New England Randonneurs
Glen Reed caught the NER office staff on break during a 2008 Brevet.
Questions & Answers About Rides
Check out the details page if you're in a hurry.
Administrative Questions
Training & Preparation Questions
Ride/Navigation Questions
Administrative Questions
Q: Who can Participate?
All of our rides are open to the public and do not require membership in any organization. We welcome new riders on all of our events.
You will be required to sign a liability release waiver and pay the full event cost before starting. There are no age limits, though those under 18 will require a parent or guardian to co-sign the release waiver.
Q: I've never ridden with NER/BBS before. Will I be welcome?
Definitely. We like meeting new riders. Our Brevets tend to be laid back events as no one is attempting to "win". A good way of learning more is to register for a ride and latch onto someone who's been randonneuring for years.
Q: Where do the rides start? How do I get there?
The Boston rides start from the Civil Aviation Terminal of Hascom Field in Bedford, MA. Directions to the start are listed on the details page.
The Vermont rides start at Old Spokes Home in Burlington, VT.
Q: Do you need to qualify for events?
No qualification is needed for any of our rides, nor do you have to ride the shorter events before attempting the longer ones. That said, each ride is good training for the next so you're encouraged to complete the series in order.
Q: How do I view my results?
You'll be told your finishing time when you submit your Brevet card at the end of the ride. Primarily results are posted to this website a few weeks after the ride. The RUSA website list member's results.
Q: What do I get if I finish?
Everyone gets our congratulations. RUSA members can buy a metal from the ride leader or from the RUSA store.
Q: I don't know if I could ride the distance. Should I start?
No, you should not. Brevet volunteers won't be providing sag support and our goal is not to get everyone to the finish. Only attempt the ride if you have a reasonable expectation of finishing.
That said, most cyclists who can comfortably ride a century can complete a 200k. If you do OK on the 200k then you're ready for a 300k. And if you do OK on the 300k then you might as well try the 400k...
Q: How are Brevets different from a club centuries or charity rides?
Brevets are nothing like the typical century or charity ride. Here are some differences:
- You're expected to be self-sufficient on a brevet. Don't expect someone to tune your bike at the start, ask if you need water along the way, or give you a lift if you get tired.
- Brevets are harder and longer.
- There's no party at the end. (We do, however, have a BBQ on the 350k.)
- Brevets have less people. If you dislike mass starts, our rides are for you.
- We consider our rides training for longer events. It's all about the distance.
- Brevets are about personal accomplishment. We're not out to raise money or awareness.
Q: Is this a race?
Randonneuring events are not races -- You are only competing against yourself and the time limits, not other riders. Some people try to complete the ride as quickly as possible whereas others build up enough time to stop for coffee and ice cream.
Q: Are Helmets required?
Per RUSA rules, a helmet must always be worn while on the bike.
Q: Why should I join NER or RUSA?
New England Randonneurs is a volunteer organization and depends on help from other riders to make events happen. If you enjoy the rides then please consider joining and volunteering for a ride or two. Volunteering is a great way for non-riders to become involved with the event. Volunteers for day-of-event duties can pre-ride the course and receive credit for the distance.
If you plan on using BBS events are qualifiers for longer rides (such as PBP) then you'll need to be a member of RUSA before the event. You'll also need to be a member or RUSA to order purchase medals and awards.
Q: It's raining hard. Is the ride canceled?
No. Rides are not canceled due to weather conditions except in extreme cases. (Icestorm, Volcano, Tsunami, etc)
In the very rare case that a ride needs to be canceled, a notice will be posted to this site and you will be contacted if you had pre-registered.
Q: What is BBS, NER, RUSA, ACP, and RM?
- BBS: Boston Brevet Series. A brevet series is a collection of four rides in the following distances: 200k, 300k, 400k, 600k. Riders completing all four riders are considered 'Super Randonneurs' and are eligible for entry into longer events.
- NER: New England Randonneurs. We organize the Boston Brevet Series and other randonneuring events in eastern New England.
- RUSA: Randonneurs USA. This is the domestic sanctioning organization for all US Randonneuring events.
- ACP: Audux Club Parisian. This is the worldwide body sanctioning Brevets and Fleches. ACP hosts the Paris-Brest-Paris grand randonnée every four years. PBP and other international events require ACP certified results for qualification. All NER rides are official RUSA rides but only the 200k, 300k, 400k, and 600k are certified by ACP.
- RM: Randonneurs Mondiaux. This is the international organization which sanctions 1200k+ events and establishes rules for the sport.
Q: How do I register for an event? Can I get a refund if I can't make it?
To pre-register send in a completed registration form along with a check. We offer day-of registration for most events for an additional cost.
