Ride a Populaire or Brevet
Randonneur cycling events emerged in the early days of the sport. None other than Tour de France founder Henri Desgrange encouraged cyclists to take on long distances not in the spirit of competition, but for the physical benefits and the fun of it. Pro road cyclists got involved, too. The early decades of randonneuring featured race divisions, although over time, the format has shifted away from a strictly competitive format.
Rather than race, randonneurs follow cue sheets to navigate a course, riding at a more relaxed pace. Checkpoints along the route confirm participants don’t short-cut the course. With the use of gps tracking apps and photo-based checkpoints, randonneuring is perhaps the perfect covid-safe cycling activity. Brevet routes typically measure 200, 300, 400, 600 and 1,200 km in length. Anything shorter is considered a populaire, though they typically are 60 km and longer.
“The Sharbot Lake 200 is one of my favourites,” says Guy Quesnel, Randonneurs Ontario vice-president, Ottawa chapter. “You ride through the Frontenac Highlands, which really is lake country. The roads are quite intimate, too. “The Ottawa chapter also has three routes that stop off at a sugar bush at about two-thirds of the way through the
ride. That makes for a great rest stop.”
Quesnel has been in the sport since the mid-2000s, and found the community incredibly supportive and welcoming. One of his mentors, Vytas Janusauskas, started randonneuring in the early 1990s, and continues to participate to this day.
“These rides really help me get an escape from the world,” Janusauskas says. “You enjoy wonderful sights, and enjoy the people you meet along the way.”
Riders need to be self-sufficient. Practical considerations include appropriate tools, food and water, and a few other safety items. Prior to a ride, participants may be asked to show they have the required gear, so be sure to check the rules ahead of time.
Though each ride is slated for a particular day, enterprising riders can easily download cue sheets and venture out on their own schedule to explore a set ride known as a permanent. The randonneur organizations in B.C., Alberta and Ontario have permanents established. A classic permanent, the 1,200 km Montreal-boston-montreal, is likely not accessible this year. After you do your ride, generally, you then submit your gps track to confirm your result. ( randonneurscanada.org)
“These rides really help me get an escape from the world.”