Current Ride Procedures

We are a club committed to health and safety through cycling.  Our club is a small and close-knit group of people who prize camaraderie and respect each other as individuals and riders.

Most rides in the club are randonneuring rides.  This is a special type of long-distance cycling that originated in Europe during the late 19th century.  Tradition is a big part of that.  Though we are not affiliated with any specific organization, we promote the sprit and traditions on randonneuring rides that make it special.  And a few paperwork items too!

For all rides.

1. You must register and sign a waiver
2. You must wear a helmet during the ride and follow all traffic laws

To Receive an Endurance Star

1. You may start anywhere along the posted route
2. You must finish the ride as written without taking any shortcuts, finishing where you start
3. You may ride with anyone you please - invite your friends!
4. You must report your finish immediately at the end using the finish email (it's one button click!)

To receive a a Randonneurs Star on a ride:

1. You must start at the official start
2. Vehicles must be human powered only (no e-bikes)
3. No personal support is allowed outside of controls as specified on the brevet card.  That also means no riding with anyone who is not also on the brevet.  Your fellow riders are your support.
4. You must follow the route exactly as specified.  If there is any unforeseen issue you must contact the ride organizer for permission to take a detour.  If you get lost, you must return to the same point that you deviated from before continuing.
5. You must provide proof of passage for each control as specified by the organizer.  That may be different for different controls and for different rides
6. Failure to satisfy any interim control will result in disqualification
7. You must finish within the time limits specified on the ride

The types of interim controls in our club:

1. Merchant - satisfied by a receipt of a purchase
2. Staffed - manned by a volunteer.  We will sign a brevet card or your name and arrival time will be recorded by the person staffing.
3. Info - You must stop and answer a question only answerable at that point
4. Electronic - these are ONLY valid on rides where they are specifically allows.  The Rider's Choice 200k, DIY Brevets and rides under 400k will have this option.  Multi-day rides will not use Electronic controls due to the difficulty and increased liklihood of issues with the technology.  You may always opt out of using electronic controls.

Starting a brevet:

Most of the time, brevets are started by a volunteer.  For any ride that is over 200k, you must have lights and reflective gear and we will validate that before the start.  A link to your brevet card is included in your registration email.  We can bring you one if you let us know ahead of time.  Even if you are using GPS tracks, you should take a card.  It has all the suggested control times and telephone numbers that you need.  Though the interim control times aren't enforced, they can help you pace yourself.

The brevet will start exactly on time.

If this is a Rider's Choice or DIY Brevet or no starting volunteer is available upload a photo of yourself and your bicycle that clearly shows your helmet, lights and reflective gear.  This must be done using your own phone so that your name is attached.  This really helps the volunteers that will check off participation.  Group photos are great and we encourage you to take and upload them. 

Do not attend a brevet if you are feeling ill.  Please.

During the ride

Enjoy the ride and your fellow riders!  This is supposed to be fun.  Part of the nature of endurance riding is that we have a real chance to make friends.

 If you cannot finish, you MUST notify the person running the ride whose phone number is on the brevet card OR you may post in the #ride-day slack channel or just use the Finish Email and put your completed mileage in there.  We want to make sure everyone gets to the finish somehow.  If a SAG option is available on the ride, we will come get you (it might take some time though).

You must follow all traffic laws and wear a functional helmet.  Failure to do so will result in a DQ.  If your helmet is damaged in any way during the ride, make arrangements for a ride unless you can find an immediate substitute.

At the finish

You must notify the organizer of your finish ASAP using the method specfied.  For Electronic finishes, you can post in the #ride-day slack channel that you have finished or just use the Finish Email.    All club starts have cell phone coverage for all the providers or access to WIFI.  The organizer may also be on-site and will mark your finish.  We honestly just want to make sure everyone gets to the end and has a good time.

Please note that these are exhausting events.  You are advised to plan ahead to avoid driving if you are seriously fatigued.  Severe accidents have happened - please be safe. For longer rides, the club tries to maintain a club room so that people can at least get a nap.   Do not be deceived by feeling fresh at the end of a long ride, extreme fatigue can set in quickly while you are driving. 

Updated Feb 4, 2024