What is a brevet?

A brevet is an organised long-distance ride over a fixed distance and within a time limit. There are no rankings: if you arrive within the time limit and can prove you passed all controls, you have completed the brevet. People who ride them are called randonneurs.

In Germany, brevets are mainly organised by the regional groups of Audax Randonneurs Allemagne (ARA) under the rules of the Audax Club Parisien (ACP).

Distances and time limits

The classic distances and their time limits under ACP rules:

• 200 km: 13.5 hours
• 300 km: 20 hours
• 400 km: 27 hours
• 600 km: 40 hours
• 1000 km: 75 hours

Riding a 200, 300, 400 and 600 km brevet in one season earns you a "Super Randonneur" series. Such a series is also the qualification for Paris–Brest–Paris, the 1200 km brevet held every four years.

How a brevet works

• Self-sufficiency: There are usually no feed stations like on an RTF. You buy food along the way at petrol stations, bakeries or supermarkets.
• Controls: There are checkpoints along the route. You prove you were there with a stamp, a receipt or a photo. The organiser decides exactly how.
• Navigation: The route is usually provided as a GPS track. There are no signs.
• Open roads: Brevets take place on open roads, and normal traffic rules apply.

Kit for getting started

• A reliable bike with a comfortable riding position, ideally with slightly wider tyres.
• Fixed front and rear lights. Many organisers require them, and from 300 km you will ride into the dark anyway.
• A reflective vest or reflective clothing, if required by the organiser.
• Tools, a spare tube, a pump, a power bank.
• Clothing for changing temperatures, including at night.

Your first 200

A 200 km brevet is a good start if you already ride longer rides of over 100 km without trouble. The 13.5-hour time limit leaves room for breaks. Plan your pace so that you ride steadily and eat and drink regularly.

You'll find upcoming brevets and bikepacking events below this guide.