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

Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 1234K -- Ride Report

The 2025 Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 1234K is now complete. This is the second running of the Liberty Bell edition, starting in Philadelphia, and the fourth time overall the Endless Mountains has been run, the first being in 2013. Preliminary results for 2025 have been posted to the website. Please review the results and let me know if they align with your memory. The results will be submitted to RUSA after review and will become official once certified. 

 

EMLB starters in front of Independence Hall

Fifteen determined randonneurs clipped in at Chamounix mansion in Philadelphia. Ten of them made it back to Chamounix after completing the entire challenging course under their own power and within the time limit, thus earning the title of Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 1234K Finisher and receiving the coveted challenge coin award.

Benge Ambrogi

Randy Anderson

Kurt Barkei

Frederic Brault

Joshua Brown

Spencer Carran

John D'elia

Nicolas DeHaan

Yonnel Gardes

Ben Schauland

It would be amazing if everyone starting the Endless Mountains grand brevet could finish it.  This is a difficult bike ride, much harder than other 1200s, and luck plays a role as well. Even the best of riders can be knocked out by the hard hitting terrain or a gear failure. This edition was no exception.  Unfortunate technological or physical problems beset five of the starters, knocking them out of the running for an official finish. Three of these, Patricia Brault,  Martin Hayes, and Jim Vreeland, after resolving their trouble sufficiently, were able to rejoin the group further down the course and ride on to the finish. These three brave riders did not complete the entire course, but did ride most of the course, and finished the event under their own power.  Riders Dan Driscoll and Doug McLerran were unable to overcome their difficulties and re-join. Nevertheless, they did both complete the most challenging part of the course -- a very difficult 400K route up the Allegheny Front and through the Endless Mountains. This is a spectacular and prideworthy accomplishment in itself. Congratulations and well done to all! 

There was an excellent volunteer effort to support the EMLB.  Thank you so much!  Riders, please thank them when you see them. Big brevets can't happen without a core team of volunteers. 

Volunteers were important from the beginning. The start of the EMLB was conducted in an audax style, with the group kept together by volunteer audax captain Jakub Piven, and his philadelphia dynamo headlight society lieutennants CJ Arayata and Nick Manta.  The audax start fostered safety and comaradarie through the boulevards of the big city, and stopped for group photos at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. After the 4am audax tour of Center City, they were released by the audax captains to tackle the Endless Mountains au libre.  CJ made an album of photos from the start of the event.          

The Johnson City first overnight was located at Traditions at the Glen, a historic mansion and golf retreat that has catered to impressive celebrities such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Bing Crosby.  This time it was staffed by volunteers Jim Bondra and Chris Simser, who catered to equally impressive randonneurs traveling there long distances on their bikes, rather than on chauffeur driven limousines. 

 Riders leaving before dawn from the Johnson City overnight. It was lightly raining.

The second and third overnights located in Lewisburg, PA, were staffed by Steve and Susan Schoenfelder, who prepared four distinct and excellent home-cooked meals for the riders, as they managed the logistics of the sleep control with little rest for themselves over 48+ hours. 

Road angels Len Zawodniak and Bill Slabonik provided on-road neutral support and helped the organizer monitor the progress of riders, continuously checking that everyone was safe. This was critical between "the goat" and "the J", a luncheonette, and a rural truckstop that delimit the ends of the tough Endless Mountains section.  Randonneuring is about self sufficiency, but a grand brevet that crosses difficult, sparsely populated terrain, such as the Endless Mountains, requires some on-road support and rider monitoring by trusted, experienced road-angels so that the RBA can attain some calm. 

The excellent finish food was catered by volunteers Sean Martin and Brad Layman.  Brad also organized a 300K brevet that finished along side the EMLB. Maybe someday a few of those 300K riders will qualify to ride the Endless Mountains -- oh wait! Indeed an EMLB veteran, Ben Keenan was seen finishing the 300, as did another EMLB veteran, 300K organizer and prerider, Brad Layman. 

