First Brevet: How to Ride Your First 200 km in India

If you can ride 100 km comfortably and want a bigger goal, a 200 km brevet is the natural next step. A brevet is not a race. It is a timed, self-supported endurance ride with a generous cut-off: 13 hours 30 minutes for 200 km. Finish inside that window, with every checkpoint stamped, and you are a randonneur.

In India, brevets are run under Audax India Randonneurs (AIR), following the rules of the Audax Club Parisien in France. Rides are listed on the AIR calendar and organised by local clubs across the country. The cooler months are the best time to plan your first one.

What a brevet actually is

The Audax Club Parisien describes BRMs (Brevets des Randonneurs Mondiaux) as endurance events to be completed within a set time limit, and calls them "non-competitive and inexpensive". AIR's rules put it plainly: there are no rankings or classifications. Finishing in 9 hours or 13 hours earns the same result.

You are not racing anyone. You ride a set route at your own pace, against the clock.

There is one catch. You also have to reach each checkpoint within its opening and closing times, so you cannot spend three hours at breakfast and sprint the rest.

The rules that catch first-timers out

Brevets are relaxed about speed and strict about safety and self-reliance. Under AIR's rules:

• Helmet on, the whole way. A helmet is compulsory for the entire brevet.
• Lights that work. Front and rear lights must be fully functional at all times, and at least one rear light must be steady rather than flashing. Carry spare batteries or a charged power bank.
• Reflective vest. Every rider must wear one. Plan for it even on a 200 km that should finish in daylight.
• No support cars. Personal support is allowed only at checkpoints. You carry your own tools, tubes, water and snacks between them.
• Your brevet card is your result. You get an approved card at the start and must have it stamped at every checkpoint. A missing stamp or a lost card can mean disqualification, so keep it dry, in a zip bag.
• Stay on route. Organisers share a GPS route, and riders are expected to follow it.

Brevets are open to any amateur cyclist, whatever club they ride with, and any human-powered bike is allowed. Riders must be 18 or over; AIR allows one exception for the 200 km, for riders over 15 who ride with a parent and signed consent.

How to sign up

Find a 200 km brevet near you on the AIR calendar at audaxindia.in, then register through the event page. AIR's rules say you fill in the registration form, sign a waiver of liability and pay the organiser's fee. Fees are set by each organiser and are usually modest; one 200 km brevet in Mysuru in January 2026 listed ₹700, and it was non-refundable once confirmed. For that ride, registration closed the evening before.

Read the event page carefully. It will list the start time and place, the route link and the ride organiser to contact with questions.

Getting ready for 200 km

A first brevet is mostly about steady habits, not speed. A general approach that works for many riders:

1. Build up to one long ride. If you can ride 120 to 150 km a few weeks before, a 200 km at an easy pace is realistic.

2. Practise eating on the bike. Eat a little every 30 to 45 minutes and drink to thirst. Test the food you plan to carry on your long rides.

3. Get the bike checked. Look over the tyres, drivetrain and brakes. Fit and test your lights well before ride day.

4. Pack for self-support. Two tubes, a mini pump, tyre levers, a multi-tool, cash, ID and your phone with a power bank. Our gear checklist for rides, runs and treks covers the rest.

5. Ride the plan, not the pack. Start easier than you feel like. The time limit rewards riders who keep moving, not the fastest first hour.

If you have a medical condition or are new to long efforts, check with your doctor before you increase your training.

The pedals in our name are there for a reason. A first brevet teaches what every endurance athlete needs: patience, planning and the confidence of finishing on your own steam. Start with 200 km, and let the road show you what comes next.

Amit Daga, Founder and CEO, Feet and Pedals®

After the 200: the Super Randonneur goal

AIR awards the Super Randonneur (SR) title to riders who complete a 200, 300, 400 and 600 km brevet within the same calendar year, from 1 Jan to 31 Dec. That makes early 2027 a good window to start a series.

Cycling events to book on Feet and Pedals®

Long group rides are a good way to build the hours in the saddle. These cycling events are live on Feet and Pedals® now: