This article won’t be another personal report of one of my Brevets. There will be no stories of painful moments where muscles are burning, no tales of intense self-discovery at the edge of endurance, nor struggles with hunger or thirst that test the soul. No heroic quotes either. All of that, which has been a part of my over 14 years of long-distance cycling, is slowly fading into the background. I’ll leave those stories to others. Let them talk about what it’s like to push through the pain. For me, it’s now about something else – something beyond just the ride.
Why we truly love Brevets
Brevets are more than just cycling events to me – they offer a space where one can focus on what truly matters. In a world driven by speed, efficiency, and constant comparison, brevets provide the opportunity to experience values like endurance, dedication, and inner peace. It’s not about chasing recognition or competing with others, but rather about the journey within. Those moments, alone on the road, far from the hustle of everyday life, allow for the expression of genuine values like self-reflection, perseverance, and humility.
What draws me to these long-distance rides is the pure spirit of adventure. Brevets aren’t races; there’s no winner, no medals, no “Top Ten” list. You ride simply to embark on the journey – it’s about the experience itself. It doesn’t matter whether you speed through the landscape or roll into the finish minutes before the time limit, or even after. What counts is reaching the end. Having a good time with good people, treating each other kindly, being happy in the moment, and showing respect to both people and nature. At the end of the day, what remains in your memory is that it was a good day.
Take, for example, our last Brevet in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines – a 200-kilometer ride with a real 4,000 meters of climbing, and the usual 13.5-hour time limit. This time, we didn’t finish within the limit. But honestly, who cares?! We had fun, shared laughs with new friends, enjoyed the scenery and the moments of climbing. We took breaks, joked around, let ourselves relax, drank coffee, and ate cookies while the clock kept ticking and the official time window quietly closed. But for us it was a great day – together cycling, from the start until to the end.
That’s what Brevets are all about: real experiences, free from vanity. There are no polished social media posts, no bragging about high-tech gadgets. Sometimes, you even get a hand-stamped Brevet card. Old-fashioned? Maybe. But that’s exactly what gives it that raw, authentic charm. Just you and the road. No frills.
And the freedom – total freedom. Want to ride with others? Go ahead. Want to enjoy the peace and quiet on your own? That’s fine too. Everyone rides at their own pace, follows their own route, and yet somehow, we’re all on the same path. You take breaks whenever you feel like it – no one expects you to follow any particular rhythm.
The best part about Brevets? The stories you’ll be able to tell later. Those moments when you push beyond what you thought was possible, when you achieve things you never imagined – those are the real highlights. No medals, no records, just memories that stay with you. Brevets are pure adventure. And that’s what makes them so irresistible to me.
Photo-Impressions Audax 200 Bukidnon
