Keystone Brevet Co 200k Results, Photos, and Ride Report

Thank you all for attending the third edition of the Keystone Brevet Co 200K. For an course with a solid amount of climbing riders seemed quite spry approaching the finish. Volunteers Erik Wright, Zack Rachell and I saw many smiles on the slightly soggy riders arriving at Sor Ynez. 

30 Riders started and 28 finished for a completion rate of 87%. First finisher Kostiantyn Maistrenko was within 7 minutes of the course record but a 4 minute delay due to a downed power line on the SRT dashed his hopes. 

Kostiantyn Cruising over rollers

Congratulations to the six newly minted randonneurs Russell Abernethy, Covey Carpenter, Aaron Gemmill, John Hutchins, Erik Orvik, and Seamus Plunkett. Welcome to the club and we hope to see you at a ride soon!

Thank you to our volunteers Erik Wright, Zachary Rachell, and CJ Arayata for help with rerouting the course and day of start and finished coverage. Volunteers are always needed and are a great way to help out the club.  

Use the link below to share and view photos from the event.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/oPtY4taLgg8LcEN47 

Next months 200k is the Hawk's Nest and Bushkill Falls Brevet on July 27th departing from the Delaware water gap. Sign up today!

 -Nick Manta 

Keystone Brevet Co. 200k Course Notes

We’re really excited for the third edition of the Keystone Brevet Co 200k this Saturday, June 14!

The event starts and ends at 1800 North American Street.

• Check-in begins at 6:00 AM

• Rider meeting at 6:50 AM

• Departure begins at 7:00 AM

Please refer to the Event Page for all pertinent details.

After shedding visions of French bureaucratic glory, CJ Arayata and Nick Manta completed a slightly abbreviated but heartily freedom-loving American course inspection.

Two changes to the route are in place due to bridges construction. 

The cue sheet and GPS file have been updated accordingly.

Mile 37.6 After the climb on Skelp Level road turn right onto Springhill Dr to avoid the bridge out ahead.

Mile 71.7 Bear Left Hanover St. and continue down into downtown Pottstown. Do not make the right on Kemp road. 

Mile 75.2 Left Turn onto Park Ave bike path. This two way bike path follows the left hand side of Park ave and provides priority to cyclist at most intersections. The entrance is easy to miss—stay alert!

Note about Perkiomen Trail and SRT - GPS base maps often diverge from the actual trail due so rerouting. Follow trail signage if in doubt!

The reroute through Pottstown provides some additional options for services between Mogantown and the Wawa before getting on the Perkiomen trail.  

***Please make sure you have the most current versions of the cue sheet and ride with GPS file! The can be found here make sure you have cue sheet version 4***

Riders and friends are welcome to hang out at the Sor Ynez patio afterwards for food and drinks. 

See you Saturday!

Actually Jim Thorpe 600K Ride Report

The final event of the 2025 Pennsylvania Super Randonneur (SR) Series is complete! The Actually Jim Thorpe 600K lived up to its name and then some, delivering a memorable ride across Eastern Pennsylvania with actual Jim Thorpe still very much accessible.

Ben and Anton at the start (photo by Pat Gaffney)

Two riders toed the line on 7-8 June: Ben Keenan and Anton Lindberg. They were joined in spirit by the two pre-riders who completed the course earlier in the month. All four riders finished within the time limit, for a 100% finish rate. Congratulations to our quartet of randonneurs who took on this challenging finale.

Into the unknown (photo by Anton Lindberg)

Riders encountered scattered storms, fog, and overcast skies on Day 1—enough to keep things interesting, but far from the kind of storm that makes you rethink your hobbies. The clouds cleared at times to reveal lush June greenery and the golden calm of early summer. Riders reported peaceful sunrises each morning.

Ben Keenan checks in with eBrevet (photo by Anton Lindberg)

Both riders made quick turnarounds at the overnight control, spending only about two hours off the bike, including a short nap. This kind of fast reset after a challenging 400K is no small feat, and their efficient rest paid off—both riders finished before the afternoon rain arrived on Sunday. They did, however, have to contend with an obnoxious headwind out of the east, an unusual wind direction for the region, which made the final 100K more demanding than it ought to have been.