In alphabetical order, the main EMLB volunteers were. 

CJ Arayata – 🚴 Audax lieutenant

James Bondra – 🏨 Johnson City Overnight

Eric Keller – 🍖 Doan's Bones Barbecue control staff

Brad Layman – 🍴 Philly finish control staff and food

Nick Manta – 🚴 Audax lieutenant

Sean Martin – 🥤 Ginger Ale and Control Assistant

Chris Nadovich – 📦 Organizer, Start Control, Drop Bags, medals, and swag

Jakob Piven – 🚴 Audax captain

Steve and Susan Schoenfelder – 🏨 Lewisburg Overnights and food

Chris Simser – 🏨 Johnson City Overnight and scouting

Bill Slabonik – 🛣️ On-route support Night 1 and Day 2

Len Zawodniak – 🛣️ On-route support Night 1

The above list does not include many other supporters and well wishers, such as Pam Wright who assisted the road captains at the Audax start and stood ready to assist on course, and Rick Lentz who hung out in Blairstown cheering the riders as they stopped at Dale's Market.  We should also remember the paid staffs at the various hotels, people who went a bit above and beyond their jobs to help us.  It's always very humbling to me to receive all this great support from so many folks.  Thank them when you see them. 

 

Audax volunteers Nick, CJ, and Jakob

 

The weather situation for the 2025 edition of the Endless Mountains might have been one of the best ever. The EM has often seen Endless cold and rainy days and nights, but this year temperatures remained moderate and rain was limited. High 70s during the day, Mid 60s at night. There was a good bit of rain on Thursday, but the rest of the event was relatively rain free. Wind this year was never a significant factor, even in the Lancaster valley.  All in all decent riding weather. 

There was a harrowing moment for Spencer Carran as he rode toward the third overnight control. Spencer was accosted by some crazy locals in a pickup truck. They buzzed him several times, then laid in wait to ambush him. Fortunately an armed local noticed the attack and stood with Spencer till the police arrived. There were no injuries, other than Spencer being a bit terrified. Of course, the tough randonneur that he is, Spencer quickly shrugged off the incident, made up the lost time, and finished the Endless Mountains with a smile on his face.

EMLB finisher Spencer safe and sound at the finish

Patricia and Frederic Brault came all the way from France with plans to ride the Endless Mountains together. Unfortunately, technology failed Patricia, as her Di2 rear derailleur died less than 25 K into the ride -- just past Cadence Cycles in Manayunk -- leaving Patricia stranded on the side of the road before 5AM with no way to fix her bike.   In an amazing bit of luck, randonneur Matt McLoone was working at Cadence that morning. Matt had a spare Di2 derailleur in a parts bin and repaired Patricia's bike in less that 5 minutes. Patricia decided she would rather return to the group,  so the organizer transported her to Blairstown, where she continued on with the group and bravely rode almost the entire course with great panache, finishing together with her husband Frederic. 

EMLB veterans Patrica and Frederic Brault

Patricia Brault writes...

There were 15 of us at the starting line, all ready for the adventure. Everything went well at first, and I was riding at around 25 km/h, but after a while, I ran into a serious mechanical issue — a problem with my DI2 electronic derailleur. 

While Frederic continued the ride, I had to look for a bike shop to get the problem fixed. Thankfully, the event organizer was incredibly kind and helpful during this stressful moment.  From a distance, my daughter Camille acted as my interpreter — I do understand English, but in this kind of technical situation, it can get tricky. Thanks to her help communicating with the technicians, I decided to go ahead with the repair. I then rejoined the group by car, knowing that my ride would no longer be officially recognized. That was frustrating, but I chose to keep going anyway. 

