the curious randonneur: 05/23/09

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Think you carry a heavy load?

Visiting my wife's and stepson's native India last December, we were surrounded by working cyclists.

Sometimes pushing is the only way to go. Why is pushing one's bicycle such an anathema for some ?

What would he think of our randonneuring?

Was/Is there an Indian equivalent of the Porteurs' Race in France? Who would have won if the Indian working cyclists had challenged the French Porteurs?

Not much need for a heavy chain and lock!

Keep it best you can,

CurioRando

What the heck is a Randonneur?

In General

In general terms, the French word randonneur is what in English we'd call an ambler or a rambler.

In Cycling

In cycling terms, a randonneur is a long distance cyclist who participates in non-competitive, organized cycling events called brevets. Brevets are typically 200k, 300k, 400k or 600k in length with specified time limits. The grandpapa of all is the Paris Brest Paris event which is 1200k in 90 hours. It is held every four years; next up is this August 21 - 25.

In France

Randonneuring began in France when the limits of cycling as a practical form of transportation were being explored and the bicycle was perhaps the central form of transportation for work and leisure for the masses.

As for me...

See my first post (May 31, 2009) for more on why I began this blog, and my personal randonneuring objectives.

Of Interest to the Curious

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Think you carry a heavy load?