Jim & Him (photo by Anton Lindberg)

This event wouldn’t have happened without the support of a few dedicated volunteers. Pat Gaffney completed a solo pre-ride, then turned around to volunteer at the start, welcoming riders at the hostel on Friday evening and preparing breakfast before seeing them off early Saturday morning.

Chris Nadovich, RBA and anchor of the PA Randonneurs, supported the event at both the Bethlehem control and the finish, providing riders with encouragement and guidance. Joey Doubek greeted riders at Chamounix on Saturday night as they rolled in from a very long day in the saddle.

Thank you to each of these volunteers. Your commitment to this series is what keeps it rolling.

The PA SR Series is something special. Starting in March with an often frigid 200K, each ride climbs in both distance and difficulty—300K in April, 400K in May, and finally the 600K in June. These rides are not just physically demanding—they are soul-stretching, rewarding riders with stunning scenery, unexpected kindnesses and treats, and the camaraderie of shared effort.

This year’s turnout was lower than usual, due to a mix of factors: a tough-weather 300K, a non-PBP year, and a few unlucky scheduling conflicts. We hope to see a resurgence in 2026, and we encourage those interested in longer rides to connect with experienced members of the club—many of whom are more than happy to share tips, strategies, and stories from the road.

Despite the low turnout, spirits were high. With this ride, two riders completed the full 2025 PA SR Series: Pat Gaffney (his eighth!) and Brad Layman (his fifth). Chapeau to both! Each ride tests your limits in different ways, and finishing the series is a meaningful achievement. Whether it’s your first or your eighth, earning an SR badge in Pennsylvania is something to be proud of.

Delaware River from the Belvidere Bridge (photo by Ben Keenan)

Ben Keenan writes:

Thanks Brad, Pat, Joey and Chris for organizing this brevet and Anton for sharing the miles and leading.  That was a hard ride.  I am still limping from a sore knee, but that will pass and the beauty of the ride will stay with me.  Highlights were seeing two successive early June sunrises from the bike (with birdsongs just before first light) and numerous downhills where you could tuck and feel free just letting the bike run.  Special thanks to Pat Gaffney for his culinary advice (cheeseburger deluxe with pickles at the Palmerton Valero and hot dog from Wawa at Ludwig’s Corner at mile 336 are each hereby awarded three Michelin stars!).  

A quick note for anyone still looking to complete their PA SR Award: Anton Lindberg has completed an ACP SR Series and only needs a PA 300K to qualify for the PA SR award (he completed a 300K this spring with the New England Randonneurs). Fortunately, PA Rando has proposed a new 300K for September—pending RUSA approval. Stay tuned here for more details.

And while Ben Keenan did not complete the SR Series this year, he selflessly gave up his 400K ride to volunteer at the event—a true team player and the kind of randonneur we’re lucky to have in the club.

So with that, the 2025 PA Super Randonneur Series wraps. To those who rode, volunteered, supported, or cheered: thank you. We’ll see you out on the road again soon.

Actually, speaking of being on the road again soon, the club will be back this Saturday, 14 June, with the Keystone Brevet Co. 200K. Registration closes at midnight on 11 June.

Brad Layman
Ride Organizer

Actually Jim Thorpe 600K Course Notes ***Update***

Update #1

Pat Gaffney completed a pre-ride of the Actually Jim Thorpe 600K on May 31–June 1. He reports that the course remains in good condition — and yes, Jim Thorpe is still accessible!

Congratulations to Pat for completing the entire 2025 PA Super Randonneur Series as solo pre-rides — a truly commendable achievement, both for the solo riding and for the dedicated volunteering he does for the club. Also notable: this marks Pat’s 8th PA SR Series — an impressive milestone! Thank you, Pat!

The latest route cuesheet is Version 3 and the GPS route was last updated on 2025-05-28 15:29:55 EDT. 

