What I Learned After Starting Brevet Riding: An Introduction to Permanents, Essential Gear, and My Bike
Hi, this is Ikeda from Grumpy staff.
For the past few months, I've been continuously riding permanents, aiming to become a "Super Permanent Randonneur (SPR)".
Before I knew it, I've completed four permanents, covering a total of approximately 500km.
In this article, I will summarize "What exactly is a permanent?" and "What kind of bicycle and equipment do you ride with?" for those who are interested in permanents and brevets.
My ride reports for the four routes I actually rode (Tokuyama in the rain, Sanbe with a nail puncture, the intense ride along Shimanami and Tobishima Kaido, and the shortest brevet) have been compiled in the ride report section.
→ Rain, Punctures, Headwinds. Still Riding | Hiroshima/Shikoku Permanent 500km Ride Report
What exactly is a "Permanent"?
It is a special category of Audax (BRM), which is a long-distance cycling event.
While brevets are ridden according to a schedule set by the organizer, permanents are a self-certification system where you can ride Audax Japan (AJ) certified courses on any day you choose.
There are no staff at the start or finish, making it a completely self-discovery format. You ride while visiting checkpoints and taking photos, then apply for certification.
If you complete a cumulative total of 1200km or more within the same year (November to October of the following year), you are called a "Super Permanent Randonneur (SPR)" and can apply for a medal.
I think permanents are highly suitable for those who find it difficult to take weekends or long holidays, want to ride at their own pace, but still want to challenge themselves with long-distance riding.
Why I chose Permanent
I wanted to enjoy long-distance riding more, and while researching, a customer knowledgeable about brevets introduced me to permanents.
Brevets are often held on Saturdays, which makes it difficult for me to participate due to my work as a shop staff member.
That's why permanents were a perfect fit for me.
Furthermore, I was drawn to the fact that there are many courses around Hiroshima, the ability to ride alone at my own pace, and the "game-like" aspect of testing my "overall ability" through checkpoint management and so on.
I wanted to enjoy long-distance riding as a journey, not a race.
If I was going to do it, I decided to aim for "Super Permanent Randonneur."
And so it began.
My companion: Sig.Rando
The first bicycle I chose to tackle permanents with was my long-time companion, Sig.Rando.
While there are many choices like road bikes and touring bikes, I prioritized "reliable and continuous riding" over "speed" based on the trust built from riding together across Japan, my thorough knowledge of each part for troubleshooting, and the compatibility with permanent courses.
The Grumpy original bike "Sig.Rando" is a chromoly frame rando. It supports full fenders and comes with a center stand mount. It's designed as a modern everyday bike that can be used for commuting and long-distance rides.
→ Sig.Rando Frame & Fork Set (with eyelets) ¥129,800-
Pre-ride preparations - Getting equipped
I started by checking the equipment needed for the permanent ride.
Mandatory equipment for brevets includes two front lights, two rear lights, a reflective vest, and a helmet.
I checked them against the actual bike and also considered how to mount them on the Sig.Rando.
The front lights are a "Cateye Volt 800" and a "SON Nabendynamo Edelux II".
The Cateye Volt 800 is a popular light for brevets, recommended by experienced brevet riders.
It features a replaceable battery and long runtime, making it perfect for riders who spend long hours on the road. (This model is sold exclusively in stores, so please visit the store if you are interested.)
The other one is the Edelux II dynamo light. It's powered by electricity supplied from the dynamo hub while riding, so you don't have to worry about the battery running out.
The bell is a combination of PDW's Alexander Graham Spacer and VIVA's brass bell.
The rear lights are also Cateye's "Network Kinetic Auto" and "Vize 300."
The reason for these is that they can be charged via a USB-C port, making it convenient to charge with a mobile battery if the battery runs out!
Since I use them alternately, the battery has not completely run out yet.
*These are also sold exclusively in physical stores.
When I asked various veteran brevet cyclists about lights, many of them emphasized practicality, such as "long runtime" and "less prone to trouble," rather than "brightness" or "compactness."
After actually riding, I painfully realized the meaning of this. In brevets over 200km, being caught in the rain or riding in complete darkness without streetlights is commonplace. It was important whether the equipment was sturdy and usable.
I use a "POC VENTRAL AIR" helmet. When riding for long periods, I want to keep my equipment as light as possible, but having heavy items on my head inevitably leads to fatigue.
I eventually settled on POC because I wanted something light and comfortable.
I chose the APIDURA Visibility Vest for my reflective vest. It's lightweight, quick-drying, highly visible at night and in the rain, and has a good fit.
To my embarrassment, I initially thought any reflective vest would do, but I quickly realized that was a big mistake.
During long rides in the summer, you sweat quickly, so if it's not quick-drying, it becomes an extremely uncomfortable situation.
Also, if it's not highly elastic, when your body gets tired in the latter half, it can feel restrictive and a bit frustrating.
The APIDURA Visibility Vest perfectly clears these points, so I'm really glad I chose it.
【Brevet Essential Equipment Checklist】
For those just starting, we've compiled a list of minimum essential equipment, including Grumpy's products.
→ View the "Brevet/Permanent Equipment" collection here
If you're unsure about equipment choices, feel free to consult us in-store or via DM.
How things have changed as I've ridden more
Originally, I enjoyed slow-paced cycling and thought brevets with time limits were a world apart from me.
But once I actually started, both my riding style and my approach to cycling gradually began to change.
By getting advice from experienced brevet and permanent riders, I started to see commonalities among people who excel at long-distance riding.
Stability in pacing, rather than speed. Management of nutrition and breaks. And maintaining a "mindset of enjoyment while riding." These seem to be crucial for ultra-long-distance rides.
For those who want to start Brevet/Permanent
What kind of bike to ride, what equipment to get, which course to start with - I know it can be completely baffling at first. I was the same way.
If you're new to permanents and would like to start, I believe I can guide you. Consultations in-store or via DM are welcome. Let's think and enjoy this together!
We also have " RITCHEY MONTEBELLO," a bike excellent for ultra-long-distance rides, in stock at our store. If you're looking to challenge yourself with a new bike, be sure to check it out.
And here are the actual ride reports for the four routes.
→ Record of Hiroshima/Shikoku Permanent 4 routes, 500km (Actual Ride Report)