You must be a RUSA member to ride during Brevet Week.
Paris-Brest-Paris 2007 is August 20 to 24, 2007
Brevet Week 2007 will be the fourth time this series has been offered in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. Brevet Week is offered as a complete package of events, motels, services and camaraderie. Brevet Week does not offer individual brevets. Brevet Week is intended as a way for cyclists to qualify for Paris Brest Paris who do not have a convenient series of brevets near their home. If your riding time is limited, this series could help you get to France. Brevet Week is particularly helpful for riders who do not have the time to travel long distances for regional brevets every few weeks.
Based on past participants, 95% of the riders who have completed Brevet Week have gone on to complete Paris Brest Paris that year. Brevet Week is more than just riding your bicycle. The collection of veteran PBP riders who attend and share their knowledge of long distance cycling during the week are a big factor in the success of new riders at PBP. Brevet Week is intended to give riders a good simulation of the conditions at Paris Brest Paris. The rural farm roads are well marked to make navigation easy. The routes are not particularly hilly but the routes are not flat. The day after day format will represent the final 300 miles of fatigue at PBP. If you finish Brevet Week, and maintain your training during the summer you will do well at Paris Brest Paris.
SCHEDULE of BREVETS
Arrive in Beloit, Wisconsin Saturday, May 19
Depart Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day)
10 days and 9 nights lodging included $595
| Saturday | May 19 | Check in: Beloit Econo Lodge | |
| Sunday | May 20 | 200 KM Brevet | 7:00 AM start |
| Monday | May 21 | 300 KM Brevet | 6:00 AM start |
| Tuesday | May 22 | Rest Day and PBP Seminars | |
| Wednesday | May 23 | 400 KM Brevet | 6:00 AM start |
| Thursday | May 24 | Finish 400 KM and PBP Seminars | |
| Friday | May 25 | Rest Day & BBQ Cookout | |
| Saturday | May 26 | 600 KM Brevet | 6:00 AM Start |
| Sunday | May 27 | Finish 600 KM brevet | Sleep at motel |
| Monday | Memorial Day | Checkout from motel | Travel home |
There are several motel packages offered as part of Brevet Week. These motels are offered for the full nine nights of the event. There are no discounts for going home early or not completing the entire series.
All the routes for Brevet Week begin and end at the Econo Lodge Motel in Beloit, Wisconsin. The price of nine (9) motel room nights at the Econo Lodge Motel is part of the Brevet Week package. If you do not have a preferred roommate, we will assign a roommate for you.
The Econo Lodge Motel has Wireless Internet plus an attached Country Kitchen Restaurant and Sports Bar.
Single Room Option
The additional cost for a single private room at the Econo Lodge is $350 ($945 total).
No Lodging - Local Rider or Camping Option
If you do not need motels at Brevet Week because you choose to camp or live nearby, the cost for participation during Brevet Week is $345. The Camping Options does not include campground fees, showers or storage at the Econo Lodge but does include invitations to all the seminars and other Brevet Week activities.
Hotel Upgrade
If you would like to stay at a different hotel with Continental Breakfast, Wireless Internet, and swimming pools you have a choice of several other hotels in the area within 3 blocks of the Econo Lodge. You can pay the Local Rider Camping Fee to participate in Brevet Week and make your own hotel reservations at these locations. Call them for weekly prices.
Each rider who registers before May 1st, will receive a 10 x 20 inch duffle bag with end pockets, suitable for storing extra lights, batteries, clothes and food during the brevets. These duffle bags will be accessible at specific locations during the brevets. Riders will also receive a 3-M brand rain jacket that is waterproof and packable. A special Brevet Week T-shirt will be provided as a souvenir of our week together.
Official Brevet medals from France need to be ordered after you complete each individual Brevet. The purchase of the medal gets processed with your timed result. There will be a square underneath the signature line to indicate that you wish to purchase a medal for that brevet. You cannot order medals after the results have been processed to RUSA.
Costs are $12 for each medal or $40 for a set of all 4 brevets medals including shipping and handling. You can pay Susan for the medals that you order anytime during the week. Refunds will be given if you do not complete an individual brevet.
During our off days between Brevets we will have a series of seminars conducted by PBP veterans. These seminars will cover a broad range of topics such as: Traveling to France for the first time, Training for PBP, Sleeping and Support During PBP, Basic Roadside Repairs and PBP Questions and Answers from PBP veterans. One afternoon will include a BBQ Cookout at Lon and Susan’s house. All these activities are planned to increase your knowledge of long distance cycling and make Brevet Week a fun and social event.
Each Brevet uses a slightly different route. For example, the 200 KM and 300 KM Brevet routes go in entirely different directions. The 400 KM Brevet uses some of the 200 KM route plus some new roads. The 600 KM route uses some of the 400 KM route plus a new 200 KM route. The 600 KM route will return back to the Beloit Econo Lodge after 400 KM, so riders may pickup supplies or sleep before finishing the remaining 200 KM. Maps and cue sheets will be provided at check in. All the routes are well marked with white arrows to be visible at night. Brevet cards are handed out 15 minutes before the start of each Brevet. There is no such thing as a late start.
