About Our Events

Brevets:

Ohio Randonneurs ACP brevets are sanctioned by Audax Club Parisien through Randonneurs USA. Completing a series of brevets (200k, 300, 400k and 600k) will qualify a rider for Colorado Last Chance Randonn ée, Washington Cascade 1200k Randonnée, Taste of Carolina 1200k, Big Wild Ride 1200k, Texas Rando Stampede 1200k, or other Randonneur Mondiaux randonnées (See links page). Our goal besides having fun is to provide riders with the opportunity to complete ultra distance events and prepare for 1200k events. The terrain for the Ohio Randonneurs Brevets is rolling to hilly with many short but steep hills. Routes for 2012 will start in various locations in norhtern and central Ohio. The routes this year will be challenging as usual. The shorter routes are generally easier but the challenge increases as they increase in distance and amount of climbing. We have avoided gravel roads, but you may run into some short sections where there may be some loose stone. Racing tires may not be ideal for any brevet course. We may also elect to use some bike trails in some of the events to avoid some busy roads.

Controls:

All controls will be near or at motels, 24 hour convenience stores, delis or restaurants. Plan to stock up on beverage and food prior to the start and plan your stops to replenish. There may be informational controls at some places where you will answer questions using information you obtain at designated points on the routes - nothing tricky but you must go there to get the answers. Most of the controls will not be staffed by volunteers. You will obtain a store stamp and signature, or a receipt for a minor purchase at the designated control locations.

Routes:

The routes will not be painted. Most roads are clearly marked with road names or the cue sheet will include good landmarks to identify the turns. A randonneur is expected to navigate without the aid of cheater marks on the road. Make sure you have a good working cyclometer to keep track of your mileage. A backup cyclometer is not necessary but not unreasonable. We provide a detailed cue sheet with mileage at each turn, landmarks and controls clearly marked. General overview maps will be posted on the event details pages. Detailed maps will not be provided. You should make a set of your own detailed maps. The Ohio Gazetteer, a map program or on-line map is a good source of detailed maps.

GPS files will also be posted on the event details pages in GPX format. These files were developed for planning purposes and may not function properly on your GPS device especially for trail routes which will not show up on most auto route GPS devices. Any route in the GPx files designated with PP (point-point) include off road segments that require point to point routing in GPS devices. All precautions should be taken to ensure that you follow the cue sheet which is the official route for each event. Routes are subject to changes up to day of ride.

The planned routes will be similar to some previous years routes with some alterations. Cue sheets are posted in MS Excel and pdf formats on the event details pages. Again, they are subject to changes up to day of ride.

Starting locations:

See the links to starting locations on the event details pages.

Lodging:

See the links to find accommodations near the ride start by following the links on the event details pages.

Bag drops:

There will be no support available on our brevets. Please plan to carry everything you will need to complete the event. Being self sufficient is part of the thrill of randonneuring. Learn to love it. Smiley Face You may have a support vehicle meet you at controls. The support vehicle must not travel on the brevet route and you may not meet your support crew anywhere other than at the controls.

Post Ride:

Return brevet cards to Bob Waddell at the finish control or sign your brevet card and drop it in the designated location that will be identified at the pre-ride briefing. Medals may be purchased by RUSA members directly from RUSA at the RUSA Online Store. No medals will be available at the ride finish. For motel based starts, the motel room will open up as soon as the organizer completes the event unless we can manage to have a volunteer man the ending control (unlikely.)

Results:

Results will be posted on the event details pages a few days after the event. They will be posted alphabetacally. DNF’s (Did not Finish) will be listed so that other riders may have some knowledge of the outcome of other riders trek.

DNF’s:

When you don’t finish an event we call it a DNF (Did Not Finish). This can be due to many reasons such as fatigue, illness, mechanical breakdown, or just not having fun. Since most of us ride these events for the challenge it’s disappointing when we don’t finish. Don’t let it get you down. Use it as a learning experience for the next time.

If you don’t finish an event, notify the organizer immediately so that we know you are off the course and safe. Contact information for the organizer will be listed on the cue sheet and control card.