audax: Randonneur Round the Year

Sep 23, 2026  |  cycling

This month marks the end of the another series of Randonneur Round the Year (RRtY) rides. Two in fact. At least two rides each month with a minimum distance of 200k at randonneur pace¹ over the last the last year. Four series have now been completed. I plan to start series 5 and 6 next month.

Crossing the halfway mark to the Ultra RRtY Award (ten Randonnees Round the Year) is a motivational milestone. Looking at the list of those that have the ultra award - there are entries for people that have done it 2, 3 and 4 times! One bloke did the ultra in a year! Shoulders of giants

Someone asked me what tips I have for getting through the winter months.

• Unless it’s icy don’t wait for better weather
• Good lights you can rely
• Hills and hedgerows offer some protection against the wind. I also suggested they are less prone to ice than open roads. Not so sure about that now. My experience has varied.

I was asked if I ride new routes or stick to tried and tested ones. No hard and fast rule. I have a few “tried and tested” to choose from but I’m not averse to something new.

It was not asked about but I also choose to start each series in October. The reasoning being that is if the weather prevents me getting a ride in during one of the winter months and I have to restart the series I shall only lose three or four months whereas it could be more if I started in the spring or summer. However, it occurred to me during August that unbearably hot weather could just as easily halt progress.

The obvious tip is don’t give up. Unless of course you can’t be bothered with it anymore. When all is said and done it’s only a load of long bike rides.