About Randonneuring

Heart of Texas Randonneurs is a local branch of RUSA (https://rusa.org/) comprising of the Central Texas Region. Randonneuring is non-competitive, long distance cycling. Camaraderie, not competition, is the hallmark of randonneuring.  Emphasis is placed on being self-supported.  

When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport of cycling in France and Italy.

What is a Randonneur

There is no direct English translation of the French term “randonnée”, which loosely means to go on a long trip, tour, outing, or ramble, usually on foot or on a bicycle, along a defined route.  A person who goes on a “randonnée” is called a “randonneur”. (The correct French term for a female participant is “randonneuse”, but such distinctions are often lost in America, where we tend to lump everyone together). In cycling, it means a hard-riding enthusiast who is trying to complete a long randonnée inside a certain time allotment.  

Note that a randonnée is not a race.  Overall, about the only thing being first earns is some bragging rights. It is not uncommon for the last finishers to get as much applause as anyone else.  Indeed, there is much camaraderie in randonneuring.  One does it to test oneself against the clock, the weather, and a challenging route – but not to beat the other riders. In comparison to other forms of competitive long-distance cycling, such as at the Race Across America (RAAM), where there are following cars with crews supporting the riders every inch of the way, randonneuring stresses self-sufficiency. Help can only be given at the checkpoints along the route, so support crews (if there are any) must leapfrog the rider.  Riders receiving assistance from a support crew in-between checkpoints (or, “contrôles” as they are commonly called) will be subject to a time penalty, or even disqualification.

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 “brevet”, they are entitled to be called a randonneur.   It is not racing although results are recorded.  Rides are of two types:  brevets and permanents.  Brevets are scheduled and will be on this site's schedule as well as on the RUSA site.  Permanents can be ridden at any time but riders must sign up for the ride on the RUSA site an.  Camaraderie is the norm with the purpose of the group to help everyone make it to the end of the ride within the time limit safely.  New members are helps by other more experienced riders.