[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Randonneuring is long-distance, unsupported, non-competitive cycling within prescribed time limits. The events—called brevets—are 200km (13.5-hour time cut-off), 300km (20 hours), 400km (27 hours), 600km (40 hours), and 1000km (75 hours). Grand Randonnées are 1200km, and riders must finish in 90 hours or less. The original Grand Randonnée, Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP), was first held in 1891 and inspired the modern Olympic Games and the Tour de France.
Capt.Venkataraman (Marine Superintendent), based out of our Chennai office has always been a cycling enthusiast and earned the coveted ‘Super Randonneur’ status not once but twice last season. 
Our Editorial team got in touch with Capt. Venkatraman recently to congratulate him on this remarkable achievement, and for being one of the very few of us who has managed to keep the passion for cycling burning through all these years! We also did an informal interview – here is how it unfolded.
ET: For the benefit of our readers, could you please elaborate a bit on Randonneuring and the club.
Venkat: Randonneuring (also known as Audax in the UK, Australia and Brazil) is a long-distance cycling sport with its origins in audax cycling. In randonneuring, riders attempt courses of 200 km or more, passing through predetermined “controls” (checkpoints) every few tens of kilometres.
Events are conducted worldwide under the aegis of Audax Club Parisian (France) called Brevets or BRM (Brevets de Randonneur Mondiaux) comprising of cycling events for 200kms, 300kms, 400kms and 600kms in a seasonal year. All these events are timed with control points positioned strategically along the route. One who completes all the above events in a season bags the much coveted ‘Super Randonneur’ title.
Long endurance rides are not just riding for long distances and pedal for a medal.
We are well equipped with a puncture kit, a portable air pump, spare tubes, bright lights, reflectors and a first aid kit. Rehydration and nutrition is a critical aspect during long distance rides. We are loaded with water bottles, electrolytes, energy bars, and eat maximum on the saddle and eat less off the saddle! Isn’t this wonderful?
ET: What drew you to cycling?
Venkat: Like every other lad, back then, cycling was the only mode of transportation available for our daily commute to school and other places nearby. Public transport was still in its nascent stages in India.
But it was during 1994 -1998 when my sailing time was on board the tankers on the transatlantic trade North Sea to Quebec (Canada) back and forth, that’s when I met one of the Canadian Ice advisors, Capt. Andres Lavoie – who went on to become a good friend of mine, he introduced me to the world of cycling by gifting me a racing bike. This nurtured my love for cycling and every time the vessel called at Quebec (during good weather), I used to go cycling during my off-watch hours, at the end of my tenure, I brought home my cycle neatly packed.
Subsequently, I started cycling in Chennai. 1995, at a time when you hardly saw anyone cycling for leisure or exercise, maintenance and spares too were hard to come by!
ET: What’s the scenario today?
Venkat: I have settled ashore with Synergy since 2013. I was surprised and impressed to find a huge cycling community here in Chennai, with perhaps a 1000+ members or more, the cycling community here is the largest in the country for sure, imported bikes / spares and mechanics are no longer a deterrent.
Today, we have lots to learn on the correct technique and strategy to improve the fitness levels by cycling. Accessories, GPS speedometers with heart rate monitors and what not. Cycles can cost anywhere from Rs. 10,000 to 5 lakh rupees for a carbon frame light weight road bikes.
We have an excellent, fun loving community of cycling enthusiasts here in Chennai, and folks from all walks of life come together for a common passion for cycling![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
