The Super Randonnée is homologated directly by the Audax Club Parisian in France, and rides are vetted directly by France. The ride is essentially not an Audax Australia ride, but is administered by members of Audax Australia, and run under the general rules of Audax Australia except where the rules of the Super Randonnée override them (for example different time restrictions).
The following is the description of Super Randonnée from Sophie Matter, the coordinator of SRs internationally:
Randonneurs have a 60 hour time limit. Because of the higher level of difficulty, the time limit has been extended corresponding to a minimum average speed of 12 km/h . The requirement for Tourists is to complete the route with consecutive daily minimum riding distances of at least 80 km on average (i.e. seven days at most).
Super Randonnées renew two traditions of French cyclo-tourism: the worldwide known BRM (Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux), and the Brevets Cyclo-Montagnards Français© (BCMF).
Super Randonnées will lead you over famous as well as lesser known passes and summits, presenting you with amazing scenery. You will discover the beauty of mountains at unusual hours like dusk, dawn or even at night. All Randonneurs or Tourists will keep unforgettable memories of their ride.
Super Randonnées are nevertheless very demanding rides. You will have to be well trained for climbing, familiar with often unpredicable conditions in the mountains, and self-sufficient on long distances. Tourist or Randonneur, you must love to climb and have a taste for effort. Choose the Tourist option if you want to enjoy the scenery without a time limit and night riding. Choose the Randonneur option if you are looking for a big challenge. While Tourists will find the Super Randonnées very rewarding, Randonneurs are in for a unique challenge. These rides are made for Randonneurs who want to achieve their personal best and find out how far they can go.
Kerri-Ann Smith climbing Charlotte Pass
The Super Randonnée was introduced by Audax Club Parisien as part of the Randonneur 10000 Award (link to details for award). A Super randonnée is a permanent ride, meaning it can be done at time (with ride organiser approval), is completely unsupported, 600km distance and must contain at least 10,000m of climbing. These rides are extremely demanding, and cover some of the most amazing hilly (mountainous) country, they are truely audacious undertakings.
Riders can elect to either of two classeses;
- Tourist - minimum average of 75 km per day over consecutive days (7 day limit) - more like touring in hilly countryside, or
- Randonneur - with a 60 hour time limit to complete the route. The time limit is more than a nornal permanent. There are checkpoints enroute but unlike a traditional brevet ride the checkpoints do not have cutoff times, the only time restriction for the brevet is the finish time.
The Randonneur class can be used as part of the Randonneur 10000 award, the Tourist class cannot.
Rules
The rules of the Super Randonnée are different than any other ride. You should familiarise yourself with the official rules.
Differences include;
- time limits,
- requirements for photographs for proof, and
- no support allowed.
It is the riders duty to understand and comply with the rules. In addition, the rules of Audax Australia must be complied with, for example lighting requirements. A brevet card must be carried and completed, and a frame badge is fixed to the bike and must be visible in all photographs which are taken to prove the route is completed.
More detailed rules about lighting requirements and expectations of riders, bicycles and behaviour may be found in the Audax Australia Ride Rules.
Undertaking A Ride
Contact the ride organiser. The rules require 30 days notice, but talk to the ride organiser. Make sure you have read the rules and clarify any questions. The ride organiser will require notification of the date of starting and a completed Audax Australia entry form, along with the ride entry fee. The RO will provide the brevet card, frame badge, cue sheet and information about the ride.
Australian Super randonnées
Three Super Randonnée rides exist in Australia.
Victoria High Plains