Fall Classic Ride Report: Covered Bridges 200K & Tabora 145K

The Pennsylvania Randonneurs gathered on Saturday, October 17, for our annual Fall Classic rides, featuring the Covered Bridges 200K and Tabora Fall Classic 145K. Both routes took riders through the scenic roads of Bucks County, where fall colors were beginning to emerge and Halloween decorations were on full display.

Sean Martin (photo by Kostia Maistrenko)

The morning started out a little wet and chilly, but fortunately the showers tapered off by the time riders were on the road. A cold front had moved through the region overnight. The bigger weather challenge turned out to be a stiff wind out of the north, giving riders a persistent headwind for much of the first half of their journeys. The reward, of course, was a more favorable wind on the return toward Philadelphia.

Riders pause at the van Sandt Covered Bridge (photo by CJ Arayata)

Halloween decorations at Peddler's Village (photo by CJ Arayata)

Halloween was in the air throughout the day, with riders reporting an impressive assortment of decorations along the routes. The 145K riders passed through Lahaska, where Peddler's Village was bustling with its fall festivities. Both routes also encountered a busy Main Street in Manayunk, where the neighborhood's Fall Festival was in full swing. 

Kostia welcomes riders with fresh coffee and borscht (photo by Maria Thompson)

One of the highlights of the 200K was the staffed control at Tinicum Park, where club member Kostia Maistrenko generously volunteered his time and treated riders to a homemade pot of borscht. Kostia put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into preparing the control, and his hospitality was greatly appreciated by everyone who stopped by. He truly set a high bar for what a staffed control can be. The soup was a huge hit, with riders talking about it for the rest of the day. Unfortunately, the 145K riders missed out on this culinary experience. Yours truly, who rode the shorter route, spent much of the afternoon wishing we had arranged the staffed control somewhere both routes could enjoy it. A lesson for next year!

Borscht!

Of course, the 200K riders had to earn their borscht. Shortly after leaving Tinicum Park, they faced some of the most formidable climbs in Bucks County, including Uhlerstown Hill, Kintner Road, and Buckwampom Road. These steep climbs provided plenty of challenges, especially after battling the headwind earlier in the day.

Maria Thompson and Kate Sparacio (photo by Kostia Maistrenko)

The 145K riders were spared the biggest hills but still got a taste of Bucks County's steep terrain on the way to Tabora Farm & Orchard. The orchard provided a welcome opportunity to refuel before the final stretch back toward Philadelphia.

Kate Sparacio celebrated her birthday with a ride on the Covered Bridges 200K! Pictured here with Woody, Erik, and Maria. Happy birthday, Kate! (photo by CJ Arayata)

Both rides concluded at Wissahickon Brewing Company, where riders gathered to relax, enjoy some food and drinks, and exchange stories from the road. Despite the early rain, challenging winds, and plenty of climbing, spirits were high as everyone celebrated another fun and rewarding day on the bike.

Photo by Daniel Love

The Fall Classic was also a day of many firsts! Congratulations to Bryan Baldwin, Jacob Colker, Leila Paltrowitz, and Emilio Weber on completing their first brevets, and to Hiroki Amano, Meghan Dinneen, and Shawn Chavez on completing their first PA Rando brevets. On the populaire, Kelly Haggerty and Daniel Love completed their first rando events, while Maxie Ehrlich and Shevaughn Lake joined us for their first PA Rando events. A special congratulations goes to Joe Galioto, who completed his first Super Randonneur Series with this ride! Although it wasn't a Pennsylvania Randonneurs SR Series, completing the full series is a significant achievement and one worth celebrating. Congratulations to everyone on these milestones, and we hope to see you on many more rides!

A big thank you to Kostia Maistrenko for his wonderful hospitality at Tinicum Park, to Sayantan Khan and Jasen Lo for helping with the ride starts, and to Pat Gaffney for staffing the finish at the brewery. Also, a big thank you to Matt McLoone and Brady from Cadence Cycling for opening the shop restroom at the start of each ride. And, of course, thanks to all the riders who came out to enjoy a beautiful autumn day in Bucks County!

Tabora Farm & Orchard (photo by Maria Thompson)

Maria Thompson writes...

Thanks to all the ride organizers for another terrific brevet. I woke up to pouring rain and arrived at the start in full rain gear, but it cleared before we began riding and we settled into a blustery October morning with gray skies that highlighted the fall colors. After trading pulls with Sean Martin through headwinds until New Hope, I linked up with birthday pal Kate Sparacio for the rest of the day. We spent the miles gawking at the leaves and rehashing highlights and lessons from the spring SR series. The peak of the day was the Tinicum controle, where we pulled up to Konstatin brewing espresso over a fire and slinging borscht and paydays. The cold kept us from dawdling but the hot food was just what we needed to power through the nonstop climbing to come. In three consecutive years of Covered Bridges, this was by far the best one. 

Shawn Chavez writes...

What a great way to out test my climbing legs while soaking up all the beauty of Bucks County; the best possible intro to the fall, while making new friends all the while. PA Randonneurs are so welcoming!

Joe Galioto writes...

