Monday, December 5, 2016

Ride Report: Little Britain



Photo by Peter B.
Preliminary results for the 200k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results161203.pdf

Results will be submitted to RUSA for certification in a few days.

Winter brevets often include a weather component to up the challenge beyond the typical PA Randonneurs terrain factor.  Saturday was no different when the WIND compounded an already challenging course.   Seventeen riders started and all seventeen returned after facing the windy and chilly conditions all day.  Most riders cleared the northernmost control facing the relatively calmer winds of the early morning.  The wind became much stronger and gustier as the day progressed.  There were some tailwind stretches, lots of crosswind sections, and then the long haul back from Little Britain into the wind.

Early finishers had to contend with stronger winds on the final leg, making their times all the more impressive.  The rest of the field rolled into the Highland Pizzeria finish control over the next few hours and was greeted by finish volunteer C.J. Arayata.  Many stories were surely told as riders warmed, relaxed, and replenished expended carbohydrates.    

First finisher Gavin Biebuyck writes:  "Great course and nice tweak to add the "gravel grinder" segment.  I lit it up stupidly with my fat tires and then almost ate it with some deep gullies the rain last week must have caused!  Opened up about a minute on Taylor but he caught me at the top of the reservoir hill.  The wind was very helpful for 70 miles or so..."  Congratulations to Gavin and fellow first finisher Taylor Brown for an impressive result.  The wind was at its strongest as they headed north from Little Britain.

Hot on their heels was the remains of the lead pack, including Joe Brown, Matt Farrell, and Jim Holman.  Jim best summed up the day:  That was a hard day in the saddle!

George Retseck focused on the positives to take his mind off the wind:   "Our group of Pete Bakken, Scott Franzen, Paul Currie and myself thoroughly enjoyed the course.  Even though I have done a few Permanents and Brevets in the Lancaster area, this course truly had some amazing scenes and landscapes to traverse. Much more rural and remote than areas I have seen before.  Thanks so much for putting it together and to CJ to sign us in at the end."
  
Allison Wong returned for a second December brevet with PA Randonneurs and brought along rookie Shaun Gundel who is now an official randonneur.  Congratulations Shaun, you're ready for anything now.

Special thanks go to C.J. Arayata who skipped riding this month to staff the finish control so that I could ride.   CJ took several photos at the finish that are available HERE.   I'd also like to thank Chris Nadovich for a great day of stimulating conversation at the back of the field.  It was most enjoyable to roll into the finish knowing that I wouldn't have my usual organizer angst worrying about other riders remaining on course. 

This concludes the 2016 PA Randonneurs R12 series.  I will be working over the coming weeks to return brevet cards along with the annual results summary and an update on the club itself.

Mark your calendar now for the kickoff of the 2017 R12 Series scheduled for January 7.  Check back here and on the website for event details.

Andrew Mead
- organizer
Eastern PA RBA



Saturday, November 12, 2016

December R12 Brevet: Little Britain

*** Pre-Ride Update  ***
Veteran PA Rando Bill Fischer kept his string of PA events alive by completing a course check-out ride on November 19.  His notes along with a few organizer notes have been incorporated in an updated cue sheet for the event which is posted on the website.  Please be sure that you download/print the latest version indicating "11/20, pre-ride updates."

The route is in good shape and the cue should be easier to follow than before, especially for those relying on the old standard CPS navigational standard.  As always, riders should watch for loose gravel on the inside of corners and never outride their guardian angel on descents.

Please note that there is a half-mile section of gravel road on this course which is marked on the cue sheet.  This section is easily passable, but riders will want to exercise caution as there are a few areas of deeper stones that could cause problems for the inattentive.  Both Bill and I rode this stretch on Saturday without incident.

Caution is also advised at mile 77.6 along Georgetown Road.  Repairs of the "buggy track" there have resulted in some patches with square-edges running in the direction of travel.  They are just large enough to catch a bicycle tire and mis-direct an unwary cyclist.  The road is slightly uphill here where speed should not be much of a factor.  Still, I'd prefer to avoid any spills into the vehicle lanes on Georgetown Road.  This type of buggy track repair is very common in Lancaster County so riders should always be careful when riding along the edge of these repairs.

-ADM
 
*** Original Post ***
Details and event registration for the final R12 brevet of 2016 have been on the website.  Registration will remain open through 5pm on December 1.  Please note that the starting time is 7:30 am to avoid having to start in the dark.

This route offers a different twist on Lancaster County by looping generally north and south from a central start-finish location.  The route is laid out generally as a figure-8 and returns to the start location after 60 miles providing a safety bail-out should weather conditions or rider conditioning take a turn for the worse.  No one abandoned in February, so I'm hoping for better weather and a repeat 100% completion rate.  A few tweaks based on rider feedback and a desire to make the route a bit less susceptible to bad weather have been incorporated.  You will find the updated route here.

Breakfast is available nearby at the Oregon Dairy Restaurant, approximately 1 mile north of the start location along SR 272.  The food is good and plentiful and there's even a breakfast buffet.  The baked oatmeal is one of my favorites.  The restaurant opens at 6am which leaves ample time for breakfast and to make you way to the start.  Please note that the starting time is 7:30 am to avoid having to start in the dark and allow plenty of time for a hearty breakfast.

Our finish controle will be at the Highland Pizzaria in the shopping center.  It offers a decent selection of food for hungry riders and an excellent selection of beer for those wanting a few liquid carbs to assist in post-ride replenishment.  Our own CJ Arayata is set to welcome you to the finish, so look for him when you arrive.

Parking is not abundant at the start finish area, but there should be enough to manage.  We will be staging for the start at the north side entrance along Landis Valley Rd under the sign with the clock/thermometer.  You should park in that general area away from the store fronts.  Carpooling will help.  There is ample additional parking at the Landis Valley Farm Museum (where the February event started) on the opposite side of Oregon Pike which may also be used.

A course check-out ride of the updated route is scheduled for the 19th, so check back here for any updates to the cue sheet.

Finally, as the end of the year approaches you should take the time check your RUSA and PA Randonneurs membership status and renew, if necessary.   You can check your RUSA status at:  https://rusa.org/cgi-bin/memberrenew_GF.pl   The PA membership list is posted on website. 
 

Andrew Mead
- Eastern PA RBA
 
Registered Riders (as of 12/2/2016)
1 Jimmy Aspras
2 Peter Bakken
3 Gavin Biebuyck
4 Joe A Brown
5 Taylor Brown
6 Paul I Currie
7 Jono Davis
8 Jonathan Lucas Elrath
9 Matthew Farrell
10 William Fischer - volunteer pre-ride
11 J Scott Franzen
12 Shaun Gundel
13 James R Haddad
14 James P. Holman
15 Greg Keenan
16 Andrew D Mead -organizer
17 Chris Nadovich
18 Joseph Ray
19 George Michael Retseck
20 Allison Wong

Monday, November 7, 2016

Le Retour du Stillwater 200k / Milford 100k Ride Report

Photo by James Haddad

Preliminary results for the 100 k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA100k_Results161105.pdf

Preliminary results for the 200k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results161105.pdf

Results will be submitted in a couple of days to RUSA.

Thanks once again to the well-oiled brevet team of Bill Olsen, Guy Harris, and Chris Nadovich for making this one happen.  They make it look easy.

