Ride Types
Audax encompasses several distinct ride formats, each with its own character, rules, and appeal. Whether you are looking for a structured group event, a solo challenge on a quiet country road, or a team adventure over 24 hours, there is a format to suit. This page explains each ride type supported by the tracker and what makes them different.
BRM (Brevet de Randonneurs Mondiaux)
BRMs are the backbone of Audax randonneuring. These are calendar events organised by a national body such as Audax Ireland, run on a fixed date with a set route and official controls. Riders start together and must pass through each control point within the allowed time window, collecting proof of passage on their brevet card.
Distance Categories
BRMs come in standard distance categories, each with a corresponding time limit:
The 200 km is the entry point for most riders and the building block for the Super Randonneur award. Completing a 200, 300, 400, and 600 km BRM in the same season earns the SR qualification, which is also the entry requirement for PBP.
Control Points
Controls are checkpoints along the route where riders must prove they passed through. Each control has an opening time (based on the maximum speed of 30 kph) and a closing time (based on the minimum speed for that distance). Arriving before the opening time means waiting. Arriving after the closing time means the ride cannot be validated. See the Rules page for more on control procedures and proof of passage methods.
Award Eligibility
BRMs are the most widely eligible ride type for awards. They count toward Super Randonneur, 4 Nations SR, Brevet 2000/5000, 4 Provinces, RRTY, RRTY 100, and the ACP distance awards. They are also eligible for the International Super Randonneur.
Permanents
Permanents are self-organised rides on pre-approved routes that you can ride on any date you choose. Unlike calendar BRM events, there is no fixed start time, no group start, and no event-day organisation. You simply pick a route, contact the organiser to register, and ride it at your own convenience.
Ireland has over 40 permanent routes available across all four provinces, ranging from 200 km to longer distances. They offer a flexible way to get rides in outside the main event calendar, and are particularly useful for building toward awards like RRTY and 4 Provinces.
Award Eligibility
Permanents of at least 200 km count toward Brevet 2000/5000. Permanents also count toward 4 Provinces (with restrictions on your home province), RRTY, and RRTY 100. They do not count toward ACP-administered awards such as Super Randonneur or ACP Randonneur 5000/10000. Only calendar BRM events qualify for those.
For a deeper look at how Permanents work, see the Permanents Guide.
From the road: Permanents are your best friend for RRTY in the winter months. When the calendar is quiet between November and February, a permanent route you can ride locally keeps your monthly streak alive.
LRM (Les Randonneurs Mondiaux)
LRMs are long-distance events of 1200 km and above, sanctioned by Les Randonneurs Mondiaux. They follow the same principles as BRMs (set route, control points, brevet cards, time limits) but at a grander scale. These multi-day rides test endurance, planning, and self-sufficiency over several days of continuous riding, often with minimal sleep.
PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris) is a separate category and is not classified as an LRM, even though it is also 1200 km. The tracker treats them as distinct ride types.
Time Limits
LRM time limits are based on a maximum average speed of 30 kph and minimum average speeds that vary by distance:
For mountainous events where the climbing rate exceeds 11 metres per kilometre, extra time may be granted, typically a 5% allowance for every full m/km of additional climbing.
Key Rules
- Riders must be self-sufficient. No follow cars or external support on the course. Personal support is only permitted at controls.
- Proof of passage must be collected at every control, just like a BRM. Controls may be staffed or unstaffed.
- Any human-powered vehicle is acceptable, provided it is powered solely by the rider.
- LRMs are non-competitive. No rider classifications are made. All finishers within the time limit receive equal recognition.
Award Eligibility
LRM rides count toward ACP Randonneur 5000 and 10000 (distance contribution), Brevet 2000/5000, RRTY, and the International Super Randonneur. Completing an LRM distinct from PBP is a specific requirement for ACP 10000.
Well-known LRM events include London-Edinburgh-London (LEL, 1440 km), the 1001 Miglia (1600 km), and Brasil 1300.
Flèche (Easter Flèche)
The Flèche is a unique team event traditionally held over the Easter weekend. Teams of 3 to 5 riders set off from different starting points and ride toward a common finish, covering a minimum of 360 km within a 24-hour time window.
