The Dart Populaire is a team-based randonneuring event that emphasizes cooperation, strategy, and self-sufficiency. Teams start from different locations, ride different routes, and work together to reach a common finish in Aurora—finishing together is the goal.
We ran this event last year and it quickly became one of our most popular highlights of the season. The team format, flexible pacing, and supportive atmosphere make it both memorable and approachable.
New to randonneuring? This is an excellent place to start. You’ll ride with others, learn the basics of self-supported endurance cycling, and experience what makes randonneuring special—without having to do it alone.
Teams & Sign-Up
- Teams consist of 3–5 riders
- At least 3 riders must finish together for a team to be considered official
- Don’t have a team? No problem.
- Sign up solo and we’ll help match you
- Have a partial team? We’ll help fill it
- New riders are welcome
Form a team. Join a team. Make new friends.
Distance & Routes
The Dart Populaire is designed as a 120 km team endurance challenge.
- Aurora-start teams will ride loop routes that begin and end in Aurora
- Chicago-start teams will ride a point-to-point route from downtown Chicago to Aurora
While routes differ, all teams ride comparable distances and follow the same rules and time limits. The challenge isn’t whose route is faster—it’s working together to finish.
Start Time & Time Limit
All routes begin at 8:15 AM.
Teams have 8 hours to complete the event, with a firm finish cutoff at 4:15 PM.
- To finish officially, at least three riders from a team must finish together before the cutoff
- Per randonneuring rules, the final 25 km must be ridden in the final two hours
- Teams will wait at their final control and depart no earlier than 2:15 PM before riding the final segment to the finish
This isn’t a race—smart pacing and teamwork matter more than speed.
After finishing, teams are encouraged to gather back in Aurora for food, drinks, and camaraderie. One of the goals of the Dart Populaire is to have teams finish close together, so if your team finishes early, please stick around and welcome others home.
Note: All Dart routes must be verified by the route coordinator prior to the event. Routes may be adjusted after verification or due to conditions on the day of the ride. Any changes will be communicated to team captains and all riders.
Event Details
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Riders
The Dart Populaire is a team-based randonneuring event that emphasizes cooperation, strategy, and self-sufficiency. Teams start from different locations, ride different routes, and work together to reach a common finish in Aurora—finishing together is the goal.
We ran this event last year and it quickly became one of our most popular highlights of the season. The team format, flexible pacing, and supportive atmosphere make it both memorable and approachable.
New to randonneuring? This is an excellent place to start. You’ll ride with others, learn the basics of self-supported endurance cycling, and experience what makes randonneuring special—without having to do it alone.
Teams & Sign-Up
- Teams consist of 3–5 riders
- At least 3 riders must finish together for a team to be considered official
- Don’t have a team? No problem.
- Sign up solo and we’ll help match you
- Have a partial team? We’ll help fill it
- New riders are welcome
Form a team. Join a team. Make new friends.
Distance & Routes
The Dart Populaire is designed as a 120 km team endurance challenge.
- Aurora-start teams will ride loop routes that begin and end in Aurora
- Chicago-start teams will ride a point-to-point route from downtown Chicago to Aurora
While routes differ, all teams ride comparable distances and follow the same rules and time limits. The challenge isn’t whose route is faster—it’s working together to finish.
Start Time & Time Limit
All routes begin at 8:15 AM.
Teams have 8 hours to complete the event, with a firm finish cutoff at 4:15 PM.
- To finish officially, at least three riders from a team must finish together before the cutoff
- Per randonneuring rules, the final 25 km must be ridden in the final two hours
- Teams will wait at their final control and depart no earlier than 2:15 PM before riding the final segment to the finish
This isn’t a race—smart pacing and teamwork matter more than speed.
After finishing, teams are encouraged to gather back in Aurora for food, drinks, and camaraderie. One of the goals of the Dart Populaire is to have teams finish close together, so if your team finishes early, please stick around and welcome others home.
Note: All Dart routes must be verified by the route coordinator prior to the event. Routes may be adjusted after verification or due to conditions on the day of the ride. Any changes will be communicated to team captains and all riders.
