What's a Permanent and why would I want to ride one?

A Permanent is a long distance cycling route that is “permanently available”.  Similar to when you do a California Double Century and get California Triple Crown credit you will get Randonneurs USA (RUSA) credit for doing a Permanent.  Most Randonneurs use this credit to achieve the R-12 award.  The R-12 award requires you to complete a ride of at least 200 kilometers for twelve consecutive months.  In order to earn credit you do have to be a RUSA member, a nominal fee and a simple application takes care of that.  Once the R-12 is earned, your name will be posted on the RUSA website as a finisher and here too for Channel Islands finishers.  With this high honor you will earn the respect of your fellow cyclists and will be able to obtain coffee at McDonalds for about $1.50 or so.  Therefore if you need a reason that is more motivating than “I need to exercise to lose weight or get in better health” tell your friends that you are going to achieve the R-12.  This will help you to put down the Bon Bons and get your sorry butt off the couch – for the whole year. 

For more information on Permanents follow the RUSA link to the left and find out what Randonneuring is all about.  One thing to keep in mind is that Randonneuring is not about how fast you are in comparison to other people; it is about your ability to ride your bike with a little panache.  The last rider in on a long Brevet of 1,200 kilometers (750 miles in 90 hours or less) is held in a high honor as all recognize that it took that person an extra effort to finish, much more than the first person in.