For riders who prefer smaller route files:
Day 1 (245.4mi): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51076578
Day 2 (129.5mi): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51076588

And if you want Day 1 in two shorter sections with the Palmerton control as the split point:
Day 1, Part 1 (126.2mi): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51076592
Day 1, Part 2 (119.2mi): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51076609

Original Post

Alright folks, get ready—this year, we’re actually going to Jim Thorpe! No detours, no reroutes, no “close enough.” The trail and bridge are open, the town is waiting, and the ride is back in its full glory. From quiet country roads to a bustling tourist town, this 600K is equal parts scenic and challenging.

A quiet perch above Jim Thorpe, away from the crowds

The following report is based on my pre-ride on May 24-25. Pat Gaffney is pre-riding this upcoming weekend, so be sure to check this message board again next week. We will add any updates here and post the final route. We will also post the route in shorter sections for riders whose GPS units prefer smaller route files. Take a look at the current route here. The cues are Version 2 and the RWGPS was last updated 2025-05-28 15:29:55 EDT. 

Day One: 245.4 mi, 13,249 ft

The ride begins with a trip through the Philly suburbs and into Bucks County. For the next 100K or so, the route hugs the Delaware River and crosses some of the surrounding hills and creeks that feed into the river. The climb up Sweet Hollow Rd in New Jersey is a highlight - a long, gentle climb with a creek and lush greenery all the way up. There are several good refueling options along the NJ section of the route including Goldberg's Bagels in Milford, the Pilot Travel Center control in Bloomsbury, and Skoogie's Deli in Belvediere (all marked with POIs on RWGPS).

Towards the end of this section, we reach the majestic Delaware Water Gap. There is a one-mile stretch of one-way traffic here that is regulated by a timed traffic light. The timing is optimized for cars, not bicycles. It is possible to encounter oncoming traffic before you reach the end of the one-way section. The road here is only wide enough for one car, so you definitely want to avoid an encounter with oncoming traffic.
Recommendation: Take a moment at the traffic light to take in the scenery of the mountains on each side of the river and gather yourself to be ready to ride all out through the one-mile section. It’s better to sprint through confidently than risk meeting oncoming traffic mid-way. Then reward yourself with a piece of pie or another baked good at the Village Farmer Bakery control.

The next 30 miles follow the valley that runs parallel to the Blue Mountain Ridge. Despite being in a valley, there are several jagged hills here. You'll then reach the Palmerton control which is approximately the halfway point of the first day.

About 8 miles after the Palmerton control, we begin the climb up Penn's Peak, aka Bear Mountain. This climb is approximately 4.5 miles and 1,200 feet of climbing with a respite in the middle. The most challenging aspects of this climb are the limited shoulder space, blind curves, and fast traffic all while trying to get up a long, steep climb. I recommend taking a moment at the beginning and/or middle of the climb to gather yourself in order to tackle the climb with full steam. This is not a road for zig-zag climbing. It would also help to put on your high viz gear, turn on your brightest tail lights, and partner up with another rider. After the climb is a screaming descent into Jim Thorpe, also with fast traffic. Be assertive and claim your space on the road. Be aware that the Jim Thorpe gravesite control is about two-thirds of the way down the mountain on the righthand side of the road.

Then, after spending most of the morning on quiet country lanes, you will be greeted by a town full of tourists. As expected on a holiday weekend, Jim Thorpe was bustling on the day of the pre-ride. The contrast between the quiet roads and the busy downtown is sharp. Riders should use caution and expect pedestrian congestion through town. You might want to walk your bike around the train station due to the crowds. Unless you stop for a meal, your visit to the namesake town will be over before you know it. Once past the train station, the D&L Trail offers instant serenity.

