Great Lakes Ultra Cycling specializes in endurance cycling - 60 miles and up guided by our club principles of Camaraderie and Perseverance.
We have several different types of rides affiliated with different organizations. Ultra Events, RUSA/ACP Brevets, Imperials and Gravel Rides.
The sport of randonneuring originally emerged in the late 19th century as demonstration of the bicycle as a form of travel. The word “randonnée” roughly translates as "ramble", meaning an exploration of the countryside. The club does not race and we value our ability to support each other on the road above support from elsewhere; the enjoyment of the time we have on the road binds us together.
The word “brevet” means certificate in French. The term applies to any ride that is certified either by us or another organization such as RUSA. The specific rules for those organizations differ, the ride and the challenge do not.
The common goals of all brevets are as follows:
RUSA/ACP Brevets may be ridden by :
Rides certified by RUSA are based on the following:
Time limits for ACP Brevets (mandatory to be considered “finished”):
Distances are submitted to RUSA after the ride. GLU members and guests will have mileage recorded separately in our system as well. No GLU medals are given for RUSA rides. Riders must apply for medals via RUSA and pay for them - they are available for ACP type brevets and other distance awards.
As an ultra cycling club, GLU has many options in format from touring to grand fondos to challenges similar to the Great Divide Ride. We tailor these to the needs of our riders.
Different rides will have different levels of support involved. We encourage all our riders to involve themselves not only on the riding side but also on the support side of the ride. It can also be a great way to involve families into cycling.
Ultra Events may be ridden by :
Rides certified by GLU are based on the following:
All distances by riders are recorded, regardless of whether the distance was completed. Most GLUC Rides provide a SAG service to riders and follow the “Safe Route” policy (see below).
Awards are based on completing the ride in any amount of time. However, we recommend that you be confident of riding at a minimum pace of 9 miles per hour in order to not overextend yourself.
Gravel rides in GLU are mainly in North Central and Northwestern Illinois. This has some of the most scenic and challenging gravel anywhere. From rolling farmlands to hills and rivers, almost everything can be found at some point. GLUC gravel rides take some of the most remote rides there are. Few cars and varying types of gravel abound. The area is lightly packed to chunky gravel with a little sand here and there. Rides farther north can get into the sand flats of glacial Lake Agassiz and present their own challenges.
We encourage all gravel riders to come and enjoy the day. Gravel rides are never timed. Focus on time with friends and the challenge of miles of undeveloped countryside.
Gravel Rides may be ridden by:
Gravel rides do not have certification since they are not brevets but adhere to the following:
All distances by riders are recorded, regardless of whether the distance was completed. Gravel rides are for fun and enjoyment of the territory and do not have a clock. GLU gravel rides provide a SAG service to riders and follows the “Safest Route” policy .