Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K Ride Report

Preliminary results for the Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K are now posted on the website. Please take a moment to review them and let me know if anything needs correcting. The results will be submitted to RUSA in the coming days and will become final once certified. Fifteen riders, including three pre-riders, completed the course within the time limit. Congratulations to everyone who came out and embraced the winter challenge, whether you finished the whole route, turned back early, or supported the event in another way. Showing up is itself part of the long-distance spirit we share.

A wintery stretch of farmland with snow still holding in the fields. Photo by Ben Keenan.

Before getting into the day’s story, we want to say something up front: safety is always the club’s first priority. Deciding whether to postpone or cancel a ride isn’t straightforward. Forecasts can hint at one thing, while the roads present something entirely different. Heading into this event, the forecast suggested only a small chance of overnight snow or rain. We knew there could be slippery conditions, but nothing pointed to anything severe. But as it turned out, parts of northwest Philadelphia did receive a light snowfall overnight. Neighborhoods like East Falls, Mount Airy, and Chestnut Hill still had patches of snow and ice by the time riders arrived, while those coming from Center City and South Philly saw completely clear roads as they left home that morning.

Several slips happened in the same icy patch, and in true “this is ridiculous” fashion, one rider even dismounted and walked the section on foot… and still slipped. Another rider experienced the terrible luck of falling twice on that same section, and amazingly this rider still managed to complete the ride successfully. The ice was nearly impossible to detect. Even so, the group stayed steady and focused on helping one another. Riders checked on those who fell and called out to the other riders who were approaching the hazardous stretch. The morning reminded us that these events are about more than endurance, and just as much about riders looking out for each other and making the choices that keep the day safe.

Slick streets in Chestnut Hill. Photo by Owen Kobasz, taken near the area of the morning falls.

The trouble spot was between mile 5 and 7. Ten riders reported falls in this early section. After assessing bikes and bodies, and the “is this worth it?” question, seven riders decided to head back to the start, a perfectly sensible decision given the circumstances. At that point, no one knew if the roads ahead would be any better. Others, after confirming they were okay, opted to continue on. 

After about 8 miles, the riders were out of Philadelphia and the roads improved dramatically. Riders reported clear and treated pavement for the rest of the day. Even the snow showers drifting through late morning added more winter scenery than challenge. And when the sun peeked out for a brief appearance, it earned disproportionate appreciation. Nothing gets a group of winter randonneurs excited quite like surprise sunshine.

At the Henning’s Market control about two hours into the ride, the group split into two equally valid strategies for regaining warmth:

• Team Fireplace, who went straight for hot plates at the buffet and seats by the welcoming heat source
• Team Keep Moving, who decided the smartest way to stay warm was to remain on the bike and let the climbing do the work

Both approaches worked, and both were greeted with the usual camaraderie that makes these gatherings a bright spot of any brevet.

Early-season icicles under the railroad bridge on Gibraltar Road, a small sign of how cold and icy this winter has begun. Photo by Travis Berry.

The hills in the second half delivered their usual brand of character-building. As with many PA Rando routes finishing in Philadelphia, the shared mantra resurfaced: “Just get to the SRT!” Once riders hit the Schuylkill River Trail, the strenuous climbing was behind them, and many reported a noticeable lift in spirits.

Afterwards, finishers and other club members gathered at Wissahickon Brewery in East Falls for the club’s holiday meetup. It was a warm and well-earned way to end a winter brevet that asked for a dash of true randonneur spirit. PA brevets are known for lively finish gatherings, and this one was no different, with riders swapping stories the moment they rolled into the finish.

Riders and club members gathered at Wissahickon Brewing

In the end, this ride wasn’t exactly what we expected, but it showcased everything that makes the PA Rando community strong. Riders adapted, supported each other, made smart choices, shared laughs where we could, and turned a difficult morning into another memorable day of riding bikes. Thank you to everyone who came out in any capacity and helped make a complicated day feel like a team effort.