Fall brevets are always tricky.   Events are scheduled over a year in advance making it anyone's guess as to what weather riders will face.  Thankfully, riders on Saturday's combined Le Retour du Stillwater and Milford events enjoyed just about as nice a day for cycling as one can ask for in early November.  Consider this:  first finisher Chris Maglieri completed this event in 2013 with a finishing time of 8:38; seven riders besides Chris bested that time on Saturday.  Apparently cool weather brought out the best in several randonneurs.  More important to the organizers is that every rider who left the Milford Bakery in the morning returned within the time limit for a 100% completion rate on both events. 

Joe Ray, who was among a pack of fast finishers, had this to say:   
What a fantastic day to be on a bike!  I met a few more PA Randonneurs and we had a glorious time on the Retour.  My wife actually came to start and the finish (calling her my Uber-Rando now) which gave her the opportunity to meet and chat both before and after the ride, which was highly beneficial since she now has a few faces to go with the names I talk about after these events, but perhaps more importantly she can learn that i am not the only/most crazy person out there.
The pre-ride report was right on target with everything; Shades of Death had the worst surface of the entire day, excluding I suppose the 0.2 mile dirt stretch on Old Cemetery Road.  You know you have left Tranquility behind when you get on Shades of Death Rd.
Thanks to Bill and Chris at start/finish, and thanks to the Milford bakery folks for a great place to start!


James Haddad writes:
Andrew,
Thanks to you, Bill, and all the other volunteers that helped make Saturday’s ride another fantastic randonneuring experience. The route was beautiful, especially along the Delaware River. The view from the top of Riverton road was amazing. I’ve ridden the stretch between Milford and Portland a lot in the past months and each time I discover something new. 
James recently wrapped up an R12 and appears to be intent on going for another and perhaps a K-Hound award as well. 

Next up is a return to Lancaster County for a reprise of the Little Britain brevet.  Event details will soon be posted.  I've tweaked the route a touch based on careful notes from February's running.  There remains one small section of gravel road and most of the big hills, but the cue sheet should be easier to follow and we will bypass Nottingham Road (SR 272) in the interest of an improved ride experience.  A pre-ride is planned for later this month.  I'm talking to the weather man in an effort to keep ice out of the picture.  
 
Finally, it is the time of the year when you should check your RUSA and PA Randonneurs memberships and renew, if necessary.   You can check your RUSA status at:  https://rusa.org/cgi-bin/memberrenew_GF.pl
The PA membership list is posted on website. 
 
Andrew Mead
- Eastern PA RBA


Friday, October 28, 2016

PA R-12 Series - November: Le Retour du Stillwater


**** Update #1 ****

Pre-ride course check-out rides of both routes were conducted this weekend.  Guy Harris checked out the 100k route and found the cue sheet near-flawless.  The 200k route was check by organizer Bill Olsen and Chris Nadovich who report the following: 

It was a little chilly in the pre-dawn light at the start in Milford, but as the sun came up, melting the frost, it became a very nice day. There was some wind to contend with after we turned back from Stillwater, but these gusts died off to near calm later in the afternoon.

Pavement is in good condition most everywhere. There was active paving work underway in a few spots, leading us to conjecture that pavement would be even smoother next week. The one exception to generally smooth roads is the Old Cemetary Rd climb immediately after the penultimate controle. Old Cemetary is a narrow, broken, moderately steep grade that occasionally has auto traffic blocking the way. If you have any doubt about your mountain biking skills on skinny tires, I'd recommend dismounting to climb this short segment.


Deer were visible thoughout the course. Please be alert.


The cue sheet is mostly accurate, but we did notice a few minor discrepancies.


  -- At mile 41.2 the left onto Rt 658 / Vail Rd is actually the third left (current cue sheet says 2nd), although given the clear markings and correctly cued distance it's hard to miss this turn.  The cue sheet could be revised to simply say "L".

  -- At mile 79.8 the right onto Creek Rd is currently unmarked.  It occurs along a large, flat, open section of cornfield.  It's immediately across from the access road to Good Shepherd cemetary. If you keep your eyes on the mileage you won't miss this right since there's no other turn nearby. On the other hand, if you daydreaming on the flat, pleasant road, you might accidentally pass the turn.

  -- At mile 85.3 the right onto Shades of Death Rd is unmarked.  You can see the empty bracket atop the signpost from which the marker was stolen evidently. Swiping the road name markers on "Shades" seems to be a popular prank, especially around  Halloween. But don't be frightened. This turn is well marked by the grassy area cleaving the T intersection. I'd cue it: "go right at devil's triangle".

  -- At mile 116.7 turn off auto-pilot after summiting Tunnel Rd. The return to Milford does not use Sweet Hollow, but rather stays on 579 till the right turn onto 614 at the stop sign.  These two roads have straight, smooth, _screaming_ descents that many riders will zoom down at around dusk. Be sure you have your reflective gear on, be alert for deer, and don't descend faster than your guardian angel.


The 200k cue sheet has been updated to reflect this information.  Be sure to refresh your browser and download Draft 11, updated 10/30/2016.

****  Original Post ****
 Photo by Chris N.
The November R12 Series event again features the perennial favorite Stillwater 200k route (run in the reverse direction) AND the Milford 100k for randonneurs interested in pursuing the RUSA P12 Award.  Event details and cue sheets have been posted on the PA Randonneurs website.  Registration is open until the Thursday before the event.  Sign up now.

Registered Riders (as of 11/3/2016)

Retour 200k
1 Peter Bakken
2 Jane M  Brown
3 Joe A Brown
4 Taylor Brown
5 Dawn M Engstrom
6 Matthew Farrell
7 William Fischer
8 James R Haddad
9 Eric  K Hannon Ford
10 Guy Harris - volunteer
11 James P. Holman
12 Christopher Maglieri
13 Chris Nadovich - volunteer
14 William Olsen - organizer
15 Joseph Ray

Milford 100k
1 Althea Grace Pineda

Andrew Mead
-Eastern PA RBA

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Ride Report: Fall Classic 150k/200k


PA SR Recipients Bill O, Gil L, Bob T, & Michael G. along with former RBA Tom R.


Preliminary results for the 150 k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA150k_Results161022.pdf

Preliminary results for the 200k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results161022.pdf

Results will be submitted in a couple of days to RUSA, and then become final pending ACP certification.

Just when everyone thought summer weather might carry through the entire month, autumn arrived just in time for the Fall Classic.  Instead of temperatures of 60 to 80 and sunny skies we had seen all week, riders were greeted with starting temperatures in the mid-40s, persistent drizzle, and a strong northwesterly wind.  A few registrants looked at the forecast and reconsidered.  Of the 32 riders originally registered for both events, only 19 riders rolled out on Saturday and slowly made their way upwind and into the cold dampness.

Riders Taylor Brown, Jon Fox, Ryan Stanis, and Aleksey Vishnyakov all persevered in tough conditions on one of the most challenging 200k routes in the PA Randonneurs catalog to join the ranks of randonneurs.  Congratulations!  Grace Pineda and Eoghan Barry claimed first finisher distinctions in the 150k and 200k, respectively.  The rest of the field trickled in throughout the evening. 

The Fall Classic event, now in its eleventh running, was started during the very first year of PA Randonneurs.  It has been held every year since and continues to attract many new randonneurs to the sport.  While it may have originally signaled the end of the season prior to the R12 Series, it continues to provide a late-season fun event and provides a chance to distribute the coveted PA SR awards. Six hardy PA Randonneurs earned the honor this year.  Two of them even finished the 200k before collecting their hardware.  Congratulations to Michael Gorman, James Haddad, Greg  Keenan, Gil Lebron, Bill Olsen, and Bob Torres for their accomplishment this season.

