In 1891 people didn't know what could be done on the bicycle. Some medical experts of the day decried its alleged harm to the human body and soul; some women even boldly insisted on riding bikes, just like men! Racing on velodromes in front of throngs of spectators had begun ten years earlier, and cycling around town by wealthy enthusiasts who could afford a machine was common enough, but the idea of covering long distances on the open road was in its infancy. Still, as the turn of the century approached, ideas about what this fascinating new invention could do began to expand. Early attempts at road racing and touring over hill and dale had started some years before, but certainly weren't at all frequent. Rutted and dusty in dry weather or muddy after rain, the unpaved roads of the time were abysmal. Encountered mostly in cities, bumpy cobblestones were often destructive to the fragile bicycle wheels as well. Nonetheless, in the spring of 1891, the inaugural Bordeaux-Paris was held, a whopping 572-kilometer road race. It captured the public's attention and newspaper sales shot up for days before and after. This wasn't lost on the editor (and devoted cycling enthusiast) of Le Petit Journal, Pierre Griffard. Also not lost was the fact that foreign riders had dominated Bordeaux-Paris from start to finish-the first Frenchman was a distant fifth place.

Thus was planted the seeds of randonneuring and the beginning of Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200K brevet. 

I hope you'll participate in this historic event, the first 200K Brevet in China.  If you're at all interested, send me an email to jkeenan0407@...

Bon Route.  Bon Chance. 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for the 2nd  Sanctioned Brevet: May 12th: a 200K and a 300K

Note: There will be only two "sanctioned" brevets because of the stringent requirements from the ACP.  However, long distance routes  and non sanctioned "brevets" will be offered to cyclists throughout the year by ROCn.