Berkshire Brevets 2020

Berkshire Brevets During The Covid Age

We are following RUSA guidelines and Massachusetts Dept of Health guidelines for organized cycling events. As of June 1 RUSA is not sanctioning any brevets. Based on Massachusetts Guidelines for Phased Reopenings it is doubtful organized cycling events will be allowed with more than 10 participants while social distancing remains. Based on the Massachusetts guidelines it is doubtful we will host any brevets this year. We will update if guidelines change. The Great River Ride will be held under a different format this fall. The GRR will have 3 distances as RideSpot Challenges with awards for completion. There will be no entry fee, Mid Sept to Mid Oct for completion and your ride will be tracked on the free RideSpot APP. Download the APP at www.ridespot.org or from our June Challenge at https://ridespot.org/rides/167632

The Berkshire Brevets are a series of randonneur cycling events in Western Massachusetts. If you enjoy century rides and challenging events, you will find randonnueur cycling a rewarding experience. The randonneur season is broken into a series of brevets of 200 km, 300 km, 400 km, and 600 km, a team 24 hr., and a final event of 1200 km. The goal of the randonneur cyclist is to complete all events within time limits. You can expect about 3,000 ft. of climbing for each 100 km. Each brevet is designed to challenge and prepare the long distance cyclists for the next ride in the series and act as a qualifier for  Paris - Brest – Paris (1200 km) and other Grand Randonee  events throughout the world. The purpose of the Berkshire Brevets is to introduce cyclists in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut to the sport of randonneur cycling.  The next Paris - Brest - Paris is in August 2023. Membership in the New Horizons Cycling Club is required  to participate in the Berkshire Brevets. New Horizons Cycling Club membership is FREE, you must be a current member of Randonneurs USA ( RUSA) to enter a brevet. The Berkshire Brevets are organized and hosted by  New Horizons Bikes.

Randonneur cycling is long distance (endurance) cycling with minimal or no support. A brevet is not a race, although the ride is timed and some riders will seek a personal best time, the primary goal is simply to finish. The style of riding is characterized by various rules and traditions that date to 1891 in France when the first Paris – Brest – Paris race was held. When one participates in brevet events, one is part of worldwide brotherhood and sisterhood of cyclists, with over 120 years of history and legend. 

For a registration visit

Brevet Support

Brevet riders are intended to be self-sufficient. Basic repair knowledge is necessary. 

Follow vehicles are not allowed.

Brevet checkpoints will vary in level of support. Some will be staffed with refreshments while others will be at convenience stores. Please make a purchase at stores acting as checkpoints as a thank you for use of their facilities. 

If you choose to drop out of an event part way through it is your responsibility to get back to the start location. There is no sweep of the route and in many events support staff are club volunteers living in that checkpoint area and unable to drive a rider back to the start. 

St. Pat's 100K

Our St. Pat's 100K is our traditional 1st long event of the brevet season.This is the flattest of our routes and you can expect anything from spring-like conditions to mid-winter conditions at this time of year. Our route heads north along the east side of the Connecticut River to South Deerfield and returns along the west side. 

New for 2020 RUSA membership is required to ride in brevets.  Please visit RUSA.org to register.

Spring 200K

Our Early Spring 200K is a figure eight loop with the northern half of the ride from Westfield to Sunderland and back and the southern half from Westfield to Simsbury CT and back. The first half of the route is relatively flat while the second half is moderately hilly. Mid point Control is also the start/finish of the ride so its possible to change clothing our abandon if conditions are truly miserable. Weather is the challenge on this ride. We've had years where the start temp was 18 degrees and barely rose above freezing and other years a start in the 40's with upper 50's. Controls are a mix of convenience stores and staffed controls.

New for 2020 RUSA membership is required to ride in brevets.  Please visit RUSA.org to register.

Old Saybrook 300K

From Westfield to Old Saybrook, CT and back. This route is moderately hilly and lollipop shaped with a 100 mile loop connecting the outbound and inbound legs. Controls are a mix of convenience stores and staffed. Our friends from the Eliminator Cycling Team usually staff our mid point Control in Old Saybrook with a feast for all riders.

 New for 2020 RUSA membership is required to ride in brevets.  Please visit RUSA.org to register.

Shelburne Falls 200K 

North along the western side of the Connecticut River Valley to southern Vermont and back. a moderately hilly route. Controls are Mocha Maya's Coffee House and convenience stores.

New for 2020 RUSA membership is required to ride in brevets.  Please visit RUSA.org to register.

Shelburne Falls 300K 

Date May 2nd

BashBish 300K

If I have to pick a favorite, this is it. A hilly route heading west into the Berkshires then south along the Housatonnic River to Kent Ct. Crosses into Eastern NY before returning.  Route is lollipop shaped. Climbs include Jacob's Ladder (8 miles) both outbound and inbound and Bash Bish Falls (4.5 miles long with 2 short sections of steep, 18% grades. Controls include convenience stores and staffed sites.

New for 2020 RUSA membership is required to ride in brevets.  Please visit RUSA.org to register.

BashBish 400K

400K's are tough events and this is no exception. A hilly route heading south into Connecticut then north into the Berkshires then south along the Housatonnic River to Kent Ct. Crosses into Eastern NY before returning.   Climbs include Jacob's Ladder (8 miles) both outbound and inbound and Bash Bish Falls (4.5 miles long with 2 short sections of steep, 18% grades. Both staffed controls and convenience stores. No bag drop.

New for 2020 RUSA membership is required to ride in brevets.  Please visit RUSA.org to register.

Saratoga 400K

400K's are tough events and this is no exception. An out and back route to Saratoga Springs NY crossing the Berkshires and Taconic Hills. This route is very hilly. Both staffed controls and convenience stores. No bag drop.

Catskill 600K

This ride has it all, complete it and your ready for anything, anywhere. A loop course through northwest Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts. We cross the Litchfield Hills, the Catskills, the Taconics, the Green Mountains, and the Berkshires on this ride. Limited number of cots and dinner at mile 255.

Double deuce 2x200

Back to back 200K events with an overnight, evening meal and breakfast

Petersburg 300K

I enjoy Petersburg pass so much I just had to add this summer brevet which includes Searsburg pass in Vermont as well as Petersburg Pass on the NY / MA border. This route is very hilly. Controls are convenience stores.

Petersburg 200K

August 8th

Great River Ride

Now in its 32nd year, this populaire has been picked by Bicycling Magazine as one of the Top 10 Century Rides in the USA. Plenty of hills, great scenery, lots of support, and a super buffet with entertainment at the end. A great way to finish the season. Never been canceled due to weather and we've had years with snow, 12 inches of rain, and cold temps., as well as years of perfect Autumn riding.