Thanks for hosting the ride this weekend - it was a great ride and a special one for me. Last month, I completed a 400k, the last in my quest to complete an SR Series. However, when I submitted my results, I learned that the 200k I completed in July, The Welsh Tract Wanderer, wasnt an ACP ride, so I technically didnt complete the SR. I thought I was out of luck - but then I looked at your calendar and saw the Covered Bridges Classic and thought, bingo, that's the one for me. Aside from it being an ACP ride, it is special for me because one of the first organized rides I did with my son was a charity ride that visited many of the same covered bridges we rode through on Saturday. So, while riding, I had flashbacks of warm memories. 

I enjoyed Saturday's ride very much. I couldn't believe how windy it was, but I am glad that we all survived it just fine. 

I'm feeling pretty good having officially completed my first official SR Series!

CJ Arayata writes...

Thanks all for another "fun" one! Really got my money's worth on a full-value day. Upside: lots of great fall colors, quiet roads (Fleecy Dale!!), and the pleasure of riding with basically the entire field at various parts of the day. The downs: not having quite the right bag snacks, the winds throughout the day, and not carrying that emergency layer for eating outside at Tabora. The cherry on top was a screw through my tire right before entering Manayunk, but nothing a dollar bill couldn’t solve. The highlight was the combined finish: meeting lots of new folks on their first events, cheering on 200k finishers, and celebrating Kate’s birthday with lots of pumpkin pie!! Special thanks to birthday crew Erik, Woody, and Maria for making sure there was enough pie and whipped cream for the class.

Matt McLoone writes...

I actually like this as a fall route as it wends it way around bucks county with beautiful autumnal scenes. But the true highlight of the ride was the Borscht supplied by Kostiantyn. So good!!!

Ben Keenan writes...

Thanks to Pat, Sayantan, Kosti, Brad and all volunteers for organizing this ride.  It was a great day of October riding.  The succession of hills between Tinicum and Knecht’s Bridge is classic PA riding and as hard as it gets.  Also as beautiful. Kosti, thanks a million for the control at Tinicum.  The borscht was the best!

Jasen Lo writes...

Thanks to the organizers and volunteers for making the Fall Classic happen! I've never ridden a brevet so late in the year, and I must say I was charmed by the fall surroundings, the spooky decor, and the awe-inspiring foliage. I still had a fixed-gear century on my bucket list for the year, and despite not specifying whether that was a metric or imperial distance, I figured the Fall Classic might be one of the last days of the year I could attempt something like this. The populaire had one or two steep inclines—especially the one up Tabora Farms that I had to walk—but the route was mostly rolling hills, and a 46x17 gear ratio was perfect for the majority of the ride. I came away learning a lot about fixed-gear riding, such as remaining calm on spinny descents and understanding how to pace myself while maintaining momentum up tough climbs. I have a newfound admiration for riders like Greg Lang who regularly cover serious distances and elevation profiles on fixed gears.

I was also particularly gladdened to meet and ride with some new randonneurs like Daniel and Kelly. It's great to see the club continue to grow and encompass a wide range of different types of riders. I hope to see many of them in the coming riding season. It's a testament to the efforts of RBA Brad Layman, his predecessors, and veteran randonneurs like CJ Arayata for introducing this discipline of cycling to many of us in the club.

Cameron O'Mara writes...

Thanks for the fantastic route and friendly, welcoming vibes throughout! While the cold winds made for a tougher day than expected, the scenery and company kept me going.  

Photo by CJ Arayata

Check out more photos here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ARjhd2iCktSbgWdq6

We hope to see everyone again for our final two 200Ks of the year in November and December. Up next is the Crankin’ 200K on November 7, where riders will have an opportunity to give back by supporting Philabundance. Then, on December 5, we'll wrap up the season with the Oley Valley & Hopewell Furnace 200K, followed by the club's holiday soirée, generously hosted by fellow club member Peter Eby at Chez Eby. Everyone is welcome to join the holiday festivities, whether you're riding or not! We hope you'll join us for one or both of these events as we close out another great year of randonneuring!

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

Course Notes: Covered Bridges 200K & Tabora Fall Classic 145K

Our Fall Classic rides are almost here! A big thank you to Pat Gaffney, Sayantan Khan, and Kostia Maistrenko for scouting out the Covered Bridges Fall Classic 200K, and to Oleksiy Guslyakov for scouting out the Tabora Fall Classic 145K. Their pre-ride reports have provided some helpful information for riders heading out this Saturday.

The pre-riders reported that fall colors are beginning to emerge across the Bucks County landscape. We're hoping another week will bring even more vibrant foliage for ride day!

Sayantan checks in on eBrevet (photo by Kostia Maistrenko)

Both routes feature some beautiful scenery, quiet country roads, and plenty of climbing. Fortunately, both courses have most of their climbing concentrated in the middle, giving riders a chance to warm up before the hills and enjoy a somewhat easier return to Philadelphia.

As always, please review the cues carefully before the ride, paying particular attention to any alerts noted by the pre-riders. The most important safety cues are labeled "Danger" and begin with "CAUTION:". Be sure to read these closely and exercise extra care at these locations. 

The Covered Bridges route was updated as of 2026-10-13 11:30:07 EDT and the cuesheet is Version 2. The Tabora 145K route was updated as of 2026-10-13 11:41:54 EDT and the cuesheet is Version 2. Be sure to have the updated route loaded on your device.

A Reminder About Parking: Riders driving to the start should park away from the businesses and use the back row of parking spaces closest to Main Street. We want to be considerate of the businesses that share the lot. If you're unsure where to park, our club volunteers will be happy to help direct you.

Covered Bridges Fall Classic 200K

One important consideration for the 200K is that supply options are limited along portions of the route, so plan your food and water accordingly.

