Rules of the BRM brevet

Rules of the BRMs (the Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux)

  1. Only the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) has sanctioning worldwide authority for BRMs. The ACP register all BRMs.
  2. The BRM is open for all cyclist. Every participant not of age has to have a written permit issued by the parent or legal guardian. Any form of human-powered vehicle is acceptable. The only stipulation is that the vehicle must be powered solely by the rider.
  3. In order to participate in a BRM a rider has to sign an entry form and to pay a fee set by the organizer. The organizer may require the riders to sign the liability statement.
  4. Every participant has to be covered by liability insurance, either by a group policy of by personal policy.
  5. During the event every rider is considered to be on a personal ride. The rider must ride in accordance with all applicable traffic codes and obey all traffic signs. The ACP, the ACP representative or organizer cannot be held responsible for any accidents that may occur during the course of a brevet.
  6. For night riding and in case of reduced visibility (fog, rain, etc) vehicles have to be equipped with front white and red rear light (visible from at least 100 meters). In a group every rider has to obey this rule (it is not enough for the first and the last in group to have the lights on). All riders have to wear the reflective vest, sash or similar that clearly places reflective material on the front and back of the rider. Any violation of these night riding rules will result in the immediate disqualification of the rider.
  7. Each rider must be self sufficient. No follow cars or support of any kind is permitted. Personal support is only allowed at check points (time stations). Any violation of this rule will result in immediate disqualification of the rider.
  8. During the ride there may be formed group of riders. No rider can be considered as group leader. All distinctive signs (jersey, armband, etc) or title (road captain) are not allowed. All riders are required to conduct themselves in a civil manner and abide by all applicable vehicle codes, laws, and regulations. All riders are required to respect local customs with regards to decorum.
  9. At the start, each rider will receive a brevet card and a cue sheet (the road book) indicating the route and the location of the checkpoints. Riders must stay on the route. If a rider leaves the route, they must return to the route at the same point prior to continuing, i.e. no shortcuts or detours from the route, unless specified by the organizer. Riders must stop at each checkpoint to have their card stamped. The organizer, the ACP representative of the ACP may include unannounced checkpoints along the route. This assures that everyone will stay on the prescribed route.
  10. Missing checkpoint stamps, missing checkpoint times, or loss of the brevet card (regardless of how far into the ride a rider is) will result in disqualification. Each rider is responsible for seeing that his brevet card is properly completed at each checkpoint.
  11. Overall time limits vary for each brevet according to the distance:· 13:30 hours for a 200 km brevet,
    · 20:00 hours for a 300 km brevet,
    · 27:00 hours for a 400 km brevet,
    · 40:00 hours for a 600 km brevet, and
    · 75:00 hours for a 1000 km brevet.
  12. Additionally, riders must arrive at each checkpoint between the opening and closing time for the checkpoint. These times are noted on the brevet card with the information for the checkpoints. Riders must arrive at each checkpoint between the start and the finish while the checkpoint is open. If a rider arrives at a checkpoint after it has closed and the ride organizer is satisfied that the rider’s lateness is due to the occurrence of something unforeseen and beyond the control of the rider (such as stopping to help at a traffic accident or a road closure), then the ride organizer may waive the fact that the rider arrived at the control late and allow the rider to continue. Poor bicycle or equipment maintenance, fatigue, lack of fitness, hunger, etc. are not unforeseen and beyond the control of the rider and therefore will not serve as a valid reason for being late. Subject to the foregoing, failure to make all checkpoints, even if the brevet is done within the overall time limit, will result in disqualification.
  13. Any fraud, cheating or deliberate violation of these rules will result in the exlusion of the rider from all ACP sponsored events.
  14. At the finish, the rider must sign his brevet card and return it to the event organizer. The brevet card will be returned to the rider after the brevet has been verified and a brevet number issued. In the event of the organizer losing a brevet card, no replacement to the rider will be made.
  15. Commemorative medals for each brevet are available for purchase. Those wishing to purchase a medal should mark their brevet card accordingly. Payment is required at the finish. The medals noting the successful completion of the brevets are:bronze medal for 200 km brevet
    silver-plate medal for 300 km brevet
    a vermilion medal for 400 km brevet
    gold medal for 600 km brevet, and
    silver medal for 1000 km brevet.
  16. The design of the medals will change after each PBP. Cost for the medals will be set by the event organizer. For those holding the title Super randonneur it is possible to order a Super randonneur medal.
  17. The BRM is not a race, it is a ride. The BRM is socializing with other riders. The aggressive riding style found in competitive cycling is not accepted in brevets. Riders are supposed to help each other to reach the finish. Everyone should be in the front of the group and do their cut of the job. If one has a flat tire or similar he or she should not be abandoned, instead the whole group should stop, wait and help. Occasionally parts of the course would be closed for other traffic, regulated by security of referees, they have to be respected and should be thanked for their help, they are all volunteers.
  18. One should finish the brevet. Time is of no importance. At the finish there is no victory ceremony of victory pedestal, there are no medals or cups for the winners. Everyone who finishes the BRM is a winner. Only the commemorative medals can be purchased. Riders may ride fast, testing their own and the abilities of others, but always keeping in mind that BRM is not a race. There is no sprint to finish line, the entire group has the same time and position. The goal is to finish the BRM and to help other do the same.