We do not offer refunds for any reason except in the rare case of a ride cancellation.
Q: Do I need to ride the events in order?
Nope. You can complete the rides in any order and skip events if you wish.
However, if you are going for an SR (Super Randonneur) medal you'll need to complete a 200k, 300k, 400k, and 600k in one season. You can substitute a longer distance for a shorter one if necessary. (You can ride two 400k events instead of one 300k and one 400k.)
You can also mix and match rides from other Brevet series if you like.
Q: What's the deal with the 100k and 350k events?
The 100k is considered a Populaire (short brevet) and is sanctioned by RUSA. It's our early season "training" ride to get people accustomed to the terrain and cue sheets. It's a good way to get a taste of the series without committing yourself to a full 200k.
The 350k is our almost-end-of-season ride complete with a BBQ in the middle. It's also a good way to get summer miles if you're planning on completing longer rides in the fall.
Both the 100k and 350k count towards RUSA distance awards but not ACP awards.
Q: What is BMB? What is PBP?
BMB is the famous Boston-Montreal-Boston, the premiere American 1200k grand randonnée. It is the first 1200k to be held in the United States. It follows a hilly route from Newton, MA to the suburbs of Montreal, Canada with a 90 hour time limit. After being run continuously from 1988-2006, it is currently on hiatus.
PBP is Paris-Brest-Paris, the premiere international 1200k. PBP is held every four years and is next scheduled for 2011. This ride has a long history going back more then 100 years. The BBS series was originally created to train and qualify riders for PBP.
Q: What are the time limits?
The time limits for events are determined by ACP and RM. They are:
- 200k: < 13.5 Hours
- 300k: < 20 Hours
- 400k: < 27 Hours
- 600k: < 40 Hours
There are also opening and closing times for all controls. Time limits are based on a formula established by RM.
Q: Can I have a personal support crew?
Brevets are about self sufficiency and thus no personal support (including follow support) is allowed outside of controls. While we discourage it, personal support is allowed at controls provided that it doesn't interfere with the control's operations. Take a look at UMCA events if you prefer help along your ride.
Q: Are there opportunities to buy food and water along the route?
Most routes pass convince stores every 40-50 miles during the day. At night services might be much more limited. Plan on carrying everything you'll need with you on the bike.
Q: What are road conditions like? Do you go off-road?
Road conditions range from bad to horrible. Some rides have short packed dirt sections. (The dirt is sometimes preferable to the pavement.) Some riders find 26mm+ tires to be preferable for this reason.
Q: Can I download a Cue sheet in advance?
The cue sheets listed on the website should be considered primarily -- only the sheet provided at ride start is the official route. Ride leaders will normally announce at the start if they have modified the cue beyond what was listed on the site a few days before the ride.
Are there other rides nearby?
New Horizon Sports in Westfield, MA (near Springfield) has a scenic Berkshire Brevet series.
The RUSA website has a handy map showing ride start locations in other parts of the country. You can also search their ride database.
I have more questions! Where can I learn more?
The RUSA Website is a good place to start.
If you have other questions about NER/BBS, contact info is listed towards the end of the NER Info page.
Training & Preparation Questions
Q: What mechanical skills do I need?
You should be comfortable enough with the mechanics of your bike to fix any common problem that might occur over several hundred miles. There is no mechanical support. You should be able to fix a flat quickly. At night. In the rain. It is helpful to have a working knowledge of your bike's drivetrain, brakes, etc.
Tip: Brevets are not the best place to test new equipment. Ride the bike you plan to use a few days before the event so you have time to fix problems. Minor annoyances on short rides frequently become big problems on long rides.
Q: What should I do before my first Brevet?
Make sure your bike is in good working order. Shake or bounce the loaded bike. Does anything fall off? Ride-test any new components and accessories well before the brevet.
Download and look at one of the cue sheets. Do you understand how to read it? Do you have a way to attach it to the bike? Some riders like to enlarge the text or cut up the sheet to make it fit a holder.
Try to go for a longer (60+ mile) ride a week or two before the Brevet. Is the bike comfortable? Do you need to adjust anything? Your bike isn't going to get any more comfortable as the ride progresses. Do you feel comfortable with your speed?
Go for a night ride with your lights before the brevet. Are your lights good enough? Do you have enough batteries?
On the day before the ride, gather everything you plan to take so you aren't scrambling to find things early in the morning before the start. If you live close to the start, riding from home is a good way to get warmed up.
Q: Do I even need to ride a bike?
Nope. Any human powered vehicle is allowed. Just make sure that you have a reasonable chance of finishing within the time limits.
Q: What is the right type of equipment for Randonneuring?