Huge thanks also go to the volunteers who made this event possible. Pat Gaffney, Jake Prosser, and Brad Layman completed pre-rides to help fine-tune the cues and also managed the start and finish of the event. Some riders may have noticed the, uh… “strategically pleasant” weather the pre-riders enjoyed on their rides. This is one of the perks of volunteering: anyone who helps out is welcome to complete a pre-ride (for official credit) within the 15-day window leading up to the event. That flexibility lets volunteers pick a day/time that works for them, check the route, and still contribute on event day. Check out this info page or contact an event organizer if you are interested in volunteering.

Pat deserves an extra shout-out. He completed all seven of his 2025 club events as pre-rides. His experience and attention to detail when reviewing routes are invaluable in making PA Rando events successful. He’s also given up a lot of days this year to help the events happen. Thank you, Pat!

Join us on Saturday, January 3, for the first club event of 2026: the Hope to New Hope 200K Brevet. You can also explore the full 2026 club calendar at parando.org. Most events aren’t open for registration yet, but the dates are set, and we’re expecting a lively turnout for the Spring SR Series as riders begin preparing for Paris-Brest-Paris 2027. The SR Series will once again start and finish at the Chamounix Hostel in Philadelphia. Wishing everyone a safe and spirited winter season.

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks to Brad, Pat and Jacob for organizing this ride.  Snow and ice made for a memorable start.  We all learned quickly the different types of ice – crunchy ice, nice!, silent ice, no dice!  Thankfully the roads cleared after passing the Morris Arboretum.  This is one of my favorite routes as well as one of the most challenging, and I appreciated the chance to ride it this time of year. In the later miles as daylight faded faster than I thought it would, I noticed my toes were numb and I didn’t care because it had been such a beautiful day of riding.  Thanks to everyone that set foot to pedal at the start and hope to see you all on a ride soon.

Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K Course Notes (and Holiday Party!)

On November 22, Pat Gaffney and I rolled out for a pre-ride of the Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K to check conditions and confirm the final route. Although the morning forecast called for steady rain, the weather cleared just as we rolled out, giving us a surprisingly decent start to the day. The RWGPS file (last modified 2025-11-26 09:35:24 EST) and cuesheet (Version 4) can be found here: https://parando.org/route/info/479.

Start & Finish Information

• Start Control: Cadence Cycling (Manayunk) parking lot
  Free parking is available. Please use the parking spaces farthest from the storefronts.
• Finish Control: Wissahickon Brewing Company
  Located about 0.5 miles from the start.
• Additional Parking: Riders may also park for free at the Gustine Recreation Center, which is closer to the finish.

Route Notes & Closures

Several road closures from the original route are now fully updated on the current RWGPS file and cuesheet:

• Quarry Road (Harleysville)
• Deep Creek Road (Perkiomenville)
• Saint Peters Road (through the village of St. Peters)

Detours are clear and rideable. In addition, the cuesheet includes multiple safety-related notes: train tracks, steel-grate bridges, gravel, and speed bumps. Riders are strongly encouraged to review these before the start.

Pat Gaffney on a half mile section of gravel in Oley Valley. The few gravel and rough pavement sections are noted on RWGPS and the cuesheet.

Resupply Guidance

The stretch between the Henning’s Market control (Mile 28) and Wawa control (Mile 71) has limited services, so plan accordingly.

• A Redner’s is available slightly off-route near Mile 45.
• A fresh spring water source is marked on both the cuesheet and RWGPS near Mile 46.
• The second half of the route offers multiple Turkey Hills and Wawas with convenient access (and restrooms).

Terrain & Climbing

Many riders may assume that most of the day’s elevation gain comes early, around Oley Valley and the Reading Prong. However, the steepest climbing is concentrated in the second half.

Between Miles 79 and 91, riders should be prepared for a challenging series of consecutive climbs:

1. Shed Road
2. County Park Road
3. Nantmeal Road

Pacing early in the ride will pay dividends later. Save some energy for these three back-to-back efforts.

Lighting & Evening Safety

Sunset on December 6 is approximately 4:35 PM. Most riders will finish after dark, so lights and reflective gear are mandatory.

