Dismayed by the lack of events due to COVID-19? Tired of riding around on the same roads over & over? Looking to go someplace different? Worried about venturing into the unknown? If you answered yes to any of these, you’ll understand why we have launched our Randonnée Series.

Randonnées are long-distance unsupported cycling events, and are part of a long tradition that goes back to the earliest days of the sport. For more information, please see our article, “What is a Randonnée?”

We tweaked the courses from some of our classic events, to allow you to ride them in a self-supported manner, on a date and time of your choice. For each Randonnée you enter, you’ll receive a Cue Sheet, GPS Data, Access to the Ride with GPS App, and instructions that include where you can legally park, where you can purchase food & beverages, where restrooms are located, and when possible, where near the start/finish you can purchase pre & post ride food & beverages. In essence, these will be DIY versions of our events.

While these won’t be the same experience as the full events, they offer opportunity for you to venture away from your familiar roads, to ride versions of our most loved courses in a socially distanced manner, with enough information provided so you can have a great day out, with knowledge that your core requirements have been accounted for.

The Courses we are offering include:

The Hell of Hunterdon Randonnée is based on our most popular Spring Classic (the Hell of Hunterdon which is the Mid-Atlantic’s premier Mixed Surface Ride) with changes to allow participants to ride the course in a self-supported manner. The ride starts and finishes at the Princeton Elks Lodge in Blawenberg (Skillman), NJ.   Three Courses are available:

The courses are suitable for road bikes, however we recommend use of tires 25mm or wider. There are 3 Bicycle Shops near the course and there are several restaurants near the Elks Lodge.

The Fools Classic Randonnée is based on our oldest event (the Fools Classic, one of the oldest gravel events in the US), with changes to allow participants to ride the course in a self-supported manner.  The ride starts and finishes at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, PA.  One Course is available:

The course is suitable for road bikes, however we recommend use of tires 28mm or wider. Fresh gravel has been laid on several unpaved sectors, and recent storms has caused large ruts to form in places.

There are restaurants, a Brewery and a distillery at Peddler’s Village

The Fleche Buffoon Randonnée is based on our popular all paved Spring Classic, and a tribute to the Ardennes Classics, with changes to allow participants to ride the course in a self-supported manner. The ride starts and finishes at the St. Martin of Tours Church in New Hope, PA. Two Courses are available:

There are restaurants near St.Martins Church, and there are 2 bike shops on the course.

We haven’t organized the self-supported Bastille Day Randonnée since 2016, but COVID-19 made conditions perfect to bring it back for 2020. Originally held as a celebration of the Tour de France, the ride starts and finishes at the V5 Cycles in Flemington, NJ and is conducted on entirely paved roads. Two Courses are available:

There are restaurants and breweries in Flemington, near V5.

Please see the BikeReg Page for additional informatio

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

• All entries are final; there are no refunds.
• Entries are not transferable to other people.
• Should the rides be cancelled for any reason, entry fees will not be refunded.
• All participants must sign the waiver during the on-line registration process waiver; parents/legal guardians must complete the waiver for minors.
• The rides are self-supported
  • Please carry food, beverages, spare tires, tubes, tools, etc.
  • There is no emergency medical service (be prepared to call 911)
  • There is no technical support
• All riders must wear a helmet that meets CPSC, ANSI and/or Snell (or similar standards).
• Wearing headsets or earbuds are prohibited.
• The roads are open to vehicular traffic; all rules of the road must be obeyed.  Participants are responsible for their own safety, and for knowing and complying with Pennsylvania & New Jersey’s applicable vehicle laws and guidelines.
• Participants must ride in a safe and courteous manner; please stay to the right, except when passing.  NJ Traffic Guidelines suggest cyclists ride Single File.
• The routes are not marked, nor are potholes or other road defects indicated
• Please note that while the courses have been checked prior to publication, roads can close for construction or become impassible without notice. Please be prepared in case you encounter a detour or closure.
• In light of the COVID-19 situation, participants are expected to follow the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the New Jersey Department of Health, these include:
  • Maintaining social distancing
  • Wearing masks when called for (including when not being able to maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others, when entering stores, when crossing bridges between PA & NJ)
  • If you are traveling to courses from another state, please check Pennsylvania’s, New Jersey’s and your state’s travel guidelines and restrictions.