About Us

Although Iowa Randonneurs (IR) is a new organization for 2008, we have been building up our program of brevets in this corner of the state since 2002. This now includes a complete Super Randonneur series of 200, 300, 400 and 600km events, held in the Spring and early Summer, and some additional, domestically sanctioned, events during the season. IR is just one of a network of clubs throughout the USA and the world to offer these events. To use their full title, Brevets de Randonneur Mondiaux (BRM) cycling events are not races, but are challenging long distance rides. The origin of these events is in France and Italy at the turn of the 20^th century, hence the French terminology. A brevet is sometimes also referred to as a randonnée, which literally means a ramble. Brevets of 1200km or more are referred to as grand randonnées. Brevets can be enjoyed in their own right, and can also count towards qualification for the prestigious 1200km Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) grand randonnée event in France, and for others held throughout the world. PBP qualifier brevets held in the United States are sanctioned and validated exclusively by Audax Club Parisien (ACP), through their agent, the Randonneurs USA (RUSA). The next Paris-Brest-Paris will take place in August 2011, but several grand randonnées are scheduled in North America during 2008. Now is the time to start your training program, familiarize yourself with the brevet event format, and meet other experienced long distance riders and PBP anciens (veterans). If you enjoy the challenge of long distance cycling, we encourage you to come and ride our brevets, even if PBP is not in your future plans.

Feedback is always welcome for ways to improve our program. IR is always looking for volunteers to help with these events, or even put on additional ones…..