I have never known a related American-English word used in cycling terms.
Naturally, the general term "randonnee" has long been accepted to refer to a specific form of cycling - exactly as in the original French cycling usage of the word.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but does not the French reflexive verb form "se balader" mean: to stroll or ramble about aimlessly? Does this not well describe many of our rides, when out for a day of pleasant leisurely cycling?
Perhaps we SHOULD adopt a form of the term "Balade" - to describe a casual ride.
By the way, an American English dictionary mentions this origin for the English word "BALLAD" :
< Middle English (c.1300-1400) "BALADE"... < Middle French "BALADE"... < Old Provencal "BALADA" - meaning a dance-song.
rien que mes deux centimes...
BOB HANSON, ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, USA
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