SOUTH FLORIDA ACP BREVETS FOR 2025
DATE START TIME EVENT (CLICK TITLE FOR MORE INFO) START LOCATION REGISTRATION
Saturday, January 25, 2025 07:00 Lighthouse Point - Hobe Sound ACP 200k Pompano Beach, FL Event completed.
Saturday, February 15, 2025 06:00 Jupiter - Melbourne ACP 300k Jupiter, FL Event completed.
Saturday, March 8, 2025 05:00 Cattle and 'Cane ACP 400k Okeechobee, FL Event completed.
Saturday, April 5, 2025 04:00? Everglades ACP 600k Clewiston, FL Registration closed.

NOTE: Pre-registration required. Registration usually opens a few weeks before the event. Registration is only available for one event at a time.

Randonneuring and South Florida Randonneurs

Randonneuring is the sport of self-paced, long-distance, unsupported bicycle riding along predetermined routes within certain time limits.  Randonneurs are the people who do it.  There are many types of randonneuring events; collectively they are known as randonnées.  This site contains information about randonneuring in South Florida.

South Florida Randonneurs is a cycling club affiliated with Randonneurs USA (RUSA), the national organization of the sport.  Randonneurs are a friendly bunch and all cyclists with an interest in this style of riding are welcome to join us.
RANDONNEURING is unsupported long-distance endurance cycling under prescribed time limits.  It is non-competitive and self-sufficiency is paramount.  Tenacity is more celebrated than speed and finishing is most important.  When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport in France and Italy in the late 19th century.  Camaraderie is the hallmark of randonneuring.

Other Sites and Useful Links

Vélocio (Paul de Vivie)

French cyclist, writer, and publisher of Le Cycliste, Paul de Vivie (1853-1930) is regarded as the father of cyclo-tourisme and an inspiration for randonneurs.  He is better-known by his nom de plume:  Vélocio.  He was an early proponent of dérailleurs, inventing a two-speed rear derailleur in 1905 that he used in the Alps.  He also advocated for the use of wider tires on smaller-diameter rims, something gaining popularity today.  The annual ACP Flèche Vélocio 24-hr team event is named in his honor.

Paul bought his first bicycle in 1881.  He was so enamored with it that by 1887 he moved to Saint-Étienne, opened a bicycle shop, and started a cycling magazine.  His 1889 La Gauloise was the first bicycle produced in France.

De Vivie liked a challenge.  He once wrote, "After a long day on my bicycle, I feel refreshed, cleansed, purified.  I feel that I have established contact with my environment and that I am at peace.  On days like that I am permeated with a profound gratitude for my bicycle.  Even if I did not enjoy riding, I would still do it for my peace of mind.  What a wonderful tonic to be exposed to bright sunshine, drenching rain, choking dust, dripping fog, rigid air, punishing winds!"   Spoken like a true randonneur!

Ironically, despite riding many miles near and far during his cycling adventures, Vélocio was killed while walking his bike across a street in his hometown, aged 76 (he was struck by a tram).  He is interred at the Cimetière de Loyasse in Lyon.  His plaque reads: "To their venerable master, the cyclo-tourists of St-Étienne."

Vélocio's Seven Rules for Successful Long-Distance Cycling:
  1. Keep your stops short and few to maintain your rhythm.
  2. Eat before you are hungry; drink before you are thirsty.
  3. Never get too tired to eat or sleep.
  4. Add a layer before you are cold; take one off before you are hot.
  5. Avoid wine, meat, and tobacco on tour.
  6. Ride within yourself, especially in the first hour.
  7. Never ride just for the sake of vain glory.
Photo of Vélocio standing with his touring bike
Vélocio, with his touring bike
Image of ACP Flèche Vélocio frame tag
ACP Flèche Vélocio frame tag