Use the "Up" button for more
information on Randonneuring, Equipment, GPS etc.
2005 South Central Florida Brevet Series
sponsored by
Florida Freewheelers Orlando
New: Take a look at the
Fall Series!
New:
RUSA APPROVED SCHEDULE for the
2006 Brevet series!
Contents :
Administration
Introduction
Ride schedule and cue sheets
200k additional information
300k additional information
400k additional information
600k additional information
Results
Fall Series
New!
Event Motel
Registration
Waiver
Fees
Randonneurs USA (RUSA)
Required Equipment
Safety Inspection
Medals and Awards
Administration :
The RBA (Regional Brevet Administrator) for the South Central Florida
Brevet Series is Michael Grussemeyer. He is responsible for the contents
of this webpage. Feel free to contact him at
for any questions you have related to this series.
back to contents
Introduction:
"RANDONNEUR" ?..."RANDONNEUSE" ?..."RANDONNEE" ?
"BREVET" ?
There is no direct English translation of the French term "randonnee",
loosely translated, "To go on a long trip on foot or bicycle". A person
who goes on a "randonnee" is called a "randonneur" (male), "randonneuse"
(female), but in America we tend to lump everything together and call
both sexes "Randonneur". In cycling, it means a hard-riding enthusiast
who is trying to complete a long randonnee within a certain time
allotment. Note that a randonnee is not a race. It is not uncommon for
the last finishers to get as much applause as the first. Indeed there is
much camaraderie in randonneuring.
One does it to test oneself against the clock, weather, and a
challenging route, but not to beat the other riders. Randonneuring
stresses self-sufficiency. Help can only be given at checkpoints or
controls along the route, however randonneurs are free to buy food,
supplies, or bike repairs at any stores they encounter along the route.
Once riders have successfully completed a 200-kilometer "randonnee"
or "BREVET...pronounced Brev vay, they are entitled to be called a "randonneur"
or "randonneuse". Brevet in French means a "certificate" or "diploma".
Randonnee's are frequently called a "Brevet", which is typically a
challenging 200km, 300km,400km, 600km, 1000km, or 1200km (kilometer)
ride, each with a specific time limit. The randonneur carries a Brevet
card (certificate), which is signed and stamped at each checkpoint
(control) along the way to prove they have successfully completed the
distance. The shortest Brevet is a 200km (125 miles) and is an entry
point for those looking for a challenge greater than our standard
centuries, the longest is the 1200km (720 miles plus) done in 90 hours
or less with little rest or time to waste. One must qualify for the
longer 1000km and 1200km rides by doing a series of four brevets, a
200km, 300km, 400km, and a 600km all within one calendar year.
Those interested in doing the brevets for certification or awards
will join RUSA, Randonneurs USA, a national organization whose goals are
to promote randonneuring in the US and to provide services to
randonneurs. You do not have to be a member of RUSA to participate in
the brevets. Some just ride the first two or three distances to prepare
for double centuries or 24 hours at Sebring. RUSA doesn't actually
organize any rides, but rather coordinates the brevets of the Regional
Brevet Administrators (RBAs) and clubs that sponsor them. RUSA acts as
the interface between the Audax (pronounced Oh-docks) Club Parisien in
France and the American riders and RBAs.
We ride at night on the longer brevets, and it is recommended to have
two forms of headlights, a Primary Headlight bright enough to see the
road ahead, and a Secondary smaller one used to be seen by motorists,
and two taillights, one used as Primary, the other as backup. For
battery operated lights it is recommended that you validate the run time
of your batteries and carry spare batteries. Many of
you already have a headlight and taillight which would serve as
secondary lights, so there would be a saved expense. The 200km brevet
usually starts and finishes in daylight. if you are planning to ride the
brevets do the 200km, bring what lighting you have, and come see the
lighting systems of the seasoned riders before purchasing lights for the
next brevet. All other distances require lighting. All bikes and lights
are inspected the evening before the event. See the
Required Equipment section for more
details.
The Florida Freewheelers of Orlando are the sponsoring club for the
brevets held in the South Central Region of Florida.
For further information on Brevets, contact Michael E. Grussemeyer,
RBA for South Central Florida, and Brevet Director of The Florida
Freewheelers at: e:mail
; phone number 239-549-7459.
This web site
http://www.bike4one.com/brevets/ contains information on RIDE
SCHEDULES and CUE SHEETS, BIKE EQUIPMENT, LIGHTING, GPS, etc. Contact the
RUSA web site www.rusa.org for
further information on brevets nationwide, history, and membership.
back to contents
Ride schedule and cue sheets:
If the cue sheets and/or GPS file states "draft version", this
will give you a general idea on where we ride. In most cases the
roads will be checked again a week before the event and there could
be last minute changes. Check this webpage again 3 to 4 days before
the event.
