Start Locations ... All brevets start and end at the Forrestal Village Center. We have a license agreement with the management company, please keep noise down and do not litter the common areas. Public restrooms will be opened by security. Parking is available in the designated areas and security is 24 hours. The Westin Hotel is the closest hotel as it is on the premises.
Start Times ... All brevets have DIFFERENT start times. Check and double check the start times listed on this website.
Registration ... Opens one hour before each start time (i.e. the 200K start time is 7:00 a.m., so registration starts at 6 a.m.). Remember, these are long rides and every minute of preparation counts, especially in the morning. As of February 28th, there haven't been many registrants for the NJ series, but I know, from the emails, there will be at least the same count as last year. So, please register online or send in your downloadable entry form. Those who sign-up ahead of time will be handed their route sheets and brevet card with their name already attached - no line this year!
Brevets Offered ... The full qualifying series for Paris-Brest-Paris is offered for the first time in 2003. The following links take you to the information pages for each brevet. Each page will include a PDF of the route.
Controle Points ... You MUST stop here ... this is why you carry a brevet card! On your card and route sheet the opening and closing times and address of each point is indicated. If you don't get your card stamped and signed appropriately within the time frame and at the appropriate point, you are considered a DNF (did not finish). Controles can be from 35 to 70+ miles apart, although our controles will be more consistent. Too much time spent at a controle may jeopardize your completion. Psychologically, it's better to keep riding than to hang out too long. Always, listen to your body. Before you get to the controle, think about what you need to do. Here is my order:
1. Stamp brevet card and sign myself in at control
2. Take care of mechanicals, flats or ad air to tires
3. Fill hydration packs and water bottles, drink and eat as I move around.
4. Use restroom - AT EVERY CONTROL!
5. Sign-out of control
6. Thank Volunteer and/or Store Employees
Un-manned Controle Points ... From time to time, there will be controles without a NJ Randonneur volunteer. This means you may need to purchase something at the store and save the receipt as proof at the control. Sometimes, the store employee will have a stamp and signature sheet. This person will act as the volunteer. Please make sure to be courteous to this person and other customers. Make sure to thank them. There's no contract between the RBA and store saying "the store must provide restrooms to non-paying customers and that riders need forget ettique." A rider with this attitude may alter the control for others.
Abandonment of the ride ... We hope everyone trains properly and completes each brevet. Sometimes mechanicals happen and people get sick. If you need to abandon the ride, PLEASE remember to phone the RBA, one of the volunteers, the Westin, or another control indicated on the route sheet. We want to know where our riders are ... we worry about you. If you don't show up, we're coming out to look for you. This is another good reason to ride in groups. If you leave word with someone else, another rider, please contact the RBA that evening or morning. I, Diane, will definitely phone you if I hear you've abandoned.
Lighting ... March is extremely early in the year for long distance rides for the Northeast. If you anticipate riding before or after sundown, bring your lights! Lights are required if you ride after sunset ... you could be pulled off the route without lights during these hours.
Non-blinking / continuous red rear light is required by law. You may attach a blinking light as additional lighting. The lens should be at least 1 inch and visible for 300 ft. Take care to check that the light is attached securely - we find many lights along the brevet route.
White front light, continuous beam - visible for 1000 ft. Keep in mind that many roads are not well lighted as in a town or city - test your light out in various weather conditions and lighting situations.
Reflective gear - vests, stickers, ankle bands, triangles, and tape are all additional and highly suggested. Too much is not enough. For example, on BMB there are areas with NO street lighting - only woods and the moonlight - you want to be seen by cars and animals. Bruce and Tracey Ingle suggest strobe lights "like the ones that strap to life jackets".
Support Vehicles ... No rider is allowed to have a vehicle follow them on the actual brevet route. Support vehicles are typical for the 400 or 600 and 1200K. RUSA has strict rules regarding these vehicles. Following a rider along a brevet route is grounds for disqualification. Alternate routes can be provided for support vehicles by the RBA. Support vehicles are not brevet volunteers.
Bag Drops... A brevet rider does not need to carry every piece of clothing, equipment, gear, tools or fuel from start to finish. Bag drops are designed to help the rider on longer rides. Bags are collected from riders at the start and dropped at specified controle points by a volunteer. Riders can add or subtract from these bags during the ride. There are limits to size and weight - check with the RBA. The 200K has no bag drop. Exception: Riders using New Jersey Transit can make arrangements with the RBA to have a bag available at the finish.
Support and Gear Vehicles ... Basically, there are no official support and gear vehicles. The RBA and a volunteer mechanic (John Carlos) will be riding in one vehicle the entire route monitoring the pace of riders for controle point volunteers and helping riders with mechanicals. Controle Point volunteers have their schedule and cannot be "taxing" riders who haven't trained properly. Plan to finish the ride on your own - besides the route is beautiful and so is the brevet medal you'll be entitled to order.
Hotels ... There are plenty of major chain hotels in close proximity of the start. Keeps checking this site for a list. If your travel plans require immediate bookings, feel free to contact Sandiway or Diane (917-543-4333)
Route Sheets ... Every rider will receive one route sheet at the start. USE THIS ROUTE SHEET rather than the downloadable from the web. The downloadable version should be accurate - but New Jersey is notorious for bridge construction and there can always be a last minute change. Bring zip lock bags to hold your route sheet. Route sheets are important to completing the ride and wet sheets are hard to read. Bring extra ones for the goodies at controle points.
Food ... Carry pocket food and hydration. Controle points will provide the usual water, hydration liquids, cookies, fruits, and sandwiches. If you have preferences of food, contact me and we'll work on a more complete menu. Along the route you'll have opportunities to purchase additional food and beverages.