The rules for randonneuring are flexible but it must be a 100% human powered vehicle. Other than that, observation of randonneurs of all speeds and abilities shows only two obvious consistent factors: good quality, reliable equipment is typically preferred and correct fit is important too. Beyond that, it's up to the individual.
We've had riders complete the series on fixed gears, tandems, recumbents, 3-speeds, old road bikes, and expensive lightweight racing bikes.
Q: How should the bike be equipped?
Here are some suggestions for bike accessories:
- A method of holding your cue sheet. (Handlebar bag, clips on cables, etc.)
- A basic cyclocomputer.
- A watch.
- 2-3 water bottles and/or a camelback.
- Some place to store tools, food, and cloths.
- Fenders -- it will rain on many rides.
- Two battery taillights or one battery & one generator taillight.
- Wider tires (26mm+) are preferred by some riders.
Q: What should I carry during the ride?
Here are some suggestions:
- Your Brevet card. (Don't Lose it!)
- ID, insurance card, etc.
- Cash and a Credit Card.
- Snacks to eat while riding.
- Spare batteries & bulbs for lights.
- Rain jacket and/or additional clothing layers.
- Ziptop bags for keeping brevet card and cue sheet dry.
- Pump, tubes, patches, and tire levers.
- Basic tools, a chain master-link, etc.
Q: How much to eat on a long ride?
While the advice from reputable sources is very consistent, polling experienced randonneurs suggests that it is a personal matter. So rather than making specific recommendations, we suggest one attempts to find an approach that works for the individual. Always attempt to eat enough to avoid bonking but don't eat a great deal while riding as the digestion can't keep up. And avoid water-electrolyte imbalances. If you bonk, stop and eat whatever you have available. Most riders recover from a bonk quickly if they get plenty of food.
Reading material for on nutrition and exercise physiology:
Q: How much to drink?
Varies according to weather conditions, rider weight and individual physiology and effort level. Typical recommendations are at least 1 oz of water per hour per 10 pounds of body weight but considerably more is needed in warm conditions. Some riders sweat more than others and just need more water. The references provided with the previous answer will explain how you can estimate your individual sweat rate. Take the trouble to figure this out because dehydration is dangerous, can be debilitating and takes a long time to recover from. Know its signs but avoid it in the first place.
Q: How fast to ride?
This can be a complex problem. One first needs to state the objective of riding in the event since the question of riding speed depends on that. Consider the differences among the following goals: 'have a safe, comfortable ride, enjoy the weather and scenery, and get some exercise', 'ride together with my buddies X, Y and Z', 'finish and get off the bike as soon as possible'. Clearly these lead to different approaches to riding speed. With the goal established, the answer to the original questions is: whatever achieves the goal for the individual. What that means in practice depends on the individual's talent, fitness, equipment, etc. Experience can
help a rider put a number on it. A typical brevet series offers rides of increasing length through the riding season to allow one to gain this experience.
Q: How to train?
As with the previous question, it's largely up to the individual and depends on his or her goals. But it's clear that being well trained allows one to ride in greater comfort. For long distance cycling, endurance is the primary training focus followed by climbing ability. More training is good but overtraining is not. With those points in mind one can turn to the
advice of the professionals:
- The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling: Build the Strength, Skills, and Confidence to Ride as Far as You Want by Edmund R. Burke and Ed Pavelka
- The CTS Collection: Training Tips for Cyclists and Triathletes by Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong and Jim Rutberg
- The Cyclist's Training Bible (Paperback) by Joe Friel
Many long distance cyclists have noticed that the adaptations of long-distance training and brevet riding accumulate year-on-year. This is especially encouraging because it seems to apply even into later life. To get the most out of this one should keep doing long distance rides after the brevet season closes through the fall and early winter and maintain some kind of a reasonable fitness program over the winter.
Q: What are common reasons for DNFing (Not finishing)?
Digestion and physical ailments are the most frequent causes of not finishing. Experienced riders learn what food works for them and know the early warning signs of problems. Physical ailments can often be minimized by fixing anything that is uncomfortable as soon as possible. Minor annoyances can become ride-ending problems within a hundred miles.
Mechanical problems account for a smaller number of DNFs. Use quality parts and check the bike before the ride.
Ride/Navigation Questions
I want to abandon the ride. What should I do?
If you can't continue, you MUST CALL the ride leader and tell them you are abandoning. Contact info is listed on the cue sheet distributed at the start of the ride. Then call a friend or a cab to pick you up.
Tip: Try to make it to the next control and rest for a few minutes before deciding to DNF. Sometimes a 15 minute break and some food can improve one's sprits.
What are Bag Drops?