If you expect your ride to take more than 11 hours, use extra caution between Mile 92 and Mile 108. While much of this section follows quiet roads, there are several short segments on busier roads (each less than a mile long). Traffic moves fast in these areas after dark, particularly between 5 and 7 PM. Be visible, predictable, and alert. The route mostly follows bike trails back to the city after Mile 108.

Finish Control: Wissahickon Brewing

Finish & Social Gathering

After finishing, riders are invited to stay and socialize at Wissahickon Brewing. The brewery offers:

• A wide range of beer and non-alcoholic drinks
• One or two food trucks
• Plenty of indoor seating
• A heated outdoor tent

Please invite friends and family as we turn this finish into a club holiday gathering!

Brad Layman
Event Organizer

Lackawanna 200K Rider Report

Preliminary results for the Lackawanna 200K have been posted on the website. Please review the results and inform me of any necessary corrections. The results will be submitted to RUSA in the coming days and become final pending RUSA certification. All fourteen riders (including two preriders Pat Gaffney and Joe Ray) finished the course within the time limit. Congratulations and well done to all. 

While setting a new course record, Chris Maglieri took some time to take photos like this.

This was the tenth running of the Lackawana 200K, making it one of our most often offered brevets. But for many of the newer riders in the group it was their first experience with Shades of Death and the Paulinskill Viaduct, or the inadequacy of the Dunkin' in Portland compared to the good old Portland Diner. The last time Lackawanna was offered by PA Rando was 2018. Seems like forever ago. 

 But this old favorite did not fail to satisfy the new riders. Many commented about how nice the course was -- the beautiful November weather was a factor, I'm sure. The last time Lackawanna was run was March and the roads had snow on the shoulders. 

Thanks to   Pat Gaffney and Joe Ray for preriding and staffing the start and finish, respectively. It turned out to be critcal we had a second preride when Joe Ray discovered the Headquarters Rd bridge was closed. It allowed us to change the route to avoid it.  Pat Gaffney scouted a last minute report of York Rd being closed for a downed wire, but no reroute ended up being needed for this. 

Chris Maglieri (who never seems to get slower with age) nudged downward his previous course record. Eight years ago, in  2017, he rode the course in 8:10, but now in 2025 he made it around in 8:08, even though the Headquarters Rd detour changed the route to include the more difficult climbs on Geigel Hill Rd.  Maybe when you are in your 70's, Chris,  you'll finally crack 8 hours?

Although Chris always seems to get a little better, Decendants Brew Pub was just as mediocre as I remember it being. I think the reason we stopped running the Lackawanna was our fatigue at being disappointed by the mediocre beer and food at the "Shi*s Inn" aka, Descendants. I mean, it's not bad, parking is convenient, and it doesn't suck to have a warmish place to finish on a cold Fall night. No worries. When we return to Milford in February, the finish will be at Pipolo's, which is decidedly less mediocre if not exactly better. 

Before we get into the Jan/Feb Hope to wherever winter brevets that start near Easton, there is one last Philly start in December for the Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K, which is the final brevet of the 2025 season. Info and online registration can be found at the event website.  Hope to see you there. 

 

Lackawanna 200K Course Notes *** UPDATE 1

UPDATE 1 *** 

Thanks to a pre-ride by Joe Ray we have discovered that the Headquarters Rd bridge -- after fourteen years sitting in disrepair -- is now suddenly under construction.  The bridge has been fully fenced off and it is NOT safe to cross at this time. Consequently, the route has been modified to use the usual Alternative, Geigel Hill/Clay Ridge/Upper Tinicum Church/Red Cliff, which is somewhat prettier, a bit shorter, if also a bit hillier.  Please make sure you have the latest cues and GPS data. 

The latest Cue Sheet  is VERSION 5, and the latest RWGPS was last modified 2025-10-31 14:27:28 EDT

Original Post *** 

 NIGHT RIDING  may be required for many people on this 200K. You must have full reflective gear (vest, ankle bands) and adequate head/tail lights firmly attached to the bike. Backup lights are strongly recommended.  Riders without adequate lighting and reflectivity will not be allowed to start.