The first control is in New Hope, where riders can choose between Starbucks and Dunkin' for a quick stop. From there, the next opportunity to refuel will be at Tinicum Park.

Course Note: This year's Covered Bridges 200K returns to the original 2022 route, including the stretch along Phillips Mill Road from New Hope through Solebury Township. This section was removed in 2023-2025 when the start/finish moved to Chamounix and the route needed to be shortened. With the start/finish back in Manayunk this year, we're able to bring back the original route. Be sure that you are using the most up-to-date route!

Look for club volunteers at Pavilion #2 - directly next to the canal towpath - at the Tinicum Park control (photo by Kostia Maistrenko)

Tinicum Park Control: Kostia, and possibly Oleksiy, will be staffing this control and providing snacks and water. We have reserved Pavilion #2, located directly next to the Delaware Canal towpath. There is a porta-potty at the pavilion, as well as a permanent restroom approximately a quarter mile away.

Be sure to top off your bottles and grab something to eat here, because the real climbing begins shortly after leaving the park. Riders will tackle the infamous Uhlerstown Hill, followed by the climbs up Kintner Rd and Buckwampum Rd. The gates on Uhlerstown Hill are open, so riders will be able to climb without dismounting to navigate around them. However, this also means the road is open to vehicle traffic, so please use caution and be alert for cars.

Zig-zagging on Uhlerstown Hill (photo by Sayantan Khan)

The next opportunity to refuel will be at the Tabora Farm & Orchard control. There are porta-potties located outside the store. This is the last intermediate control before the finish.

Later in the ride, there is also a Wawa at the end of the US-202 Trail. This is not an official control, but it is on the route and provides another opportunity to pick up supplies before the final stretch.

Lights and Reflective Gear Required: With sunrise at approximately 7:15 AM and sunset around 6:15 PM, riders should expect to spend some time riding in the dark, particularly at the start and finish. Front and rear lights, along with reflective gear, are required for all riders. Please come prepared and use your lights whenever visibility is limited.

Tabora Fall Classic 145K

The Tabora Fall Classic offers a shorter route with plenty of the same beautiful Bucks County scenery.

One of the highlights is the stop at the Lumberville General Store, which serves as a control and provides an opportunity to refuel and use the restroom.

A couple of miles farther along the route, riders will climb the beloved Fleecy Dale Road. Note that this road is closed to cars due but open to bikes. Ignore the road closure signs. At the top of the hill is Thyme & Plate, a café that offers another potential stop for anyone looking to take a break and enjoy something to eat or drink.

Like the 200K, the 145K packs much of its climbing into the middle of the course, so pace yourself and save some energy for the hills!

A Note About the US-202 Trail

Both routes use the US-202 Trail on the return toward Philadelphia. It's a welcome break from vehicle traffic, but the numerous road crossings can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to maintain momentum toward the end of a long ride.

Please take your time at intersections, watch carefully for turning vehicles, and cross only when it is safe to do so. A little patience goes a long way here.

Finish at Wissahickon Brewing

Both rides finish at Wissahickon Brewing Company (East Falls), where riders can relax, grab something to eat or drink, and share stories from the road. Volunteers will be set up in the tent on the lefthand side of the brewery. There will also be two food trucks available: 4 Rooosters and Fenimex Mexican.

One important navigational note: You will pass the parking lot used for the start control before reaching the brewery. Don't stop there! The official finish is at the brewery, approximately half a mile farther along the route.

Thanks again to our pre-riders for helping us prepare these courses. We're looking forward to a great day of fall riding in Bucks County and hope to see everyone at the finish!

Ride Report from September 200/300/400

On Saturday, September 19, 46 PA Randonneurs set out from Philadelphia on three distances: the Oxford Odyssey 200K, Lancaster Loop 300K, and Hex Country 400K. All three routes shared the same opening miles before gradually branching off, giving riders the chance to choose anything from a full day on the bike to a journey stretching well into the night. 

Riders shared the roads with Amish horse carriages throughout the day (photo by Josh Grossman)

And we could hardly have asked for a better day for it.

After a summer that gave us plenty of heat, humidity, storms, and other challenges, Saturday offered nearly ideal late-summer riding weather. Comfortable temperatures, a mix of clouds and sunshine, and the first hints of fall made it the kind of day when it was easy to simply enjoy being outside on a bicycle.

Ben Keenan summed up the feeling perfectly:

Thanks Brad, Pat, Dan, Iwan and all other volunteers for organizing these rides. The 300K course was a beautiful and challenging new route and we had a perfect late summer day. A longer ride at this time of year always somehow feels like a bonus and I half expect someone to tap me on the shoulder and tell me riding season ended a while ago.

Nick Manna selfie

Of the 10 starters, including a pre-rider, 9 riders successfully completed the Hex Country 400K. 17 out of 18 starters, including 3 pre-riders, completed the Lancaster Loop 300K. And 24 out of 25 starters, including 3 pre-riders, completed the Oxford Odyssey 200K.

Tracey Sikora enjoys the odyssey (photo by Matt Altea)

Groups formed almost immediately and became one of the themes of the day. Some stayed together for long stretches, while others split and re-formed as riders settled into their own rhythms. On the longer distances especially, riders who had started among a sizable group sometimes found themselves with just one or two companions many hours later.

