The New England Randonneurs, Inc.

The New England Randonneurs, Inc. was incorporated on February 19th, 2009 to organize and promote Randonneuring in New England. We manage the Boston Brevet Series -- one of the longest running brevet series in the United States. We're an officially recognized club of Randonneurs USA and Audax Club Parisien, the national and international sanctioning bodies for Randonneuring. We are a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization.

NER Membership

To become a member, download, complete, and mail in the membership form. Memberships cost $10 per season.

You can also become a member online.

Because NER is a volunteer organization, members are expected to volunteer for at least one event per season. Volunteer duties include organizing brevets, manning checkpoints, delivering supplies, sweeping the course, etc. Those who volunteer for event-day duties can still receive credit for the distance if they preride the course within two weeks prior to the published event date.

In addition to the satisfaction of helping your fellow riders, members receive a $5 discount on rides.

About Randonneuring

In short, Randonneuring is a noncompetitive, timed, endurance cycling sport. Riders depart together along predetermined routes that are generally 200 kilometers or longer. In order to ensure that riders follow the route precisely, checkpoints are established every 40-75 miles where riders must get a card signed, proving that they reached that point within a certain amount of time. Rides 200k and longer are called Brevets -- a Brevet Series consists of four rides of 200k, 300k, 400k, and 600k lengths. Once a full series has been completed, riders are eligible to participate in longer events, with the pinnacle event being Paris-Brest-Paris, a 1200k Grande Randonnee held along the same historic route every four years in France.

Randonneuring isn't racing nor cyclotouring. Unlike cyclotouring, riders are expected to maintain a minimum pace throughout the entire duration of the event. (Generally 15kph or faster.) Unlike racing, there is no distinction for finishing a route before others -- all riders finishing within the time limit are honored equally. While some riders race against the clock for a "personal best" many prefer to just enjoy the ride with friends.

For more information about randonneuring, visit the RUSA website.

About New England Randonneurs, Inc

For years, the Boston Brevet Series had been organized and run by one person, with the help of some very dedicated volunteers. It was founded by Charlie Lamb as a means of preparing local randonneurs and randonneuses for 1200k events, particularly Paris-Brest-Paris. In the early 90s it was taken over by Dave Jordan. Between the two, a brevet series was created that developed a nationwide reputation as the premier series for its support, routes, and participation.

Bruce and Tracey Ingle took over the series in the early 2000s and did their best to fill some mighty big shoes. Familiar routes were modified a little, and new routes were developed. The support continued and even introduced the now infamous Summer Sausage and mini-Pay Day bars.

As the Series grew in number of events and participants, it became clear that a new way of managing the series was in order and thus New England Randonneurs, Inc. was founded. NER leads the region with a team-based approach to putting on an annual brevet series. We encourage participation by many, and ensure that no one or few people shoulder the burden.

New England Randonneurs plans to grow beyond the Boston Brevet Series. The region has long lacked permanents, year-round brevets, and most recently a 1200k event. Thanks to the dedication of our members, NER, inc., hopes to fill these voids and further expand the sport of randonneuring in New England.

NER, Inc. Officers and Board Members

2010 NER, Inc. Officers and Board Members
Regional Brevet Administrator (RBA)
Tracey A. L. Ingle tracey -at- bostonbrevets -dot- com
President
Tracey A. L. Ingle tracey -at- bostonbrevets -dot- com
Treasurer
Eva Papp eva -at- thefsb -dot- org
Clerk
Tom Worster fsb -at- thefsb -dot- org
Membership Coordinator
Glen Reed glenreed -at- verizon -dot- net
Merchandise/Fashion Coordinator
Melinda Lyon melindalyon -at- verizon -dot- net
Newsletter Coordinator
Vacant  
Route/Cartography Coordinator
Charles Coldwell coldwell -at- gmail -dot- com
Volunteer Coordinator
Vacent  
Webmaster
Jake Kassen me -at- jkassen -dot- org
Permanents
Chuck Howes chuckhowes -at- comcast -dot- net

Contacting New England Randonneurs, Inc.

For specific questions related to one of the above categories, use of the email addresses above. For general questions about NER and the Boston Brevet Series, contact the NER President, tracey Ingle.

You can also join the NER mailing list here. This low traffic list is a good place to ask questions and discuss randonneuring in New England.

 

Last updated on 17-March-2010 by Jake Kassen.
Copyright 2010, New England Randonneurs, Inc.