Garmin GPS information:
- Maps used: City Select North America v6
- Settings: Bicycle - Shorter Distance
Results will be found at the Result page.
200k additional information:
Check the detailed 200k information.
300k additional information:
Check the detailed 300k information.
400k additional information:
Check the detailed 400k information.
600k additional information:
Check the detailed 600k information.
Falls Series Information:
Check the detailed Fall Series information.
back to contents
Event Motel:
The Holiday Inn Express, Clermont, Florida will be the Host Motel. It
is located on the southwest quadrant of the intersection of US Hwy 27
and SR 50. There is a Denny's next door which is open 24/7 and a
Cumberland Farms CS, 24/7 0.1 mile south. All along SR 50 a mile or less
away are many new chain restaurants. There are Theme Parks and Shopping
for the non rider family members.
All reservation must be made by you,
mention the BIKE DISCOUNT when calling the Holiday Inn Express Clermont,
Fl. 352-243-7878
Holiday Inn Express
1810 South Hwy. 27
Clermont, FL 34711
(352) 243-7878
Map and Direction
All rides will leave from the front of the Motel. On the 600km we
will pass close to the Host Motel around the 250 mile mark for those
wishing to catch a couple of hours of Z's before finishing. This is a 70
room modern facility, serving a free continental breakfast 6:30 to 10
am. The official rule of the General Managers is that no bicycles are
allowed in the rooms, but bikes locked on vehicles will have a well lit
parking lot. So please don't ask the staff, if you can take your bikes
to the room.
Notice: Although the host motel has a regulation that no bikes
are allowed, it is not normally enforced if you bring you bikes in the
back or side entrance, not past the front desk. Please do not lean your
chainrings up against the beds, and don't use their towels to clean your
bikes. That is the reason some of the motels are not allowing bikes, or
charging an extra fee like they do for pets. Thanks!
Rooms at the Holiday Inn Express are $99 for two double beds, $89 for
a single King plus tax. This is their rock bottom price during season.
If you are a Priority Club Member you can have a 2pm late check out at
no charge instead of 11am.
Because this is the only
modern motel in the area, it is filled most of the time. I would suggest
if you are planning to ride any of the series, to book now, you can
cancel within 24hrs if you decide not to ride or you find another place.
Do not wait, they are usually filled for week ends especially 30 to 60
days in advance.
All
of the other motels are Mom & Pop types which are in disrepair and are
usually full with weekly rentals.
The next nearest motels are 9 & 10
miles away e.g. the Howard Johnson Express Inn, nine miles north of
Clermont on Hwy. 27. The owner Mark Wilson, will
give us a rate of $59.00 per night plus taxes.
Howard Johnson Express Inn
20329 US Hwy 27 North
Clermont, Fl. 34711
(352) 429-9033
There are less expensive motels just as nice as The
Holiday Inn near the Disney Main Gate on SR 192 about 30 to 40 minutes
away for those willing to travel.
Another possibility for those of you, that prefer camping:
Lake Louisa State Park
7305 US Hwy.27
Clermont, Fl. 34714
(352) 394-3969
www.FloridaStateParks.org
Camping reservations call Reserve America at 1-800-326-3521.
Lake Louisa State Park is located six miles south of our host motel
at CR 50 & US Hwy. 27. It has 60 new campsites, with state of the art
bathhouses which have washing machines on the outside. There are 20
cabins under construction which may be ready as soon as March, so keep
checking with them about the cabins. This could well be our Host
starting point in the future when the cabins are complete. Many trails,
fishing, swimming, canoeing, etc. Vehicle entrance (single occupant)
$3.00, (two - eight occupants) $4.00. If you just wanted to take a
shower after a ride before returning home, $3.00 would be cheap, (bring
a towel). Overnight camping, $21.00 plus tax (includes water and
electric and sewer). There are sixty campsites, 14 are for full sized RV
hook up. They also have a pump out station. This is a beautiful park
with bike, hiking, and horseback trails. For more info see website
listed above.
Lake Louisa Update:
The cabins are nearing completion. It looks like they will be
finished by the first of March. They sleep six persons, have a full
kitchen with utensils, a fireplace, and a screened porch overlooking a
small lake. They are not sure what the charge will be, but the same
models at the Silver River State Park go for $100 per night. Also, the
back entrance should be open after February 22, when the installation of
a new drainage system is completed under Lake Nellie Road. With this
back entrance open, we could connect to all of our existing routes
through this entrance. It is possible for us to run the brevets out of
here next year. I am negotiating with the Park Manager at this time. He
sees no reason they cannot host our events. There are a lot of trails,
both bike, walking, and horseback. Swimming is from a white sand beach,
and there are restrooms and dressing rooms nearby. Fishing is great and
canoeing and kayaking are possible. All of the theme parks are located
nearby as well as shopping. Something for all members of the family to
do.
back to contents
Registration:
Preregistration is not required, but riders will not be able to
register or have their bike inspected on the day of the event until
preregistered riders have departed, and the control windows must still
be respected. For registration within the last 24 hours before the start
a $10 late fee will apply as all Brevet cards, rosters and other
information has to be posted by hand.
