Brevet (bicycle)
In cycling, a brevet describes a long-distance journey in which a specified distance must be driven within a certain period of time. Everyone determines their own speed, breaks and, if necessary, sleep breaks. This driving style is called Allure Libre in French . A certification is expressly not a race.
term
The term Brevet ( French for "examination") has been used since at least 1921 in connection with long-distance journeys that are organized according to the regulations of the Audax Club Parisien . It describes a "kilometer test", on which a cyclist shows that he can cover a given distance on his own within a specified period of time without outside help.
In some English-speaking countries, especially Great Britain and Australia, the term Audax is used. Outside of these countries, this term stands for trips in closed groups (see Audax ).
Participants in certification cards are randonneurs called (after randonneur , French. For "walkers").
Organizational flow
Since the participants should cope with the route with as little help as possible, the scope of the organization is very small. Brevets are issued in public traffic, the route is neither blocked nor signposted. There are no refreshment points. Similar to a bike tour, there is a relatively short start period. For brevets with a small number of participants, it is common (but by no means mandatory) to start together and to stay together at least until the first inspection.
Before the start, each participant receives a route map and a control card. Some organizers also issue a map section showing the route to be traveled. Most of the time, the routes are published in advance on websites or offered for download for GPS receivers . With a few brevets there is no predetermined route, only a list of the places to be passed.
In order to check whether a participant has driven the route, the organizer defines several checkpoints at which the participant must have the passage confirmed with a stamp on his control card. The participant enters the date and time himself. In Germany, checkpoints are often fixed, e.g. B. a specific gas station or restaurant. In Belgium, France and Luxembourg only one place is often mentioned as a control; the confirmation stamp can then be obtained at any local store or other facility, e.g. B. from a tourist information office or a police station. In the past you had to send a postcard from every control point. In Switzerland, train stations were temporarily set as checkpoints; There the participant had to put a suitably cut paper strip into the validator, which stamps the date and time on the paper. Some controls can be carried out as question controls (Info Control); the participants then have to note, for example, an inscription from a building on their rating card or take a selfie on site.
The control points are usually located in such a way that the specified route represents the shortest or fastest connection between them. This is to prevent participants from shortening the route. Unannounced controls, so-called secret controls, may take place between the specified controls.
Character of the event and demarcation from cycling races
Despite the sporty nature, brevets are expressly not races. Most of the participants only want to complete the route within the time limit, they do not value fast times. Many drivers also use brevets to chat with like-minded people during the journey and during breaks.
Used bikes
In principle, (almost) all bicycles are permitted on which the cyclist moves solely with his own muscle power.
Most participants use a racing bike that has been made suitable for touring with a small luggage rack, lights and mudguards. This type of bike is called the randonneuse or randonneur, although these terms are not clearly defined. The recumbent bikes that are well suited for long distances can also be found. Aerodynamic (but comparatively heavy) velomobiles are increasingly used, especially on flat stretches .
Route lengths and time limits
| Distance [km] |
Time limit [h] |
Average speed [ km / h] |
Minimum time 1 [hh: mm] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 13.5 | 14.8 | 5:53 |
| 300 | 20th | 15.0 | 9:00 |
| 400 | 27 | 14.8 | 12:08 |
| 600 | 40 | 15.0 | 18:48 |
| 1,000 | 75 | 13.3 | 33:05 |
| 1,200 | 90 | 13.3 | 40:47 |
In addition to the time limit for the destination, there are also limits for the passage of the individual checkpoints. They are based on the average speeds given above. In the case of long brevets, a delay at a checkpoint is permitted if this is made up for at the next checkpoint. The times will not be adjusted if the lengths differ. For example, if a 600 license is actually 640 km long, the drivers still only have 40 hours. In adverse circumstances (e.g. detour due to a blocked road), the organizer may increase the limit appropriately.
Special brevets
The top event is the 1,200 km Paris – Brest – Paris (PBP) cycle ride , which the Audax Club Parisien organizes every four years in August, most recently in 2019. The specialty of this brevet arises from the atmosphere created by 6,000 participants. In addition, the residents of the route offer participants around the clock support in the form of food and drinks. The route is also fully signposted. Meals and bicycle spare parts are sold at many checkpoints, there are showers and simple sleeping facilities. To qualify, you have to complete brevets with 200, 300, 400 and 600 km in the same calendar year as PBP, whereby each qualification brevet can be replaced by a longer one.
All qualification brevets are called BRM (Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux). In addition, there are brevets that cannot be used for PBP qualification, but are otherwise held according to the same rules.
In Europe, the 1,400 km London – Edinburgh – London certification (with 1,500 participants in 2017) is also important. It takes place every four years, with a two-year gap between Paris – Brest – Paris. The 1001 Miglia Italia , the longest certification in Europe at 1,600 km, is also popular .
Other brevets with at least 1,200 km are:
- Boston-Montréal-Boston (USA and Canada)
- Cascade 1200, (Washington, USA)
- Gold Rush Randonee (California, USA)
- Great Southern Randonnee (Victoria, Australia)
- Colorado Last Chance 1200 km Randonnee (Colorado, USA)
- Madrid-Gijón-Madrid (Castile-León and Asturias, Spain)
- Perth-Albany-Perth (Western Australia, Australia)
- Rocky Mountain 1200 (British Columbia and Alberta, Canada)
- VanIsle 1200 (Vancouver Island, Canada)
- Sofia-Varna-Sofia (Bulgaria)
- Super Brevet Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden)
- Hamburg-Berlin-Cologne-Hamburg (Germany)
- Bonifay Cheaha Challenge (Florida and Alabama, USA)
- Shenandoah 1200K (Colorado, USA)
- Transrussia (Russia)
The largest numbers of participants are found in London-Edinburgh-London, Sofia-Varna-Sofia and Boston-Montréal-Boston.
Flèche
The Flèche (since 1947) is a rally in which teams of 3 to 5 bicycles ride simultaneously in different locations to a common destination. The teams determine their own route, with at least 360 km to be covered in 24 hours. In France ( Flèche Velocio ) the destination is set anew every year, in Germany ( Flèche Allemagne ) it goes to the Wartburg near Eisenach every two years. In the Netherlands and Belgium the Flèche also takes place every two years, always alternating. In most countries (not Germany) the Flèche is driven at Easter.
Super randonnée
The Super Randonnée (since 2009) is a certification that requires a lot of altitude. The start is not in a group as usual, but everyone can choose the start for their super randonnée themselves. He has to drive one of the existing routes, which are 600 km long and have at least 10,000 meters in altitude. The time limit is 60 hours. (Before 2017: 50 hours with a surcharge for more altitude meters) The route can optionally be driven without time limit as a Super Randonnée Touriste; the requirement is reduced to at least 80 km per day.
Awards
- Super Randonneur: A certification series within one year, i.e. 200, 300, 400 and 600 km.
- International Super Randonneur: A brevet series in four different countries.
- Randonée-Round-the-Year (RRtY): In twelve consecutive months (at least) one certification. Almost only known in Great Britain.
- Randonneur 5,000: 5,000 km within four years with certain brevets, including one Paris – Brest – Paris and one Flèche.
- Randonneur 10,000: 10,000 km within six years with certain brevets, including one Paris – Brest – Paris, a Flèche and a Super Randonnée with a time limit.
See also
Web links
- Audax Club Parisien (English speaking site)
- Audax Randonneurs Allemagne
- Audax Suisse
- Information page with certification dates, GPS download & tips
Individual evidence
- ^ Walter Jungwirth: ARA Breisgau: Reglement. Retrieved October 27, 2018 .