Jasen Lo and Zach Rachell team up for a tube change (photo by CJ Arayata)

That camaraderie mattered when things didn't go exactly according to plan. Several riders experienced mechanical issues but were helped by fellow riders.

Runnymede Rd (photo by Kostiantyn Maistrenko)

For the 200K riders, the Oxford Odyssey continued south and west through Chester County toward Oxford and Lincoln University before crossing into Delaware and eventually turning back toward Philadelphia. It was a challenging course, packed with the short, punchy climbs characteristic of the region.

The 300K and 400K riders had considerably more countryside still ahead of them. The Lancaster Loop continued west through Quarryville and into Lancaster County, eventually reaching Ronks and Lititz before beginning the long journey back east.

CJ Arayata stops for a cold drink at Dan Oh's well-supplied control (photo by Dan Oh)

At Warwick Township Park, Dan Oh staffed what turned out to be a particularly welcome control, supplying riders with water and snacks at an important point in the ride. His electric pump even helped one mechanically challenged rider finally get back to proper tire pressure.

The stop earned a special mention from several riders including Ben Keenan:

Special thanks to Dan Oh for running an excellent control and re-supplying riders at Warwick Park. That water and snacks came at a critical time and were much appreciated.

From there, 300K riders continued toward the Hopewell Big Woods and the Schuylkill River Valley before turning toward Philadelphia and Chamounix. For the 400K riders, however, there was still another 100 kilometers of Hex Country waiting.

The route turned north and east into the Oley Valley and Reading Prong, adding another substantial loop before finally pointing riders toward home. By then daylight had faded, temperatures had dropped, and the social dynamics of a long brevet had done their work. The big groups of the morning had become small groups and pairs making their way through the night. Riding together made the experience feel like a shared accomplishment and provided both a sense of security and another perspective when decisions had to be made late in a very long day.

Or, as Sean Rich offered in perhaps the most concise review possible:

A PA 400K is an exercise in beautiful brutality!

Eventually, the remaining riders picked up the Perk and SRT for the final approach to Philadelphia. After hundreds of kilometers of hills, country roads, controls, mechanical problems, food stops, conversations, and tired legs, the lights of Chamounix welcomed the riders back after a beautiful September day.

Michael Reali (left) and Anthony DiNolfo (right) celebrate with Michelle Sun after she completed her first brevet

Congratulations to the following riders who reached a new randonneuring milestone this weekend:

• Savva Babikov — first brevet & first 300K
• Peter Eby — first 400K
• Josh Grossman — first 400K
• Dan Kaminsky — first brevet & first 200K
• Alex Main — first brevet & first 400K
• Matt McLoone — first 400K
• Zach Rachell — first 300K
• Sean Rich — first 400K
• Alex Smith — first 300K
• Michelle Sun — first brevet & first 200K
• Josh Stair — first 300K
• Alex Thompson — first brevet & first 400K

Savva Babikov prepares for the next leg of the journey (photo by CJ Arayata)

And congratulations to the following three riders who completed their 2026 PA Randonneurs Super Randonneur Series with their rides this weekend. Completing an SR Series (finishing a 200K, 300K, 400K, and 600K brevet in a single year) is a significant accomplishment and one of the most prestigious annual riding awards presented by PA Randonneurs.

• Anton Lindberg (2)
• Alexa Ringer
• Kate Sparacio

A special thanks to all the volunteers who made this event happen. Pat Gaffney ran the starts for each event, while Greg Kowal and Woody Felice spent several hours at the finish welcoming riders home. Dan Oh ran the crucial on-course control, and Ben Keenan, Iwan Barankay, Michael Burns, Soph Lofaso, and Sean Rich helped with cleanup at the end of the weekend.

Sayantan Khan taking note of what's ahead after checking in with Pat Gaffney (photo by CJ Arayata)

And thank you to our pre-riders for scouting out these brand-new routes and helping us get them ready for event day: Pat and Cece Gaffney, Maria Thomson, Alexa Ringer, Sean Martin, and Peter Eby.

There was something fitting about holding these rides so late in the season. By September, many cyclists are beginning to think about shorter rides and the approaching end of summer. Instead, dozens of randonneurs spent the day riding 200, 300, or 400 kilometers through some of southeastern Pennsylvania's best cycling country.

There were too many good photos to include in this report. To view photos contributed by riders, visit these Google Photo Albums: Oxford Odyssey 200K Photos, Lancaster Loop 300K Photos, and Hex Country 400K Photos.

Jasen Lo (left) feeling a lot better after fixing his double flat (photo by CJ Arayata)

Jasen Lo writes...

A great day of riding bikes with friends on a beautiful route with short punchy climbs and long bucolic descents. The route really had me feeling like I was coasting more than I had to climb!

The course notes were not joking about the Black Walnuts on the roads and trails. I suffered a rare double pinch flat from steering straight into a cluster of walnuts on the Chester Valley trail at mile 26, and then another one just a few miles afterwards. 

But I managed to get back on the road after fellow riders Savva and Marcus graciously spared tubes of their own. I chased the group i was riding with and caught up with them at the Turkey Hill control at mile 75.

Having Dan's electrical pump at Warwick Township Park was huge for getting me back to proper PSI, and it was smooth sailing from there, although our group did suffer the loss of Phil in Phoenixville, despite Zach's best mechanical efforts to keep him on the road.

I count myself fortunate that I was able to recover from a bevy of mechanical issues, and more fortunate that despite these challenges, we all managed to make it back to Chamounix safely.