Throughout the journey, I got to discover the beautiful American countryside: wide open nature filled with deer, does, and squirrels. We passed through Amish communities riding in horse-drawn buggies, who greeted us warmly, and we saw women working in their gardens. 
The landscape was dotted with large, well-kept farms, immaculate lawns, and — since it was the Halloween season — houses extravagantly decorated with spooky flair, in true American style!  It was an unforgettable ride, although very physically demanding due to all the climbing and elevation.  A big thank-you to everyone who followed, supported, or helped us throughout this adventure. This cycling trip will stay with me forever. 

It was a great honor to have PBP course record holder Nick DeHaan ride our Endless Mountains grand brevet.  And Nick paid us the greatest possible compliment when he suggested that our little bike ride through the rugged PA terrain might've almost been difficult for him. 

Nick DeHaan writes ... 

Toughest grand brevet route I've completed so far. Pennsylvania elevation hits hard 

.

 

Just a routine epic feat for EMLB Finisher Nick DeHaan

Ben and Yonnel looked almost as fresh as Nick at the finish -- almost. 

EMLB Finisher Randy Anderson heads off into the Pennsylvania Dawn on Day 3

EMLB Finisher Josh Brown hits the road at 5:40AM

Some of the food that powered EMLB Finisher John D'elia

EMLB Finisher Kurt Barkei sporting awesome helmet hair

Proud EMLB Finisher Benge Ambrogi 

UPDATE #1: Hawk Mountain 300K Course Notes

UPDATE #1

Apologies for the late change, but I realized that Hennings Market (the control at mile 27) does not open until 7:00 AM. Many riders would arrive there before opening. To avoid issues, I have moved the official control to the nearby Wawa. We’ve used Hennings Market as a control on a 200K in the past, but those rides start later in the morning, so the opening time wasn’t an issue.

RWGPS Route updated as of 2025-09-25 14:40:20 EDT
Cue Sheet Version 12

*If you were looking forward to a stop at Hennings Market, don’t worry - it is still on the route. Just note that the opening time is 7:00 AM and be sure to check into the control at the Wawa first.

________________________________________________________

ORIGINAL POST

The Pennsylvania Randonneurs club is excited to offer a brand new route for a longer September brevet: the Hawk Mountain 300K. I completed a test ride of the route back in June and found it to be in good condition. I won't be able to complete an official pre-ride until Friday, the day before the event, but will share any last-minute updates at the start if needed. For now, here are some notes and reminders:

Riders who have done the Water & Wind 300K will notice a lot of similarities. Hawk Mountain offers a comparable amount of climbing, long stretches of riverside riding, and wide-open mountain views. Both routes also start from Philadelphia, giving this brevet a familiar feel while still providing new scenery and a signature climb.

The biggest difference is that, instead of skirting major climbs by passing through mountain gaps, this route takes you straight over Hawk Mountain. The climb is 2 miles long, averaging 8.2% with just over 800 feet of gain. The summit tops out around 1,300 feet above sea level. Once over the top, the second half of the route is noticeably flatter as it follows the Schuylkill River Valley back toward Philadelphia.

This ride begins well before sunrise, so lights, reflective vests, and ankle straps are required and will be checked at the start.

The RWGPS route was updated as of 2025-09-23 10:37:04 EDT. And the latest cuesheet is Version 11.

Wanamakers General Store control at Mile 77.8; entrance around the back

Food & Controls

• Wanamakers General Store is an excellent place to stop for lunch, with sandwiches and baked goods available, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. It comes a few miles before the big Hawk Mountain climb.
• The next control after the climb is a grocery store with plenty of options, though not as many ready-to-eat meals.
• Take note of the additional refueling stops marked on the RWGPS route. Controls are well-spaced, but a little planning will go a long way.

The Auburn SRT Bridge at Mile 101. This bridge, which opened in Nov 2023, made this route possible without having to climb back over the mountain.

Start & Finish Logistics

The start is at Cadence Cycling Center Manayunk at 5:00 AM, and the finish is at Chamounix Mansion (cutoff 1:00 AM Sunday).

