditions and have sufficient supplies and extra funds if needed for anything that may arise while enroute on the brevets!

Due to the limited daylight hours, it is strongly recommended that for any rider that may be riding in low light or limited visibility conditions, that they have appropriate lighting and reflective equipment as required for the riders safety and to get credit for finishing the brevet if the daylight or conditions change to require lights and reflective equipment.

Please note quote from Randonneurs USA, Rules for Riders, Article 10

  • Article 10
    • For night riding, vehicles must be equipped with front and rear lights attached firmly to the vehicle. Lights must be turned on at all times during hours of darkness or other low-light conditions (rain, fog, etc.). At least one of the rear lights must be in a steady (rather than flashing) mode. All riders' lights must meet the requirements of local laws. A rider is not permitted to cycle at night or in other low-light conditions without working front and rear lights attached to the vehicle; therefore backup lighting systems and/or spare bulbs are strongly recommended in case the primary system fails and cannot be repaired on the roadside. Each rider, whether riding in a group or alone, must fully comply with this requirement. Everyone must use their lights!
    • During hours of darkness or other low-light conditions, all riders must wear a reflective vest, sash, Sam Browne belt, or some other device that clearly places reflective material on the front and back of the rider. During these times all riders will also wear a reflective ankle band around each ankle. (Due to their unusual seating position, recumbent riders may modify their reflective torso devices to show better from front and rear.) Other reflective devices on clothing, shoes, helmets, and machines are encouraged for increased safety - but they are extra and may not take the place of the minimum items listed above.
    • Any violation of these night riding rules will result in the immediate disqualification of the rider.

Equipment Inspection: A partial or full equipment inspection may be carried out at the start of any event. All riders must use an ANSI/Snell approved safety helmet. Bicycles must be in good working order. Fenders are not required for brevets. Lights and reflective gear are required for rides of 300km or more. For shorter brevets with a time limit after sunset  (i.e. 200km), it is up to each rider to anticipate if he/she is likely to finish in darkness. Riders finishing after dark without adequate lights and reflective gear will be disqualified. At a minimum, adequate lighting is considered to be a red light at the rear, operating in steady (non-flashing) mode, and a white headlight. Secondary front and rear lights are strongly recommended (these may operate in flashing mode). Minimum reflective gear consists of a reflective vest, or Sam Browne belt, and ankle bands. Wheel reflectors and reflective tape are also recommended. Sam Browne belts and ankle bands are now available to RUSA members online from the souvenir shop at very reasonable cost.

The condition of all equipment is entirely rider responsibility. Inspection of your equipment carries no guarantee whatsoever on our part that you will not suffer a breakdown or consequential damages during the ride, so we are not responsible for your equipment, the road or weather conditions, etc.!


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