Introduction – What is Audax Japan

Audax Japan (AJ) is a Japanese non-profit incorporated association which manages, promotes and administers brevets in Japan.  It is also a club for randonneurs (i.e. individuals who participate in brevets and longer events known as randonées).  AJ is entirely a volunteer organization.  Rides sponsored by AJ are certified by ACP (Audax Club Parisien) and/or RM (Randonneurs Mondiaux), and the Chair of AJ serves as the ACP representative in Japan.

What is a Brevet?

 A brevet is an UNSUPPORTED ride of 200, 300, 400, 600 or 1000 kilometers, to be ridden on a specified course within a time limit.

If you have ridden brevets in other countries, you already know what a brevet is.  If not, please review some of the English language references identified below.

AJ and local chapters do have some local rules that may differ from what you are accustomed to (e.g.  reflective vests required to be worn even in daylight; your bike must have a bell; sometimes extra lights required—for many clubs on longer rides) and Japan has some unique traffic rules as well.  But if you have ridden brevets elsewhere, you will recognize our events as very familiar. 
A brevet or other Audax event is not a race.  Nor is it an event for someone who needs support from a van when the going gets tough, nor for someone who cannot plan, carry his or her own spare food and appropriate gear, or cannot deal with typical minor mechanical, weather or physical issues that can arise during the event.   Generally, the longer the event, the more planning and preparation required.

 Fortunately, as many will agree, Japan with its scenic coasts, mountains and villages, its many 24-hour convenience stores and vending machines, and excellent public transportation, can be a great place to participate in this kind of cycling.

Other Events

AJ is primarily a Japanese language organization and most of our events are conducted entirely in Japanese language – application materials, route information and cue sheets, instructions, waivers, etc.   You will not be able to enter or complete most events unless you can handle Japanese language (or join together with a buddy who can guide you through the entire event).

Special Events

Some of our longer, special events are specifically designed with English language support and information to allow riders from overseas (and expatriates within Japan) to participate more easily. In 2016, two 1200km and one 2400km randonées were held, each with full English language support and participation by riders from overseas.

In early May 2017, Audax Japan Kanagawa plans to hold a “Heaven Week” 1500km series (rides of 200, 300, 400 and 600kms during a single week) in Northeast Japan in early May, which will have some English language support. The route will be based upon “Unbeaten Tracks in Japan”, the memoir of English explorer, writer, photographer and naturalist Isabella Bird’s 1878 journey through northern Honshu, a route that had never before been traversed in its entirety by a European. (“Unbeaten Tracks in Japan” can be downloaded for Amazon Kindle and elsewhere free of charge).

         https://sites.google.com/a/aj-kanagawa.org/public/2017-brm/brm429-300/brm429-300-en


English Support at Japanese Brevets

Also, in limited cases some of our local chapters (which organize and sponsor all the events) are able to support specific requests from overseas randonneurs visiting Japan who want to join an event, including help in signing up and/or introduction of English-speaking “buddies” to help along the ride. These requests cannot always be honored, but it does not hurt to ask.

A list of all 2017 events by date, length and local sponsoring chapter can be found here, with links to the local chapter’s (Japanese language) website.

          http://www.audax-japan.org/site2017/BRM-calendar.html


Advice for Overseas Riders

1. Use of GPS

For anyone not fluent in written Japanese, it is HIGHLY recommended to prepare for the event carefully by reviewing maps of the course and, when available, getting a GPS “track” you can load on a GPS device or smartphone (which has access to a data network in Japan) so you will not get lost trying to use a Japanese cue sheet and looking at Japanese signage.

The use of GPS is highly recommended because most streets do not have names,  and the road signs do not indicate compass direction as they would in the U.S. or many other countries.

Some local chapters make these types of aids available for their events, while others offer only a cue sheet.  In either case, you will be warned that the cue sheet contains the definitive route.

2. Insurance

One of the conditions to entry to any brevet in Japan is third party liability insurance that will cover cycling events, in an amount not less than 50 million yen (but 100 million yen is recommended).   The insurance policy must cover the entire relevant event (geographic applicability and period of policy).  Policy details are typically required at sign-up, and proof of insurance may be required.  Accidents in Japan – even a minor scrape of a car’s side mirror – can generate claims and insurance is by far the easiest way to deal with such claims. 

Of course, insurance is essential in case of a more serious accident.  Even though it is not required for sign-up, for a rider visiting from abroad you should make sure that not only third party liability, but also your own medical, travel, life and disability insurance is appropriate for participation in this kind of event.