One of the Lackawanna Tunnels (photo courtesy of Joe R)

Course Notes 

The course was pre-ridden on 25 October by volunteer Pat Gaffney. The following are his notes. 

 

Mile 106.1 is a difficult uphill left turn from PA313 on to Ridge Rd. These are both busy roads. The turn is at at traffic light.  You will want to move left into the lane when safe as you climb up to the intersection to prepare for this left turn. If you can't move left safely, get off your bike on the right shoulder and cross as a pedestrian when safe. Sometimes, depending on traffic, you can cut left early through the parking lot at the Country Place, following the path behind the truck repair shop, then turning left onto Ridge -- that MAY be easier or it may not. Use your judgement. 

 

Mile 116.3 the bridge on Headquarters is out. It is passable but one needs to be able to lift their bike over barriers.  WALK ACROSS THIS BRIDGE CAREFULLY -- especially if you cross at night. We’ve definitely crossed worse, but do be cautious. Look out for big holes in the deck -- they go all the way through to the creek! 

 

The finish control of this edition of the Lackawanna is Descendants Brewing Company at the Old Ship Inn. Park your bike outside, check in if using the app,  and deliver your signed brevet card to the control volunteer inside. 

More info and online registration at the event website.  

Fall Classic 200/154K Ride Report

 

Preliminary results for the 19th annual Fall Classic 200K brevet and 154K populaire have been posted on the website. Please review the results and inform me of any necessary corrections.  The results will be submitted to RUSA in the coming days and become final pending RUSA certification.  Seven riders clipped in for the 200K,  and two started the 154K.  Eight of nine total finished in good time for a 89% completion rate of the very challenging brevet and populaire.

This was the fifth running of the "Neo" edition classic routes with an Easton Start/Finish and CCW direction up the "easy" sides of most climbs.

Dan Evanko and Nora Sandorfi prudently opted for the 154K as their first randonneuring event. Populaires are supposed to be "welcoming", but our 154K fall classic populaire is tough love. Fortunately, both of these riders were well up to the chalenge and finished looking unscathed. Welcome to randonneuring.  You picked a doozy of a course to start on!! If you can handle that "populaire", you certainly could handle most any normal brevet. 

We were graced with rather nice weather for late October. Although it started rather chilly, 40s at the start with frost seen on some pumpkins,  it was sunny and near 70 in the middle of the day. Usually riders are shivering at the end of this Fall event, looking for shelter from the cold and a hot bowl of soup. Instead,  we all sat outside comfortably eating leftover EMLB buffet at the finish.

Although a few people complained the Fall foliage wasn't quite at peak, even without the full Fall colors, riders generally reported that the Neo-classic was just as scenic as ever. Scenic, of course, is bike rider code for a steady diet of hills to consume, the climb up Dyer hill just outside Easton being an appetizer for the many hilly entrees ahead. 

Brad Layman writes...

It was a perfect day. The weather and scenery were absolutely beautiful.  Huge thanks to Chris for welcoming us at his home for the finish and  wrapping up the day with such warm hospitality.

Brad's photos from the ride.                                                     
         

Fall Classic 200K/154K Course Notes

The latest Cue Sheet for the 200 K is VERSION 7, and the latest RWGPS was last modified 2025-10-13 15:03:30 EDT

The latest Cue Sheet for the 154 K is VERSION 4, and the latest RWGPS was last modified2025-10-13 15:03:12 EDT

 NIGHT RIDING  may be required for many people on the 200K. You must have full reflective gear (vest, ankle bands) and adequate head/tail lights firmly attached to the bike. Backup lights are strongly recommended.  Riders without adequate lighting and reflectivity will not be allowed to start.

