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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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