This year we also honored PA Randonneurs founding RBA Tom Rosenbauer as he steps down from the role.  Tom's vision, dedication, and high standards in brevet organization have made PA Randonneurs one of the top regions in RUSA and introduced many individuals to the sport.  Riders and quite a few non-riding guests stopped by throughout the afternoon and evening to offer congratulations and thanks, share stories, and welcome returning riders.   If you did not get a chance to stop by, just post a comment below or drop Tom an email. 

The Welcoming Committee
 Grace Pineda writes: 
Tom, it was great to see you today.  I've a feeling you will be joining us again, maybe for a ride or perhaps simply to share randonneuring stories.  Either or both would be welcome.  And if the ride is a short ride, count me in!
Andrew, thanks for arranging everything.  I was really reluctant to go out there given forecast for all-day rain and winds, but it was fine after all.  It's a terrific route and a beautiful one regardless of the weather.
See you in the spring, maybe sooner.


I would like to thank volunteer Chris Nadovich for his tireless contributions to not only this event but for the entire season of events staged out of the Weisel Hostel.  He rode the course checkout in the sweltering heat of early October, somehow managed to find time between important personal engagement to open the hostel Friday evening, prepare breakfast and send riders on their way Saturday morning, and retrieve a delayed rider late Saturday evening.  Regular grill-master Bill Slabonik traveled down Saturday afternoon in what has become an annual volunteer event for him and offered up his truck to retrieve the delayed rider.  The weekend would have been impossible without their help. 

Next up is the Le Retour de Stillwater 200k and the Milford 100k on November 5.  Event details have been posted on the website and registration is open through November 3.

Andrew Mead
-Eastern PA RBA

Friday, October 7, 2016

Fall Classic: PA 150/200k

*** Update 2 ***

The registration deadline for this brevet is Thursday, October 20.  The event page previously indicated registration closure on the 15th which was last year's registration deadline.  If you're planning to clip in, please register by 5pm on Thursday so I have time to get all that brevet cards prepared.


*** Update 1 ***
A pre-ride was completed by Chris Nadovich on 11 October. He writes...

"This classic course is in good shape and there should be no significant cue-sheet changes needed.

Many of the roads have new or near-new pavement making for very enjoyable riding, especially on those rare stretches of relatively flat country road.  A notable exception to the smooth riding is the final descent down to the closed bridge on Headquarters Rd (mi 111). This section of road is poorly maintained. The many hazardous bumps, cracks, potholes, and downed tree branches will be hard to see in the dusk.  When you are cruising pleasantly along on the smooth, early part of Headquarters Rd, enjoying the lack of traffic because of the closed bridge, let those "Road Closed Ahead" signs remind you that the last quarter mile downhill is in bad repair.

A widespread hazard also prevalent in the final 50 km are the plethora of deer. I began seeing them after the Lommanson Glen climb. I had an ultra low speed encounter with one as I was crawling up Tunnel road. It seems that deer are also hypnotized by single, dyno powered bike headlights wobbling up a hill, even in the daytime. I had a serious talk with her about this behaviour and she moved out of my way, but I can't be sure she'll educate her friends.  Please be on the lookout for deer, especially on descents near or after dusk. Montana, Sweet Hollow, Javes, Tinicum Church, Headquarters, etc...

There is some road construction at a bridge near the base of the Fox Gap climb on Rt 191 at mi 53, but don't get your hopes up. It doesn't seem likely that they will close the road. You'll still have to climb Fox Gap, which seems to be taller than I remember -- maybe the construction has raised the mountain a few hundred feet."


*** Original Post ***

The PA Randonneurs fall series kicks off on October 22 and you have a choice of either a 150k or 200k course.  Hopefully we will see some fall colors.  The start/finish will be at our rando clubhouse, the Weisel hostel, with breakfast served 1 hour before the start  We'll also have the traditional post-ride BBQ, where we can recap the accomplishments of the past year and look forward to the challenges of the coming year. Registration and other event details are at:
http://www.parando.org/PA150_200K_A.html

With only about 10.5 hours of daylight available, 200k riders will need lights and reflective gear, unless you have previously finished  the course in less than 9.5 hours.  All riders are encouraged to get into the winter habit of riding with lights and reflective gear.  You never know when your ride will be delayed and you'll find yourself returning in the dark.

Outgoing RBA Tom Rosenbauer will be on hand at the hostel in the afternoon for those wanting to thank him in person for all that he's done in creating the Easter PA Randonneurs.  So even if you can't ride, plan to stop by and wish Tom well.

Andrew Mead
Eastern PA RBA

200k Roster (as of 10/20)
1 Charles J Arayata + Fri Nt
2 Eoghan Barry
3 Gavin Biebuyck
4 Joe A Brown
5 Taylor Brown
6 Timothy T. Creyts
7 Matthew Farrell
8 William Fischer
9 Jon Fox
10 Michael J Gorman
11 Nigel Greene
12 Vadim Gritsus
13 Dmitry Gudkov + Fri Nt
14 James R Haddad + Fri Nt
15 Eric  K Hannon Ford + Fri Nt
16 Guy Harris
17 Greg Keenan
18 Gil Lebron
19 Rudi Mayr
20 Chris Nadovich - volunteer
21 William Olsen
22 Joseph Ray
23 Edward T Schantz
24 Ryan Stanis + Fri Nt
25 John van Stekelenborg
26 Aleksey Vishnyakov

150k Roster (as of 10/20)
1 Shawn Bowles + Fri Nt
2 Jane M  Brown
3 Steve Harding + Fri Nt
4 James P. Holman
5 Althea Grace Pineda
6 Anna Shipp + Fri Nt

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Ride Report: A Victory to Remember

Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160910.pdf
Results will be submitted in a couple of days to RUSA, and then become final pending ACP certification.

HOT!  That is the one words spoken by most riders as they entered the air conditioned cool of the Victory Brewing Company finish.  It was indeed.  Temperatures at the start were in the mid-70s with very high humidity.  By noon the temperature had climbed into the 90s with high humidity pushing the heat into the triple digits.  There were reports of temperatures on the road as high as 108F.

While the heat was likely attributable to one DNF, wheel failures claimed two victims. George Metzler managed about 50 miles on the pre-ride before a spoke let go and sent his rear wheel into all sorts of mis-alignment.  He limped to E-town where a kind friend rescued him.  The second failure occurred mere minutes into the ride when Gary Rollman broke a spoke in his rear wheel and returned to the start.  He didn't feel comfortable riding on the compromised wheel for another 124 miles and didn't have a spare in the car, so his day was over.  He may have been secretly thankful to be spared from the oven.  The irony of two wheel failures is that the roads on the route were in some of the best shape ever for Lancaster County.

The rest of the riders covered the course in good order and appeared to be in decent shape at the finish.  Strong reminders about hydration as well as a shopping list of water available on course may have helped.   Good food and beverage options at the finish were a big hit with all.

Once again, a new to PA Randonneurs rider started and managed to be among the first finishers.  Rider Brian Ignatin rolled in with the always fast group of Gavin Biebuyck, Patrick Gaffney, and Greg Keenan to notch his first brevet finish.  Congratulations to Brian who may have set a record for the longest interval between joining RUSA and earning the randonneur distinction; he has a 3-digit RUSA membership number.