If you’re driving, please park at the start (away from the businesses). It’s an easy ride back from Chamounix to Cadence. Parking at Chamounix during the ride is not recommended.

I’ll be happy to carry small drop bags from the start to the finish for anyone interested. I’ll be at the start by 4:00 AM to check riders in.

Post-Ride at Chamounix Mansion

Dinner will be provided at the finish. Our 1234K event (which is already underway!) is also concluding there at the same time, so stick around for food and camaraderie.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday for what should be a beautiful day of riding.

Brad Layman
Event Organizer

Rusty Rail 200K Ride Report

 Three intrepid randonneurs pedaled 127 miles and climbed over 9,500 feet to meet the challenge that is the Rusty Rail 200K brevet.  All finished well below the time limit for a 100% completion rate.  Here are some photographs from that spectacular September day:

Gerry Racing Past the Corn

Kostiantyn Ascends Jacks Mountain

Haroon Climbing Jacks

Ulsh Gap Climb

Gerry Motors Up Jacks

Jacks Mountain Looms in the Background

Gerry Leaves Ulsh Gap Behind

First Finisher Arrives at the Rusty Rail

Endless Mountains Liberty Bell 2025 -- Course Notes *** UPDATE 1

Update 1 ***

I've learned that the Dingmans Ferry bridge will possibly be open on the day of the Endless Mountains. You reach this bridge at mile 126.3 of the route. Since I can't know for sure that the bridge will be open day-of, I've NOT updated the route.  The latest cues remain version 6. If you follow the current, official route you go straight across Dingman's Tpk, passing by the bridge, continue on Old Mine Road, cross the Del at the 206 bridge, on through the town of Milford PA with many replenishment options, and climb the Allegheny Front on Sawkill,  a somewhat less steep road. On the other hand,  Dingman's Bridge is pretty cool and the route up the Front on Raymondskill Rd is about 3 miles shorter. Bottom line, if you don't need to stop in town and want the shorter, steeper, quieter way that crosses a neat bridge, at mile 126.3 (assuming the bridge is open) turn left and use the Dingman's Short Cut. 

 Original POST***

A pre-drive of the course was accomplished Sept 10-11 by RBA Chris Nadovich. The following post combines those observations with notes from 2024 made by Pat Gaffney and Brad Layman. 

These notes have been incorporated into version 6 of the official route that has a link to the RWGPS data last modified 2025-09-12 17:30:52 EDT.  You should carefully study the cue sheet that is available on the the official route info page and carry a paper copy (or at least a PDF on your phone). Refer to it!  It's OK if you mostly use your GPS for navigation, but the cue sheet contains important notes, including safety warnings that might not display on your particular GPS. Many cues have comments about nearby available services and riding strategy. Our volunteers have spent many hours curating this route and compiling detailed cues. Use their work to your advantage. Ignore the cuesheet at your peril. Don't ride blindly with only GPS.

The RWPGS file is larger than many GPS units can handle. The following are unofficial partial routes Day1, Day2, Day3, and Day4.  These are for your convenience, based on Version 6. If there are last minute course changes we may not have the time to update these unofficial partial routes, so be aware and check the website often. Always carry a cue sheet of the latest version.  

Course Notes

The course is very difficult, especially day1. If you have trouble, don't despair. It's not you. Keep riding. Many people hit their darkest times when they enter the namesake Endless Mountains region at around mile 166-210. It doesn't matter if you have to walk -- keep moving. If you have one goal for this event, it should be to get through this soul sucking section and arrive intact at the Flying J truck stop at mile 211.3 or so. When you see the Golden Arches through the notch in the trees as you summit that last climb, you've made it!  Land at the "J".  Eat something. Take a shower. Have a nap.  

If you make it through those difficult miles to the Flying J, you will FLY on in relative ease to the first overnight.  Then, if you somehow get your ass back on the bike day 2,  you'll almost certainly finish the whole damn thing. 

