| What is a Brevet? |
The Arizona brevets are a series of timed, long distance cycling events through southern Arizona. Brevets (pronounced brah-VAY) are not races, although riders seek to improve their personal best times. For many, the goal is simply to finish and to go farther than they have before. The series is made up of the 4 traditional brevets:
Here’s how it works: Riders are provided with cue sheets showing the route and brevet cards at the start of the ride. Riders must follow the route exactly and get to the checkpoints on time. If you should get off course, you must return to the route where you got off track. It is not enough that you ride that required number of miles or kilometers. You must ride the route exactly as it appears on the cue sheet. Anyone observed taking shortcuts from the official route will be disqualified, but there is no penalty for detours such as unforeseen road construction, flooding, or traffic accidents. At the checkpoint, a brevet staff worker signs the brevet card. At the finish the brevet staff worker keeps the completed brevet card and send the results to the national organization (Randonnuers USA, RUSA) and to the international governing body (Auxax Club Parisien, ACP). Results are also posted on this web site. RUSA members are entitled to buy a handsome brevet medal if they finish successfully. They may be purchased at the RUSA on-line store. The rides are held rain or shine. Bring adequate clothing for variable weather conditions. Brevets are long events and the weather might change a great deal before reaching the finish. Here are other ways in which brevets are different from club rides:
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