The remaining riders trickled in for the rest of the afternoon and joined our group that had set up camp in a corner of the brewpub.  Riders Peter Bakken and Paul Weaver added their names to the growing list of first-time PA finishers.  Congratulations to these two who rose to the challenge and finished a typically PA tough course with smiles on their faces.  Most riders hung around for a while after finishing sharing stories and generally enjoying being inside where it was cool.

Special thanks to my co-organizer George Metzler who first mentioned the idea of finishing at the VBC brewpub nearly two years ago and to the management at VBC for enthusiastically welcoming a bunch of sweaty cyclists. Every year George and I work to dream up something new and different.  We're particularly pleased with how this year's event turned out and hope everyone else enjoyed it and found it to be truly memorable.

Michael Povman writes:  Andrew, I just wanted to thank you and the other volunteers for organizing a terrific brevet around Lancaster County. I had never ridden in that area before and the combination of wonderful scenery, rolling hills, well-maintained roads and low traffic made for a special day on the bike, despite the heat.  I must say this ride was the first time I ever had to pass a horse and buggy!   I also enjoyed hooking up with some of the other riders in the second half of the ride and sharing a post-ride meal at the Victory.  My one regret for the day was not seeing anything at mile 49.8. 

George R. & CJ at the Finish (photo by Michael P.)
Chris Nadovich who normally goes to great lengths to avoid riding when the thermometer climbs above 90 wrote:  Although I severly "wilted" in the hot weather, I could not help noticing how pretty the course was. It was excellent Type B fun and the cool beer at the end tasted delicious. I look forward to riding that course again on a cooler day to better appreciate the beautiful scenery and relatively flat terrain. During the ride I noticed at least a half dozen farmers at different locations clearing trees and making bonfires in the heat of the day. Bonfires? On one of the hottest days of the year?

Lancaster is farm country where work on the farm takes few holidays.  Sundays are a different story.

Grace Pineda finished strong and smiling (I think she was smiling because it was over) and commented:  Looking back a day later - what a great ride!  Thanks for organizing.  Thanks too for that email where you listed locations for refueling and restocking on fluids.  Meant everything in those last controle-free 50 miles!

We return to our Rando Clubhouse in October for the always enjoyable Brevet/Populaire on October 22.  Check the PA Randos website and this message board for updates.

Andrew Mead
- organizer

Friday, September 2, 2016

September R12 200k: A Victory To Remember

*** Update 2 ***
Given the predicted hot and humid conditions for the ride, please make note of the following locations where water is available.

Mile 24.8 Info Control is at a convenience store.
Mile 33.5 Blue Rock Bakery & Grill where route crosses SR999/Blue Rock Rd

Mile 66.1 Turkey Hill convenience store in Campbelltown
Mile 97.9  Turkey Hill convenience store in Ephrata identified on cue.  There is also a Wawa ~1/4 mile off course north on 272 just past the Turkey Hill (turn left at the TFL and you will see it)
Mile 106.9  there is a Sheetz, McDonalds, Wendys ~ 1 mile to the east along SR23 (the route turns right, but the Sheetz is to the left)
Mile 118.4  there is a Speedway convenience store at the intersection with US 30.

You DO NOT want to leave the Silver Spring (mile 38.4) or Annville (mile 72.2) controles low on supplies.  Options for replenishing along the route are very limited. 

*** Update 1: Pre-Ride Notes (9/4) ***

A course checkout ride was completed on September 3.  An updated cue sheet has been posted at:
http://parando.org/VictoryCueSheet.pdf  Be sure to refresh your browser and confirm that you have the 9/3 Draft version.

The routing remains unchanged though it appears that we are threading the needle between a host of construction projects.  You will see what I mean when you happen across all the orange warning signs along the route.  The good news is that there are many sections of recently repaved asphalt that are an absolute joy to ride and the miles on rough roads are relatively few.  While no one got lost on our pre-ride, the cue sheet updates better depict with the way you will be perceiving signage, not necessarily the "official" road names, and make the cue much clearer.

Course Notes:
The first and last 2 miles travel along Lower Valley Rd between Atglen and Parkesburg.  The pavement in both directions in this section has many longitudinal cracks in the outboard wheel track which are wide enough to swallow most road bike tires.  Since you will be leaving in the dark and returning tired after 120+ miles, please remain alert to these hazards.

There are a couple long descents with T intersections at the bottom.  You might want to conduct a brake check at mile 14 and mile 25 to be on the safe side.

The descent at mile 37.5 is wide open and best enjoyed without braking.  As a bonus, the pavement is very smooth.

There is a three-mile descent along US 322 beginning at mile 83.1.   A full-width shoulder exists but be aware of debris in this path.  Complicating matters is sunlight filtering through trees which makes spotting these hazards a bit difficult, especially at 25+ mph which is easily obtainable.  

Somewhere in the first 40 miles is a pothole sufficiently nasty to break a wheel.  Just ask George Metzler.  With this in mind, you should scroll down and re-read the general rules Chris Nadovich so generously provided in the YARRR announcement.  We will be starting in the dark, so lighting and reflective gear IS REQUIRED.

Finally, the route offers wonderful scenery.  We saw micro breweries, interesting wood sculptures in old tree stumps, beautiful vistas (it was a very clear day for us), and a few other interesting items tossed along the roadside.  One such article was spotted around mile 49.8.  See if you can identify it assuming it remains there this week.

Andrew Mead
- organizer

*** Original Post ***

The PA summer series concludes on September 10th with a another new 200k route: A Victory to Remember. This route takes a looping tour of Lancaster County.  You will have a strong incentive to finish since the final controle is at the Victory Brewing Company brewpub in Parkesburg.  Long time riders may recognize bits and pieces of this route, but it has been at least seven years since we took a clockwise tour around Lancaster county.  Event details have been posted at http://parando.org/R12ClubVictory.html  To join the roster, use the electronic registration by 5PM on Thursday, September 8.

A course check-out ride is planned for September 3.  No less than 4 detours have been considered as this route came together.  Pennsylvania's bridge rehabilitation efforts make many routes a moving target.  As of this writing, it appears as though only one detour will be necessary and you might not even notice it.  And as always,  be sure to monitor the PA Randonneurs website and this blog periodically for updates.

Please make note that the start time is 6:00am.  This will provide more time for socializing at the finish.  We will be parking in the employee parking area at the brewery which is the first lot on the left as you enter the main driveway to the brewpub.

 Registered Riders (as of 9/7)
1 Charles J Arayata
2 Peter Bakken
3 Gavin Biebuyck
4 William Fischer
5 Patrick Gaffney
6 James R Haddad
7 Eric  K Hannon Ford
8 Guy Harris
9 Brian Ignatin
10 Greg Keenan
11 Andrew D Mead - organizer
12 George Metzler - organizer
13 Chris Nadovich
14 Althea Grace Pineda
15 Michael Povman
16 George Michael Retseck
17 Gary Rollman
18 Edward T Schantz
19 Paul G Weaver Jr

Andrew Mead
- organizer

Monday, August 22, 2016

August YARRR 200K Ride Report

Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160820.pdf
Results will be submitted in a couple of days to RUSA, and then become final pending ACP certification.

The refrain at the YARRR finish was "That was too harrrd", referring, no doubt, to the four, significant climbs in the last 50 miles. Particularly detested was the hot, exposed Country Side Lane over the top of South Mountain, and the (uncalled for, gratuitous, unnecessary, sadistic...)  High Street climb across the hill in South Side just 2 miles from the finish.