Serenity on the D&L Trail

We take the trail for the next 23 miles and then make our way to Bethlehem for a Wawa control. This is a good opportunity to refuel for the final 100K of the day. Note that there aren't many options for refueling after this Wawa. There is a convenience store about 18 miles later, along the main drag in Quakertown, and a Wawa about 10 miles out from Chamounix (each is marked with a POI on RWGPS). After the Bethlehem control, there is road construction on Main Street in Freemansburg. Ignore the road closure signs - it is passable, but it is a bumpy surface as the road is torn up.

Main Street in Freemansburg - closed but passable

Riders who are familiar with the Saucon Rail Trail will be delighted to see that the section over Preston Lane - which was closed for years and involved an annoying detour around a bunch of soccer fields - has been completed. There are some annoying bollards on this trail at each road intersection and these can break up momentum and rhythm. The return to Philly route will be familiar to anyone who rode our 200, 300, or 400 this spring.

Once you get back to the Chamounix Mansion, you'll be greeted by volunteers who will have a warm dinner ready.

Day Two: 129.5 mi, 7,303 ft

The second day is identical to the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K. Once you get past the Wawa around mile 28 of the second day, the scenery really opens up. There are beautiful roads past horse farms, through forests, and along creeks in Chester County. Then the route briefly visits PA Dutch Country where you'll probably see some horse-and-buggies. The second day is quite easier than the first day in terms of climbing. There are rolling hills throughout, but no big climbs and the final 25 miles are flat along the Schuylkill River Trail as you return to Philadelphia. There is one section of construction on E Doe Run Rd. The new bridge is complete but there are still road closure signs. I found it easy to ride across - it might even be open to traffic by the event weekend.

Parking: In our opinion, the safest place to park your car is the the Hilton/Homewood lot just off of City Avenue. Here is a Google map link.  Price is $13/day. As far as we know, this fenced-in lot is secure and it's a very short, easy bike ride from this parking area to Chamounix.  There are free on-street parking alternatives a short distance away, including along W Ford Rd, that may be reasonably secure because of the residences and businesses nearby.

If you are reading this and are not yet registered: the registration deadline is Saturday, May 31, at midnight!

Brad Layman
Ride Organizer

Four State 400K, TK 200K Ride Reports

The 2025 Pennsylvania Super Randonneur Series continued Saturday May 10, 2025 with riders embarking on both the Four State 400K, which is the third leg of the SR series, and the classic Tscheschter Kaundi 200K. Reports for each ride are below. There are also  numerous photos.

 

Four State 400K

Five riders clipped in (or set foot to platform pedal) at 4:00 a.m. under the dim porchlight of the Chamounix Carriage House and rolled into the silence and darkness of the early morning. Approximately 20 hours later, four of the five reappeared, headlights bobbing one by one over the top of the last hill on Greenland Drive after a journey of more than 250 miles, having traversed four states and more than 16,000 feet of hills over the course of a beautiful but windy May day. As the riders rolled in, they shared the smiles and nods of people that have accomplished a feat that very few have shared (or, for that matter, would probably even think of trying). A succinct summary of the difficulty of the day may have been rendered by the final finisher, who, laying his bike against the wall, quietly observed “I have never been so happy to see a building.”

Along with pre-rider Pat Gaffney, five of six starters completed the third running of the Four State 400K, a finish rate of 83%. The preliminary results from the ride have been posted. Please review them and let me know if anything does not look right. The results will be submitted to RUSA after review and will become official once certified.

The riders’ day began with a southerly jaunt out of Philadelphia, rolling into Delaware and through the hills of the Brandywine Valley on their way into Maryland. A restless wind out of the northwest was present even in the early morning hours when the air tends to be calm and usually allows riders to bank a few miles. After reaching the control in Elkton, the riders turned directly into the 15-plus mile an hour wind for a challenging leg to the Bird-in-Hand/Ronks control. Riders reported the wind was especially difficult in the Amish country where there are few trees to act as a break. The wind took its toll on Bryan Niederberger, who reported feeling exhausted and abandoned at Ronks. Scratching from a ride is always a difficult decision, but is the smart one on a day when you are not feeling it. 