Course Notes

This course is a classic for a reason: classic scenery, classic landmarks, and plenty of classic climbs. Ho boy, are there climbs. I do think this course is the hardest 200K on our schedule.  I think this course is also one of the prettiest. So many classic views. I think I could see orange along the crest of the Mt Minsi ridge. Next week I'd expect a lot more Fall Color. It should be spectacular. 

The 154K is no easy ride either. Although it cuts out the Fox Gap and Wind Gap climbs, all your other favorites are still in it. 

The pavement on almost the entire route is decent.  There are, however, some twisty descents with a lot of tree debris and acorns -- bonus year for acorns, and that means a bonus year for deer as well. Coon Hollow was a little soft last year, but it's better now. 

Lake Nokamixon

 

There a lot of creepy Halloween decorations. Giant skeletons are still a thing this year, it seems. 

Please don't ride faster than your guardian angel.

PA Rando veterans will be familiar with most of the features in this course. Except in THIS version, we ride them all backwards. The climb up Fox Gap (200K only) is a lot easier this way, as is the Mountain View climb.  Another improvement this year is to take a more oblique attack on Wind Gap, using Faulstick and Mountain Rd. This adds some distance, but keeps us off 115 as long as possible. 

With climbs come descents. There are several extended, steep, twisty descents. The biggest of these is the decent off the north side of Fox gap, but there are many others, some of which end in T intersections, some of which have vast sinkholes and collapsed guardrails. PLEASE DO NOT RIDE FASTER THAN YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL, especially coming off of Fox Gap. I'm not kidding. No need for more skeletons on the route. 

Another change this year is a detour around the middle section of Mud Run. The bottomless sinkholes on Mud Run have become deeper somehow, and they now stretch across the better part of what was an already narrow road. The road is also sticky -- as in there are a lot of sticks, acorns, and other tree debris.  In lieu of repairing and clearing this road, PADOT added a rather discouraging fence to try to block access. Don't cross the fence. The road has become too hazardous to use, especially at night. Please make sure you have the latest official route which turns left at Miller and avoids the whole mess. The detour adds about a mile -- small cost to avoid a tumble into the abyss. 

The Columncil and Wind Gap controls (200K)  are untimed info controls, so there should be no reason to panic if you find yourself a few minutes past the cutoff at these and eBrevet taunts you with LATE! After Wind gap the course is mostly downhill (but not completely). Even totally exhausted, you can possibly make up 10-15 minutes on the clock over that segment into the finish -- AMHIK.  Given the Mud Run and Wind Gap reroutes adding a few bonus miles, the RBA will allow "some" leeway in the finish 13.5 hr cutoff. Don't give up if you are a few minutes late, bon courage, keep riding.  We will keep the food warm and save plenty for you. 

And try to enjoy the ride, as you remember what I said about your guardian angel!  STFD on those big descents!  

Websites for the 200K and the 154K with online registration.  

Hawk Mountain Philly 300K Ride Report

Earlier this year, PA Randonneurs held the Water & Wind 300K as part of the spring SR series. Cold rain and even snow in the higher northern stretches made that ride a grueling test of determination. Of more than 30 registrants, only five riders finished. In the aftermath, club organizers started thinking about offering a second 300K later in the season to give riders another chance to complete the distance for their Super Randonneur series.

Anton Lindberg completed his PA SR Series with this ride (photo by Ray Prosser)

September 27 was the perfect fit: long daylight hours, cooler fall weather, and Chamounix already reserved for the Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 1234K. The result was a brand-new route from Philadelphia to Hawk Mountain and back - a ride that blended tough climbing early with scenic riverside miles on the return.

18 riders started the event and 17 finished, including the pre-rider. This proved to be just the opportunity some riders needed. Anton Lindberg capped off his Pennsylvania Super Randonneur series with this ride - chapeau! Several riders also notched big milestones: Andrew Arkebauer, Nathaniel Heller, Daniel Steinberg, and Joey Wendel completed their first-ever brevets, and Joey Doubek, Nick Gunderson, Owen Kobasz, and Kostiantyn Maistrenko completed their first 300Ks. Congratulations and chapeau all around!