Road Closures and Construction

Based on our scouting and experience, generally speaking the course is in good shape and you should be able to get through everywhere without bonus miles. That said, closures on Pennsylvania roads appear and disappear daily.  You should never enter an area illegally or ride where it is unsafe. Get off your bike to walk, or go another way. 

Old Mine Rd (mi 112) is the oldest road still in use in the country. Dating back beyond before the US was founded, this road has been long in need of repair -- but seems to be forever ignored by it's federal caretakers (blame the George Washington administration, I guess).  Nevertheless, this road travels through beautiful countryside along the Delaware and is worth savoring. It's home to diverse wildlife, including many black bears. Old Mine Road is fun to explore. The bears won't bother you but the potholes could swallow a grizzly, so pay attention -- especially on descents. Even the smaller descents have wheel-pretzeling-ditches hidden on them. There's a "closed" section (noted in the cuesheet) blocked of with concrete barriers. You should be able to carry over the barriers and continue without issue, but do be careful. Look out for debris, potholes, and animals.

The Dingman's Ferry bridge (mi 126) is a gem -- and one of the few bridges across the Delaware you can legally ride. Unfortunately, it's often closed for maintenance and now seems to be one of those times. We don't believe it will be open so the cuesheet routes with a detour using even more of Old Mine Road, a bit of 206/209, and Sawkill Rd that climbs the Allegheny front in an equivalently "scenic" way as did the Dingmans route. This detour (and others) add some bonus miles making the total distance 1245K -- with cutoff time correspondingly increased (92 hours, 33 minutes). 

The Traditions Hotel  for the first overnight in Johnson City is a fascinating place with a lot of history. Built in the 1900’s as a private residence, it has been an IBM Homestead and a destination for notable figures of the 20th century including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bing Crosby, Wernher von Braun and noted golf greats like Ben Hogan, Patty Berg and Sam Snead. Oh, and by the way: it's on top of a big ass hill. 

General thoughts shared from Pre-ride                    

Here's how Brad and Pat described the days from 2024, roughly the same as this year.                    

• Day 1 is a long one with a lot of climbing. Expect a late arrival at the overnight hotel. Mile 166 to 210 is a particularly difficult stretch with several steep climbs. The last 28 miles are flat.                               
• Day 2 is pleasant with long flat and downhill sections. The stretch from  Towanda to Liberty has some tough exposed climbs that add up. Once you get to Liberty, there is a nice, long gradual descent to McConnell's General  Store. The last 20 miles of the day are downhill and go by quickly.             
• Day 3 is a blast. The climbs are tough but there are only four. We took advantage of the shorter day with a relaxed meal at the Rusty Rail Brewery. Note that it closes at 8pm. Easy 9 mile ride back to the hotel.     
• Day 4 has a lot of shorter hills and exposed terrain. Last 20 miles on the  SRT will go by quickly. Pat said we went "from endless mountains to endless hills" and that was spot-on.                                                    

Each day ends with a relatively easy and quick ~20 miles.               

 

     

 

   

Rusty Rail 200K Pre-ride Report 2025

I pedalled the Rusty Rail 200K on a spectacular September 7th day and found the journey to be as stunning and challenging as ever. There is a minor deviation in the course in the village of Spring Mills at mile 94.5 due to the bridge replacement on School Street. This detour will NOT be incorporated into the cue sheet or GPS navigation, so please be prepared to follow the SCHOOL STREET DETOUR signs until you reach the stop sign at the end of Water Street, where a LEFT TURN will put you back on course at Long Street. There lies a church converted into a martial arts studion across from the aforementioned stop sign: your prompt to take a LEFT TURN, and depart from the SCHOOL STREET DETOUR

Map of School Street Detour in Spring Mills

Follow these signs in Spring Mills

Take a LEFT at the stop sign, leaving the detour and you are back on course

The eBrevet App, the most significant technological advance since the lunar module, performed flawlessly on my iPhone during the ride.  If you have evolved beyond writing in the dirt with a stick and possess a smart phone, I STRONGLY recommend that you download this app and use it to record your passage on the ride.  Whoever the hell created this app deserves national recognition in my opinion.