After Ronks, the route turned to the northeast, lessening the effect of the wind. The four remaining riders – Brad Layman, Anton Lindberg, Amy Lippe and Jakub Piven – fell into a pattern that would serve them well until the end, riding steadily and patiently and holding pace over the big climbs on Hammertown and California Roads before Birdsboro and then through the difficult (and constant) hills of the Oley Valley on the way to the Cooperstown Wawa control, where they were greeted by volunteer Chris Nadovich (who also greeted them at the penultimate control at Bloomsbury), and finally over the last big climb of Staats Road before turning south on the homeward leg along the Delaware River and back to Philadelphia. The level of skill in handling the course was especially impressive by Jakub Piven, who was riding his first 400K but showed the resilience and patience of a seasoned veteran. 

Special thanks to volunteers Pat Gaffney and Chris Nadovich for helping to organize and execute this event and to Amy and Anton for helping to clean up on Sunday. 

Jakub Piven writes...

What to say of the ride? It was a spectacularly long day on the bike, with hill after relentless hill. Fueled by equal parts dung fumes in Lancaster County and the sugary elixir of Gatorade, relief finally came when we turned west towards Jersey and away from the brutal headwinds of the morning. Another well-timed infusion of endorphins came with the rolling descent to Milford after climbing Staats Rd. just as the sun was setting behind the hills.

Kudos to the designer of this route [Ed: Brad]  for including ALMOST every foot of elevation possible and providing a bit of relief in the dark, final hours as we rolled back to Philadelphia from the Delaware Valley. And a big thank you to Chris Nadovich for checking in and supporting us in Bloomsbury, NJ, where the final 100km seemed both a piece of cake and the last thing I wanted to do. And, of course, thanks to the riders, prerider, and organizers for making this memorable event happen.

Brad Layman writes...

I had an amazing day on the bike. I love the 400K distance because it means spending nearly every waking moment of the day riding my bike. How can you do better than that? Our group was small, but that worked in our favor—we all crossed paths at each control. I rode with Anton most of the day but still had time to catch up with Amy and Jakub at the stops. The headwinds between Maryland and Lancaster were challenging, but the temperature and humidity were perfect all day.

Thank you to Ben, Chris, and Pat for taking such great care of us. Chris met us at both the Coopersburg and Bloomsbury controls, providing much-needed support. And Ben truly was the hero of the event—I know he would have loved to ride on such a beautiful day, but he volunteered instead, making sure we all had everything we needed. Thank you, Ben!

Amy Lippe writes..

Please share my gratitude for the route and the volunteers!! It was a great, monster-thigh building ride!

 

Tscheschter Kaundi 200K

A few hours after the 400K riders embarked, 23 riders left Chamounix for a day of riding the classic 200K Tscheschter Kaundi route through the scenic roads of Chester County and the Pennsylvania Dutch country. Like the 400K riders, they were blessed with a sunny May day, but also had to contend with brisk winds for much of the route. Several scenic roads were added to the 200 for this edition, including winding descents on Wylie Terrace Road, Greenlawn Road and Baileys Crossroads Road .

Of the 24  who started, 20 finished, a finish rate of 83%. Well done all! The preliminary results from the ride have been posted. Please review them and let me know if anything does not look right. The results will be submitted to RUSA after review and will become official once certified. 

Riders enjoyed pizza and snacks at the finish while recounting their rides.

Two riders completed their first brevets: Mike Wham and Matthew Altea. Chapeau and welcome to randonneuring!

Andrew Miller writes...

An awesome course. The organization was de la plus haute excellence.  

One memory. My buddy and I were going down hill and a 5 inch thick branch was blocking the rode. At fairly high speed we went around opposite sides on the grass and mud. That is something I will always remember. Very cool because we made it.

Joey Doubek writes.... 

Could not have asked for better conditions than yesterday! Thanks so much for staffing, Ben and Pat!  

Sayantan Khan writes...  