A rider up the road; approaching Kutztown (photo by Dan Powers)

The day offered nearly ideal conditions: mild temperatures, little wind, quiet rural stretches, and fall color starting to emerge along the Schuylkill River. The Hawk Mountain climb - 2 miles long at an average of 8.2% - was the centerpiece of the route, followed by a flatter second half rolling back toward the city. Riders finished at Chamounix alongside participants in the Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 1234K, creating a lively, shared celebration on the porch. We hope the experience left riders both satisfied with their accomplishment and inspired - perhaps to return for the 2026 Super Randonneur Series, or even to take on the Endless Mountains themselves one day.

Jake Prosser (photo by Ray Prosser)

In true randonneuring fashion, there were also a few unexpected challenges along the way. Several riders encountered a stationary train blocking the route between Gibraltar and Birdsboro, but managed to find their way around and rejoin the course. And on the final hill up to Chamounix, Nathaniel Heller flatted within sight of the finish, opting to walk the last half mile with good humor after an already long day.

A special thanks goes to the volunteers who made this event possible. Sean Martin helped at the finish by checking riders in and making an emergency ginger ale run. Chris Nadovich supported the finish as well, while also shouldering the enormous task of organizing the EMLB 1234K. Ray Prosser drove to the top of Hawk Mountain to greet riders with water and captured photos of nearly everyone next to the park sign. Those photos, along with others submitted by riders, are collected here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qYXdJ4H4qeGYarid9. Their efforts made the day smoother, more memorable, and more fun for all.

Here’s what some of the riders had to say:

Erin Fulton writes...

Thanks for a great event! I enjoyed both the company when riding with others as well as the quiet solitude through the scenic rural stretches. The Hawk Mountain climb was a highlight—tough but rewarding. The fall colors along the Schuylkill River Trail were stunning, and Phoenixville and Manayunk were bustling with good energy. Crossing paths with the Endless Mountains 1200k riders at the conclusion was something special. Wrapping up the day chatting on the porch was the perfect finish. Getting held up by train just added a little more to the adventure to the day :)

The train that created an obstacle for several riders (photo by Erin Fulton) 

Daniel Steinberg writes... 

This was such a great introduction to randonneuring and I'm sure the route design was a big reason for so many first-timers. 

Beautiful roads, the front loaded climbing was really helpful to get over the distance-jitters for those of us more accustomed to 200kms, and the oscillations between trail and road on the back half kept things fresh.

Nathaniel Heller rides through the covered bridge near Reading (photo by Daniel Steinberg) 

Nathaniel Heller writes...

Thanks again for organizing such a great event; had a blast and appreciated the camaraderie.

And, as I joked on the porch last night, I hope my flat at the bottom of the climb to Chamounix sets a PA Randonneurs record for “last possible place on the route to have a deeply frustrating problem.”

PS - Confirmed this morning it was city glass that went straight through the tire tread…tire is in the bin!

Daniel Steinberg on the SRT (photo by Nathaniel Heller)

Dan Powers writes...

Thanks again for organizing. That was a tough route but feels like a great accomplishment and I know exactly what I need to do to improve for future brevets.

Approaching Hawk Mountain (photo by Dan Powers)

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks to Brad and volunteers for a wonderful day of riding on the 300K route. We were blessed with almost perfect conditions – mild temperatures, no wind to speak of and miles and miles of quiet back roads through countryside starting to show its fall colors.  Special thanks to Anton and Kostiantyn for riding with me.  Also special thanks to the Endless Mountains – Liberty Bell riders, organizers and volunteers for a successful event and your monumental achievements.  Watching the grand brevet riders roll into Chamounix was a proud moment for the club.

Approaching Hawk Mountain after passing Wanamakers General Store (photo by Ben Keenan)

Up next is the PA Randonneur's Fall Classic on October 18. Join us for either a 154K or 200K out of Easton, PA. This ride is a club favorite due to the fall foliage and scenic route. Registration is open until the end of the day on Wednesday, October 15. 

See you up the road,

Brad Layman

Event Organizer