Despite the hot conditions and tough climbing, all 15 out of 15 riders finished in good time for a 100% completion rate -- congratulations and well done to all!  Of note, Joe Dille completed his first PA Randonneurs brevet, leading the field, and setting an initial course record that will be harrrd to beat.

Unfortunately, the Weyerbacher brewery was closed for an unusual, unanticipated private event, so the anticipated "free beer" stop was unavailable. By way of apology for this, Weyerbacher donated a case of beer and a pile of free beer coupons to PA Randonneurs. Most of these were distributed to riders at the end of YARRR, but we still have several more. If you missed getting one of these coupons, We'll have them to hand out at future events.

The start/finish at Jimmy's Doggie Stand seems to be a good place to finish a brevet. The picturesque site alongside the Forks of the Delaware had a beach like atmosphere in the warm summer sun. Many riders lounged on the picnic tables and napped on the grass after the ride -- occasionally waking up to order another ice cream or to complain yet again to the organizer that the High Street climb was too harrrrd.

Stephen Schoenfelder writes: 

Thanks to Chris for hosting a great ride! In spite of all of the whining at the finish, it was a fun, but challenging course, with just a hint of sadism near the end as the course veered sharply from the Lehigh River to climb over a steep ridge???twice!

Recently, someone told me that redemption is only a ride away. My R-12 attempt, started last September, came to a screeching halt when I waited until the end of July to DNF on my own 200K perm. Pretty embarrassing, right? So this YARRR 200K was my redemption ride.


We headed south with lights ablaze along the Jersey side of the Delaware through moist, but comfortable temperatures. As promised, we spotted herds of deer grazing in the morning mist. It was great to hit Milford early before the town woke up and to race across the bridge into PA (sorry-must have missed the ???walk bike??? cue). Shortly afterwards, my lungs announced their presence as the grade grew ever steeper during the climb up aptly-named Red Cliff Road. My energy level always seems to be high at the start of brevets and I tend to maintain a spirited pace near the front of the pack. Reality usually hits home at the first controle where my cadence settles into a more sedate rhythm. I enjoyed the solitude of riding the next 24 miles alone through rolling pastoral countryside followed by suburban landscape. I was caught by my group, which is to say, the one immediately behind me, at the WaWa in Souderton at mile 46. Thanks to the advanced randonneuring skills of one of my colleagues, we discovered portable toilets at a park behind the police station across the street from WaWa (these may be worth mentioning on next year???s cue sheet as restroom facilities are few and far between).


A group of riders gradually assembled along the way after heading out from the refueling stop. After the quiet of the last leg, it was great to chat as we pedaled. I am just about a year into randonneuring, and still have a lot to learn. Getting to know experienced riders is a highlight of these brevets for me. Before I knew it, we were at our lunch stop in Phoenixville. There was a long line at the Artisan Cafe, so our group decided to share a pizza at a restaurant a few doors down. I think it was here that the climbs that awaited us outside of Pottstown were discussed in hushed tones. Temperatures were starting to tip into the 90???s at this point in time, so I figured ???we???re all going to die.???


Long story short, we made it, experiencing a good mix of type 1 and type 2 fun along the way. I really enjoyed the varied terrain and scenery, crossing two ???closed??? bridges and a covered bridge, the wildlife sightings, the gently graded gravel rail trail, and the collegiality of my fellow randonneurs. Thanks to Gil, Bob, Raz, and Michael, redemption was easily achieved in regulation time. Now, it???s one month down and eleven to go on my R-12 attempt!

Raz, Gil, and Bob at the lunch stop in Phoenixville
RBA, Tom Rosenbauer writes: 
Special Thanks to organizer Chris Nadovich for a super job of putting together the event and executing it perfectly.  Thanks also to all the well wishes I got from the postcard controle -- it certainly brightened up my day.  It's been exactly one year since I finished my last brevet, and realized that my riding days would be over for a good while. Although its been a very long, slow process, I believe I'm finally beginning to see some positive results from my treatment.  I remain hopeful to some day clipping-in with you for a brevet -- I truly do miss the camaraderie of sharing the miles with my fellow randonneurs.
The PA summer series concludes on September 10th with a another new 200k route: A Victory to Remember. Take a looping tour of Lancaster County with a strong motivation to finish since this one finishes at a pub.  Long time riders may recognize bits and pieces of this route, but it has been at least seven years since we took a clockwise tour around Lancaster county.  Event details have been posted at http://parando.org/R12ClubVictory.html  To join the roster, use the electronic registration by 5PM on the Thursday before the event.  And as always,  be sure to monitor the PA Randonneurs website and this blog periodically for updates.

-Chris Nadovich, organizer

Monday, August 8, 2016

August 200K Yet Another River to River Ride


*** Update 1***

A volunteer pre-ride was conducted by Chris Nadovich on 9 August. He reports:

"The route is challenging but good to go. Only minor cue sheet edits for clarifications and typo corrections were needed. The latest version is 1.2 dated 10 August. I spotted no unusual hazards not noted on that cue sheet."

It was yet another pre-ride in HHH conditions. Actually, it the HHH wasn't so bad.  The Delaware was shrouded in cool, dense fog and I made such good time on the south-eastern leg that I was able to catch the last of the fog dissipating over the Schuylkill.  Be careful with the fog, though. I encountered many a bevy of deer along the Delaware.  They are hard to spot even in the best visibility.

Milford Baker beckoned, but my breakfast strategy was to ride past these treats and hit the Wawa at mile 46. Even if you have a full belly, this Wawa is a good spot to refill water bottles. An alternative strategy I've used in the past is to buy some pastry at Milford and eat it an Brig-O-Doon in Ottsville, where the coffee is better.

The controle Lunch-stop at Artisan's in Phoenixville was delicious, as always. From there it's a relatively short digestif ride to the controle at the Sunoco in Pottstown. Be sure to fill up with water in Potstown, even if that means carrying the weight up the hill out of town. The course is somewhat barren of services on the final leg. 

And what a difficult final leg it is! Definitely allocate extra time for this segment.

This route uses several bridges that are, or have been, in a state of transition. All seemed fine on my pre-ride. After suffering its absence for a couple years,  brand-spanking-new Arcola Rd bridge is now a thing of majestic, faux-stone beauty. On the declining side of bridge life-span, the 'closed' bridges on Headquarters Rd and Keim St remain both perfectly acceptable for bike riders (on foot).  Speaking of bridges and walking, I recommend staying on foot to cross the street into the finish controle after walking across the Free Bridge at the end of the ride.  Don't try to dart across that traffic on your bike.


*** Original Post ***

PA Randonneurs sets off in a new direction on 20 August at 6AM with this challenging 200K brevet through rural suburbia. Beginning and ending at the public parking on the NJ side of the Northampton St "Free" Bridge joining Easton and Phillipsburg, the route traces a rectangle bounded by the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. Along the way there are numerous food and drink options, and points of interest. 