Matt Altea takes a rest (photo by Chris Myers)

Matt Altea writes...

"Never stand when you can sit, and never sit when you can lie down."

If someone asked me what the perfect brevet riding conditions are, I'd probably respond by describing a day just like saturday. Little overcast, with sun coming through to warm you up, and temperatures that make you not think of the weather. 

Saturdays journey started with me hurriedly climbing Greenland Dr to make the start time of 7:00 with the many friends who were also going to ride. In the rush to get checked in and ride off without making any friends wait for me, I didn't check into E-brevet, which made Saturdays ride my first paper only rando experience. 

We mostly stayed together, the eight of us riding to the first control, where two of our friends decided to cut their rides short for the day. As we wished them good luck (and as they did) we ripped down N Valley rd to the CVT. As we rode out, the weather started to get warm, and passing under the dark bridge after Exton was like riding into a different world. From busy cycle paths and main line streets to Long stretches of countryside road, farms, and a few crushed gravel sections.

The ride to the next 3 controls would cause us to split up into smaller and smaller groups as we started to fall into our own paces. By the time Chris and I were eating lunch with the rest of the group at control 4, we had gone from a group of 8 strong to 4-5 people. By the time we Rolled into control 5 there were even less of us. By control 6 it was just me and Chris riding together. 

The ride back into Philadelphia was eventful to say the least. A couple of close car passes, plus a fire engine and accompanying firefighters waving us on before they backed into the firehouse kept us on our toes until the very end.

Kate Sparacio writes...

Gorgeous day, great company and a fun route with plenty of challenge. Following the Twin Tunnels, Valley Creek Road was an early highlight around mile 33, winding along the creekside and giving us our first glimpse of the beauty and fun riding that was in store the rest of the day. Any time you see the yellow squiggly "winding road" sign you know you're in for a treat, and this route had plenty of them! I was delighted by all the early fall goldenrod and asters already popping in bright yellow and purple along the route, interspersed with lingering late-summer blooms and fields of sunflowers. Thanks to my fellow riders and the volunteers for a lovely day, and for celebrating the completion of my first SR series with me!

Root beer stop

CJ Arayata writes...

Brad, thanks so much for all of the route-making, organization, and logistics to make this past weekend's inaugural events so successful!

It felt great to shake the rust off and get out there for my first 300k since 2019. I was glad to trade the steep 'club classic' climbs for some nice rural rollers, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of long 1-2% gentle downhill stretches. The weather was perfect all day, and so was the company: myself, Zack, Jasen, Savva, Andy, and Phil.

Unfortunately, the day was not without some mechanical drama. Jasen managed to overcome three flats early on in Malvern but heroically caught up to us by the Quarryville controle. Savva's electronic shifting was starting to become self-aware and needed mid-ride app taming. The biggest tragedy was Phil's wireless RD spectacularly getting caught in the chain and exploding with 35 miles left to go. Zack managed to get Phil's bike single-speeded and we spun in solidarity, resolved to get our friend to the finish. Unfortunately, we only made it another 10 miles to Phoenixville before his rear freehub body also gave up the ghost, rendering his bike unrideable and forcing a sad farewell. My finish is dedicated to the memory of Phil's rear derailleur and hanger!

Some highlights: Seeing both the sunrise and sunset, watching all of the Amish up and early harvesting tobacco, witnessing a bull standing on top of a pile of rubble(???), wondering how much stuff from Bird-In-Hand Re-Uzit we could fit in our rando bags, Dan Oh coming through with the ice-cold Coca Cola, homemade root beer (shout out Maria and Alexa for the tip!), and the camaraderie and good vibes all day.

Looking forward to exploring more of your new routes and instant classics. Thanks again Brad, Pat, Dan, Woody, and all of the the pre-riders for putting together a great ride!

Peter Eby writes...

I did the Hex County 400km pre-ride for PA Rando event coming up Sept 19 since I will be in Chicago that weekend. 15,000 feet by the end but max altitude was under 1000 feet. Lots of 100-200 foot climbs. Some with 14% grades. Ouch. I started the morning with Brad and a pair on a tandem (Pat and Cece). They were pre-riding a 200km route. We rode together until mile 55. And then I was on my own. Because I was the pre-rider, I was also the scout for the upcoming event. Brad, who designs most of the courses out here, and this one, included 25km of a gravel trail from 340-365km for the first time. He wanted my opinion about keeping it and I started at 10:30pm. It was pitch black. No lights at all. Short sight lines, lots of turns and my Garmin was confusing to me for the first time that day. I doubled back a few times and had to move slowly for safety. 

I reached the end at 1:40 am, having started at 4:40 am. So 21 hours. And I felt like I could have kept going (I had to ride 6km home anyway). Ultimately, a success! A lot of good equipment and comfort improvements. Still need a few adjustments to gear. I rode through Amish/Menonite country where my father’s father is from. Spent 1km on Eby Rd. Passed some horse and buggies - so I know I’ve got more than 1hp in me. I learned that I can ride alone for 200 miles. And will not be getting BBQ in the middle of a ride next time.

Photo by Nick Manna

Nick Manna writes...

Wow, those were some cute cows!

