Welcome to Nebraska Sandhills Randonneurs!

The Nebraska Sandhills Randonneurs host ACP and RUSA-sanctioned long-distance bicycle events in and around the Sandhills region of our vast midwestern plains state. If you are unfamiliar with this unique style of bicycling, please scroll down to the "About Our Rides" section.

Nebraska Sandhills Randonneurs has no club membership dues, however, membership with RUSA is required to participate in our events. Check out our ride calendar and see the section below to register!

Your RBA and organizer is Spencer Klaassen.
Feel free to email for more information!
We look forward to riding with you!

How to Register for a Ride

CLICK HERE to register for a Nebraska Sandhills Randonneurs event!
Contact the RBA if you have any questions!

2026 Nebraska Sandhills Brevet Tour
May 31st - June 4th
 
237km - 147km - 210km - 202km - 164km

Page Updated:  Jan. 28, 2026: 

 
Nebraska Sandhills Randonneurs is excited to announce the details of our 2026 Nebraska Brevet Tour.  This special series of brevets will take place from May 31st to June 4th, 2026, starting and finishing in Ord, Nebraska, which is approximately 64 miles northwest of Grand Island.  This is a great way to ride roughly the distance of a 1,000km event with extra time between each leg and a more relaxed approach.
  
 
These rides are unsupported - riders have traditionally traveled light, carrying enough for light overnights and "fast touring", but not so much as to require panniers, drop bags, or special touring gear.

Ride Fee information will be posted once finalized - these costs cover RUSA insurance.
 
Hotels:  Riders are responsible for securing their own accommodations for each leg of the tour.  The proposed overnight hotel at the end of each day is listed below in the Tour Schedule.  Contact the RBA for additional details and guidance on lodging.

Additional details for each leg of the tour will be posted once finalized by the RBA.
Check back often for additional information and contact the RBA if you are interested in riding! 
 
Communication about the tour is available by joining the NE Brevet Tour email list - contact the RBA to be added to the email group to stay in the know! 
 

 
Overall Route and Elevation:
Direction of travel is counter-clockwise; Day 1 = red, Day 2 = blue, Day 3 = purple, Day 4 = yellow, Day 5 = green.  Nebraska is sparsely populated:  note the relative distances between each point of interest and control on the overall map - riders should be prepared to stock up and carry enough water and supplies for distances exceeding 100km between services in some cases.
 
 
 
 
 
Tour Schedule:

May 30:  Arrive in Ord, NE.

Hotel:  Cobblestone Inn, 127 Trotter Ave., Ord, NE. 
(308) 728-5122


 
Day 1:
May 31:  Ord -> Valentine (237km):  7:00 AM
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53401115
 
Hotel:  Super 8, 223 E. US-20, Valentine, NE. 
(402) 804-5740 
 




Day 2:
June 1:  Valentine -> Gordon (147km):  7:00 AM
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53401141 
 
Hotel:  Jefco Inn, 308 S. Cornell St., Gordon, NE.
(308) 282-2935  
 
 
Cross into Mountain Time Zone west of Valentine 
 
  
 

Day 3:
June 2:  Gordon -> Carhenge -> Alliance (210 K): 7:00 AM
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31709933
 
Hotel:  Quality Inn, 1420 W. 3rd St., Alliance, NE. 
(308) 313-2162 
 
The route will visit Chadron, Crawford & Carhenge
 
 



Day 4:
June 3: Alliance -> Thedford (202km):  7:00 AM
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31961715 
 
Hotel:  Roadside Inn, 39357 NE-2, Thedford, NE.
(308) 645-2284
 

Leave Alliance and head east on the Sandhills Scenic By-Way
The route crosses from Mountain to Central Time Zone



Day 5:
June 4:  Thedford -> Taylor -> Ord  (165km):  7:00 AM
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53401207
 
Finish Hotel: Cobblestone Inn, 127 Trotter Ave., Ord, NE. 
(308) 728-5122
 
 
Finish!




Suggested Reading:

“Like No Other Place”
https://www.amazon.com/Like-No-Other-Place-Sandhills/dp/0803240538

"Roadside Geology of Nebraska"
https://www.amazon.com/Roadside-Geology-Nebraska-Harmon-Maher/dp/0878424571

History:
 
Our route is a tour around the Nebraska Sandhills.  Most people outside Nebraska have never heard of the sandhills.  There are a number of great sources like Wikipedia. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhills_(Nebraska)
 
The Brevet Tour is an idea that was sprouted by Larry Larson (former RBA) as an alternative to a brevet week.  Initially it was a 200, 300, rest-day, then a 400 km brevet.  He later did a 600 km to complete the series.  Lately, the 400 km has been dropped and he does the routes as 200 to 300 km rides as a big loop of the Sandhills of Nebraska.

 

  


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Medals & Awards

Medals & Awards
Looking to push yourself? RUSA has lots of awards for distance milestones, special events, state exploring, monthly & season-long ride challenges, and more. Click the image to visit RUSA and find out more!

Volunteers!

Especially with our bigger events, volunteers help make it happen. If you, or anyone you know, has an interest in helping make our events a success, please contact our RBA, Spencer Klaassen. Thank you!

About Our Rides

Randonneuring is self-supported long-distance bicycling. It is not a race but instead unfolds like a timed tour.

Randonneuring events (called populaires, brevets, or permanents) vary in length between 100km (62 miles) and 1,200km (750 miles). Riders follow a pre-determined route via a GPS track and/or a cue sheet. Riders prove their completion of the course by collecting receipts and/or signatures from controls (usually convenience stores) along the route, and/or by way of their GPS track or other electronic means, depending on the event and its rules. One rides to finish within set time limits for each event, depending on route length. For example, the time limit for a 200km (125 mile) event is 13.5 hours, which includes any stops.

Randonneuring celebrates self-sufficiency. This is where randonneuring differs from other cycling events like supported charity rides. On a brevet or a permanent, you are on your own ride. The self-sufficiency ethos of randonneuring means that you are responsible for your own pace, your own nutrition and hydration, your own repairs, and, above all, your own safety.

Safety is of utmost importance. All rides take place on public roads. All riders should be visible, safe, predictable, and courteous to other road users at all times. Reflective gear and sufficient front and rear lights are required for any event that might begin or end in the dark. Read RUSAs rules on these points carefully and equip yourself and your bicycle appropriately.

Randonneuring is a big tent where every rider finds their own challenge. Some might be on their first big ride and will set a goal to finish inside the route time limit, where others keen on speed may try for a personal best. Some riders consider 100km to be “plenty”, where others continue to push themselves to the longest distances. Some ride only gravel, some only pavement, and some enjoy a mix of both. Some riders crave the latest tech and carbon fiber frames, others prefer vintage steel or fixed-gear drivetrains. All are randonneurs, and we respect all of these riders.

For many, randonneuring IS the goal. For those looking at a title gravel event or something even bigger, randonneuring is a great time and a great way to build a big aerobic base and set yourself up for success. All you need is a properly equipped human-powered bicycle, and a sense of adventure and challenge …

We are all out to have fun and enjoy a good, long ride!


Key Take-aways & Important Links:

· All riders must have a current RUSA membership to participate in our events

· All riders must obey local road laws and follow all RUSA regulations

· Reflective gear and lights are required for any event that might begin or end in the dark - see RUSA's reflectivity guide

· Visit RUSA’s FAQ page for even more details


If you have ANY questions about the above information, please feel free to contact the RBA.