Event details are posted at the PA Randonneurs web site: http://parando.org/R12ClubYARRR.html

*** Start/Finish ***

The public parking at the start/finish is at Union Square in Phillipsburg NJ behind Jimmy's Doggie Stand on the NJ side of the river immediately across the Free Bridge. Please WALK across traffic through Union Square at the end of the ride.  I don't expect any breakfast places to be open at Union Square for the 6AM start. The nearest 24 hour Diner is the Key City Diner
985 US-22, Phillipsburg, NJ. There's a 24 hour Wawa in Easton at 310 Larry Holmes Dr.  Alternatively, stop for pastries at Milford Baker, mile 16.5

Course Notes

The cue sheet for this ride is long. This complexity was made necessary by the difficulty navigating through suburbia. Nevertheless, the cue sheet provides the official course directions. GPS routing is known to fail or be unsafe at several places along this course. Please refer to the cue sheet as your canonical authority.

Starting from the Free Bridge, you travel generally South East, following the easy, scenic, well known riverside roads along the Delaware. The route soon reaches Milford, NJ, with the Milford Baker as a perfect breakfast stop. Here you turn to the South West, crossing the heart of Bucks and Montgomery counties on moderately rolling, low traffic roads, including some paved trails through Evansburg State Park. After first fording the Perkiomen by means of the newly rebuilt Arcola Rd bridge, you reach the Schuylkill River and the lunch controle at Phoenixville. From there the route turns North West, following the Schuylkill up and back through the center of Potstown with even more replenishment options. 
But don't dally too much over second lunch. The return crossing of Montgomery and Bucks is decidedly more difficult, and you'll need to cash in some banked time. The hilly North Eastward segment begins with a tough climb out of Potstown to Ringing Rocks, some more hills passing Green Lane (but not Eichele), and another big climb before Coopersburg. There are a few miles of flat, smooth crushed stone rail trail (suitable for most tires) where you can rest before the final big climb over South Mountain and back into Easton. You'll need to finish all this climbing with at least an hour in the bank to have the option to stop for free samples at the Weyerbacher brewery, located less than two (mostly downhill) miles from the finish.

There are several steep, extended climbs.  A triple or 39x27 is highly recommended.

*** Ride Safely ***

Your safety is the number one priority on an Eastern PA event.  While the risks outlined in the event waiver cannot be completely eliminated, the following will hopefully help keep you as safe as possible.
Your responsibility as the rider includes:
- Showing up in reasonable physical condition for the event
- Bringing a reliable bike in good working order
- Complying with all traffic laws along the course
- Respecting the rights of all other users of the route (including pedestrians)
- Planning for the situation where you can’t finish the ride

Although every effort has been made to provide you with a scenic route that minimizes car traffic and other hazards, the following list highlights some areas to take some extra care:

- Summer weather has arrived with a vengeance with a forecast calling for heat and humidity.  Be mindful of your fluid and electrolyte levels and it might also be a good idea to carry an ice sock with you if you need to cool down.
- With the rough winter we just had you should be extra vigilant for potholes and rough road surfaces.
- One of the most dangerous things you will encounter on the road just might be another cyclist.  Keep a safe following distance when riding with other cyclists you are not familiar with.  Please avoid forming a large bunch at the start of the ride.

Equipment
- Helmets are mandatory.
- Please note that the bike inspection checklist includes redundant lighting for both the front and rear lights.
- Bringing along a cell phone is highly recommended.
- Mechanical assistance is not provided.
- SPOT trackers will be handed out to selected riders. If you are given one, they have a feature to call for help if you need it and are out of cell phone range -- if you are unfamiliar with how to use this feature, a volunteer will be happy to explain it to you.  If you have a personal unit not already listed on the PA Randonnerus SPOT Tracking webpage:  http://www.parando.org/SPOT_Links.html
Please send me a link to your SPOT webpage.

Food / Hydration
- In general, the route heads you into some desolate areas, with limited opportunities for food and water. 

- Plan on replenishing supplies at the controle stops.  The controles are typically at a store or restaurant.

Abandon  
- If you feel like abandoning the ride, it may be an indication that you are not eating and drinking enough.  Take a break, eat something, and it's likely that your outlook will improve.  Before you know it, you'll be making that last turn back to the finish.  And remember the golden rule of "… eat before you're hungry and drink before you're thirsty."
- If you are still riding past the ride time limit or if you intend to abandon the ride, please contact me on my cell phone: (267) 218-0418
- It is your responsibility to make arrangements for alternate transportation

In case of accident  
Should you become injured, or arrive just after an accident resulting in an injured person (rider, motorist, or passer-by):

- Call 911 for an ambulance, describing where you are and the condition of the injured person(s)
- Contact me along with any other organizers listed on the cuesheet 
- Be sure to carry identification along with your emergency contact information in case you are knocked unconscious
- Please mention any safety hazard you might have spotted, or near-miss incident you saw. We value this feedback highly and it will help PA Randonneurs improve the next edition of the event.

Driving after the event
If you are very tired when you reach the finish, it may be a good idea to take a nap before a long drive home, so you don't end up with serious injuries like David Nakai did:  http://rusa.org/newsletter/04-03-02.html
 

Keep the rubber side down!
Chris Nadovich  


Registered Riders (as of 8/18/2016) 
1 Michael Anderson
2 Peter Bakken - guest
3 M Bernado
4 Mario Claussnitzer - guest
5 Joseph C Dille - guest
6 Matthew Farrell
7 James R Haddad
8 Gil Lebron
9 Chris Nadovich - organizer
10 William Olsen - volunteer
11 Althea Grace Pineda
12 Michael Povman
13 George Michael Retseck
14 Gary Rollman
15 Steven J Schoenfelder
16 Bob Torres

Monday, August 1, 2016

July Hawk's Nest 200K Ride Report

Preliminary results have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160730.pdf
Results will be submitted in a couple of days to RUSA, and then become final pending ACP certification.

During our pre-ride of the Hawks nest course, the blazing sun and extremely hot temperatures had Bill and I wishing for more water. Well, always be careful what you wish for, you might get it! Although not quite a "total washout", riders reported heavy downpours and rumbles of thunder during the second half of the ride. The silver lining in those rainclouds were the moderated temperatures they enjoyed, although I was told that extra caution was needed to avoid wheel-eating, invisible potholes on Old Mine Rd submerged under flash floods.

A total of 14 out of 16 riders finished in good time for a 88% completion rate -- congratulations and well done to all!  Of note, Patrick Gaffney completed an Eastern PA R-12 series, becoming only the 10th person to accomplish this rare feat.  Pat writes "....Just a quick thanks for putting together another great ride, and to Chris for seeing us off and welcoming us back. It really is a nice route.   One added benefit of the torrential downpour was the all the gravel on the Old Mine climb got washed to the bottom of the hill before I got there. I think it was the first time I was able to stand whenever I wanted on that climb without my rear wheel slipping. ..."

Maybe some of those distant rumbles of thunder were actually the sonic boom of Scotty S. totally demolishing his old course record of 7:33 with a new record time of 7:07, an amazing achievement given the foul weather, the climbs, the bridge construction, and the rough roads.

Scotty S. writes: "...Why is the Hawks Nest 200k my favorite Randonneur route?

1: It's only got 3 pages of q sheets. Some routes have 6 pages+ of directions making the challenge more navigation than cycling. 


2: The course has everything. Ascending, descending, rough road sections. New paved sections fast and smooth. Take your bike on a hike around bridge closures. There always seem to be one on the course. 


3: The Organizers. Thanks to Bill, Tom, and Chris for all your efforts to make this as awesome as it is. 


4: It's the best kept secret. With many millions of people living within a few hours by car, only [16] people showed. Wouldn't want it to get too popular. 


5: The first hour is mostly climbing. This stratifies the participants by ability reducing the big group wheel touching issues of all being together. 


