Tscheschter Kaundi 200K Course Notes

Travis Berry and Sean Martin completed a pre-ride of the Tscheschter Kaundi 200K on Friday, May 1. They reported a clear route with no detours needed, always good news heading into event day.

Sean Martin in Tscheschter Kaundi (photo by Travis Berry)

Both Travis and Sean will be volunteering during the ride, so if you see them out there, be sure to thank them for taking the time to scout the course and share these notes.

The RWGPS and cue sheet did not need updated. Both can be found here.

Rough Road Caution

The route rolls out through West Philadelphia using bike lanes, but riders should stay alert for trolley tracks, especially at intersections. Call these out to riders behind you when possible. The good news: since this section comes early in the ride, traffic should be relatively light in the morning hours.

There is another section of rough pavement on Hollow Road around miles 93 to 94, just after passing the Butterscotch Pastry Shop (which some riders may remember from last month’s 162K). The right side of the lane is in particularly rough shape. This section is on a downhill gradient, so expect to carry some speed. Stay alert and scan the road surface ahead. Watch for cars and do not hesitate to take the lane when needed for safety. Most of the Saturday afternoon traffic here is headed to/from the pastry shop, so drivers are generally not in a rush.

Postal Control in Christiana (Approx. Mile 63)

There is a postal control in Christiana, roughly the halfway point of the ride. At the start, you’ll receive a stamped and addressed postcard along with your brevet card. Simply drop the postcard in the blue mailbox outside the post office.

If you’re so inclined, feel free to write a note or sketch something before sending it off—it’s part of the tradition.

Important: There is no convenience store at this control.

• The Whip Tavern (around mile 51; marked on RWGPS) has a water bottle filling station and bike tools located on the side of the restaurant, next to the parking lot. Cyclists are welcome to stop and use them.
• An Amish market is located a few miles before Christiana at mile 57 (marked on RWGPS)
• The next convenience store is a Turkey Hill at mile 78 (marked on RWGPS)

Plan your refueling accordingly.

Travis Berry pauses for a photo with the Giant Sequoia in Tyler Arboretum (photo by Sean Martin)

Control & Route Updates

A couple of small adjustments have been made to improve the overall flow of the ride. Each change was made before the pre-rides, so no updates needed to the RWGPS file or cues heet. 

• A Wawa in Dilworthtown (mile 31) has been added as a control. This is a good opportunity to refuel before a stretch with limited options.
• The approach into Phoenixville has been updated. The previous route used Kimberton Rd, PA-23, and Bridge Street. These are roads that tend to get quite busy in the afternoon. The new route follows quieter roads and connects to a section of the Schuylkill River Trail into downtown Phoenixville.
• This change makes for a calmer and more enjoyable finish, but it does mean we skip the Phoenixville Wawa.
• The Wawa in Ludwigs Corner (mile 89) is the last convenience store directly on the route before Phoenixville. There are several refueling options once you reach downtown, though the closest convenience stores will require a short detour off-route.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. Ride smart, stay fueled, and look out for one another. See you at the 7 AM start!