| Ever heard of Randonneuring? Sounds French, | | | | |
| doesn't it? Well, the sport originated in | | | | It's not that bikes purchased just off the |
| France, but is becoming more and more popular | | | | rack aren't perfectly serviceable for most |
| in the United States. | | | | riders, but serious athletes - professionals, |
| | | | and those just below the professional level - |
| Randonneuring is "long-distance unsupported | | | | will certainly want a custom-built bike - |
| endurance cycling." You may have heard of it | | | | one that is precisely fitted to their body. |
| as "Ultra Long Distance Cycling." | | | | (Customized bikes, and custom-built bikes, |
| | | | are two different things. Customized bikes |
| The joy of this sport is that it is | | | | swap out various pieces for better fitting |
| non-competitive. Riders indulge in friendly | | | | pieces, whereas custom-built bikes are built |
| camraderie, not trying to drive each other | | | | to certain specifications from the ground |
| into the ground. And because the rides are | | | | up.) |
| "unsupported" - the idea is to be self | | | | |
| sufficient. | | | | Triathletes are another group of people who |
| | | | need custom-built bikes. In a triathlon, the |
| There are many events held for Randonneur | | | | participants have to swim, cycle and then run |
| riding, but the names of winners are not | | | | for certain distances. It's an incredibly |
| posted. Rather, the names of the riders who | | | | grueling sport and so the cycle has to be the |
| have finished the course are posted in | | | | lightest, the most sturdiest, and the best |
| alphabetical order. It's not about beating | | | | fitted piece of equipment they have. |
| anyone, it's about challenging yourself. | | | | |
| | | | Many bike companies offer customized road |
| These events consist of rides of 200, 300, | | | | bikes, and while they are expensive, they're |
| 400, 600, and 1000 KM for individual riders. | | | | not as expensive as they used to be because |
| Each of these distances is called a "brevet." | | | | with new technology always comes lower |
| There are probably events being held in your | | | | prices. It's possible to purchase your |
| area, even if you've never heard of them | | | | customized bike from a local dealer, but for |
| before. Search the web under "randoneuring" | | | | a custom-built bike, most likely you'll have |
| or "ultra long distance cycling" and you'll | | | | to go online. |
| find any local clubs. | | | | |
| | | | Companies that offer custom-builds include |
| Now, it's when road riders want to | | | | Guru, Waterford, and Titus. Do a search on |
| participate in racers and ultra long distance | | | | the web to find them, and they'll tell you |
| cycling that they'll want a custom-built road | | | | all the information you need to know to get a |
| bike rather than one purchased just off the | | | | custom-built bike. |
| rack. | | | | |