Bonne Route!

Steven Schoenfelder

PA Grand Canyon Ride Report

 What a difference a year can make.

Photo by Jim Vreeland

The 2024 running of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon 200k was fraught with issues.  A major storm had caused extensive flooding along the Pine Creek in July of 2024.  This flood destroyed the Carsontown Bridge along the Little Pine Creek resulting in a reroute of the course on less than interesting roads back to Jersey Shore.

The situation didn’t get better on ride day in 2024 as another storm dumped over an inch of rain on riders shortly after the start, turning the gravel roads into various stages of peanut butter and raising the water levels to a point where a motorist warned riders not to attempt fording the stream at Babb Creek.

Fortunately, 2025 was entirely different.  The gravel was dry and fast, the bridges had been fixed, we were back to the original course and riders barely got their feet wet at Babb Creek.

Babb Creek at a manageable height (Photo by Jim Vreeland)

All 8 riders completed the course in good time for a 100% completion rate.  Ride results have been posted to the website, please review and advise if their are any inaccuracies.

Both first (Jim Vreeland) and second (Erin Fulton) riders crushed the course record and other than a little dust and worms on the bikes, thetir day couldn’t have been better.

David Stango completed his first ever brevet. Welcome to randonneuring, David. Be warned that the weather or the scenery might not be quite as nice in the future.  

All riders agree that the section from Babb Creek (mile 72) to Liberty (mile 88) are the most difficult.  The number and proximity of paved and gravel climbs on this section are a challenge for any rider.  Fortunately, after the Control in Liberty, the remaining 35 miles are basically downhill; this gives riders time to rest, recover and forget about the pain in their legs so they do not inflict damage on the ride organizer at the finish.

As we were enjoying a post ride beverage and discussing the day’s events, I learned that we were in the company of some very accomplished trail runners.  Unbeknown to me, our ride coincided with the Eastern States 100 Trail Race which was completed in 2016 by first time randonneur David Stango.  I later learned that rider Joe Galioto has run in The Barkley Marathons (I believe he makes a cameo appearance in this movie).  I’m happy these two discovered that 200k on a bike is a lot easier than 160k of running.     

While waiting for the very happy riders at the bottom of Colton Point, I even made a new friend:

What great day indeed!!!

Pa Grand Canyon 200k Pre Ride Notes

 

On 8/1 under sunny skies and incredibly beautiful conditions, the ride organizer completed a ride/drive of the course.  I’m pleased to announce that the unfortunate modifications to the route in 2024 will not be required as the bridges along Little Pine Creek have been repaired after the flooding we experienced last summer.  The route has been updated on the website and will remain unchanged (barring a natural disaster).  Please make sure you are using cue sheet version 3 dated 8/1/2025.

Overall, the route is in excellent condition.  Note that there is very limited cell phone coverage and somewhat limited services.  Although there is a restroom at the ride start, it is sometimes locked in the morning.

Specific issues/notes follow:

Mile 4.9 and 12.2 – Two short sections of 1 lane road due to construction.  The road is narrow, wait for the temporary traffic light.

Mile 27.2/Control – Wolf’s General Store has excellent breakfast sandwiches and they generally make them fairly quickly.  While you’re waiting, head down stairs and check out their excellent fly fishing department.

Mile 45 – There are some sections of Painter Letonia Rd that have received some fresh gravel, it’s not terrible but there are some areas where the gravel is deep/loose

Mile 53 – After you enjoy the beautiful view at the Colton Point Lookout, you’ll have a very twisty descent.   There are generally oncoming cars and these drivers are often looking at the beautiful scenery and not at the road.   Stay in your lane, take it slow and keep a sharp eye for knuckleheads.