Couldn't have picked any better weather for a ride like this. The temperature was perfect all through the day, and so was the sunlight. While it was pretty windy, the initial headwinds did reliably turn into commensurate tailwinds, so I cannot complain on the wind front. I'd also been told by many veterans of the PA rando 200ks that this was their favorite 200k route: I was skeptical for the first hour as we made our way through urban Philly roads, but as soon as we were out of the city, I immediately agreed with them, and my opinion did not change for the rest of the ride.

We rode through beautiful terrain, first through the little valleys formed by the many creeks flowing into the bigger rivers in the area, and then eventually climbed out of the creek valleys into proper rural countryside.

I had been meaning to ride out these rural parts ever since I moved to Philadelphia, and this brevet finally got me out there, which I'm very grateful for.

I also appreciated the choice of climbs on this route: they never felt too cruel, and several of the descents following the climbs were excellent, and a well deserved reward for all the climbing work. I will definitely be revisiting some of these roads again, even if a brevet does not call for them.
Thanks to all the organizers and the route creators.

Mike Wham writes...

That was a wonderful day and I’m glad I signed up. It was challenging but I learned a lot and am excited to try it again! Everyone was so helpful and supportive. Nothing but positive vibes. Couldn’t be more excited to finish my first brevet!

Four State 400 & Tscheschter Kaundi 200 Preride Notes (UPDATE #1 with TK notes)

Update from Ben Keenan who completed a pre-ride of the Tscheschter Kaundi 200:

Friends Meetinghouse Rd

A preride of the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K Brevet was conducted Wednesday, May 7th.  The course is generally in good shape, through there was some construction on the route out of Philadelphia at Whitby Ave. (mile 8.3) and Baily Rd (9.8).  In each case, the construction should be passable, though the road was dug up at Baily Rd, so it is possible riders will need to dismount and walk on the sidewalk to get around it.  The course is beautiful any time of year, but especially so now. I am hopeful everyone will get as nice a day as I had.  For those have ridden the course before, you will notice some revised routing that will make it feel new – a few standouts are the winding descents of Wylie Terrace Road, Greenlawn Road and Baileys Crossroads Road leading down to the Mercer’s Mill Covered Bridge.  

Everyone please make sure you have the latest course update, which is available on the ride website.  It is labeled B2842_R3_TscheschterKaundi200_DoeRunDetour 2025 and was updated at 2025-05-8 10:39:27. Look forward to seeing everyone Saturday! 

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Original Post of Four State 400 Preride Notes:

A preride was conducted on May 2, 2025.  The route, which is the same as last year's was found to be in generally good condition. It is a challenging and scenic ride and since it crosses state lines four times there is a lot of credit for anyone working towards and American Explorer Award.  

There is one slight detour at mile 132, as bridge repair has deemed Weaverland Road impassable. The latest cue sheet is version 2 and the RWGPS file was last modified 2025-05-4 13:47:59 EDT.  RWGPS files and cue sheets can be found HERE.

 Course Notes

While riding through Philadelphia be mindful that  many of the bike lanes and shoulders have debris and glass in them, particularly Greenland Drive (just after crossing the Strawberry Mansion Bridge).  It should be early enough that riders can use the full lane without too much worry of heavy traffic.  

Around mile 8.8 riders will encounter a road closure sign.  There is work being done on the intersection at 56th street, but it is easy to get around.  Shortly after this, at mile 9.1, just after crossing Cobbs Creek Pkwy, there are quite a few potholes on the descent.  Please be careful here.                                                                              

At Mile 80.9 there is a tree down across the gravel road.  The gravel in the area of the tree is somewhat soft so it is probably best to dismount to get around the tree.  At mile 174 there is a large amount of gravel in the turn on to Lehnenberg Road and in the descent a little further down the road.  Please use caution.  

Fleecy Dale Road, mile 210.4, is closed to traffic, however bicycles can navigate through the construction.  This road has been closed to cars for over a year now, so surface conditions are not the best.  Please be mindful of potholes and debris.  

 If, by the time you reach the penultimate control in Bloomsbury, NJ, you have had you fill of convenience store/gas station fare, Casola's Pizza is located at mile 189.4. Just before the last hard climb of the day and about a mile past the control. After checking in at the control you can keep moving and stop at Casola's for a slice or two before making your way to the finish.  

