What is Randonneuring?
“Randonneuring is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is non-competitive in nature, and self-sufficiency is paramount.” - Randonneurs USA
I reckon that sums it up in only a few words, but I think there is more to it. Squint and blur your eyes a bit, and you may find the words “competitive” and “self” pop out, or at least I do. Randonneuring to me is seeking to push yourself, to be competitive with only the self. A randonneur pushes the self to new horizons, not for glory, but for self satisfaction. This is what to me separates it from touring, or from racing in other formats.
This summer I cast my net into the realm of randonneuring. This long-format, unsupported style of bike riding has called to me for years, since watching Inspired to Ride, since following dots on the Transcontinental Race, since my first century ride, and especially since my first century ride that I still felt I could go a bit further.
RIP Mike Hall, you legend.
I have signed up for the North Star Bicycle Race, a 630 mile unsupported event from Minneapolis to Canada and back. I’ll line up with others, but my only competition will reside within my own skull. I hope to dance with my thoughts, not to fight with them.