Please use either the
HTML
Registration form or the
Word Registration
form.
Please return this registration form signed and with checks to
Michael E. Grussemeyer and make sure they arrive no later than 24 hours
before the event. If you are late with your registration please sent
in via email so that Brevet cards can be created. If you sent in your
registration via email at least 24 hours prior to the event and use the
check in the night before the event, the late fee does not apply.
back to contents
Waiver:
Every participant has to complete and sign the following
waiver before the ride.
back to contents
Fees:
The fees for the events will be as follows:
| Distance |
Date/Time |
Florida Freewheeler Orlando
Members |
Non Members |
200 km
125 mi |
8th January
7 AM |
$ 15 |
$ 20 |
300 km
188 mi |
5th February
6 AM |
$ 20 |
$ 25 |
400 km
250 mi |
5th March
4 AM |
$ 25 |
$ 30 |
600 km
375 mi |
2nd April
4 AM |
$ 35 |
$ 40 |
All 4 events |
|
$ 80 |
$ 105 |
A late registration fee of $10 for registration within less than 24
hours of the ride start will apply.
Club members of the Florida
Freewheelers Orlando will get a $5 discount. The
Florida
Freewheelers are a great club with rides for different categories
each weekend. They are known for their Florida Bicycle Safari and
Horrible Hundred. Their annual dues for Individual or Family is $25. If
you want to join the Florida Freewheelers you can use this
membership application form.
Do all 4 events, become a member and still save money: Instead of
$115 total for all 4 events, become a member ($25) and only pay $80. You
still save $10 and get a membership in one of best clubs in Central
Florida. In addition to saving $10 for the registration of all 4 events
at once you won't have to worry about late fees.
back to contents
Randonneurs USA (RUSA):
RUSA rules
will apply for all rides.
Membership is required before the ride to use the brevet as a
qualifier for e.g.
PBP (Paris -
Brest - Paris) or
BMB
(Boston - Montreal - Boston).
back to contents
Required Equipment:
For night riding, vehicles must be equipped with front and rear
lights attached firmly to the vehicle. Lights must be fully functional
at all times. At least one of the rear lights must be in a steady
(rather than flashing) mode. All riders' lights must meet the
requirements of local laws. Spare lights are strongly recommended; spare
bulbs are required (if the light has no exchangeable bulb, a spare light
is required). Riders not complying with all these
requirements will not be permitted to start. Lights must be on from dusk
to dawn and at any other times when poor visibility conditions exist
(rain, fog, etc.). Each rider, whether riding in a group or by himself,
must fully comply with this requirement. Everyone must use their lights!
All riders must wear a reflective vest, sash, Sam Browne belt, or
some other device that clearly places reflective material on the front
and back of the rider. During night riding, all riders will also wear a
reflective ankle band around each ankle.
Helmets are required.
Any violation of these riding rules will result in the immediate
disqualification of the rider.
back to contents
Safety Inspections:
We will conduct safety inspections the evening before the ride or at
the ride start on the morning of the ride on some Brevets.
Lights should be affixed, correctly aimed and working. Only riders that will have fully operating safety equipment as outline
in "Required Equipment" can participate in the ride.
back to contents
Medals and Awards:
Because our sport is non-competitive, RUSA does not have special
trophies for those who rode the most brevet kilometers or who climbed
the most hills. Nor are there categories for age, gender, type of
machine, etc.
Awards are earned by simply finishing events inside the time limit.
Participation and determination are the two essential things needed to
earn randonneuring honors. The most frequently earned awards are for the
series events; the 200km, 300km, 400km, and the 600km.
There are many other awards which can be viewed on the RUSA web site
as well as the series medals. Take a look at RUSA's
Medal
Gallery.
Medals and Awards can only be purchased or awarded to RUSA Members,
or Pending Members. (Proof of application for pending members needed at
the time of ordering.)
The series distance awards cost $7.00 each and can be ordered by
checking medal line on the back of your brevet card when you sign it and
turn it in to your RBA after completing the brevet. I ask an additional
$3.00 for shipping and handling, since I will receive them and purchase
mailers and postage to mail to you. Usually these are mailed out after
the series is over.
I'm not one much for awards and trophies, but the medals I have
hanging on my bulletin board by my desk represent personal bests with
each event. These medals are real authentic and after you complete your
brevet you will know more meaningfully the term "You've Earned It".
back to contents
12218
|