Mile 57/Control 3 – The Burnin’ Barrel does not open until 12:00, I’ll be there with water but not much else.  You can get food at the general store in Stony Fork at mile 64.6

Mile 59 – Bear Crossing

Mile 72.6 – The annual “fording of the stream” should be less “interesting” than last year.  The water is currently only about 12” deep.  The stream bottom has some sharp rocks; although I’ve done it barefooted in the past, footwear is highly recommended.

It was a little deeper last year:

Mile 87.5 – After leaving the Exxon control, there is a section of Rte. 414 which is closed for construction.  Fortunately, they have kept the sidewalk open for pedestrians and I was assured today that it would remain open next Saturday.  Do not attempt to ride this, dismount and walk on the sketchy sidewalk.

Mil 103.3 – Sadly, the English Center suspension bridge has been removed (although you can still see some remnants of it).  A new (ugly and boring) bridge has been installed. 

 

Hawk's Nest Bushkill Falls Ride Report

It's been a few years since we've offered a 200K that flies across the Hawk's Nest. In the past, this was a mid-summer staple, as the routing through the Upper Delaware region tends to be a few degrees cooler than elsewhere.  Even on the hottest days, the riding up there is tolerable. And ironically, despite the 1000 foot climb up the Allegheny Front,  the detour climb to Glen Spey via Eldred (El Dread!) and the infamous OMR climb, this course always seems to allow rather fast times. 

Hawk's Nest starters. (Photo by prerider volunteer Mike Riley)

The 2025 Hawk's Nest (Bushkill approach) saw eighteen riders clip in, and all 18  finished  in the permitted time, for a 100% completion rate. Outstanding! Congratulations to all.  Results for the results for event have been posted on the website and will be submitted to RUSA after review.  Please check your result and let me know if anything doesn't align with your recollections.

A lucky weather window graced us on Saturday for this event. Friday was super hot with some violent storms, Sunday was rainy, but Saturday was about as good as Pennsylvania gets in late July. Riders mentioned some heavy humidity and fog in the morning, and a few riders complained of heat cramps in the afternoon, but generally the temperatures were survivable, and might have even been almost pleasant for the heat acclimated in the group.

It was the first ever brevet for Dianna Lee, welcome to randonneuring. You picked a good one to start with.  Mike Osborne rode his first PA brevet, welcome to PA Rando.

There were numerous unique wildlife sightings by riders, including reports of Black Bears, a fox, and even some kind of large bobcat (yikes!) Less interesting creatures were the gnats swarming the riders as they grinded up the Old Mine Road climb. 

Andreas, I guess you DO have to be faster than the bear

 Of course, most of these sightings were on Old Mine Road -- the oldest active road in the USA -- which runs through a very remote section of the Upper Delaware. As this road runs through the federal park as NPS615,  the park service has been repairing parts of it. But other sections seem to have been untouched since the Washington administration installed the potholes. 

 

Not much auto traffic to worry about on this section of Old Mine Rd

Mike Riley scouted the course and ran an excellent start control.  Thank you Mike.  Volunteer Rob DePaolis set up a much needed water stop at the 402/US6 fireworks control. Many riders said that this water was a lifesaver on the warm day in such a remote location.  PA Randonneur Emeritus Super Supreme, Bill Olsen, staffed the finish for the early hours, before the RBA took over for the final finishers.  Thank you to the day-of volunteers for making events like this possible.

Hawk's Nest and Bushkill Falls 200K PreRide Notes

Mike Riley completed a pre-ride of the Hawk's Nest Bushkill Falls 200K on July 21. He reports that the course remains in good condition  The latest route cuesheet is Version 4 and the GPS route was last updated on 2025-07-22 10:45:20 EDT. Make sure you have the latest versions of everything. Follow the link above for the latest cues and RWGPS link.

Mike's Course Notes...