There is a considerable amount of nighttime riding on this brevet.  Please ensure that all of you safety gear (lights (front and rear), reflective vest, reflective ankle bands) are in working order.  Bike and gear inspections will be completed prior to the start.

PA Fleche 2025 Ride Report

Preliminary results for the 2025 PA Randonneurs Flèche are available on the website along with finish line photos.  Barring any issues, results will be submitted to RUSA and ACP soon and will become official eventually. Please check them over and let me know if they seem correct. The homologation process takes time.  Although you may see an ACP certification number in the records before the end of 2025, don't expect your paper certificate from ACP till early 2027. 

Four of six teams completed  their self-designed courses.  There were 25 registered riders. Of those, 21 started and 14 finished (67%).

The finish at Chamounix was staffed by Ben Keenan, along with several other well wishers who were there to cheer the finishers.  CJ Arayata gathered several photos and great videos in this gallery. 

Finish control volunteer Ben Keenan writes.... 

We had a good clear cold April morning as the riders streamed in the final quarter mile stretch to Chamounix, arriving in mostly good spirits , at least considering they’d been riding all night in the cold, wind and rain. Smiles and good humor masked weariness, sore legs and courage (the kind not worn on a sleeve) as the riders turned in soggy cards. A fleche is one of those things nobody tells you how hard it is until after you’ve already found out for yourself (and no longer have anyone else to blame!), but it is also unforgettable. Well done all! Special thanks to the great group that showed up to cheer the riders, some of whom brought excellent cookies, brownies and vegan doughnuts.

Will Sherman (No Pressure) writes...

Team No Pressure returned to a familiar route from New York City to Philadelphia. With one teammate out sick, we pressed on with just three riders. We met at Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan, grabbed breakfast and boarded the Staten Island Ferry. After a quick team photo at Staten Island Borough Hall, we crossed the Goethals Bridge into New Jersey and turned south, facing headwinds toward the Pine Barrens. Rain held off until our first control, a Wawa in New Egypt, followed by intermittent downpours as we rode to another Wawa in Egg Harbor City. The skies cleared up while we ate, and we pedaled onwards, drying off in the sun with all the rain behind us. Our good fortune nearly ended when a crank arm came loose on the Garden State Parkway Bridge. Nobody was carrying the exceptionally-large allen key to reattach it, but a bike repair stand was found a few yards away, and after some wrenching in the dark, we were back on the road. After another Wawa control in Dennisville, we turned back north, still facing headwinds through the quiet Pine Barrens. Our stops were brief, and we were able to take a short nap at a motel before we reached our 22-hour control (a Wawa, of course). The sun was up and shining brightly as we navigated to the Ben Franklin Bridge and through Philadelphia to the finish. Thanks to all volunteers who made this possible and welcomed us in after our surprisingly tough, windy, and wet journey. 

 

Brad Layman (Thunder Gun Express) writes... 

"You better get going—you don't want to miss one second of that ride! It's the best goddamn ride I've ever done in my life!" True to Thunder Gun code, the gang—Ben Swartz, Dan Plechaty, Jakub Piven, and I—kicked off our 24-hour adventure at Chez Ben, cheered on by two extremely friendly cats who clearly understood the gravity of our mission.

Our first stop was Café Layman, where we visited my parents and fueled up before taking on the unknown. Jakub crushed the hills like a true Thunder Gun hero, while Dan enjoyed his final big rando hurrah before leveling up to Dad Mode. Ben battled back from an early bout of dehydration, proving once again that the gang refuses to back down—no brakes, no surrender, no rider left behind!

Mother Nature gave us the full treatment: rain at the start, a tease of sunshine, a legit thunderstorm (Thunder Gun style), then finally clearing skies—but the winds stayed wild all the way to Philly. Overnight, Lancaster County served up tough headwinds, but most of the time we had the wind at our backs.

