Explore available Permanent courses and ride information.

Riding a permanent Permanent Courses Permanent Reporting Permanent Course Design

What is a Permanent?

A permanent is a brevet, but it can be ridden on any day, chosen by the rider. Regarding time limits, controls points (CP), certificates, they are similar to regular BRM brevets. Also, digital information like GPX files, Google Map links, overview maps, are available in exactly the same way as usual. Permanents are typically designed by enthusiastic members, but the administration and control of permanents is overseen by Korea Randonneurs management.

The rider is allowed to start at any of the control points. But this applies only to permanents where the start- and finish point is at the same location. It is not allowed to start/finish at a random point in between controls.

A permanent can be done individually but also in a small group. If you are a first-time participant in a randonneuring event, please make sure you fully understand the rules of regular brevets.

Your ride will be monitored through Kakao Talk messages to and from Jan Boonstra, 010-8915-7046. When you report a start or a control, you will get a response, like “have a nice ride” or “OK”, but do not wait for these responses. They might come later, sometimes many hours later. If a rider quits during the ride, Jan Boonstra must be notified. Any question or remark about the permanent, before, during or after the ride, is done only by email to janboonstra49@gmail.com

Rules

All rules regarding safety and night riding apply, as well as the obligation for proper accident insurance. Participants must be Korea Randonneurs members. The bicycle inspection at the start is not carried out by a staff member, it is the responsibility of the rider to ensure the safety of his/her bike in accordance with the rules.

Permanents are not ACP sanctioned, meaning that a successful permanent does not count toward any ACP award. But they do count for all awards, initiated by Korea Randonneurs.

The time limit is calculated from an average speed of 15 km/h, using the actual distance and counting from the actual starting time. Example: Starting time is 7:10 am and the distance is 204 km. The maximum riding time is calculated as 13h 36m, so the rider needs to send his arrival photograph before 8:46 pm.

Registration

See the Permanents Route listing with information about all available permanents. Click the button "Registration", log in and apply for the permanent of your choice. After a few minutes you will receive payment instructions by email; 16,000₩ per permanent. If you have registered for more than 16 permanents in a year (starting January 1), the fee is 6,000₩. You will receive confirmation of your payment by email. The registration is valid for one year. The permanent fee is not refundable after cancellation.

Note: In case of late application, you can start after payment, even without receiving confirmation. But in case of application and payment after start, your ride will not be monitored and your result will not be recorded, without exception. It is safe to do your registration in time!

If you want to apply and register for a permanent while you have not decided yet which permanent you want to ride, you can choose for PT-00. WARNING: you cannot ride on PT-00. You must switch to the correct permanent before starting. Switching to another permanent can be done also using the button “Registration”. Switching from a permanent to a brevet is not possible, switching from a brevet to a permanent is possible.

Preparation

Download and print out the permanent sheet, waiver form and the control information sheet. Bring this with you on the ride. Make sure your GPS device is loaded with the correct course information and that you are going to wear the compulsory safety gear. You do not give notice about your date and time of starting. Your first contact is at the start.

Location of the Permanents

Click on the map to find a permanent.

Summary of available Permanents

Click on the code to access the relevant information page

Code Name Distance Climbing Time Limit Start in Finish in Designed by
PT-02 Green Heart 202km 2,583m 13:28 Waegwan Waegwan Russell Morris

Permanent Reporting

  • 1. At the start
    Send in Kakao Talk text message:
    • Your name
    • Your member number
    • PT number
    • Start CP (in case the start is not at the regular start/finish location).

    Make a photo and send before starting, of:
    • Waiver form
    • A selfie, showing your face and the starting point, clearly identifiable.

    Then start, your starting time is the time of sending the start photo.

    WARNING: The correct sequence of control points must be followed. Riding in opposite direction is not allowed
  • 2. At Controls
    • Send in a text message: the CP number (only the CP number please)
    • Make and send a selfie, showing your face and the control point, clearly identifiable. Send the photo right after taking. Consult the control information what is required on the photo.
    NOTE: receiving a stamp on your permanent sheet (for instance at a 사대강 인증센터) is possible and can replace a photo. WARNING: When you do not start at the regular start/finish (S/F) point, then the regular S/F point must be regarded as a control. Example: when you ride PT-98 and start at CP4, the sequence of your reporting is: CP4 (start) – CP5 – S/F – CP1 – CP2 - CP3 – CP4 (finish). Failing to include the S/F as a control results in DNF.
  • 3. At the Finish
    • Send in a text message: “finish” or any similar remark in Korean or English, making clear that you finished the ride.
    • Make and send a selfie, showing your face and the finish point, clearly identifiable. The time of sending the photo is your finish time.
    • Make a photo of your permanent sheet and send it not later than 1 day after finishing.
    Your riding time will be reported to you by KakaoTalk message. The updating of your result in your personal records my take 1 or 2 days. You can receive a certificate and validate your result by a stamp and signature from the staff, by sending your permanent sheet (signed by you) by normal mail (not registered mail) to Jan Boonstra, Busan City, Suyeong-gu, Suyeong-ro 471, Ocean Sky apt., no. 1201 postal code 48265.
  • 4. “Best Rider” award

    When a permanent is completed and all registration, reporting and sending of photos has been done in accordance with the rules without exception, the rider will receive a message saying “reporting is correct”. After receiving 10 times in a year (starting January 1) such a message, the rider wins the “Best Rider” award. Winning the award means being listed in the ‘Hall of Fame’ on the website. NOTE: sending information in reporting that is not required or not useful can also result in not receiving the “reporting is correct” message.

By members, for members

Permanents are typically made by enthusiastic randonneurs, who like to share their favorite ride with other members. A permanent proposal is sent to Jan Boonstra for review. Submitting a proposal is done in the following steps:

  • STEP 01

    Send a course file in GPX format or a link to a page in a route design application. Preference is given to ‘RideWithGPS’. The course file must contain the proposed locations of the control points. Do not send any other photo, file or document. The course is reviewed and commented by Jan Boonstra. All communication (submittal, comments, questions) is done by email only to janboonstra49@gmail.com.

    Give the permanent a course name, in Korean and in English. In English the name should not have more than 24 characters

    STEP 02

    When the course and control locations have been approved, the following documents are required:

    • Control information sheet, showing the control points in photos and in a small detailed map. For an example, check the documents of any existing permanent.
    • A map in image format (jpg or png), see existing examples.
    • An elevation profile. The locations of the control points are indicated.
    • Optional: a course description.
    After the final approval, a PT number is assigned and the website will be updated with the new permanent.

Design Restrictions

For safety reasons and navigation convenience, a course is subject to the following restrictions:

    • 4-lane highways, tunnels and dangerous situations for cyclists must be avoided
    • The location of the controls must be chosen so that it is not possible to take shortcuts between two controls and to make sure to bypass tunnels.
    • The minimum course distance is 200 km.
    • Use paved roads only, unless it is an ‘Adventure Permanent’ (see ‘Awards’).
    • For controls use conspicuous landmarks such as monuments, buildings, big structures that are not likely to be removed soon.
    • Avoid convenience stores as control points; instead, it is good to install a control point near a convenience store.
    • At preference choose start- and finish point at a location that can be conveniently reached, such as a bus terminal, train station, big parking lot.