The Pennsylvania Randonneurs have some fun rides planned to close out the 2026 calendar. First up are the Covered Bridges Fall Classic 200K and the new Tabora Fall Classic 143K on October 17. Then on November 7, we have the Crankin' 200K, featuring a route formerly known as the Welsh Tract Wander. To close out the year, we'll run the Oley Valley–Hopewell Furnace 200K on December 5 along with a holiday soirée (details being finalized).

Note that the November and December 200Ks are ACP brevets and will count toward PBP qualification, as the new ACP calendar begins on November 1. We hope to see you all again soon! 

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

UPDATE: September 200/300/400 Course Notes

Update (September 16):

A few small cue updates were made following additional pre-rides. Thanks to Maria Thomson for pre-riding the 300K and Peter Eby for taking another look at the Perkiomen Trail section of the 400K.

Wawa control in Malvern: After departing the first intermediate control, cross the intersection and immediately enter the trail at the opposite corner. Do not continue along PA-29; a barrier separates the road from the trail beyond the intersection. See photo below.

Black walnuts: It’s that time of year! Watch for black walnuts on roads and trails, especially when riding in groups or after dark.

Warwick Park control (300K & 400K only): Club member Dan Oh has volunteered to staff this control and will have water for riders. As noted below, pre-riders found the stretch between the Turkey Hill controls at miles 89.7 and 134.9 to be particularly long, and unfortunately Warwick Park does not have a water fountain. Dan’s support will be especially appreciated!

400K – Perkiomen Trail: Peter confirmed that the updated cues are clear. Use caution on the gravel sections after dark, particularly through the twists and turns. He also encountered two downed trees near miles 218.5 and 240. Hopefully they’ll be cleared this week, but keep an eye out.

The 400K cuesheet (Version 3) and RWGPS route (Last Modified 2026-09-14 18:51:26 EDT) can be found HERE. 

The 300K cuesheet (Version 3) and RWGPS route (Last Modified 2026-09-14 18:47:30 EDT) can be found HERE.

The 200K cuesheet (Version 3) and RWGPS route (Last Modified 2026-09-15 19:24:20 EDT) can be found HERE.

Original Post:

A huge thank you to everyone who helped pre-ride the new routes for our September 19 events. Pat and Cecilie Gaffney joined me (Brad Layman) on the Oxford Odyssey 200K, Alexa Ringer and Sean Martin tackled the Lancaster Loop 300K, and Peter Eby took on the Hex Country 400K over Labor Day weekend. Their feedback, cue corrections, and observations were invaluable and have already led to a number of improvements.

The pre-rides also featured a couple of significant milestones. Alexa Ringer completed her first Super Randonneur Series by finishing the 300K, and Peter Eby completed his first-ever 400K. Either accomplishment is impressive on its own. Doing so while helping scout a brand-new route for the club makes it even more meaningful. Congratulations to both, chapeau, and thank you for helping make these events possible for our members!

Pre-riders at the Cochranville Turkey Hill Control at Mile 55. From left to right: Brad Layman, Sean Martin, Alexa Ringer, Pat Gaffney, Cece Gaffney, and Peter Eby

General Notes

Each event starts and finishes at the Chamounix Carriage House in West Fairmount Park. The 400K starts at 4:00 AM, the 300K starts at 5:00 AM, and the 200K starts at 7:00 AM. The club will provide a light breakfast at the start and a dinner at the finish. Volunteers will be on hand one hour before each start for check-in and breakfast set-up. Restrooms are available in the Carriage House. Please see the event webpages for tips on parking since we do not recommend parking at Chamounix during the event.

This has been a particularly tough year for road surface conditions. A long winter left many roads with cracks, potholes, and rough pavement, and many rural roads have since been chip sealed, leaving loose gravel in numerous places. In addition, late-summer thunderstorms have washed debris onto roadways, so expect to encounter gravel, sticks, and other material on the shoulders and occasionally in the travel lane. Be prepared for gravel in turns and intersections. There are also several active construction zones which are passable by bike and noted in the cues.

Riders should also be aware that many roads in Amish Country, particularly in Lancaster County and parts of Chester County, have ruts worn into the pavement near the edge of the road by horse-drawn carriages. These ruts can make it difficult to ride close to the shoulder, so be prepared to adjust your line when necessary.

Before the ride, take a few minutes to review the cue sheet for your route, available on the Map & Cues tab of each event webpage. Pay particular attention to the "Danger" cues, which highlight tricky intersections, busy roads, railroad crossings, and other areas requiring extra caution. It is helpful to be familiar with these locations before the event.

Riders, especially those on the 300K & 400K, should be prepared for riding in the dark. Lights, a reflective vest, and reflective ankle straps will be inspected at the start. It also helps to partner up with other riders for the nighttime riding, particularly on the trails.

Miles 0-55 (All Riders)

All three routes share the opening 55 miles. There is a construction zone about two miles in, on Parkside Ave and 53rd St. After leaving Philadelphia, the route quickly transitions into quiet suburban roads before joining the Chester Valley Trail for a traffic-free stretch.

Be prepared with lights for the Twin Tunnels. Noted in the cues and marked with an icon on the map (mile 32)

Around mile 32, riders will pass through the Twin Tunnels near Downingtown. These tunnels are very dark, so be prepared to turn on bright lights before entering. Fortunately, the pavement through the tunnels is smooth and in good condition.

Peter Eby rides on Runnymede Rd, a few miles before the routes split at mile 55.

The three routes remain together until the Cochranville Turkey Hill control at mile 55.