6: The Water Gap Bakery is the final control. Talk about motivation to finish.

7. It keeps getting better. New smooth black top on Kimble's and rt. 31.


8 The course is run twice a year 3 weeks apart. If Want a rematch, try again while the memory is still fresh.

9. Mostly low traffic roads. Tom and crew have tweaked this route to keep it as safe and fun as possible. 

10. Its scenic. The views of mountains, rivers and wildlife can't be beat.


Looking forward to the next Hawk Nest 200
...."

The next event, part of the R12 series, will be held on August 20th.  It's a new 200k route with a start/finish at the Free Bridge at Easton, PA.  The route crosses from the Delaware to the Schuylkill and back again through the heart of Bucks and Montgomery counties, passing many points of interest along the way, including Weyerbacher Brewery (free samples).   Event details are at: http://parando.org/R12ClubYARRR.html

In September we will return to Lancaster County for another new route that finishes at a pub.  Check the PA Randonneurs website and this blog periodically for updates.

-Chris Nadovich, organizer

Friday, July 15, 2016

July Hawk's Nest 200k

*** Update 1 ***

A pre-ride was completed on 17 July by Bill and I, yet again under difficult (hot & humid) conditions.  

Water should be available at all controles, but this will not be enough
if the weather continues to be ultra hot. Monitor you water bottle fluid levels and take advantage of the numerous "non-control" facilities along the way, including, but not limited to those noted as additional cues on the cue-sheet.


Here are the main non-controle water stops I know about:

19.4 Deli on Left

55.0 Spring by wood fence on Left
61.9 Convenience Store on Right
65.8 Supermarket opposite controle
71.5 Convenience Store on Right near top of climbing

99.7 Bar and Deli on right (useful if Controle was closed)
105.7 Wallpack Inn on left (not last water)
113.6 ***Millbrook Vilage on left (pump/fountain back behind gate near tables)


That last one, the water at Millbrook Village, is not obvious. Few riders seem to be aware of it. Nevertheless, it's not far from the road, near some shade, and very excellent water. You need to pause at the stop sign at mile 113.6 anyway.  You just finished a tough climb. Why not cool off? It'll make the last 10 miles of the brevet so much more enjoyable. Also, there's really no reason to carry full water bottles up the climb. You can fill immediately after the climb.

Road conditions are relatively good, but there are a few difficulties of
note.

40.6 Rt-6, The edge of the road has 28mm wide cracks that weave in and out of the shoulder. Because of the traffic on this road, riding the shoulder is recommended, but be aware of the cracks. When riding in a group, space out so that everyone can see to pick out a safe line.

45.3 Towpath Rd, rough as usual.

76.3 Rt 97 to Hawks Nest. The shoulder is rideable all the way up, although it is covered with gravel and other debris. The main pavement is better, but this is a busy road. I stayed on the shoulder till reaching Hawks Nest, then I took the lane.

95.6 The small bridge here is marked for repair. We are watching the situation but it appears that even if there is construction at this bridge, cyclists will be able to walk around it safely.

111.5 Old Mine Rd is as bad as ever. Lots of potholes. The good news is that you'll be riding past them at 3 mph. Keep in mind that there's water at Milbrook Village just on the other side of this mountain.

115-125 Old Mine Rd continues to be potholed, but now you are riding at 15-25 mph, dizzy from the heat, and the dappled late day shade makes these holes hard to spot. Please be careful.


*** Original Post ***

With summer weather upon us, the July  30th Hawk's Nest 200k course will be heading north into Promised Land, where the temperatures are typically several degrees cooler than points south.  Most of the route is shaded, which will also bring some relief from the heat. Fortunately, positive waves have restored the bridge across the Brodhead Creek allowing us to use the classically "fast" Hawks Nest route. Riders typically finish this course about an hour faster than other Eastern   PA 200k's.  Event details are posted at the PA Randonneurs web site:  http://parando.org/R12ClubJul1-A.html

If you would like to join the roster, please use the online registration form http://www.parando.org/RegistrationForm.html , by 5PM Thursday, August 28th.  

*** Start/Finish ***

The start/finish is at the Village Farmer and Bakery, right next to the Apple Pie Cafe (formerly the Water Gap Diner). The Bakery has promised to open early 6:30AM, so you can top off with a good breakfast before the start. Please show your appreciation to the Bakery manager who is getting out of bed extra early to help feed us. At the end of the ride, also consider patronizing the Apple Pie Cafe (same management).


IMPORTANT Note: Do not leave your car at the Cafe or the Bakery. Parking is in an empty lot behind the Cafe -  Directions are posted here: http://parando.org/WaterGapParking.pdf

Course Notes:
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.

Given the hot weather, hydration is key. There are several opportunities for obtaining water and ice along the course in between the controles. Keep a sharp eye out, monitor your water supply, and think ahead!


*** Ride Safely ***
Your safety is the number priority on an Eastern PA event.  While the risks outlined in the event waiver cannot be completely eliminated, the following will hopefully help keep you as safe as possible.

Your responsibility as the rider includes:
- Showing up in reasonable physical condition for the event
- Bringing a reliable bike in good working order
- Complying with all traffic laws along the course 
- Respecting the rights of all other users of the route (including pedestrians)
- Planning for the situation where you can’t finish the ride

Although every effort has been made to provide you with a scenic route that minimizes car traffic and other hazards, the following list highlights some areas to take some extra care:

- Summer weather has arrived with a vengeance with a forecast calling for heat and humidity.  Be mindful of your fluid and electrolyte levels and it might also be a good idea to carry an ice sock with you if you need to cool down.
- With the rough winter we just had you should be extra vigilant for potholes and rough road surfaces.
- One of the most dangerous things you will encounter on the road just might be another cyclist.  Keep a safe following distance when riding with other cyclists you are not familiar with.  Please avoid forming a large bunch at the st
art of the ride.

Equipment
- Helmets are mandatory.
- Please note that the bike inspection checklist includes redundant lighting for both the front and rear lights.
- Bringing along a cell phone is highly recommended.
- Mechanical assistance is not provided.  
- SPOT trackers will be handed out to selected riders. If you are given one, they have a feature to call for help if you need it and are out of cell phone range -- if you are unfamiliar with how to use this feature, a volunteer will be happy to explain it to you.  If you have a personal unit not already listed on the PA Randonnerus SPOT Tracking webpage:  http://www.parando.org/SPOT_Links.html
please send me a link to your SPOT webpage.

Food / Hydration
- In general, the route heads you into some desolate areas, with limited opportunities for food and water.
- Plan on replenishing supplies at the controle stops.  The controles are typically at a store or restaurant.

Abandon  
- If you feel like abandoning the ride, it may be an indication that you are not eating and drinking enough.  Take a break, eat something, and it's likely that your outlook will improve.  Before you know it, you'll be making that last turn back to the finish.  And remember the golden rule of "… eat before you're hungry and drink before you're thirsty."
If you are still riding past the ride time limit or if you intend to abandon the ride, please contact me on my cell phone: (267) 218-0418
- It is your responsibility to make arrangements for alternate transportation

In case of accident  
Should you become injured, or arrive just after an accident resulting in an injured person (rider, motorist, or passer-by):
- Call 911 for an ambulance, describing where you are and the condition of the injured person(s)
- Contact me along with any other organizers listed on the cuesheet 
- Be sure to carry identification along with your emergency contact information in case you are knocked unconscious

Near-miss
Please mention any safety hazard you might have spotted, or near-miss incident you saw. We value this feedback highly and it will help PA Randonneurs improve the next edition of the event.