Lon has been riding these roads for 35 years and has picked his favorite routes. The majority of routes follow small farm roads without paint lines and only occasional local traffic. All roads are paved and suitable for Continental 23 mm tires. The routes are flat to rolling terrain with some short steep climbs of 10 - 12%. A low gear of 39 x 25 would be welcome for tired legs. The routes could be made hillier but the roads chosen for Brevet Week will be difficult enough to give you a good simulation for Paris Brest Paris.
During each brevet there will be two rest stops planned to give riders support at the 30% and 60% distances. For example, during the 300 KM Brevet, the supply van will be located at the 100 KM and 200 KM Checkpoints. Riders will be able to store their clothes, lights and personal snacks in this van. The van will also have mechanical repairs, snack food and beverages. Hammer Nutrition Products such as Hammer Gel and Sustained Energy will be provided at these rest stops. Depending on the spread of the group, this supply van may also see riders at other Checkpoints along the route.
In the Randonneur style, riders will be required to have their Brevet Card signed at Checkpoints along the route. These Checkpoints are located every 60-80 KM. Most of these Checkpoints will be 24 Hour style mini marts were riders can find beverages, hot food and bathrooms. Riders should always carry some pocket money for these purchases. This is a timed event with opening and closing of each Checkpoint along the route. See Brevet Rules on the RUSA web site.
The Econo Lodge Motel is located near the crossroads Interstate 43 and Interstate 90 in Beloit, Wisconsin near the Illinois border. This is a busy business intersection with a Super Walmart grocery store, Country Kitchen and Perkins Restaurant and many other fast food services. During the morning of each brevet we will be providing yogurt, pastries, coffee and OJ at the Econo Lodge. The breakfast will run for 30 minutes and start one hour before the brevet start.
PAC Tour will supply a mechanic’s trailer during the week with bike tools, floor pumps, chain lube, spare tires, inner tubes, small parts and bike cleaning supplies. Riders are encouraged to clean and maintain their bikes after each brevet. The PAC Tour repair area will be open at specific hours each day. There is a small bike shop in Beloit that specializes in nostalgic bicycle reconditioning but has limited modern parts.
Riders flying to Brevet Week can choose between major airports at Chicago, Illinois or Milwaukee, Wisconsin. If you arrive in Milwaukee, you will need to rent a car for the one hour drive to Beloit, Wisconsin. If you arrive in Chicago, there is a 1.5 hour shuttle bus ride on Van Galder Bus Lines that will bring you to Beloit for $23. If you don't want to fly with your bike, we recommend shipping your bike with Sports Express (1-800-357-4174) for guaranteed door-to-door delivery by Federal Express or UPS. You can ship your bike to the PAC Tour office and we will bring your bike to rider check in on Saturday, May 19th. If you make your return pick up at the Pac Tour office, we will transport your bike to our office on Sunday.
Brevet Week riders will be expected to bring lights and reflectors that exceed the state law for bicycle safety. Each rider should have two (2) sources of front headlights that individually project a bright rideable patch of light on the roadway 5 meters in front of the bicycle. If your batteries go dead on one light source you must have a replacement head light. White flashing strobe lights or white reflector lights are NOT considered headlights at Brevet Week.
Riders should have two (2) sources of rear tail lights. LED tail lights must have at least 5 bulbs. A Cat Eye TL-LD600 is a good example of a recommended tail light for Brevet Week. One or three bulb twinkle lights are not allowed. One of the rear tail lights must be a steady red light and one of the tail lights can be a flashing strobe LED light. Primary tail lights must be mounted on the bicycle and not attached to the rider’s belt or helmet.
Brevet week will provide each rider with 24 square inches of reflective tape. Reflective tape on the spokes, pedals and seat stay of the bike are required. Riders should wear a light colored (white or yellow) jacket and jersey at night.
PER RUSA WEB SITE:
All riders must wear a reflective vest, sash, Sam Browne belt, or some other device that clearly places reflective material on the front and back of the rider. Reflective material on your camel bak is not allowed.
During night riding, all riders will also wear a reflective ankle band around each ankle.
Any violation of these night riding rules will result in the immediate disqualification of the rider for that Brevet.
Lighting will be checked prior to the 300 KM, 400 KM and 600 KM.
Wisconsin weather in May can vary. Rain is expected 2 days per week. Night time temperatures can be a chilly 40 degrees. Gloves, shoe covers, jackets and tights are recommended. It can also be quite hot, dry and windy. Bring enough water bottles for 3 hours of riding between checkpoints.
If you are going to PBP you will need to include your official Brevet result numbers as part of the the application papers you will send to France. Each Brevet will have a separate number. The Brevet Week results will be post on the RUSA website after France gives each brevet an official number. You should check the web site frequently to get your results for the application.
Susan will be processing the results to the RUSA website within 48 hours of the completion of each Brevet.
Click here to apply. Payments can be made by credit card or check payable to PAC Tour. Rider packets and registration forms will be available in December. More updates and information will be sent to registered riders in January.
Contact Lon or Susan at: 262-736-2453
E-mail works best! notorangelo@pactour.com
Read about PBP and Rules for Brevets at www.rusa.org
RUSA Membership Applications are available on this site.