Saturday March 8th, 3:00 PM
Seminar room: 125 (Atrium Level)
Presented by Randonneurs USA
Are you looking for a new challenge and aspire to explore and push your boundaries on the bike?
Do you like long adventures on the bike?
Would you like to join a welcoming, engaged, and adventurous community?
Randonneuring is defined as long distance self supported cycling. The sport of randonneuring has its origins in late 19th century France, and it grew out of interest in touring the countryside by bicycle. Randonneuring events have time limits but they are not races. The most iconic randonneuring event is Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200-kilometer ride with a rich history going back to 1891.
Randonneuring begins at the distances where most club rides end. Starting with 100K (62 mile) introductory “populaires”, the heart of Randonneuring starts at 200K (125 miles) brevets and goes up to and beyond 1200K (750 miles). This sport takes place on the local, national, and international level and attracts people from all backgrounds who share a love for taking their cycling adventures to the next level. If you are the kind of person who thrives on exploring what lies beyond the next mile, the next climb, the next horizon, or the next day, this is the sport for you.
The dynamic, interactive panel of local and national members of Randonneurs USA will introduce the audience to randonneuring, share what it takes to succeed in randonneuring, and explain how to get connected into our “Big Tent of Cycling.” Additionally, we will discuss how randonneuring differs from your local race and Gran Fondo’s, share insights on a randonneuring ride (ie. sleep, nutrition, planning, etc..) and have a “Rando Bike Show-n-Tell”.
By the end of the seminar, participants will be able to:
- Know the definition and history of randonneuring.
- Understand common vocabulary used in randonnering.
- Compare and contrast randonneuring, gran fondos and racing
- Appreciate both the physical and introspective learning that occurs when one engages in randonneuring.
- Show-n-Tell with randonneuring bikes, gear and members.
- Understand how to get started and gate-way options to begin your adventures, both on paved and unpaved surfaces
- Understand the inside of a randonneur event which will discuss planning, nutrition, sleep
- Recognize what Randonneurs USA (RUSA) is
- Know how to get involved, locally, throughout the US and Internationally
- Get connected to your local chapter/region/community in Randonneurs USA