Driving after the event
If you are very tired when you reach the finish, it may be a good idea to take a nap before a long drive home, so you don't end up with serious injuries like David Nakai did: 

 Keep the rubber side down!

Registered Riders (as of 7/28/2016)
1 Ed Bernasky
2 Gavin Biebuyck
3 Christoph Boeckeler - PA lapsed
4 Jono Davis
5 William Fischer
6 Patrick Gaffney
7 Vadim Gritsus - guest
8 Eric  K Hannon Ford
9 Kenneth E Herbert - PA lapsed
10 Gil Lebron
11 Christopher Maglieri
12 Chris Nadovich - organizer
13 William Olsen - volunteer
14 Michael Povman
15 Alan Richer -guest
16 Scotty Steingart - guest
17 Bob Torres


Chris Nadovich 

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Water Gap 600k/New Holland 200k Ride Report


Photo courtesy of Greg Keenan
Preliminary results for the Water Gap 600k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA600k_Results160604.pdf

Preliminary results for the New Holland 200k have been posted at:
http://parando.org/PA200k_Results160605.pdf

Please let me know of any corrections or other issues.  Results will be submitted shortly, and become final, pending RUSA certification.

The Water Gap 600k is tough.  The course itself is no cakewalk and the 600k typically falls at a time of the year when hot weather is arriving.  This year was no different with the conditions being a bit more than 4 riders cared to weather.  Saturday did not turn out as hot as originally forecast, but the stormy conditions on Sunday made up for any benefits of a slightly cooler first day.  As seems to be customary, a first-time PA participant, Nick Gigliotti from New York showed up to claim first finisher status.  He seemed to be most motivated by finishing before the afternoon storms arrived on Sunday.   

Congratulations also to James Haddad and Michael Gorman for completing their first Eastern PA SR series and joining the elite group of randonneurs on the PA Honor Roll.  This is also James' first-ever SR completion.  He should be well-prepared for anything randonneuring throws his way.   In addition the following riders added another PA SR to their list of accomplishments:

Greg Keenan (3)
Gil Lebron (2)
Bill Olsen (7)
Bob Torres (4)

The week leading up to the 600k was quite hot and sticky.  This was most apparent when half of the 600k course checkout crew DNFd after a hot day on Wednesday.  As we all looked toward the weekend and wondered how best to support riders in the heat, we made sure to have a strong volunteer presence, both on and off course. Chris Nadovich arrived early to get everything set up at the hostel for the arriving riders on Friday.   Gil Lebron leapfrogged the group for much of the day Saturday with an endless supply of ice water, PayDay bars, and other goodies.  Later, as riders traversed the DWGNRA, Len Zawodniak staffed a secret controle complete with ice cream and made sure everyone safely returned to the hostel.

Guy Harris, who helped serve breakfast at the start, and Bill Olsen greeted the riders at the overnight hostel controle, feeding them both an arrival dinner and a departing breakfast for the 600k riders and the arriving 200k riders.  Later on Sunday, proving that one can ride and help all in the same day, Patrick and Cecilie Gaffney prepared a wonderful post-ride feast to welcome all returning riders to the end of the brevet after completing the 200k themselves.

Greg Keenan writes:  "a special thanks to you and all the volunteers who made it possible for me to run the PA SR series.  It is an amazing lift when Len treats you to ice cream on the side of the road.  My vote for the most travelled award goes to Gil and his magic blue pickup truck with an endless supply of ice water.  And not to forget the many hour put in by the hostel crew who kept us feed at all hours.  Thanks to all."

Of his first 600k and first SR, CJ Arayata  says, "Wow. What can I say about my first 600k? Many of the segments have now become familiar to me by this point, and the weather on Day 1 was very cooperative, so was able to really soak in the scenery and enjoy the route, as well as the company of James, George, and Dan. Having Gil on course at multiple controles kept morale pretty high (someone give that man a raise!), and Len providing ice cream during a period of 100% humidity going through DWG was exactly what I needed. Eventually, it shook out to Dan and I riding together towards the end of the day, and most was smooth... except for the part when trying to navigate Stony Garden in steady rain at 3am, when headlamp beams were getting sucked up into the damp ground. Not so fun.
Day 2 started with a melted brain, pushing hard on an empty stomach, and bonking my brains out in Morgantown on the outbound leg. Andrew greeting me in Blue Ball with a pat on the back and a "How is it going?" was easily the highlight of my ride. After some encouragement and the best-tasting McDonald's Fruit Parfait in my life (and trust me, I eat a lot of them), I found my legs heading back towards Limerick. Along Swamp Creek, the skies opened up on myself and Dan with no mercy. We rode for about 10 minutes through practically white-out conditions before finding shelter under someone's carport, only 13 mi from the finish. After it subsided to a steady rain, we headed back out in rain gear and finished with no precipitation and big smiles.

Overall, I have to say I found my first 600k easier than my first 400k! Taking it one controle at a time (as I have done via my GPS files since my first brevet) was a very effective strategy, as at no point I felt overwhelmed or unprepared in tackling the whole ride. Just staying in the moment, and chipping away at each 25-40 mi stretch while metering my energy level/effort got me back to the hostel on both days.

I was truly impressed with the volunteer support during these longer brevets, going above and beyond the call of the duty to make sure the riders are doing well physically as well as mentally. A very big big big thank you!

I took most of my pictures on Day 1, hopefully everyone enjoys.

James Haddad reports:  "Thanks to you and all the volunteers organizing and executing last weekends 600k. Gil and Bill O. went truly above and beyond looking out for us on the first day and night. Again, the cue sheet was perfect and the route was a flawless combination of safe, quiet roads, with beautiful views. I think my favorite part of the ride was riding along the Lacawaxen river and then the Upper Delaware. While I have driven along the Lacawaxen many times, I’ve never crossed the Delaware there and was particularly blown away by the beauty of the Hawk’s Nest area."
 

From Patrick and Cecilie, "Just a quick note to say thanks for another great ride.  It has been a while since Cecily and I rode this loop and we really enjoyed it.  I have to say that doing it as only a 200K, with fresh legs, made me appreciate just how challenging a course it is for the second day of a 600.  The weather was near perfect for me as the cloud cover kept the heat at bay and, of course, we missed the rain.  Thanks to Bill and Guy as well for sending us on our way and welcoming us back.  Thanks again.

Pat and Cece"


Check back periodically as this report will be updated with some of the better Limericks from the Day 2 post office control.

With the conclusion of the traditional SR series, PA Randonneurs leaves the rando clubhouse and returns to the road.  The next event, part of the R12 series, will be held on July 30.  The event and location have not been finalized, but Hawk's Nest is a good bet for those hot summer events.  Looking ahead, Chris Nadovich has developed a new 200k route out of Easton that is begging to be ridden.  It is tentatively on the schedule for August.  In September we will return to Lancaster County for a route TBD that finishes at Cafe Metzler.  Check the PA Randonneurs website and this blog periodically for updates.

Finally, we would like to thank the crew of volunteers that have helped to make the 2016 PA SR series a success.  As RBA transition planning and preparation continue, it is nice to know that there are many people willing to pitch in and assure the continued success of the region.

-Tom Rosenbauer
Eastern PA RBA
- Andrew Mead
Eastern PA RBA Designate