I completed the preride of the Hawks Nest & Bushkill Falls 200k on Monday July 21. This was a ride I was very excited about once I saw it pop up on the event list, when the opportunity in my schedule allowed me to preride and volunteer I jumped. 

 

The tone for the ride is set right away as you leave the start at the park and ride. Well maintained roads meander along woods, rivers, and cute cabins. Be aware that although the roads are mostly debris free and in good shape, there is almost no shoulder to ride in. Drivers were courteous and gave plenty of space the entire course.

The climbs begin almost immediately and I found them to be steady but not leg crushing climbs the elevation chart led me to believe. At mile 9.5 the cue sheet warns of pot holes and a mossy road, I found the descent to be a little slippery so take care. A bathroom at the Bushkill Meeting Visitors Center is about a mile up. A steady climb with a limited shoulder brings you to Control 2, an info control, continue on 9 more miles until your next turn.

The Pickerel Inn at mile 24.5 is your first resupply stop and your last one for sometime. They have great food and sandwiches. Continue on with some ups and downs, passing Big D's fireworks, control 3 is further down the road at a blinking light, another info control.

Leaving control 3 begins my favorite part of the route. Once on Kimbles Rd I really took in the beauty of the area. Turning on to Tow Path Rd I felt like any point would be a great spot for a photoshoot for an LL Bean catalog. Fisherman, rafters, tubers, all enjoying the river. At mile 50.4 , you come upon the Rowland Co-Op Market, a cute spot to resupply, your first resupply since the The Pickerel. Once again, inside seating and hotfood as well as some grab and go is available. At mile 54 there is a park with a field house with bathrooms and The Twin Rivers Deli. The Roebling Bridge is also photoshoot worthy, and more bathrooms. From here a nice level ride continues past some camp stores, a few restaurants, and views of the river.

Once you enter Barryville you will make a left and begin a long steady climb into the 4th Control. Once again the climb is steady but not crushing. I had a good meal at The Corner, an ice cream and luncheonette, Pecks Grocery is across the street and is another option to resupply. The steady climbs continues for a bit more but you'll be treated to a nice descent soon enough.

When approaching Hawks Nest and the lookout be sure to own your lane. There are a number of safe spots to pull over and take some pictures and enjoy the view.

Closing in to Control 5 you'll pass some field houses with bathrooms. These were locked during the preride but the Riverside Creamery control is just ahead. Like the Corner, they have more than just ice cream, a great refuel spot. Just up the road, just off course, & across the tracks is a Burger King and other shops to resupply should you choose. From here resupply options are very limited.

At mile 88.5 you cross 206 and begin riding on Old Mine Rd. This is a busy intersection and the road begins to get chunky. Be cautious especially on descents.

Control 5, The Hainesville General Store is a photo control as the store is closed for remodel. There are resources available within 2 miles North on 206 should you need them.

Following the route, you will be passing a road closed sign that you ignore. The sign says the road is closed in 2 miles, but the barriers you climb over are well past that. You can sneak by them to the right, but if you have a ride partner to help go over, it makes it much easier. From here a casual decent to the climb of the day.

The climb up Old Mine Rd is a classic, and one I have yet to stay in the saddle for. Yep, I admit it, walked up a portion on this attempt as well. Millbrook Village awaits at the top with bathrooms, water and a welcomed rest in the shade.

With difficult climbing behind you'll encounter a few punchy hills with some mixed surfaces on the descent. The scenery is amazing here and the amount of greenery is impressive. You'll approach a lone red light as the road become singleway traffic. Wait for the green and enjoy a fast downhill to the bridge back to PA. A photo opportunity of the state line awaits on the bridge. From here you are only a few turns away from the finish control.

The finish control has plenty of outdoor seating to recap your ride with the other riders or lookout and cheer for those behind you. It's an easy .3 mile ride back to the park and ride from here.

I will urge you to review the cue sheet. The cue sheet has a number of tips and advice.

I look forward to seeing you at the start!