On some Brevets riders can bring a SMALL bag of supplies (cloths, food, batteries, etc) and the ride organizers bring this bag to a specified control so riders can retrieve or leave items. Bag drop locations will be listed on ride webpage and on the cue sheet. Note: fast riders might arrive at the finish before their bags make it back. Not all events have bag drops.
On the 600k riders are encouraged to leave a sleeping bag and toiletries in their drop bag if they plan to stay at the overnight control.
How can I navigate from a cue sheet at night?
A helmet mounted light can be shone on the cue sheet and on road signage. Cheap LED helmet lights can be purchased form hardware and outdoor stores. Or you can use Bruce Ingle's trick and solder an LED to a used battery and strap that to your helmet.
Note: Be careful with helmet lights -- it's inconsiderate to point your light in other rider's eyes.
Can I leave the route or stop outside a control?
Sure. You're welcome to leave the route so long as you return the same location before resuming the ride. Some riders find a good cup of coffee at a nearby cafe well worth a few extra miles. However, bypassing any part of the route (intentionally or not) is grounds for disqualification.
What is a control?
Controls are mandatory stops placed at the edges of the route to ensure riders keep a steady pace and do not shortcut portions of the course. Controls are typically found every 40-75 miles. At the control you'll need to get your Brevet card signed by a brevet volunteer. In the event that a control is unstaffed, you'll need to get your card signed by a local merchant.
All controls along the Boston Brevet Series rides are staffed and have water & light snacks.
What's at the Control? Got at Control Tips?
You want to get through the control as quickly as possible. 30 minutes on a bike might seem like a long time but 30 minutes at a control can go by in a heartbeat and this time adds up!
Get you Brevet card signed ASAP once you arrive at the control. Forget this and you DNF the ride. Then fill your bottles, flip your cue sheet, and otherwise get your bike ready. Then it's time to eat. Most controls will have PB&J fixings, potato chips, cookies, and fruit. On longer rides the controls might also have energy drink mix, summer sausage (600k), deli meats (300k), or baked beans (400k). Those will special dietary needs will want to bring their own food.
How do I read the Cue-sheet?
To read the cue-sheet:
The first column shows the distance until the cue listed on the same line.
The second column shows the total distance to that cue from the previous checkpoint.
If a cue is not indented then it indicates a turn. Don't miss these.
If a cue is indented, then it is only a mile marker and not a turn. These let you know that you're still on course. A few people find these distracting and create cue sheets with turns only.
All distances are in miles. Tip: The cue sheet only helps if you can read it. Put it in a ziptop bag and attach it to the bars. The cue sheet will also tell you the opening and closing times of controls and lists the emergency contact info for the ride leaders.
Should I carry maps?
Some riders like to carry state maps or the Rubel bike maps. Not all roads will be on state maps and the rubel maps won't help outside of MA. If you're prone to getting lost you might want to carry a GPS with loaded maps. Even if you don't preprogram the route, GPSs can be preferable to paper maps. (Particularly at night when it's raining.)
Should I use a GPS?
GPSs are allowed and some riders find them helpful. However, they are no substitute for the cue sheet. Note: GPS files are NOT reviewed by the ride leaders for accuracy. We are not responsible if you go off-route while following a GPS.
The Cue sheet provided at the start of the ride is the only listing of the official route. Deviate from the cue sheet and you risk being disqualified. If using a GPS, double-check all turns with the cue sheet before turning.
What are the lighting & safety requirements?
The minimum lighting and reflectors required to meet RUSA's Rules for Riders and state laws for Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont (the states we may ride through at night) are:
- A white headlamp, firmly attached to the bike, visible from at least 500 feet to the front. High power LED lights are acceptable;
- A rear steady (non-flashing) taillamp, firmly attached to the bike, visible from at least 600 feet to the rear;
- In New Hampshire and Vermont on the 600k, a red rear reflector or red taillamp reflector attached to the bike and visible from at least 300 feet to the rear;
- In New York on the 600k, side lighting attached to the bike, visible from at least 200 feet to the side (forward or rear lights which emit light to the side are permissible);
- reflective ankle bands, visible from at least 600 feet front and rear;
- a reflective vest, sash, Sam Browne belt, or some other device that clearly places reflective material on the front and back of the rider.
Riders will not be allowed to continue the ride with inadequate or defective lighting -- it is recommended that backup lights be carried.
Note: The orientation of your lights is import. Please ensure that taillights are pointing at the road and not up in other rider's eyes. Headlights should be mounted to the frame and not to rider's helmets.
Pamela Blalock has a helpful page with lighting tips.
This page last updated on December 28th, 2009 by Jake Kassen.
Copyright 2009, New England Randonneurs
|