Miles 55-125 (200K)

At the Cochranville Turkey Hill control, the Oxford Odyssey 200K turns southwest toward Oxford while the 300K and 400K continue farther west.

Pat & Cece Gaffney

This section of the 200K features beautiful countryside riding through southern Chester County before crossing into northern Delaware. The final 20 miles become noticeably more urban. Traffic increases, the hills remain relentless, and a series of traffic signals and stop signs interrupts your rhythm. Be patient, go with the flow, and expect frequent stops as you make your way back into Philadelphia.

It is good to know that most of this section follows designated bikeways. At mile 111, the route joins the Bicyclists Baltimore Pike, which riders will follow from Swarthmore toward Philadelphia. After crossing into the city, the route primarily uses bike lanes through West Philadelphia and into West Fairmount Park before finishing at Chamounix.

The 200K is the shortest option of the day, but it is packed with climbing. Don't be fooled by the lack of major climbs. The Oxford Odyssey is relentlessly rolling, with frequent short, steep climbs throughout the route. The short but steep climbs in the last 20 miles were especially challenging.

Miles 55-139 (300K & 400K)

After leaving the Conchranville Turkey Hill control, the 300K and 400K continue through some of the most scenic farmland in Chester and Lancaster Counties. Expect quiet roads, short sections of busy roads, rolling terrain, Amish farms, and excellent rural riding.

One important note about the Warwick Park control: restrooms are available, but there is no drinking fountain (although there is running water in the restroom sinks). The Warwick Park control is located between two Turkey Hill controls, with approximately 45 miles between the Turkey Hill in Ronks and the next Turkey Hill in Gibraltar. Be sure to plan your food and water accordingly.

You have two options: carry enough food and water to make it between controls, or plan to stop at one of the businesses along the route. There is a barbecue restaurant directly on the Warwick-Ephrata Rail Trail, and downtown Ephrata, at the end of the trail, has both a coffee shop, pizza shop, and an ice cream parlor that make convenient resupply stops (marked with icons on the RWGPS map)

Miles 139-186 (300K)

At mile 140, the Lancaster Loop turns east toward Philadelphia while the Hex Country 400K continues north for its final 100+ miles.

The final portion of the 300K continues through the Schuylkill Valley before returning toward Philadelphia. Although fatigue may be setting in by this point, navigation is generally straightforward and services remain readily available. The route follows the SRT for 24 miles from Spring City to Manayunk.

Miles 139-250 (400K)

There is a 40-mile stretch between the Gibraltar Turkey Hill control and Coopersburg Wawa control, so be sure to have enough food and water for that stretch. The Wawa controls in the last 75 miles of the route (Coopersburg, Perkasie, and Collegeville) are each open 24 hours. 

The final 40 miles are primarily trail-based. We return to the city via the Perkiomen Trail (The Perk) and the Schuylkill River Trail (SRT).

One thing to be aware of is that the mapped route does not always perfectly represent the trail alignment. This can occasionally create confusion, particularly at night or for riders who are unfamiliar with the trails. The Perk deserves the most attention. It includes several gravel sections, numerous turns, and multiple road crossings. Riders use The Perk from approximately mile 211 to mile 227, with a brief departure from the trail for the Collegeville Wawa control before rejoining it. It is also recommended that riders bring an extra light in case repairs are needed along the trail in the dark.

The SRT is generally easier to navigate, consisting primarily of long, straight sections with fewer navigation decisions. Even so, continue paying attention to your navigation as you make your way back toward the finish.

Most importantly, have fun and be safe.

Brad Layman
RBA, Pennsylvania Randonneurs

PA Grand Canyon 200k Ride Report

Ron Andersons Ride at Colton Pt.

13 of the 13 starters on the PA Grand Canyon 200k finished in good time for a 100% completion rate.  Although rain threatened throughout the morning, riders stayed dry and enjoyed the sunshine that finally broke through the clouds in the afternoon.

The Peleton on the Pine Creek Trail

First time randonneur Clark Hathaway had a flat shortly after the start but was able to repair the punctured tubeless tire with a couple plugs, then chased the peloton and reacquired his riding mates somewhere in the metropolis of Stony Fork.

Ben Keenan was clearly on a mission for the day and blitzed the route setting a new course record in the process.  He was clearly interested in getting home to Delaware in time for dinner.

As the temperatures (and humidity) increased in the early afternoon, riders were able to get their core temperatures down by crossing Babb Creek in the deeper areas:

Cooling off in Babb Creek

Crossing Babb Creek

I was privileged to enjoy the day with an impressive and committed group of Randonneurs.  I am happy to see that PA Randonneurs still attracts good riders and even better people.

The reconstructed Little Pine Creek Suspension Bridge

Preliminary results will be posted shortly. Please review them and let me know if there are any discrepancies. Results will be submitted to RUSA after review and will become official once certified.

PA Grand Canyon Course Notes

 A course checkout was performed on Sunday 8/2 in a steady rain.  Despite the rain, the course is in excellent condition and Babb Creek had only about 12” of water to ford.  The route remains unchanged but several  notes were added/corrected so please be sure you download the current (Rev. 2) cues/RWGPS file titled PA Grand Canyon 26. 

