About NER

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 organization of Randonneurs USA and Audux Club Parisien, the national and international sanctioning bodies for Randonneuring. We are a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization.

Current New England Randonneurs, Inc. board members.

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 (BBS) 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.

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 is now growing beyond the Boston Brevet Series. With the help of some dedicated Northern Vermonters we’re now offering rides around Burlington, VT and elsewhere in New England.

Bylaws of the New England Randonneurs, Inc. (Updated July, 2014)

Contacting New England Randonneurs, Inc.

Contact us using the handy email form. Send general inquires to the Regional Brevet Administrator (RBA) or NER President.

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.