Presentation

“Long Distance Walking Award” (BMLD)

What is a BMLD?
This is a new walking event for any walkers who are used to completing long distances in a limited time. The walker completes a non sign posted route planned by the organisers. They must navigate the distance without any form of personal assistance. Control points will be set up by the organisers to verify that they have completed the entire course, thereby qualifying for the “brevet (award)”.

Long distance in a set time
For this year 2024 we offer you :
200 km BMLD in 78 hours.
150 km BMLD in 54 hours.
100 Km BMLD in 30 hours.
The minimum speed required is therefore not important at 2.56 km/hr for the 200 Km and the 150Km at 2.78 km/hr and 3.34 Km/h for the 100 Km. However these times include stops (rest, meals, sleeps, etc…). It is therefore necessary to successfully walk at least 4km/hr including overnight. Hence the need to be equipped with powerful and reliable means of lighting.

A route precisely defined by the organisers.
The route consists of all types of terrain: paved roads (avoiding roads with heavy road traffic), forest trails, dirt or grass paths, etc,… These routes are also open to the public.
The route will not be signposted (except, possibly, in some points where the terrain could be particularly confusing). The organisers can include in its route sections of GR, GRP or local hiking signposts which will help the walker to progress en route.
The organisers will publish on the internet a detailed map of the route with GPS and also provide the walker with a very detailed roadmap with minimum and maximum travel times.

No personal assistance
Any form of personal assistance (e.g. mountain bike or camper van, meeting with someone to pick up clothes or food etc…) is strictly forbidden. Any breach of this rule results in the immediate disqualification from the BMLD.
On the other hand, the walker can take advantage of: bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, pharmacies, hotels, campsites, homestays, barns, etc…
The organisers can suggest assistance in the form of resupply points, communal sleeping rooms etc…. However these services are optional and are not obligatory.
We will include this year the possibility of transferring a small piece of luggage on one or two points of the route. You will be able to pick up clean clothes, a pair of shoes, refreshments, etc…

Control points and the “Logbook”
The goal of the walker is to obtain their “Award”. To do this, they must complete the entire course in the time permitted and in accordance with the rules outlined. For this they must be able to prove their progress to “control points” selected by the organisers and indicated on the maps . Evidence of the walkers progress is recorded in the ‘Logbook’ provided by the organisers at the departure.
There are various control points as set up by the organisers, for example:
· A stamp by a commercial trader or at a town hall in the Logbook.
· A selfie photo taken by the walker in front of the entrance or exit sign of a local landmark
( the walker can then forward the selfie to the organisers or show these on arrival)
· Answering a question about a visible feature in the vicinity of the control point
· Posting a ‘control card’ in the letterbox of a local resident associated with the BMLD.
Finally the organisers can also set up ‘hidden checks’ to ensure the completion of the entire course.
At the end of the walk, the walker must leave the Logbook together with all the evidence with the organisers. The Logbook will then be checked and verified and if successful later returned to the walker.

The BMLD is not a competition
The only goal of the walker is to cover the entire course within the allotted time and respecting the rules. The organisers will publish the full list of participants who have successfully completed their BMLD, without indicating times.

Responsibilities
During your BMLD you are on a personal walk. For example, as if you were on a pilgrims trail or crossing Corsica on the GR20.
If the walker goes off route they cannot expect to receive help from the organisers. In case of injury or abandonment, it is entirely up to the walker to find a means of transport to return or to request medical assistance.

Prices
As the commitment of the organisers is small (plan of the route, provision of guidance documents, establishment of control points), the tariff will also be minimum. This year they have been set as €17 for the 200km BMLD, €14 for the 150km BMLD and €10 for the 100km BMLD.
As an optional extra, you can also order a card holder at €6.