Are you an STP or RAMROD veteran? If you have done a century or a double century and are looking for the 'next' challenge, this may be it. You need not be fast to be successful; in fact, the best randonneurs are steady and consistent and know how to budget their energy. It doesn't hurt if you're a bit obsessive about riding and perhaps a wee bit eccentric.

Randonneuring is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is characterized by various rules and traditions that date to the end of the 19th century in France. When one participates in brevet events, one is part of an ancient cycling tradition with a worldwide following and over 110 years of legend, history, myth, and lore. It is not racing and being first is never the paramount goal of brevets. Finishing is the most important goal and especially for those who do so self-sufficiently and without outside support.

If you’re interested in the challenge of long-distance, unsupported bicycling, and interested in joining the Seattle International Randonneurs, our local branch of an international family of unique recreational cyclists. Perhaps you’ll join SIR in France in August 2007 for the next Paris-Brest-Paris, the longest running international cycling event in the world.

RANDONNÉE, a French word for ramble or tour, describes a long-distance cycling event where the participants follow a prescribed route within certain time limits as checked at control points along the way. It’s a classic school of long-distance bicycling with its own traditions dating back to the 1890s in France.

RANDONNEURS must be self-sufficient and prepared for mechanical mishaps, changes in weather, and so on. You need not be fast to be successful; in fact, the best randonneurs are steady and consistent and know how to budget their energy.

Randonneur rides are called "brevets"—formal events that are something in-between a race and a tour. Each brevet has a specific time limit based on the overall distance. Even though brevets have time limits, they are not races. The primary objective is to finish. If fact, the minimum average speed to successfully complete a brevet is just under 10 mph.

Brevets may seem like all work and no play, but there is something special about the challenge of randonneuring that makes the struggle worthwhile. Certainly, the challenge and sense of satisfaction of riding long distances unsupported puts each of us in close touch with ourselves. But the best thing that you will get out of randonneuring is the camaraderie of joining in the challenge with like-minded cyclists, of receiving a word of encouragement from a fellow rider who knows exactly what you are feeling and of being able to offer the same type of encouragement to other riders.

Sammamish Valley Cycle has a wide variety of equipment for the randonneur including lights and lighting systems, safety items, comfortable bicycles for the long-haul, bicycle fitting, saddles, clothing, rain gear, racks and bags. Equipment must withstand some very demanding tests and we have learned what works for the randonneur.