New England Randonneurs

On May 3rd NER has our first VT brevet of 2025: A semi-dirt 200k out of Waterbury, VT (Park ‘n Ride). The classic “Bakery Brevet” route out of Middlesex has been updated with more unpaved roads for about 30% of the route. These are VT auto roads (not trails) but are low traffic and great cycling. It’s worth the trip if you aren’t a VT local.

The following weekend, May 10th, we have a 200k & 300k out of Concord, MA. The 300k is “Ware’s the Quabbin”, a particularity rural route for Massachusetts that visits the southern side of the Quabbin Reservoir plus many small towns in central MA. The route has been used many times previously, last in 2022.

The concurrent 200k is largely the same route but bypasses the Quabbin to head directly from Hardwick to Rutland. This section has been updated to put riders on even smaller roads.

On the weekend of May 16th we have the annual New England Fleche and Trace team events. In 2025 we’re going to Old Saybrook, CT. These team events are often considered the highlight of the randonneuring season as you get to ride with friends on a route you design. New for 2025 we also have “Open Invitation” teams that use a route designed by the organizer. If you’ve wanted to participate but didn’t have team, this is a nice option. Please email organizer Jake with questions about this team event: jakekassen@gmail.com. Applications for teams are due May 11th.

Hey folks,

Kudos to all who showed up yesterday to brave the cold rain on the second half of the ride of Providence 200km.  Makes one wonder if we can ever have a Providence start ride that doesn’t go South (literally in terms of weather and route direction…).  Thank you Ted’s family for opening his home to a bunch of wet cyclists some random Spring afternoon/early evening (and obviously for being the ride leader).

We have next Saturday (April 12) at 8:30AM start of the Sterling Populaire at Lincoln Station.  Registration is open on BikeReg and route has been verified.  Minor tweaks have been implemented as specify on RWGPS and on ride info page.  Please remember to register by Friday.  Thank you Melinda L for leading this iconic ride.

The event after that will be on April 26 at 7:00AM for the 5 Hills of New Hampshire start from Sir Kassen and Madam O’Brien’s estate in Medford.  Expect same route as last year.  Registration is open on BikeReg.  Thank you for Jake and Emily agreeing to host once again.

The 1st VT event will be held on May 3rd at 6:30AM for the Dirtier Bakery Brevet with a revised start at Waterbury Park and Ride and finishing at a nearby hotel.  Expect increase of dirt segments in comparison to past event (31 vs 22%).  Registration is open on BikeReg.  Thank you Robert for agreeing to get his toes wet to lead a ride.

All our rides are volunteer run and if you want to help out at one of the upcoming event, please get in touch with the board by sending an email to board at ner dot bike.  I think Jake is looking for a volunteer or 2 for his 300/200km on May 10 and we certainly can get some not sleepy heads to help out at the finish for the longer brevet in June in Woburn.  I will also shout out to our Mainer friends who definitely is looking for a volunteer or 2 to help at the lighthouse on 6/14.

Thank you for your attention and happy Spring/4th mild Winters of 2025 in New England

Tsun

In an effort to save paper and time, for the 2025 season riders who want a printed (physical) cue sheet should print one themselves. The most up to date cue sheet can always be found in the RWGPS page linked on the event page. We recommend waiting until the night before the ride before printing and downloading just in case a last minute route tweak is needed.

Should someone want a printed cue and be unable to print themselves, please email the organizer and we’ll do our best to bring a physical copy.

All riders will continue to receive a physical brevet card with a list of controls and the emergency contact info for the organizer.