- A minimum of 3 riders must finish together for the team result to be validated
- The team must cover at least 360 km within the 24-hour window
- All team members ride together. If a rider drops out, the remaining riders continue as a group.
- Teams converge on a common finish point, making it a social occasion as well as a challenge
- The 24-hour clock typically starts on Saturday afternoon and finishes on Sunday afternoon
The Flèche is one of the most distinctive events in the Audax calendar. Part endurance ride, part team adventure, part Easter tradition. It is also invaluable preparation for PBP, as it gives you experience riding through the night with little or no sleep.
Award Eligibility
The Flèche counts toward ACP Randonneur 5000 and 10000 (both distance and as a specific requirement), Brevet 2000/5000, 4 Provinces, RRTY, and RRTY 100.
SR600 (Super Randonnée 600)
SR600s are challenging 600 km routes through mountainous terrain with significant climbing. Unlike standard BRMs, SR600s are ridden individually. There is no group start and no fixed event date. Riders choose when to ride and must complete the route within the time limit.
There are two formats. The original format consists of 600 km permanent routes with at least 10,000 metres of elevation gain, available in Randonneur mode (60-hour time limit) or Tourist mode (minimum 75 km per day). The modern format consists of 600 km BRM calendar events with at least 8,000 metres of elevation gain and a 40-hour time limit.
Completing an SR600 earns the SR600 award. Well-known routes include the Vosges, Dolomites, and Pyrénées.
From the road: You will not find SR600 as a ride type to select when adding a ride in the tracker. The tracker derives it automatically from the elevation gain you enter. A permanent with 10,000 m or more of climbing is classified as an SR600 Original. For the modern format, add the ride as a BRM and enter 8,000 m or more of elevation.
Award Eligibility
SR600 completions count toward the SR600 award (lifetime tracking), Brevet 2000/5000, 4 Provinces, RRTY, and RRTY 100. SR600 Original rides completed before 1 November 2022 also counted toward ACP distance awards, but rides after that date do not. Modern SR600s (BRM format) count toward ACP awards because they are BRM-homologated.
PBP (Paris-Brest-Paris)
Paris-Brest-Paris is the oldest and most prestigious event in randonneuring, first run in 1891. It is a 1200 km out-and-back ride from Rambouillet (near Paris) to Brest on the Atlantic coast and back, held every four years. PBP draws thousands of riders from around the world and is widely considered the pinnacle of the sport.
To qualify for PBP, riders must complete a full Super Randonneur series (200, 300, 400, and 600 km BRMs) in the qualifying season. The time limit for PBP is 90 hours for the standard category, though faster time limits (80 and 84 hours) are available for those who want a greater challenge.
PBP is more than just a long ride. It is a cultural event. The route passes through small French towns where locals come out to cheer riders through the night, volunteers staff controls around the clock, and the atmosphere at the finish in Rambouillet is unlike anything else in cycling. For many randonneurs, completing PBP is a career-defining achievement. See the dedicated PBP guide for full details on qualifying, registration, and what to expect.
Award Eligibility
PBP counts toward ACP Randonneur 5000 and 10000 (both distance and as a specific requirement), Brevet 2000/5000, RRTY, RRTY 100, and the International Super Randonneur.
BP (Brevet Populaire)
Brevet Populaire rides are shorter events under 200 km, designed as an accessible entry point for newcomers to Audax. With distances typically ranging from 50 km to 150 km and lower minimum speed requirements of 10 to 12.5 kph, BPs offer a gentler introduction to the format without the full commitment of a 200 km BRM.
BPs follow the same basic structure as BRMs (a set route with controls and a time limit) but the pace is more relaxed and the distances more manageable. They are a good way to experience the Audax format, learn how controls work, and build confidence before stepping up to a full 200 km event.
Award Eligibility
BP rides count toward RRTY 100 only. Because BPs are under 200 km, they do not count toward Brevet 2000/5000, Super Randonneur, ACP awards, RRTY, 4 Provinces, or 4 Nations SR.
Quick Reference
The table below summarises the key characteristics of each ride type at a glance.