Colton Point 

Additional Details

The start location is at the Pine Creek Rail Trail Trailhead Parking lot on Railroad Street (3 blocks West of Bridge Street) in Jersey Shore, Pa.  My GPS recognized the start as 445 Railroad St. Jersey Shore, PA 17740.  There are restrooms at the start location that are generally opened before our 7:00 start time but sometimes state employees oversleep so you may want to make other arrangements.  Unfortunately there is a dearth of available “other arrangements” near the start.  There is a Uni- Mart/Exxon Station at 101 Bridge Street and the Shore Diner at 1211 Alleghany Street which opens at 6:00.  

Other than the Pine Creek Trail, there are 4 significant non-paved sections:

1.       Cedar Run to Colton Pt (Mile 32-53).  This is the longest non-paved section and is a stair step climb with some short descents.  This section is better described as hard packed dirt with some short sections of well packed gravel with intermittent areas of bedrock peaking through the dirt/gravel.  There were a few muddy spots at the bottom of the descents. 

2.       Ansonia to SR660 (Mile 59-61).  This is a shaded climb with well packed gravel leading to a pleasant descent onto paved SR660.

3.       Stony Fork to Babb Creek (Mile 68-73) A beautiful, slightly downhill section with well packed dirt and a few short muddy sections.  At the end of this section you’ll ford Babb Creek which is currently about 12” deep.  The bottom consists of smooth round rocks which are very slippery.  It’s entirely possibly to walk this bare footed (I’ve done it several times) but it was much more pleasant tromping through it yesterday in my cycling sandals.

4.       Hurley Hill to Liberty (Mile 76-85) This WAS the most technically challenging section of the course and still has some gravel sections but the most difficult climbs on this section along Nauvoo Rd. has been PAVED (I have no idea why).  The major decent on Ritter Road is still gravel and has some sections of loose stone (don’t outrun your guardian angel!). 

Dangers (these are noted on the cue sheet)!

Mile 28.3 This bridge over the Pine Creek is steel grate and VERY Slippery when wet.

Mile 54  After you finish the climb to Colton Point and take a couple photos at het Lookout, you’ll climb a little more and then start a long descent to Ansonia.  This descent is steep and twisty.  There will likely be some mindless drivers coming uphill so keep to the right and keep your speed in check.  This was the site of a nasty crash on this course a couple years ago.

Mile 83-85 – there are a couple short/steep descents on Ritter Rd. and Brion Hill Rd. that have a fair amount of loose gravel

Mile 103.3 - the renovated suspension bridge over Little Pine Creek has a steel grate surface and was surprisingly slippery.  I would highly recommend you walk this bridge if there is any moisture on ride day. 

Controls/Resupply points:

1.       Wolf General Store [Slate Run} Mile 28.  A well-stocked store with excellent made-to-order breakfast sandwiches.  If you’ve got some time to spend while they’re making your sandwich, go downstairs and see their fly fishing department.  If you’re a faster rider you may want to grab some extra food since you’re next resupply will not be until mile 65.

2.       Burnin’ Barrel Bar [Ansonia] Mile 57.  This is a country bar with excellent food but, sadly doesn’t open until 12:00.  For faster riders, I’ll be there with water (but not much else).

3.       Stony Fork Country Store [Stony Fork] Mile 65.  This is a small, Mennonite owned grocery store.  They have a sign on the front door requesting patrons wear long sleeved shirts and trousers but they’ve always been pleasant to me in my cycling gear. 

4.       Stony Fork Campground Mile 67 – this is a VERY small store at a campground, they only have beverages and snacks.

5.        Exxon [Liberty] Mile 87.  This is a veritable oasis with clean bathrooms and hot food.  You’ll be pretty tired when you get there so it’s a great place to get reenergized.  There are a few tables in the back and there is also a pleasant lawn area outside (no tables),

6.       McConnell’s Country Store [Waterville] Mile 11and 115.  Another well stocked general store with a deli counter.  If you’re extra thirsty the Waterville Tavern is next door and has a good beer selection (or so I’m told).

      As noted on the route description there is very little cell phone coverage on course so don’t plan on staying in contact with the outside world.  You’ll have coverage at Ansonia, Liberty and maybe Waterville.

Hawk's Nest Classic 200K -- Ride Report

 A day makes all the difference. What might have been a difficult, character building experience on Saturday, with the heavy rains and thick wildfire smoke,  became beautiful weather to experience this classic route through the Poconos and upper Delaware River valley. Twelve riders clipped in,  and all 12 finished for 100% finish rate. Preliminary results have been posted. Let us know if they agree with your memory. 

Scotty Steingart failed to improve on the course record he set in 2016. Although conditions were good, they weren't quite as perfect as they were back then. Maybe a little too windy, and the traffic lights didn't change exactly at the right time. Nevertheless, he did make quick work of the course so he could go home in time to watch the whole World Cup game.  

Although there were a few Hawk's Nest Classic 'anciens' (Scotty, Vadim, and the Gaffneys) present, the other 9 riders had never ridden this classic.  Some had seen the Nest on other routes, but most were new to this spectacular and unique road. There was an era when PA Rando offered this classic multiple times a year. I wouldn't say we were tired of it -- more that the route was a kind've PA Rando comfort food. So it was enjoyable to hear fresh impressions of the great Hawk's Nest from this latest bunch of randonneurs. 

We are offering yet another Pennsylvania North of 80 experience in the Grand Canyon of PA 200K gravel brevet on 8 August, visiting the big and little Pine Creek  Gorges, Colton Point, and the newly refurbished English Center bridge.  The route includes the always "interesting"  ford of Babb Creek. Don't miss it!