At around 3 a.m., we stopped at a Turkey Hill, where Ben set an alarm for a quick nap. When it went off, it jolted the whole squad awake like we were under attack from the sewers—we were ready to ride. We nearly thought disaster had struck again when we arrived at our diner control just after dawn and saw the "Closed" sign still hanging. But in true Thunder Gun spirit, we refused to accept defeat—the doors were actually open, and we feasted gloriously on griddle toppers.

Other highlights: we each sampled the world-famous Royal Farms (RoFo) chicken (Thunder Gun approved), inhaled Dragon China Kitchen dinner specials in Delta, PA, and tightened up the paceline to Thundergun it across the Holtwood Bridge without getting passed by a single car.

Finally, we rolled down Main Street Manayunk, which Rando Joey D graciously closed off for our grand arrival. He and Maria T were waiting at Volo Coffee to cheer us towards the finish line, capping off a grimy, glorious Thunder Gun adventure. We Thundergunned the s#*+ out of that ride!

 

[ED: By completing this Flèche, Brad Layman earns the rare and prestigious PA R-5000 award, signifying completion of the PA 200, 300, 400, 6000, 1000, and 1200K+ events.  Only six riders have achieved this honor.  They are: Judson L Hand,  Guy Harris,  Benjamin Keenan, Brad Layman, William Olsen (2), Norman Smeal.  Congratulations Brad and welcome to this exclusive club. ]

Gavin Biebuyck (Coast Cycles) writes...

Surreal - bridges and rivers and canals and ocean and dirt and woods and smoke and chasing shadows

We began in Brooklyn with a flat tire but had that fixed with enough time to grab coffee and stroll onto the open gangway of the Staten Island Ferry.

Meandering across Staten Island from our official start at the ferry terminal and across North Jersey we soon found ourselves at the highest point on our ride.

A surprisingly mediocre coffee shop was respite for the first wave of storms, we carried this luck to the Atlantic where we crossed over to Sandy Hook and were rewarded with one last view of the NYC skyline over 100 miles into our ride.

We pushed south along the Jersey Shore as the sun set, by the time we got to the area of the recent wildfire it was dark and eerie. Smoke rose to our right, we pulled our neck gators over our noses as we passed between burnt sections.

Turning into the West wind, our reward for crossing the pine barrens were two disappointments at Wawas- the first with no bathroom and the second under construction, prompting a slight deviation in our middle of the night waiting game plans.

Finally we made it to Chamounix after a detour through the city center and up the greenbelt. This homestretch may have felt like the longest 25k of the ride.

 

 

Cheng-Hong Li (Tri-State Arrow Express) writes...

We suffered horrendous weather 24-hour straight: strong headwinds, down pouring rains, cold ocean fog, and freezing temperature plus windchill in the early morning hours. But riding at midnight along the quiet roads beside the Delaware River was magical and unforgettable.And, of course, the final 22 hour control at WAWA was the best: with chairs to nap by! We persevered and made it to the finish in time.

 

Four teams made it on time, two didn't, but the two that didn't quite make it on time still showed steel resolve and exemplified the spirit of randonneuring.

Fist Full of Xanax did not qualify for an official finish, as they were late to the finish control by 9 minutes. 

Joe Ray (Fistfull of Xanax) writes of their struggle...

Chris flatted as we entered the Ben Franklin bridge in Camden. He had used his spare tube Saturday as had I. No one else had tube that would fit. So we started pumping and he would ride ask long as it would allow then stop again. We stopped three times then on fourth he said we should go and leave him Bob’s pump. He arrived probably an hour after us, not sure exactly, each pump lasting less than the prior one. We raced like on an urban time trial but the combo of longer-distance from last control than required and stopping for tire put us over. 

 

The other team that wasn't able to complete an official flèche was Team Musette. Their plan was an audacious 500 km trip from Northampton MA to Philly in 24 hours. They almost had it, but some knee trouble in the team caused them to miss the goal by about an hour. Even so, this was an audacious effort, especially given the cold, windy conditions.