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