Brevet (cycling)

A certification referred to in cycling a long distance trip, where a given distance is to drive within a certain period. The scope of the organization is intentionally very low.

Term

The term Brevet (French for examination ) is used at least since 1921 in connection with long-distance journeys, which are governed by the Regulations of the Audax Club Parisien. He referred to a "kilometer test " on which a cyclist shows that he can travel a predetermined distance from its own forces within a specified period without outside help. In some English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom and Australia, the term is used Audax. Outside of these countries, this term stands for rides in closed groups (see Audax ).

Participant in Brevet Randonneurs are called.

Organizational procedure

Certifications are aligned on public roads, the route is in contrast to cycling neither locked nor signposted. Similar to an RTF there is a relatively short starting period. In brevets with small numbers of participants, it is common ( but not obligatory) to start together and to stay at least until the first control together.

Each participant will receive before the start of a route map and a control card. Some organizers also give out a map view in which the route to be traversed is located. Often the tracks are also on Web pages published in advance or can be downloaded for GPS receiver.

On the control card, those places are noted at which the participant must confirm the passage of a stamp in his control card. Date and time by the participant a self. In Germany checkpoints are often predefined, such as a specific gas station or restaurant. In Belgium, France and Luxembourg is known as a control often only one place; the verification stamp can then be obtained in any store in town, or other means, such as from a Tourist or a police station. Previously, you had to send a postcard from each control place. In Switzerland temporarily stations were set as control points. There, the participants had to put a suitably trimmed paper to the validators, the date and time stamped on the paper.

To avoid abbreviations of the participants, the predetermined distance each shortest connection between the control represent the case of longer brevets, there are also sometimes secret controls, so unannounced inspections by the organizer itself

Nature of the event and differentiation cycle race

Despite the sporty character brevets are expressly not racing. Most participants simply want to complete the course within the time limit, they do not care for fast times. Many drivers use brevets also in order to talk while driving and breaks with like-minded people. Overall, the atmosphere is generally more relaxed than in Radtouristikfahrten.

In brevets each driver puts his speed, pause times and - on long journeys - his naps itself firmly. This procedure is called French Allure Libre. The counterpart to the Brevet is the Audax, will be executed when the closed association.

Bicycles used

Basically, ( almost) all bikes allowed on which the cyclist travels exclusively from their own muscle power.

Most participants use a variant of the road bike that has a luggage carrier, which is usually carrying a small bag with rain clothes and some food. There are also light (often with a hub dynamo ) and depending on the season fenders. This type of bike is called Randonneur. Often, the well-suited for long-range recumbent bikes are to be found. Especially on flat routes run increases the aerodynamic (but comparatively heavy ) velomobile with.

Path lengths and time limits

The following distances and time limits are common:

• 200 km 13.5 hours ( 14.8 km / h average speed )
• 300 km, 20 h ( 15.0 km / h average speed )
• 400 km, 27 h ( 14.8 km / h average speed )
• 600 km, 40 hours ( 15.0 km / h average speed )
• 1000 kilometers, 75 hours ( 13.3 km / h average speed )
• 1200 kilometers, 90 hours ( 13.3 km / h average speed )

In addition to the time limit for the target, there are also limits to the passage of the inspection bodies. They are based on the average speeds given above. For long brevets a delay is allowed at a checkpoint when it is caught at the following check again.

For different lengths of the periods are not restated. For example, a 600- Brevet actually 640 km long, the driver still have just 40 hours.

Special Certifications

The King event is the 1200 km long bicycle ride Paris -Brest-Paris (PBP ), which the Audax Club Parisien organized every four years each in August, last is 2011. A special feature of the Paris-Brest - Paris, that the route is fully signposted. Regularly take more than 4000 cyclists participated in the event, in 2011 6,000 cyclists were expected. To qualify, you must complete the same calendar year as PBP brevets with 200, 300, 400 and 600 km. The order must be maintained, but each qualifying brevet may be replaced by a longer.

All qualifying brevets are referred to as BRM ( Brevet Randonneur Mondiaux ). In addition, there are certifications that can not be used for PBP qualification, but are otherwise held by the same rules.

Europe also has a 1400 km long Brevet London -Edinburgh - London ( with 600 participants in 2009 ) are of importance. It takes place every four years, with two years distance from Paris-Brest- Paris. Popular is also 1001 Miglia Italia, with 1,600 km, the longest brevet Europe.

Other certifications with at least 1200 km are:

• Boston -Montreal - 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- Gijon -Madrid ( Castilla y León and Asturias, Spain)
• Perth - Albany - Perth ( Western Australia, Australia)
• Rocky Mountain 1200 ( British Columbia and Alberta, Canada)
• VanIsle 1200 ( Vancouver Iceland, Canada)
• Sofia - Varna- Sofia ( Bulgaria)
• Super Brevet Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden)
• Hamburg-Berlin -Cologne- Hamburg ( Germany )
• Cheaha Challenge Bonifay (Florida and Alabama, USA )
• Shenandoah 1200K (Colorado, USA)

The largest numbers of participants can be found in London -Edinburgh - London, Sofia - Varna- Sofia and Boston -Montreal - Boston.