Hawk's Nest 200k Ride Report

Preliminary results for the Hawk's Nest 200k have been posted at:

http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/PA200k_Results110730.pdf

... please let me know of any corrections or other issues. Results will be sent to RUSA later today, and then become final, pending ACP approval.

Given the very hot and humid weather this past month, there couldn't be too many complaints with the manageable weather conditions.  Temperatures were a couple degrees above normal, but the low humidity was a welcome relief, and the winds out of the northwest sped the riders along Towpath Rd and Rt 97.  All of the 20 riders who clipped in for this event, including yours truly who did the pre-ride earlier in the week, made it around the course in good time for another 100% finish rate.  Congratulations to everyone for an excellent result. 

Of note, first-time Eastern PA participant, Bryan Nelson completed his SR series -- congratulations, and well done!  Bryan was accompanied by fellow Maryland rider, Clint Provenza.  Over the past couple of years, Clint has done a great job of promoting our sport of randonneuring with his local Severna Park Peloton bike club: 
https://sites.google.com/site/severnaparkpeloton/


I originally had Mary Johnson also listed as a first-time Eastern PA participant, until Rick Carpenter pointed out " ...This is technically Mary’s 2nd PAR completion.  Mary and I rode-in together from Layton to the finish, and during one of our converastions found that she did her first brevet some four years ago with PAR.  Coincidentally, Mary and I rode our first brevets ever together on your 31 Mar 2007 Eastern PA ACP 200; how cool is that!..."

First finisher, Don Jagel writes: "...Thanks for putting together the Hawks Nest Brevet today.  Also, Great Thanks to Len for popping up everywhere throughout the day to sign brevet cards and provide much needed water, always with a smile.  ...The weather was about perfect for a late July ride.  I spent much of the day riding on and off with Rick C, Jon C, and John C, which allowed for some good company and conversation.  .... The best thing about the Old Mine Road climb today was the slight lowering of temperature and a cooling breeze at the top of the climb.  Unfortunately the cool breeze disappeared upon reaching the bottom of the hill on the other side. ... One final note for those that like cheeseburgers.  Rick got a burger at the Layton General Store.  The thing was a monster that had to be cut in half just to allow it to be picked up with two hands. ... Everyone's help in continually putting together and executing wonderful rides is really appreciated...."

Shane Beake writes: "...Thanks for another great running of the tried and tested Hawks Nest 200.  Big thank you to Lenny for taking his whole day to volunteer!!! ..."
And once again, Shane has posted a bunch of great pictures at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45325491@N05/sets/72157627193939715/

... it seems that Shane manages to capture new details of the route, each time he rides it!

If you have any other comments or pictures to share, you can forward them to me or post them on the message board.

Special thanks to the volunteers who stepped up to help make this event a success:

- Len Zawodniak (on-road support all day!!)

- Bill Olsen (R-12 Organizer, finish controle)

... without volunteers like these who step up to the call for support, it would simply not be possible to run these events!

Next up, we'll be running the Hawk's Nest 200k again in 2 weeks on August 13th ... with the prospect of a continuation of the hot summer we've had, this is the best option for shaded roads and cooler temperatures.  However, I'm looking at some extensive route tweaks to:
- avoid some rough pavement between Promised Land and Hawley
- avoid some rough pavement (and traffic) on Rt 97

Drop me a note if you plan to clip-in, and stay tuned for updates.

Tom Rosenbauer 

Eastern PA RBA

Hawk's Nest 200k

*** Update #1 7/28 ***
I completed a volunteer pre-ride on Wednesday 7/27.  The weather was nearly ideal, although the humidity seemed to increase just  south of Port Jervis -- I think a rain shower came through before I did. Here are a couple of things I encountered that you should be aware of:
- There is a 4-mile stretch of fresh chip seal starting at Canedesis -- it was being laid down that day, and the tar was still very sticky.  It was nearly unrideable --  I was beginning to think that we might have to cancel.  But in talking to a workman, I found out that the tar was fresh that day, and that a sweeper will be coming through the next day to clean off the excess stones.  There should be a 1-foot wide shoulder clear of tar/stones for most of the 4-mile stretch.  There still might be some "sticky" areas, but I'm hopeful that conditions will improve over the next couple of days as the road gets swept and the tar dries and gets covered with dirt.
- At Hawk's Nest, there is road construction that has the road closed to a single lane with a temporary traffic light.  The single lane is rather long and the light is a bit on the short side.  But you'll have a enough time to clear the construction if you wait for the light to turn from red to green.  You should get at the end of the line of cars that will be waiting there, so they don't have to maneuver around you.

If you've never been across the Rt 80 bridge near Water Gap, it's a little bit tricky.  You need to look for a sidewalk/ramp about 50 yards past the Rt 80 underpass which you will cross under.  The picture below shows the ramp on the left, which is in between the road you will be traveling (on the right) and Rt 80 (far left):

You will be facing on-coming traffic as you go across the bridge.

The Water Gap Diner will be opening at 6AM if you'd like to top off with a good breakfast before the start.

*** Original Post ***
The weather forecast is calling for another heatwave this weekend, for the the July 30th R-12 event.  But the Hawk's Nest 200k course will be heading north into Promised Land, where the temperatures are typically a couple of degrees cooler.  Most of the route is shaded, which will also bring some relief from the heat.

Reminder: Parking is behind the Water Gap Diner -  Directions are posted here:

http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/WaterGapParking.pdf

*** Rider Roster (updated 7/28) ***
- Glenn Ammons
- Shane Beake
- Gavin Biebuyck
- John Capriotti
- Jonathan Clamp
- Margaret Green
- Monty Green
- Nigel Greene
- Doug Haluza
- John Hsu
- Donald Jagel
- Houston Joost
- Chris Nadovich
- Bryan Nelson
- Patrick S O Donnell
- William M. Olsen  (Organizer)
- Clint Provenza
- Tom Rosenbauer (Volunteer Preride)

Ride Needed for September R12 Brevet

There is a new to PA Randonneurs rider looking for a ride out to Ephrata for the September running of the Hawk Mountain 200k. He is located in the NYC area and has determined that Amtrak doesn't allow bikes on the Keystone lines that service the Lancaster area. Anyone with extra space should contact Peter Yuskauskas at py.bass@yahoo.com.

Long Distance Cycling

Pennsylvania Randonneurs Wool Jersey

*** Update #1 (7/8/11) ***

Today is the last day to get your PA Randonneurs jersey order in ... we just need a few more orders to reach the minimum quantities.  So if you've been meaning to get around to ordering one, today's your last chance.  You can e-mail Shane Beake, who will be happy to take your order.

*** Original Post ***

PA Randonneurs is pleased to announce the availability of a high quality Woolistic jersey.  The jersey is available in either long or short sleeves for the regular wool jersey (same as the EM1240 and RUSA offerings) or a new light weight wool summer jersey (short sleeves only).  Please submit your order form:

http://users.rcn.com/trosenbauer/PaWoolJerseyOrderForm_fill-in_revised.pdf

... by June 26.  July 14 July 8 (Final Day! -- we need a few more orders for the minimum quantity)

Special thanks to Shane Beake, for designing the jersey and coordinating this project!  Please contact Shane

stb0423@optonline.net

 for additional details or if you have any questions.  Sample jerseys will be available for sizing at upcoming events.