Welcome to the New Mexico Brevet Series.  We are an affiliate of Randonneurs USA (RUSA) which is a relatively new organization and style of long distance riding in the US that emphasizes completion and comraderie rather than competition.  The origins of randonneuring are over one hundred years old  originating in France. The 1200k Paris-Brest-Paris is the culminating event held once every four years.  Four of our brevets in the series  are  ACP sanctioned events; the 200k Manzano Mtn. Air, the 300k El Malpais, the  400k Sacramento Mtn. Sacrifice, and the 600k El Sangre de Cristo.  The remaining brevet routes are RUSA sanctioned only; the new 200k Valles Caldera Double Cross, the  new 300k Capulin Volcanin Classic, the 300k Truth or Consequence, and the 200k Radium Springs. A brevet series consists of a 200k, 300k, 400k, 600k. Completing the ACP series qualifies riders for the Super Randonnuer award. Then  there is the long brevet, the 1000k, and the 1200k randonnée, which we hope to host in the future.   We are pleased to offer some challenging rides in predominately mountainous terrain around the state of New Mexico. We will also be adding some permanents during the year, so stayed tuned and check back as new routes are approved.  

The pace of the faster riders in the shorter events will resemble a century race, and while randonneuring emphasizes self-sufficiency, friendly camaraderie is the most common, sensible, and safest style in the longer events for the majority of riders.  As our rides are in fairly remote country with  conveniences few and far between and checkpoints usually being 50 miles apart or more, the sense of adventure and personal accomplishment will be enhanced.  Brevets have time limits and checkpoints. This year we have volunteers so that we may ride on event days and we will offer sandwiches  and energy drinks and the 'lunch' stop.  Checkpoints will either be at establishments that have food and water available for purchase or with an NM Brevet volunteer providing water, some food, or a minimal drop bag.  We would  like to mention that we try to start our events where public restrooms are available, however this is not the case always and while some will have a Denny's or a McDonald's where you normally use the facilities without question, many of the smaller businesses that are along the routes do not necessarily welcome non-customers using the restroom. Please be courteous and purchase something so that others will be welcome in the future. Riders carry a certificate (the brevet) which is signed at the designated Checkpoints on the route sheet.  In some cases a pre-ride issued postcard is dropped at a Post Office at a turnaround point and then there can be unannounced 'secret' Checkpoints as well, especially  in more complicated routes.

 

We have at least one volunteer for every event. We are allowed by ACP and RUSA to have what we call the 'volunteers ride' which can be up to as many as 15 days before the event. If you would like to join us and then volunteer for the event you are welcome to do so and still receive credit for completion. These are not supported at all, so we either carry all that need or plan to purchase food along the route.