Randonneuring

Long-distance cycling sport A group of cyclists riding a 200 km randonneuring event Randonneuring (also known as Audax in the UK, Australia and Brazil) is a long-distance cycling sport that evolved from audax cycling. In randonneuring, riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined "controls" (checkpoints). Riders aim to complete the course within specified time limits, with all finishers receiving equal recognition regardless of their finishing order. Riders may travel in groups or alone, and are expected to be self-sufficient between controls. A randonneuring event is called a randonnée or brevet; and a rider who has completed a 200 km event is called a randonneur. The international governing body, Audax Club Parisien (ACP), coordinates randonneuring events worldwide through Les Randonneurs Mondiaux (RM). History In the late nineteenth century Italy, day-long "challenge" sports became popular. Participants aimed to cover as much distance as possible and prove themselves audax ("audacious"). The first recorded audax cycling event took place on June 12, 1897, when twelve Italian cyclists attempted the challenge of cycling from Rome to Naples, a distance of